Mexico's federal archaeology agency has accused the conservative-governed city of Guanajuato of mistreating one of the country's famous mummified 19th century bodies.

The National Institute of Anthropology and History, INAH, said that during recent renovations at the museum where the mummified bodies are on permanent display, the arm of one of the mummies, well, came off.

One might think the complaint is all about the dignified treatment of corpses buried around the early 1800s and dug up starting in the 1860s, because their families could no longer pay burial fees.

READ MORE: Urgent search for mother and newborn after birth near Sydney river

But in fact, the mummies have been on a somewhat grisly display in glass cases in a museum in Guanajuato, the capital of the state of the same name, and toted around to tourism fairs for decades.

Some were exhibited in the United States in 2009.

What appears to be at the root of the latest dispute is a turf battle between the INAH, which believes it has jurisdiction over the mummies because it says they are "national patrimony," and Guanajuato, which considers them a tourist attraction.

The state and city are governed by the conservative National Action Party, which the Morena party – which holds power at the federal level – considers its arch-enemy.

Yesterday, the institute said it would demand an accounting of what permits and procedures were followed during the museum renovations.

"These events confirm that the way the museum's collection was moved is not the correct one, and that far from applying proper corrective and conservation strategies, the actions carried out resulted in damages, not only to this body," the institute wrote in a statement.

It did not say what, if any, other bits of mummies had fallen off.

"It appears that this situation is related to a lack of knowledge about proper protocols and the lack of training of the personnel in charge of carrying out these tasks," it continued.

The Guanajuato city government did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The preserved corpses were unintentionally mummified when they were buried in crypts in a dry, mineral-rich soil environment in the mining state of Guanajuato.

Some still have hair, leathery skin and their original clothing.

The institute appeared to be miffed because personnel in Guanajuato, not the institute's own staff, is in charge of the approximately 100 mummies.

In part because they were mostly dug up before the institute was founded in 1939, they remain under local control, something that has rankled federal officials in the past.

In 2023, experts from the institute complained that a travelling display of mummies could pose a health risk to the public, because one of the mummies appeared to have fungal growths.

It is not the first time that the extremity of a long-dead person becomes a national political issue.

In 1989, the Mexican government weathered a wave of criticism after it removed the arm of revolutionary General Álvaro Obregón – severed in battle in 1915 – after being displayed in a jar of formaldehyde in a marble monument for a half-century.

Visitors said it had become "unsightly", and so the arm was incinerated and buried.

In 1838, Antonio López de Santa Anna, who served as president of Mexico 11 times, lost his leg in battle, and had it buried with honours.

By 1844, an angry crowd that accused him of treason dragged the leg through the streets of Mexico City and apparently destroyed it.

Ahead of the upcoming tax return deadline digital accounting service Hnry has shared its top 10 least- known tax deductions.

In the first National Reconciliation Week since the failure of last October's Voice to parliament referendum, Reconciliation Australia is urging supporters to continue to fight for "justice and rights" for Indigenous Australians.

Reconciliation Week has been held every year since 1996, with all Australians invited to learn about "our shared histories, cultures, and achievements".

Here's what you need to know.

READ MORE: Massive rain system to soak 80 per cent of Australia this week

When is National Reconciliation Week?

The week is marked on the same dates every year – May 27 to June 3.

The first date commemorates the May 27 referendum in 1967, which saw more than 90 per cent of voters support the inclusion of all Indigenous Australians in the census.

June 3, Mabo Day, is the anniversary of the High Court's 1992 decision to recognise the land interests of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and to overturn the existing legal fiction that prior to European colonisation, Australia was "terra nullius" – "nobody's land".

READ MORE: Search continues for woman who gave birth near Sydney river

Who can take part in National Reconciliation Week?

Events are held in workplaces, schools, community venues, and can be organised by individuals.

Reconciliation Australia has guidelines on how to set up an event, and a public calendar for people to check what's near them.

Events can also be listed privately, for a set group of invitees.

READ MORE: Popular sauces pulled from Coles, Woolworths, IGA shelves

What is the theme of the week?

This year's theme is "Now More Than Ever".

"There have been many moments in Australia's reconciliation journey that make us want to turn away," Reconciliation Australia's website says.

"But when things are divisive, the worst thing we can do is disengage or disconnect."

Instead, participants and all Australians are called on to push forward with the ongoing goal of reconciliation.

Find out more at Reconciliation Australia's website.

FOLLOW US ON WHATSAPP HERE: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, celebrity and sport via our WhatsApp channel. No comments, no algorithm and nobody can see your private details.

Have you ever wanted to live like Kevin McCallister? Well here's your chance.

