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The quest to find Australia's oldest playable musical instrument has led to the discovery of several remarkable pieces. A 16th-century double bass crafted by Gasparo da Salò, a renowned luthier, has been found to be one of the oldest playable instruments in the country. Currently on loan to Max Bibeau, principal double bass for the Australian Chamber Orchestra (ACO), this instrument was made around 1580 in Brescia, Italy. Only a handful of such instruments exist globally, and Bibeau's relationship with the double bass was not immediate. He notes that it took considerable time and effort to 'wake it up' and make it playable again. The instrument had been stored in an abbey in northern Italy for centuries before being discovered by German bass player Prof Günter Klaus in the late 1960s. Culturally, the yidaki (didgeridoo), a sacred instrument to the Yolŋgu people, is likely Australia's oldest instrument, with a history spanning thousands of years. For an exhibition in 2017, curators at the South Australian Museum worked with Yolŋgu community members to restore a selection of the oldest and most unique yidaki to playing condition. The oldest restored yidaki was made around 1890. Another contender for the oldest instrument is a piano from the First Fleet, a 'square' piano made by Frederick Beck in 1780. This instrument, now housed at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts, has a softer and smaller sound compared to modern pianos. The oldest instrument found in Australia is an ocarina from Colombia, estimated to have been made around AD 1200. This ancient vessel flute is part of a collection of 830 musical instruments donated to the Queensland Museum. While it can produce a sound, its original sound and playability are uncertain due to its fragility and age. The wood used for the front of Bibeau's da Salò bass has been dated to a tree growing as early as 1266. According to Bibeau, age can enhance an instrument's sound, but it requires careful preservation and play to maintain its quality. He notes that 'instruments need to be played' and that 'the more it vibrates, the better it vibrates.'

Former US President Donald Trump has made a striking assertion about Iran, claiming that the nation could be neutralized in a remarkably short period. Trump stated that Iran 'can be taken out in one night', a comment that has garnered significant attention and sparked concerns about potential military actions.The statement, which was captured on video, has not been officially contextualized by Trump's team or the White House. This kind of rhetoric can have far-reaching implications for international relations, particularly given the complex history between the United States and Iran.Iran has been a focal point in global politics due to its nuclear program and involvement in various regional conflicts. Tensions between Iran and Western nations, especially the US, have been escalating, with diplomatic efforts often struggling to achieve lasting resolutions.Trump's comments have raised concerns among diplomats and analysts about the potential for increased military conflict. Such statements can influence market dynamics, impact geopolitical stability, and affect international diplomatic efforts.

President Donald Trump opened the traditional Easter Egg Roll on the White House South Lawn alongside a child dressed in a giant bunny costume, before turning the event into a platform for a stark Iran warning to a room of reporters. Hours later, the president entered a packed briefing room flanked by Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth. The press conference highlighted the recent rescue of a U.S. airman whose jet was downed by Iran, a mission Trump praised as "genius" and likened to a Hollywood production. Amid the celebration, Trump shifted focus to a $1.5 trillion Pentagon budget request he had submitted the previous week, emphasizing military spending while domestic programs face cuts. In a chilling turn, the president warned that the United States could "take out the entire country in one night" by targeting Iran’s bridges and power plants, a threat he framed as a potential path to freedom for the Iranian people. He claimed, without evidence, that Iranians would accept such suffering to topple their regime. When a reporter cited the Geneva Conventions, Trump dismissed the concern, questioning the journalist’s affiliation and mocking the New York Times for its declining circulation. Trump also hinted at personal profit, stating, "I'm a businessman first" when asked about seizing Iranian oil, and invoked a quasi‑religious narrative, saying, "God was watching us" during the Easter festivities. Defence Secretary Hegseth, known for his ties to Christian nationalism, likened the rescue to a resurrection, describing the timeline from the aircraft’s downing on Good Friday to its recovery on Easter Sunday as a "pilot reborn". Critics on social media and within Congress have labeled Trump’s rhetoric as "insane" and "dangerous," urging the cabinet to consider the 25th Amendment to assess his fitness for office. The president brushed off mental‑health concerns, suggesting that if his condition were an issue, "you’ll need more people like me." Recent weeks have seen Trump make contradictory statements: first denying the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz, then threatening escalation; first boasting of air superiority after a U.S. fighter was shot down, then claiming the war is already won. These erratic pronouncements have heightened worries that the nation’s nuclear launch authority may be in the hands of a leader whose public behavior resembles the "Mad Hatter" of Lewis Carroll’s classic.

