4 h. ago Australia’s largest coal power plant to operate an extra two years to support national grid

Life of Eraring power station in Lake Macquarie extended to April 2029, Origin Energy saysFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralia’s largest coal-fired power plant, Eraring, will stay open for an extra two years until 2029, amid concerns about the national energy grid’s ability to support demand ahead of the station’s planned retirement.The operator of the plant in Lake Macquarie, Origin Energy, had previously agreed a deal with the New South Wales government to extend Eraring’s closure from 2025 to August 2027. While the state environment minister said the new extension would contribute to NSW’s emissions reductions, climate advocates described it as a “disaster” for emissions targets. Continue reading...

Politics

23 h. ago Crucial extra support in Scottish Budget can't come soon enough for families

Claire Telfer, Head of Scotland for Save the Children, has welcomed the Scottish Child Payment top up in the recent Budget.

Politics

3 d. ago White House and governors join together to push nation’s largest grid operator to lower prices

New initiative is an unprecedented pressure campaign against the largest grid operator

Events

3 d. ago Australian Open prize money: How much do players win round by round?

Australian Open organisers have announced the largest prize money pool in the event’s history

Sport

3 d. ago Coco Gauff leads calls for Grand Slam prize money to be increased further

It comes after the largest prize money hike in the Australian Open’s history

Politics

5 d. ago One in five older people cutting food and hygiene to make ends meet

Age UK’s ‘crisis hiding in plain sight’ campaign is urging older people to check if they are entitled to extra financial support

Politics

6 d. ago Some older people ‘skipping showers or meals to make ends meet financially’

Age UK’s ‘crisis hiding in plain sight’ campaign is urging older people to check if they are entitled to extra financial support.

Politics

6 d. ago Adelaide Writers Week canceled as 180 speakers withdraw after the exclusion of a Palestinian writer

Organizers of Australia’s largest free literary festival have canceled the weeklong event after most writers withdrew over the removal of an Australian Palestinian writer

Politics

1 week ago Tens of thousands without power as Storm Goretti wreaks havoc across UK

More than 43,000 properties were without power in the South West at 6am on Friday, according to the National Grid’s website.

Events

1 week ago Storm Goretti live: danger to life warning as heavy rain, strong winds and snow batter UK

Red and amber weather warnings have been issued across the UK as Storm Goretti evolves into a ‘weather bomb’More than 50,000 properties were reportedly without power in the South West on Thursday evening, the National Grid’s website said.In the West Midlands about 9,000 had no electricity and 2,000 were without power in Wales.As that rain pushes its way and it hits against that cold air that we currently have across us and so on the northern edge, we are likely to see some fairly significant snow as we go through later tomorrow and into Friday. Continue reading...

Events

1 week ago Elvis Festival Fun as fans take over Australia's largest train station

Held annually over five days, the event is timed to coincide with Elvis Presley's birth date in January.

Politics

1 week ago Gyrations rock the station as Elvis Express departs Sydney – in pictures

Elvis fever has taken over Australia’s largest railway station, as die-hard fans and curious first-timers join the annual train pilgrimage to Parkes to pay homage to the King Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago ‘Stock up’: Ontario premier promises to banish Crown Royal whisky from province

Doug Ford’s move comes after Diageo announced plan to shutter Ontario whisky plant and move operations to the USOntario’s premier, Doug Ford, has warned rye drinkers they will need to “stock up” if they want to keep consuming Crown Royal, as he promised to make good on plans to banish the iconic Canadian whisky brand from his province.Ford has since September been locked in a simmering feud over tariffs and economic nationalism with the multinational spirits maker Diageo plc. This week, he renewed his threats to wield the power of the province’s liquor control board – one of the largest buyers of alcohol in the world – to banish Crown Royal. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago POLL OF THE DAY: Should the Government scale down the rights of children with less severe special needs?

Currently families of children with any additional needs are able to obtain a legal document from councils guaranteeing them expensive extra support.

Politics

3 w. ago Sainsbury’s boss among business leaders named in New Year Honours list

Simon Roberts has been made a CBE for services to the retail industry.

Politics

3 w. ago Drivers are only just realising the grab handles inside your car have a secret purpose

GRAB handles above the doors of cars aren’t just there so passengers can hang on through hairpin bends - as you may think. In fact, their main job is to give stable support to people who need a bit more extra help getting in and out - such as wheelchair users, older passengers or anyone...

Transport