Queensland project manager Tracey Sims is a survivor who has been put through the wringer over the past six years.

Back in 2018, Ms Sims went to the doctor because she had a watery eye. She was told it was just a blocked tear duct.

However, while she was undergoing a minor operation to fix the blocked duct, the surgeon found a tumour.

READ MORE: When China threatens, countries call 'the firm' for help

Ms Sims was diagnosed with a type of skin cancer, squamous cell carcinoma, which was treated with radiation.

Three years later, Ms Sims was told at an annual check-up that the cancer had returned.

Ms Sims said her mind immediately went to the worst possible scenario. 

"I was thinking the cancer was right throughout my body," she said. 

"I thought, 'I'm too young for this. I've got kids, they're going get married and have kids. I'm not going to be here in six months.'" 

"I was handed over to the surgeon who sat me down and said, 'We need to take your eye.'"

To Ms Sims, the news actually came as a relief. 

"I said, 'So that's it. You're taking my eye. I thought that is OK." 

Ms Sims had her eye, eye socket and part of her cheekbone removed with surgery, and a skin flap was fashioned to cover the cavity left behind.

Chemotherapy and radiation followed.

At the beginning of last year, Ms Sims' skin flap began to fail. A side-effect of the radiation meant the skin was literally melted away.

Meanwhile, Ms Sims was determined to continue on with her life and had gone back to work. She spent the next six or seven months covering her face with a large band-aid, while continuing to look for solutions.

"I was ringing the plastic surgeon saying, what do I do?" Ms Sims said.

"I can't walk around with this massive hole in my head, it's an open wound. You can look and see inside my head."

Ms Sims was put in touch with NSW anaplastologist Sophie Fleming, who makes facial prosthetics.

Fleming fitted Ms Sims with a prosthetic eye which is moulded to the shape of her facial cavity with silicone.

Ms Sims said she was delighted and "in awe" with the result.

"I wasn't worried about going out in the world with a couple of band aids on – but this just gave me that much more confidence to do it. And know that I'm protecting myself as best as I can," she said.

However, the prothesis came at a hefty cost of $6500. Ms Sims said she was stunned to find out the prosthesis was not covered by Medicare or her private health insurance because it was considered "cosmetic" rather than functional.

"To know that I'd had cancer and this really is another part of the treatment, but it's not covered, it is crazy," she said.

"I'm not someone that would go out and get my nose changed or whatever. This is a necessary thing and is a result of cancer. It should be covered. 

"There'd be people that can't afford it. I was just lucky that I had some savings of that amount of money."

Ms Sims said she was also told by her life insurance company that a claim for permanent disability would be rejected.

"They told me, 'You've still got another eye,'" she said.

READ MORE: Twelve people injured as Qatar Airways plane hits turbulence

Ms Sims' story comes after a Senate inquiry into the treatment and diagnosis for rare cancers heard cancer survivors were sometimes being forced to go without facial prosthetics or dental implants because they are not covered by Medicare.

"We've been told stories of people not leaving the house, avoiding their grandchildren or using a tissue with tape to cover their face when they go out," Head and Neck Cancer Australia CEO Nadia Rosin told the inquiry.

Fleming said many patients were shocked to hear their facial prosthesis would not be covered by Medicare and it was a big barrier for some.

"It just adds a whole level of distress to their treatment pathway. Once they've gone through that surgery to have a part of their face removed to then be grappling with the idea of having to self-fund their reconstruction because it's prosthetic," Fleming said. 

"We have schemes that cover walking sticks, or legs and arms or breasts.

"I think this one just seems to have slipped through the cracks a little bit." 

One of the recommendations included in the inquiry's final report, released earlier this month, calls on the Australian Government to "work with state and territory governments to identify the barriers faced by cancer patients requiring rehabilitation, prosthetics and implants as a result of their treatment, with a view to ensuring they have financial support for those services".

Liberal Senator Wendy Askew, who sat on the inquiry's committee, said she and other members were moved to hear the stories of people who needed surgery to areas such as their neck and face. 

"Having access to dental implants and facial prosthetics such as an eye, ear, nose or cheek is a vital step on a patient's journey to recovery, restoring their dignity and reversing the disfiguration that they have endured during their treatment," Askew said.

"Reconstruction surgery is available for many other cancers, however is limited for these rare and less common cancers.  This recommendation aims to address this inequity."

Rosin said the recommendation was "an opportunity for the Federal Government to completely transform the quality of life of people in Australia who are cured but can't afford to have part of their face replaced after cancer treatment."

