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It's known that felines like to roam, but from the start of October they will be subject to a "24-hour cat curfew" in one municipality in the Australian city of Melbourne. Introduced by the Knox City Council, the new rule will require owners to keep their cats on their property at all times. “When allowed to roam, cats are at a much higher risk of illness and injury,” Mayor Lisa Cooper said in a statement. “Keeping cats within their owners’ property also protects wildlife and prevents them causing nuisance for neighbors and their pets.” Wandering cats may be picked up and fines may be issued, the council said. The rule was introduced after a trial period last year which required cats to be confined overnight. It will come into force Oct. 1. However, some residents have taken issue with the new rule and an online petition calling for it be reviewed has received more than 740 signatures. “Knox Council needs to be more considerate of the well-being and basic rights of older cats,” it said, adding that the curfew will remove “basic freedoms” to which the creatures have become accustomed. Calling on the council to instead impose the restrictions on newly registered kittens that are still young enough to be conditioned, it said: “Let cats alive today continue to live their lives like they always have.” The petition also accused the council of failing to “properly consult” the community in the municipality which has a po[CENSORED]tion of just over 163,000, according to a 2019 report from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The Knox City Council's statement said that feedback on the new law had been collected from more than 720 respondents during last year’s trial curfew and more than 86 percent were in favor of it. Almost half of them were cat owners, it added. Domestic cats are considered one of the most invasive species worldwide, according to a research paper from Australia's National Environment Programme, published in June. In Australia, feral cats eat about 2 billion reptiles, birds, frogs and mammals each year, the paper said. They have also contributed to most of Australia’s 34 mammal extinctions, it said. An overnight cat curfew was also introduced last by the Mitchell Shire Council, another municipality in the Australian state of Victoria. “The curfew will help keep cats safer, reduce the impact of nuisance cats on the community, protect wildlife and the environment and help to manage feral cats,” the council said in a statement at the time.

Hudson first came to fame in 2004 as a finalist on "American Idol." She auditioned for the reality singing competition with Franklin's song, "Share Your Love With Me." Fast forward to 2021 and Hudson is now a Grammy winning singer and an Academy Award winning actress whom Franklin handpicked to portray her in the biopic "Respect" prior to her death in 2018. (Hudson won the best supporting actress Oscar in 2007 for her performance in "Dreamgirls.)Hudson told CNN she's long considered why the Queen of Soul wanted her in the role. "This is beyond singing and acting," Hudson said. "I think she saw something in me...I would not have been able to go as deep as I did to tell the story in an honest way without my own life experiences. So, I think she saw that in me, as well as everything else as far as being an actress and a singer." "Respect" tells the story of the rise of Franklin from the little girl singing in her father's church in Detroit to the megastar who would go on to become the first women inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.Along the way there was tragedy and triumph, something Hudson can absolutely relate to. From her elimination too early (in the eyes of many who cheered her on) on "American Idol" to the incredibly painful murders of her mother, brother and young nephew at the hands of her sister's boyfriend in 2008, Hudson has persevered through great adversity and brings that to her portrayal of Franklin.And then there is Hudson's voice. She sings the songs in the movie herself and co-star Marlon Wayans, who plays Franklin's allegedly abusive husband Ted White, told CNN Franklin wanted someone who had the pipes to pull it off."She thought of herself as great and only a great can play her," Wayans said. Wayans and Hudson have some intense scenes portraying the couple's sometimes fraught marriage and both found it challenging given how much they like each other in real life.Wayans said he was intentional in how he portrayed White, who was married to Franklin in the early days of her career from 1961 to 1969. "I think my interpretation of Ted White was to play damaged, not to play scary," Wayans said. "The most scary thing about a damaged person is the things that they will do to prove a point. I tried to bring a level of vulnerability to Ted because I wanted the audience to feel some type of way about Ted and Aretha and wanting them to make it." Preparing to play Franklin was a never ending process for Hudson, who even learned how to play piano to further immerse herself in the role.She said co-star Audra McDonald, who plays Franklin's mother Barbara, summed it up when she said "Man, this is a heavy life to tell" about the biopic. But Hudson wouldn't have it any other way."Those are the things I tend to gravitate to it seems," she said. "Because it's so honest and real and raw."