Ipswich Town secured a vital 2-1 victory over Birmingham City on Easter Monday, propelling them into the automatic promotion places in the Championship. The win came courtesy of a decisive goal from Kasey McAteer, his first since joining the club last summer.The match was played against the backdrop of controversy surrounding Nigel Farage's visit to Portman Road on March 23. Farage, the leader of Reform UK, was seen wearing an Ipswich shirt with the number 10 on it, sparking division among fans and a heated debate about the club's apolitical stance. The club's chairman, Mark Ashton, later apologized for any hurt, pain, or distress caused by the incident.On the pitch, Ipswich dominated proceedings, with McAteer scoring the winning goal after Birmingham's Carlos Vicente had given them a surprise first-half lead. The hosts' full-backs played a crucial role in securing the draw and ultimately the win, with Darnell Furlong's cross leading to Ben Johnson's equalizing goal.The second half saw Birmingham push for an equalizer, with Ibrahim Osman's introduction making a significant impact. However, despite some nervy moments, Ipswich held firm, and McAteer's goal sealed the win and sent the home fans into raptures. This victory moves Ipswich into second place on goal difference above Millwall, with Middlesbrough still to play their evening game.

Chelsea FC Women have advanced to the Women's FA Cup semi-finals after a hard-fought 2-1 win against Tottenham Hotspur Women. The Blues' manager, Sonia Bompastor, expressed relief and pride in her team's performance, despite the grueling schedule they have faced. The match at Kingsmeadow was an intense, end-to-end battle, with both teams creating scoring opportunities. Sam Kerr opened the scoring in the 40th minute, heading Keira Walsh's cross past Lize Kop. However, Tottenham responded well, and Eveliina Summanen equalized seven minutes after halftime with a free-kick that floated over the Chelsea defense. The game seemed destined for extra time, but Veerle Buurman's stunning, rising strike with just four minutes of normal time remaining secured the win for Chelsea. This goal sparked wild celebrations among the home fans and Buurman's teammates. Bompastor praised her players' resilience and highlighted the importance of communication with national team coaches to manage the players' workload effectively. With their Women's Super League title hopes all but extinguished and the League Cup already won, Chelsea is now focused on securing a domestic cup double. Tottenham's manager, Martin Ho, was pleased with his team's performance, noting that they showed character and grit despite the defeat. He emphasized that the team can take positives from the match as they look to bounce back in their next game against Manchester United.

Waitrose is facing growing criticism for its decision to sack an employee of 17 years, Walker Smith, after he stopped a shoplifter from stealing Lindt Gold Bunny Easter eggs. The incident occurred at the Clapham Junction branch in south London, where Smith had worked for nearly two decades. According to Smith, a customer alerted him to someone filling a bag with chocolate eggs. The 54-year-old employee said he “grabbed the bag”, but the shoplifter snatched it back, leading to a brief struggle. The bag snapped, and the items fell to the floor. Smith claimed he picked up a broken bunny and “threw it out of frustration” towards some shopping trolleys, but did not aim at the shoplifter. Despite apologizing to his manager for his role in the incident, Smith was terminated two days later. His actions were deemed a breach of company policy, which instructs employees not to approach suspected shoplifters. The decision to fire Smith has sparked widespread criticism, with over £2,000 raised in a fundraiser to support him. The organizer of the fundraiser described Smith as having “simply tried to do the right and noble thing”. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp has called on Waitrose to reinstate Smith, accusing the supermarket of acting “disgracefully”. In a letter to Waitrose managing director Tom Denyard, Philp argued that staff safety must come first, but dismissing a long-serving employee in these circumstances sends the wrong message. The incident comes amid a 5% rise in shoplifting offences in the year to September 2025, according to the latest figures. Waitrose has defended its policies, stating that the safety and security of its partners and customers is paramount, and that it refuses to put anyone’s life at risk. However, critics argue that the company’s stance penalizes employees who act to prevent shoplifting, while offenders are left unchecked. The debate highlights the challenges faced by retailers in balancing employee safety with the need to prevent crime.