"We need to allow these people to survive and to enjoy life in a normal way and be a part of society." 

Head and Neck Cancer Australia was currently working in collaboration with expert Head and Neck Cancer clinicians on a funding proposal to put to Health Minister Mark Butler, she said.

9news.com.au has contacted the Department of Health for comment.

Contact reporter Emily McPherson at em********@******om.au

A banking code of conduct that would regulate branch closures similar to regulations in the UK would be a crucial way to safeguard access to cash for regional communities, according to a finance expert.

A senate report released on Friday found more than 2100 bank branches were closed in Australia between 2017 and 2023 – almost 40 per cent of branches.

It also found while the use of cash is declining across the economy, cash and face-to-face banking services remain important in regional and remote areas, during times of crisis and by the vulnerable, elderly and disabled.

READ MORE: Community rallies for mother mourning death of her toddler son

The report listed eight recommendations including that the government recognises access to financial services as an "essential service" and that it creates a mandatory banking code of conduct, citing the UK model as an example.

RMIT University finance researcher and associate professor Dr Angel Zhong supports a mandatory banking code of conduct in Australia that would require banks to consult with the community and seek regulatory approval before closing a branch.

She cited the UK's "three-mile rule", where banks are required to provide free cash services within three miles (4.8km) for rural residents and one mile (1.6km) for urban dwellers.

This doesn't necessarily have to be via a bank branch or ATM, but can also include shops that offer cash-out transactions for free and other alternatives.

Introduced last year, the legislation aims to maintain current levels of access to cash across the UK by fining banks that fall below a minimum level of service.

"The UK's approach recognises that while digital payments are on the rise, cash remains essential for certain transactions," Zhong said.

"By safeguarding access, they address the concerns of rural communities and vulnerable individuals."

Australia's geography and distribution of population makes the three-mile rule difficult to replicate in Australia, an Australian Banking Association spokesperson told 9news.com.au.

"Australia has unique geographical challenges with cash distribution that many other countries don't face," the spokesperson said in a statement.

"Australia for example is 32 times the size of the United Kingdom.

"The banking sector remains committed to ensuring cash continues to be accessible to customers.

"Banks provide fee-free ATM withdrawals at 85 of Australia's most remote communities.

"Banks also pay for cash services to be available at around 1800 regional Bank@Post locations."

The senate report's recommendations also include the expansion of Bank@Post services with Australia Post as well as the establishment of a community banking program and examining the feasibility of a publicly owned bank.

Given the history of state-owned banks within Australia, Zhong said that option should be a "last resort".

"I think (the mandatory code of conduct) is a better approach to strike a balance between preserving the value of taxpayers' money and also ensuring that within Australia, Australians have access to cash and banking facilities."

As many as 2000 people are feared to have been buried by last week's massive landslide in Papua New Guinea, according to the country's National Disaster Centre, as rescuers scramble to find any survivors in the remote region.

The landslide occurred in the mountainous Enga region in northern Papua New Guinea on Friday and the latest figure is a sharp rise from earlier estimates.

Australia will send at least $2.5 million in humanitarian aid to help its closest neighbour after the government in Port Moresby issued an open call for help.

READ MORE: Building company with $400m in projects on verge of collapse

Soon after the disaster occurred, the United Nations said as many as 100 may have died.

That was later revised up to 670, according to estimates from the Chief of Mission for the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in the country.

But that may now be a major underestimate according to the latest projection from Papua New Guinea's disaster agency.

"The landslide buried more than 2000 people alive and caused major destruction to buildings, food gardens and caused major impact on the economic lifeline of the country," Lusete Laso Mana, Acting Director the National Disaster Centre, said in a letter to the UN.

"The situation remains unstable as the landslip continues to shift slowly, posing ongoing danger to both rescue teams and survivors alike," he added, saying the main highway to the area had been completely blocked by the landslide.

"Following the inspection conducted by the team, it was determined that the damages are extensive and require immediate and collaborative actions from all players."

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Emergency Management Minister Murray Watt said the country would send technical experts and emergency relief supplies such as shelter, hygiene kits and specific support for women and children.

"All Australians will be thinking of Papua New Guineans at this very difficult time," Marles said tonight.

"As a close neighbour and friend, we will be doing all we can to provide support."

"Australia's Defence Force is working closely with the PNG Defence Force to assist with the response. 

"This work is yet another demonstration of the close partnership between our nations and militaries". 

As the winter chill sets in, many Australians will look at their heating options but a little-known rule about air conditioners may catch some households off guard.

In Australia, air conditioning systems should not be heard in habitable rooms of neighbouring homes during certain hours.

