Three people died as the Australian state of New South Wales was lashed by a "once-in-a-decade" storm Tuesday with homes washed away, thousands hit by power cuts and sand drifts sweeping inland off Sydney's iconic Bondi beach.

Sea swells also hampered shipping as the region around Australia's biggest city suffered its second day of gale-force winds of up to 135 kilometers per hour (83 mph) and torrential rain.

British supporters of Germany's PEGIDA movement, which protests against what it calls the "Islamization" of Europe, are planning their first demonstration on February 28, police said on Friday.

A Facebook group calling itself PEGIDA UK, which has the slogan "United Against Extremism", has called for a march to take place in the northeastern English city of Newcastle.

Alan Pardew on Saturday was confirmed as Crystal Palace's new manager after being released from his contract at Newcastle United.

A statement on Palace's official website read: "Crystal Palace Football Club is pleased to announce the appointment of Alan Pardew as the club's new manager after signing a three-and-a-half-year contract."

Lebanese national Myriam Neaimeh signed with UK’s Newcastle United Women’s Football Club and spent the last few weeks training with the squad.

“I really like it here and I am pleased to join Newcastle United Women Football Club. The girls are talented and skillful,” Myriam was quoted as saying.

Manchester City ended Newcastle's unbeaten start to the season on Saturday with a 3-1 victory to open up an eight-point lead at the top of the Premier League standings.

Goals from Mario Balotelli, Micah Richards and Sergio Aguero secured all three points for Roberto Mancini's side, who have now won 11 of their 12 games this season.

The Olympic torch will visit famous sights such as Stonehenge on its journey around Britain before the London 2012 Games, organizers said on Monday.

The flame will also scale mountains, telescopes, take a ride on the train and a dash through a shopping center on its 70-day tour.

Liverpool sealed the signing of Newcastle defender Jose Enrique on Friday with the Spaniard describing the transfer as "one of the happiest days of my life".

Enrique joins Liverpool on a long-term deal after the Reds paid Newcastle a reported transfer fee of £5.5 million (6.3 million euros).

Head of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon Defense office Francois Roux is seeking the help of a prominent lawyer in the new majority to acquire substantial material that could help him in his task, As Safir newspaper reported on Monday.

“I want to crush (Prosecutor) Daniel Bellemare, just like the former World Bank manager did with New York’s prosecutor Cyrus Vance, after accusing him with a sex scandal,” Roux said, according to As Safir.