Land Rover will soon crown its Defender range with the largest 130 model – but it is already investigating plans to turn the Defender nameplate into a model range in its own right. Under consideration is a luxurious version based on the next Range Rover’s underpinnings, along with a pick-up based on the standard model – but plans for a smaller version based on the Discovery Sport have been axed. Sources say Jaguar Land Rover bosses believe the Defender has the potential to become another high-profit business in the mould of Range Rover, with a line-up of distinct Defender-badged models in dealerships set to arrive by early 2025. If they prove successful, JLR’s fortunes would be transformed, with at least six of its nine future Land Rover nameplates generating high profit margins. JLR has increasingly focused on strengthening its three Land Rover model families – Defender, Range Rover and Discovery – in recent years. Under the new plan, it could become a kind of supercharged Porsche: selling high-margin vehicles (JLR is targeting 10% margins) and generating enough cash to continue to invest in new models, as well as paying down its existing debts. The stakes are particularly high with the Defender because a successful expansion of this revered model line could eventually put JLR in the best financial shape of its existence. Although JLR has not officially revealed any fine detail of the Defender plan, Autocar understands that a high-specification range-topper is planned, built on the new MLA platform, but a smaller and more affordable model on the upcoming EMA range-extender platform has been put on ice. The highly sophisticated MLA platform will make its debut underpinning the all-new Range Rover at the end of the year. It will also be used for the next-generation Range Rover Sport, Velar and Discovery 6. The MLA is what’s known as a ‘flex’ platform with an electric bias. It can be produced in mild-hybrid combustion-engine form, as a plug-in hybrid and in solely battery-electric guise. It has been designed to be “highly capable off road” but also to deliver exceptional refinement in road use. An MLA-based Defender will inevitably be more of a luxury car than today’s Slovakia-built model. It is expected to have a less rugged-style interior but distinguish itself from the forthcoming Range Rover’s. The Defender already has a near-£100,000 luxury range-topper in the form of the new V8 version, but the larger, more sophisticated MLA underpinnings could open up the model to a wider audience, while allowing for a full-electric version to rival the inbound Mercedes-Benz EQG. However, the Range Rover and Velar are likely to be initially prioritised as EVs on the MLA platform. Instead of smooth, traditional wood and leather luxury, an MLA Defender will probably use more extravagant colours, more sportily styled seats and a dashboard design that retains the high-mounted gearshifter as the main theme. Unusual materials are also likely, including metallic trims with experimental ‘naturally weathered’ looks and new types of wooden finishes, all in keeping with the Defender’s link to nature and the outdoors. Basing the luxury Defender on the MLA platform gives JLR the option of building a seven-seat version. However, JLR will need to balance the expansion of the Defender range against the Discovery line, with sales of the fifth-generation Discovery seemingly directly affected by the launch of the Defender. In the first six months of 2021, Discovery retail sales slumped to below 10,000 units, making it the slowest-selling Land Rover of all the seven nameplates. (The next lowest was the Velar, at nearly 22,000 units.) Discovery sales were even down 17% on the first six months of a locked-down 2020. Obviously, a seven-seat luxury Defender would clash directly with the next-generation Discovery. So defining the Discovery brand more clearly is essential for JLR if it is to take full advantage of the significant opportunity presented by a more luxurious Defender model. JLR’s engine line-up will have developed further by the time the MLA-based Defender appears, but the 3.0-litre straight-six petrol and diesel engines are expected to be the main powertrains in both hybrid and plug-in hybrid guises. An MLA Defender is likely to start from around £59,000 in today’s money. Given that the plans to expand the Defender family are quite recent, the new luxury flagship version isn’t expected to be in showrooms before late 2024 or early 2025. But before that, the current Defender line-up will expand in 2022 with the launch of the eight-seat 130. This vehicle is a significant stretch over the current 110 model, with most of the extra length being inserted into the rear overhang. Sources say the new Defender 130 will be 5.1m long and aimed largely at the crucial US and Chinese markets, where demand for large SUVs remains high. It’s expected to be available in high-end trim only and showroom prices might start as high as £70,000. Along with the long-mooted pick-up version (see story, left) this new addition to the range will be crucial in expanding the Defender’s target market and cementing the model line as a spin-off brand in the vein of Ford’s Mustang. The 130 is likely to offer an extra seat over the current 110 and be available with the whole gamut of Land Rover powertrains, from the P300e PHEV option up to the 518bhp supercharged V8. At the other end of the line-up, Land Rover had been expected to use the recently announced EMA (Electric Modular Architecture) platform for an entry-level Defender model in 2025, much like Ford has done in the US with the Bronco and Bronco Sport. However, these plans are now understood to have been scrapped. As previously reported by Autocar, this platform will be used for the next-generation Evoque and Discovery Sport, with its flat floor enabling much more spacious interiors than the current models’. The new EMA architecture is described by JLR as “native BEV”, which means it is designed as a battery-electric ‘skateboard’ platform. But it is also capable of housing a small lean-burn petrol engine – thought to be a 1.5-litre three-pot – that can be used as a range-extending generator when the battery is depleted. The engine is expected to be available in at least 150bhp and 180bhp versions. The platform will initially be sold with a smaller battery for normal hybrid operation in conjunction with the petrol engine and with a much larger battery pack for a plug-in range of as much as 150 miles. The EMA has been future-proofed to accommodate a number of different battery chemistries and JLR promises electric drive motors that are 92% efficient at turning power from the batteries into forward motion. The company also says the EMA platform will be equipped with a brand-new electrical and software architecture that will support autonomous driving functions from level two (advanced driver assistance features) to level four (allowing for fully autonomous driving on certain enabled roads), communication with other vehicles and street infrastructure and automatic payment capability, as well as “curated digital media and brand experiences”.