If a neighbour complains about the noise, authorities can take several courses of action, depending on the state or territory.

READ MORE: What Australia's weather is going to do in winter

This includes dispute resolution between the neighbours, noise assessments, issuing warnings and providing advice.

Further action can be taken in the form of fines and court attendance notices.

Penalties be hundreds or even thousands of dollars for individuals and corporations, depending on local legislation and the nature of the breach.

Have you been fined for using your air conditioner? Email the reporter at eb******@******om.au with the details.

Households are still able to use air conditioners at night, provided the noise does not disturb their neighbours.

Air conditioning systems can also be used during times where health may be impacted, such as during heatwaves in summer.

What are the regulations across Australia?

New South Wales: In NSW, neighbours should not be able to hear your air conditioner in a habitable room between 10pm and 7am on weekdays, and 10pm and 8am on weekends and public holidays. During the day, noise should not exceed background noise level by more than five decibels.

Victoria: Victoria has noise regulations which cover central heating, a hot water system or a heat pump, air conditioner or split heating system. Neighbours should not be able to hear these before 7am or after 10pm from Monday to Friday, and before 9am or after 10pm on weekends and public holidays. Prohibited times do not apply to noise from an air conditioner used for cooling during a heat health alert.

Queensland: Where a local council has not set its own noise standard, the default noise standards in the Environmental Protection Act apply in that local council area. Air conditioner noise should not exceed five decibels above background level between 7am to 10pm and three decibels above background level between 10pm and 7am.

Northern Territory: Air conditioners should not be heard by neighbours in habitable rooms before 8am or after 10pm on weekends or public holidays or before 7am or after 10pm on any other day. A habitable room means any room other than a garage, storage area, bathroom, laundry, toilet and pantry.

South Australia: The continuous noise of an air conditioner in residential areas must not exceed 52 decibels during the day between 7am to 10pm. During the night between 10pm to 7am, the continuous noise of an air conditioner must not exceed 45 decibels.

Western Australia: The noise from air conditioners in residential areas must comply with the Environmental Protection (Noise) Regulations 1997. The noise from your air conditioner must meet the allowable noise levels at all times.

Tasmania: Air conditioners should not be noisier than 45 decibels between 7am and 10pm or 40 decibels between 10pm to 7am.

Australian Capital Territory: Noise should not exceed 45 decibels in residential areas between 7am to 10pm from Monday to Saturday and 8am to 10pm on Sunday and public holidays. During the night, noise should not go above 35 decibels between 10pm and 7am from Monday to Saturday and 10pm to 8am on Sundays and public holidays.

FOLLOW US ON WHATSAPP HERE: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, celebrity and sport via our WhatsApp channel. No comments, no algorithm and nobody can see your private details.

A man is lucky to be alive after he was allegedly mowed down by an intoxicated driver during an evening stroll south-west of Brisbane.

Will was walking to the shops about 7.30pm in Ipswich on Saturday when he was allegedly hit by a Holden Commodore.

The 42-year-old was sent flying and suffered back injuries, cuts and bruises.

READ MORE: Outpouring of grief for 'hardworking, bubbly' mum killed in alleged hit-and-run

"I was walking down here about to go and get a loaf of bread, I didn't know a loaf of bread was so dangerous," he told 9News.

"I just laid on the ground and didn't move.

"A lady in one of the houses came out and said 'don't move' … she got a towel for me to rest my head on."

CCTV, exclusively obtained by 9News, showed the car driving on the wrong side of the road and mounting the kerb before the driver allegedly left the scene.

The driver didn't get far and allegedly crashed into a tree a few hundred metres away with police quickly on scene.

READ MORE: Man dies after being pulled from beach south of Sydney

The driver allegedly attacked police, which resulted in an officer being sent to hospital, before he was arrested.

Fred Pukallus, who is accused of driving the car, was charged with dangerous driving while intoxicated, driving unlicensed and serious assault of police. 

The 39-year-old will remain behind bars until his matter returns to court on June 17.

A man has died after an alleged stabbing at a Thai restaurant in Queensland.

Just 20 minutes before the eatery was due to open at 5pm, emergency services were called to the Joy Thai restaurant in the Townsville suburb of Kirwan.

Police officers found a man with multiple serious injuries, and despite attempts to revive him he died at the scene.

READ MORE: Father, 11-year-old daughter killed in Sydney rideshare crash

A man in his thirties was taken into custody at the scene and was assisting police with their inquiries, they said tonight.

Earlier reports said a woman was also stabbed but police said no one else was injured in the incident.

Officers are also speaking to multiple other people at the scene, and said there is no ongoing threat to the public.