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17 March 2026

🌦️ Why mystery mites changed Aus

Biosecurity puzzle stumps experts + new veteran hub opens ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
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Morning Post

Newcastle

Wednesday, 18 March 2026  •  Issue #625

🌦️26°/22°
A shower or two, warm day ahead
☀️ UV 9.1  •  🌅 Sunset 7:07 PM
 

Good morning! Today we're looking at the biosecurity mystery that's baffled our top experts, a heartbreaking incident at a state athletics event, and the new one-stop shop opening for Hunter veterans and their families.

— Nathan, Editor

At a Glance

🌦️ 26°/22° — A shower or two, warm day ahead

📰 Experts stumped by bee pest that changed Australian beekeeping forever

🎵 Newcastle Jazz Festival + 3 more events

💪 Health & Wellness: The Power of a Good Night's Sleep

🕰️ On this day in 1965: Soviet cosmonaut Alexei Leonov became the first person to walk in...

Today's Newcastle

Experts stumped by bee pest that changed Australian beekeeping forever

Australia's leading biosecurity experts have been unable to trace how the deadly varroa mite entered the country. The bee-killing pest has already transformed the face of beekeeping and pollination across Australia, but investigators still don't know where it came from.

via ABC Newcastle

Boy with disabilities allegedly accused of cheating at athletics event

A young competitor was left standing with his hands over his ears, crying, after allegedly being accused of cheating at a state athletics championship. The incident has sparked outrage among parents and disability advocates.

via Newcastle Herald

Hunter veterans get new family hub in Maitland

A dedicated facility offering veterans and their families access to essential services has officially opened its doors in Maitland. The hub aims to be a one-stop shop for all the support Hunter veterans need.

via NBN News

Around Australia

Matildas book spot in Asian Cup final with thrilling win

Goals from Caitlin Foord and Sam Kerr powered the Matildas to a 2-1 victory over China in the semifinal. They're now chasing their first continental crown since 2010.

via ABC News

Remote NT town fears for survival as Woolworths considers closure

Nhulunbuy residents are facing a double blow with Rio Tinto's bauxite mine closing and Woolworths now considering pulling out of one of its most remote stores.

via SBS News

Around the World

Top US counterterrorism official resigns over Iran war — National Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent has stepped down, urging President Trump to reverse course on the conflict.

via BBC World

Belgian diplomat, 93, to face trial over 1961 murder of Congo leader — Étienne Davignon will be charged with alleged complicity in the assassination of then Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba.

via The Guardian World

What's On

Music & Entertainment

Every Wednesday we highlight live music and entertainment around Newcastle.

Music

Newcastle Jazz Festival

Civic Theatre Newcastle, 20-22 March

Three nights of Australia's finest jazz talent in an intimate setting.

Exhibition

Sound & Vision: Music in Art

Newcastle Art Gallery, until 25 May

Explore how artists have captured the power of music through paint and sculpture.

Theatre

Songs from the Heart

The Lock-Up, 19 March

Local performers share personal stories through music in this intimate cabaret night.

Free

Sunset Sessions at the Foreshore

Newcastle Foreshore, Wednesdays in March

Bring a picnic and enjoy live acoustic performances as the sun sets.

Got an event to share? Let us know →

Health & Wellness

Every Wednesday we share a tip for living well.

The Power of a Good Night's Sleep

Adults over 60 who consistently get 7-8 hours of sleep have sharper memory and lower inflammation. If you're waking during the night, try keeping your bedroom cool (around 18°C), avoiding screens an hour before bed, and keeping a consistent wake-up time — even on weekends.

Source: Sleep Health Foundation Australia

Do you have a bedtime routine that works for you? Hit reply and share your sleep tips.

Just hit reply and tell us — we'll share the best answers on Tuesday.

Daily Brainteaser

🧩

What can travel around the world while staying in a corner?

Answer revealed at the bottom of today's edition.

Daily Games

💡 Today's Featured Game

Word Ladder

3 steps · ~2 min

LAND → SAIL

Change one letter at a time · Par: 3 steps

Play Word Ladder →
🧠 Trivia · Sport · 7 Qs→
Which Australian city is home to the iconic sports venue known as the...
✏️ Crossword · 5×5 Mini→
1 Across: Saturday Night Fever dance venue
🧩 Sudoku · 3 difficulties→
Gentle · Moderate · Tricky

On This Day

Anniversary of

• Soviet cosmonaut Alexei Leonov became the first person to walk in space. (1965)

• The oil tanker Torrey Canyon ran aground off the coast of Cornwall, England, causing major environmental damage. (1967)

• Thieves stole 13 artworks worth $500 million from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston. (1990)

• Russia formally annexed Crimea following the controversial referendum. (2014)

🎂 Born on this day: American singer and actress Vanessa Williams (1963), French film director Luc Besson (1959), and American rapper and actress Queen Latifah (1970).

Brainteaser Answer
A postage stamp.

One Last Smile

One Last Smile illustration

The biscuit tin always has three Royal Visits and one lonely Monte Carlo.

Send this to a friend who’d laugh

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