Anglers have been asked to report catches and sightings of an invasive species of salmon in Scottish rivers. Pink salmon are native to Pacific Ocean waters but have spread to parts of northern Europe after being released into rivers in Russia in the 1960s. "Unprecedented numbers" of the fish were found in Scottish rivers in 2017, and high numbers were again seen in 2019. The salmon have already been caught this year in the Ness in the Highlands. Fisheries Management Scotland (FMS) has asked anglers to report where else the fish have been found. Concern about humpback salmon 'Grizzly favourite' found in River Ness The organisation is the representative body for Scotland's district salmon fishery boards, rivers and fisheries trusts and the River Tweed Commission. There are concerns pink salmon could out-compete native fish species for food and habitat. FMS said the number of native wild Atlantic salmon returning to their spawning grounds in the UK had "fallen dramatically" since the 1970s, and the invasive species was seen as an "additional threat" to its survival.

Following a rumor from last week, Ford has officially revealed the arrival of a rear-wheel-drive Explorer ST for the 2022 model year. That said, all-wheel drivetrain is now an option for the go-fast midsize crossover, which meant pricing will likely be lower but has yet to be revealed. CarsDirect has discovered the pricing for the tail-happy Explorer based on data derived from Ford's latest order guide. According to the website, there will be a $2,000 price cut down to a $53,415 price tag, with handling and destination. That said, the AWD Explorer ST will be priced at $55,415 for the 2022 model year if we're to follow CarsDirect's discovery. In comparison, the 2021 Explorer ST AWD is now priced at $55,240 before discounts. Although still not confirmed at this point, the price cut for the new RWD Explorer ST isn't surprising. The Ford Explorer Platinum, which became standard with a rear-wheel drivetrain for 2021, also got a substantial decrease.

Taylor Swift joined TikTok on Monday, sharing a clip of herself lip-syncing to Dave’s “Screwface Capital” — choice lyrics from which include, “My linen all tailored / My outstanding payments swift like Taylor.” In the video, the 31-year-old musician counts down all of her recent album releases, clad in outfits true to each LP’s aesthetic. She wears a white nightgown-style number for July 2020’s “Folklore,” a plaid Stella McCartney coat for December 2020’s “Evermore,” a yellow floral frock for April’s “Fearless (Taylor’s Version)” and a black turtleneck and red lip for November’s upcoming “Red (Taylor’s Version).”

Women in Afghanistan can continue to study in universities, including at postgraduate levels, but classrooms will be gender-segregated and Islamic dress is compulsory, the higher education minister in the new Taliban government said on Sunday. The minister, Abdul Baqi Haqqani, laid out the new policies at a news conference, several days after Afghanistan's new rulers formed an all-male government. On Saturday, the Taliban had raised their flag over the presidential palace, signalling the start of the work of the new government. The world has been watching closely to see to what extent the Taliban might act differently from their first time in power, in the late 1990s. During that era, girls and women were denied an education and were excluded from public life. The Taliban have suggested they have changed, including in their attitudes toward women. However, women have been banned from sports and the Taliban have used violence in recent days against women protesters demanding equal rights. Haqqani said the Taliban did not want to turn the clock back 20 years. "We will start building on what exists today," he said. However, female university students will face restrictions, including a compulsory dress code. Haqqani said hijabs will be mandatory but did not specify if this meant compulsory headscarves or also compulsory face coverings. Gender segregation will also be enforced, he said. "We will not allow boys and girls to study together," he said. "We will not allow co-education." Haqqani said the subjects being taught would also be reviewed. While he did not elaborate, he said he wanted graduates of Afghanistan's universities to be competitive with university graduates in the region and the rest of the world. The Taliban banned music and art during their previous time in power. This time around television has remained and news channels still show women presenters, but the Taliban messaging has been erratic. In an interview on Afghanistan's po[CENSORED]r Tolo News, Taliban spokesman Syed Zekrullah Hashmi said women should give birth and raise children and while the Taliban have not ruled out eventual participation of women in government, the spokesman said it's not necessary that women be in the cabinet.