UK Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has publicly denounced Kanye West's antisemitic remarks, emphasizing that there is 'no place for that kind of hatred, bigotry or antisemitism' in the UK. Her comments come after West was announced as the headline act for all three nights of the Wireless festival in London's Finsbury Park.West has faced intense criticism for his antisemitic remarks, including voicing admiration for Adolf Hitler and releasing a song titled 'Heil Hitler.' These actions have led to calls from various UK ministers, organizations, and Jewish groups to ban him from performing at the festival and even from entering the country.Keir Starmer, the leader of the Labour Party, has expressed deep concern over West's booking at the festival, citing his previous antisemitic remarks and celebration of Nazism. The Campaign Against Antisemitism has also urged the government to take action, highlighting West's track titled 'Heil Hitler' and his history of antisemitic behavior.In response to the backlash, several sponsors, including Pepsi and Diageo, have withdrawn their sponsorship from the festival. Additionally, PayPal will not appear in any future promotional materials for the event.The controversy surrounding West's performance has sparked a broader conversation about antisemitism in the UK. Recent incidents, such as the firebombing of Jewish community-run ambulances in Golders Green and an attack on a synagogue in Manchester, have raised concerns about growing antisemitism in the country.

The United Kingdom’s new inheritance tax framework for agricultural holdings and family enterprises takes effect on Monday, and accountants warn it will create significant challenges for those affected.After the government’s October 2024 proposal to impose inheritance tax on farms sparked nationwide protests, ministers responded in December 2025 by raising the tax‑free threshold from the originally planned £1 million to £2.5 million per individual.Under the revised rules, the first £2.5 million of combined farm and business assets will continue to enjoy 100 % relief from inheritance tax, while any value exceeding that amount will receive only 50 % relief. Each heir is allocated a personal allowance of £2.5 million.Elsa Littlewood, private‑client partner at BDO, described the rollout as a watershed moment for the farming and family‑business community. She acknowledged the “welcome concessions” but stressed that the new regime represents a “significant departure” from previous policy, demanding earlier and more intensive succession planning.Littlewood highlighted that many farms are “asset‑rich but cash‑poor,” meaning the revised tax structure could force beneficiaries to liquidate land or other assets to meet inheritance‑tax liabilities. This risk underscores the need for owners to engage in proactive estate planning to preserve the long‑term viability of their enterprises.While the threshold increase was applauded by some sector representatives, critics argue the changes remain insufficient to quell rural anger, noting that only the largest estates will now face higher tax bills.

Thousands of independent UK businesses are preparing for heating‑oil expenses to more than double after the Iran war sent Europe’s fuel markets to fresh record highs.Roughly 7% of all small and medium‑sized enterprises (SMEs) heat their premises with oil, and in many rural locations the figure climbs to about 17%, according to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), which represents around 200,000 firms and sole traders.With many rural firms off the gas grid, they depend on heating oil—a kerosene derivative linked to jet‑fuel prices. Prices have surged dramatically: a supplier charged 54.9p per litre in January and demanded 129p per litre by late March, a rise of 116%. One hotel and restaurant owner in North Yorkshire, Anthony Jenkins, reported that his annual oil bill, normally around £3,000, is now unaffordable.Jenkins said he has cut fuel usage by half and is asking guests to lower radiator settings rather than open windows. He also hopes to shift to solar‑heated water as daylight hours increase.The FSB has urged the UK competition watchdog to extend its probe of the heating‑oil market to include SMEs, noting that the same shock has lifted North‑west European jet fuel to $1,900 per tonne and diesel to $1,600 per tonne, according to Argus.Trade bodies warn that the volatility creates a fertile environment for rogue energy brokers who may push small firms into unfavorable long‑term contracts. Tina McKenzie, policy chair of the FSB, stressed the need for stricter broker regulations, noting that many SMEs lack the bargaining power of larger corporations.Small businesses also miss out on the government’s household energy‑price cap and other consumer protections, despite their energy usage resembling that of households. McKenzie added that the market’s rapid evolution leaves many firms “nervous and vulnerable”.Proposals to tighten broker oversight, including tighter scrutiny by Ofgem, are pending new legislation. An Ofgem spokesperson said the regulator has reminded suppliers and brokers to “treat customers fairly, prioritize transparent pricing and good consumer outcomes”, acknowledging the “concerning volatility” caused by the Middle‑East conflict.