The UK Foreign Office is to hold urgent meetings with banks, financial institutions and NGOs to clarify how to provide humanitarian aid to Afghanistan without breaching US or UN counterterror sanctions. The takeover of the country by the Taliban, which is internationally designated as a terrorist organisation, presents a legal minefield for charities trying to provide aid to the po[CENSORED]tion. The UN has imposed two sets of sanctions resolutions against more than 130 members of the Taliban – many now members of the government – and five Taliban “entities” including the entire Haqqani network. The US has long imposed broader sanctions on the Taliban as an organisation, raising questions about how banks or other financial channels can send aid into Afghanistan without risking falling foul of US Treasury penalties. A senior Foreign Office official said: “We need to be focused on the art of the possible so we are working to find solutions to get humanitarian aid into Afghanistan. We are talking to international partners several times daily about the best solution.”

When the new Honda Ridgeline was revealed last year, a report circulated that Honda is going for the macho styling for the unibody truck to get more share of the truck-loving American market. More importantly, the Japanese automaker was said to be sending the more aggressive design to the rest of the Honda range, particularly with its SUVs. In case you're wondering what that would look like on a Honda Passport, here's an unofficial rendering. Of note, there have been sightings of the next version of the crossover that show the mentioned update. Visually, the set of rendering above shows what a Ridgeline's nose would look like when directly slapped on a Passport. As opposed to the truck, though, the Passport here gets smaller mesh on the grille for a softer, albeit still aggressive, aura that fits the family hauler. The most obvious change, of course, is the squared-off shape of the grille – unlike the wing grille of the current version. The hood seems more upright as well, courtesy of the redesigned hood. The headlights largely remain the same, though the fog lights and bumper vent accents are lifted straight from the Ridgeline.

Animal welfare campaigners have called for the Dangerous Dogs Act to be reviewed to prevent certain breeds being put down when they go into care. The Scottish SPCA says the legislation takes no account of temperament or suitability for adoption. As a result, it amounts to a death sentence for American pit bulls, Japanese Tosas, Dogo Argentinos and Fila Brasileiros. The charity is calling for dogs to be judged according to "deeds not breeds". On the 30th anniversary of the act coming into force it has launched a new petition which says dogs should only be euthanised if they have attacked someone. 'Heartbreaking for everyone' Scottish SPCA chief superintendent Mike Flynn said: "While we fully support legislation to protect the public, we believe any breed of dog can be potentially out of control and dangerous in the wrong hands. "We'd like to see a bigger focus on legislation that ensures responsible dog ownership rather than punishing individual dogs for the way they look if they haven't harmed anyone. "At the very least, we'd like to see the law amended so banned breeds and types who come into our care can be rehomed." 'Devoted' owner loses court bid to save dog Pit bulls 'should not be collateral damage' Mr Flynn said the charity's teams often cared for these dogs for months or even years while waiting for court proceedings to conclude, only to have to put them to sleep as they could not be legally be adopted. He added: "Often these dogs have great temperaments and no behavioural issues but still need to be euthanised when, if they were any other breed, they'd be off to a loving home. It's heartbreaking for everyone involved." Since 2013 the charity said it has had to euthanise 24 pit bulls who have come into its care after being identified as a banned type. 'He adored every person and dog' One, named Doyle, was cared for at the charity's Lanarkshire rescue centre for 58 days before being put to sleep in November 2018. Animal care assistant Mica Sinforiani said: "He loved running around with his toys but most of all he loved getting attention from the team. "He took everything in his stride and adored every person and dog he met while he was here. "It was absolutely devastating to have cared for Doyle for all that time only to have to put him to sleep." Ms Sinforiani believes Doyle would have done well in an adoptive home but that was not an option. She added: "Every time a dog comes in to the centre who is deemed to be a pit bull it's the same story and it's so upsetting and distressing for the whole team." The UK government has been approached for comment.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry recently got called out making rather ‘contradictory’ claims during the course of their Oprah Winfrey interview. This claim has been made by Robert Jobson and during his interview with Nigel Farage on GB News, he touched on the Sussex’s ‘racist’ claims regarding Archie’s skin color conversations. He was also quoted saying, “I'm getting a feeling when I'm doing a lot of work in America they genuinely believe some of this racist bunkum.” He also added, “I mean really, the work that the Queen's done with the Commonwealth and the Prince of Wales [has done] a huge amount of work. And to even implicate them as racist is ludicrous.” During the course of his interview, Mr. Jobson also referenced the couple’s Oprah interview and commented on its closeness with Prince Philip’s illness. “I was shocked, I thought it was deeply unpleasant in the way that it was handled. I said on air I thought it was a bit like someone burning the American flag, what they were doing is burning out the British flag.” “And the nonsense that was talked about, you know, like they had a secret marriage, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the holy man of the land, actually came out and said it was a lie. You had other things in there that were just nonsense.”

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