The $74bn Greater Sunrise gas project – which has been decades in the making – could be under way by the end of the year, the Timor-Leste president, José Ramos-Horta, said. But he also said the pipeline and the accompanying processing work must go to his nation, not Darwin. The enormous gas field was found…
I received a brief letter from my car insurer stating that “having reviewed your current details, we won’t be able to renew your car insurance policy arranged by John Lewis Finance and underwritten by Covea Insurance plc”. It transpired this is because my occupation is recorded as “author”, which is deemed an “unacceptable risk”. This,…
Victoria’s education minister has defended a decision to move hundreds of students from an overcrowded inner-Melbourne high school into a rented CBD office building, describing it as a “temporary” solution. University High School’s principal, Ciar Foster, wrote to parents on Monday to inform them that due to “a significant enrolment increase in recent years” a…
Japan is celebrated for its exceptional levels of customer service. But the behaviour of a growing number of customers and clients leaves a lot to be desired. The rise of the abusive consumer has prompted authorities in Tokyo to introduce the country’s first ordinance – a locally approved regulation – to protect service industry staff…
Israel targets Beirut’s southern suburbs in late Monday strikes Lebanese state media said new strikes hit Beirut’s southern suburbs overnight, after Israel’s military issued a warning to inhabitants of the area. An AFP correspondent saw smoke rise from the suburbs, and the country’s National News Agency reported that the area was “the target of two…
Scientists have called for people to go “urban mining” after a study revealed that old cables, phone chargers and other unused electrical goods thrown away or stored in cupboards or drawers could stave off a looming shortage of copper. The research found that in the UK there are approximately 823m unused or broken tech items…
Scottish opposition leaders have accused ministers of mismanaging the NHS after the “jaw-dropping” costs of hiring emergency psychiatrists came to light. The Liberal Democrats, Labour and Conservatives will press Scottish health ministers this week to explain why the health service has spent more than £130m over the past five years hiring temporary psychiatrists for routine…
The Zoo, the Brisbane live music institution which closed its doors earlier this year, has belatedly been saved and will reopen in November under a new name. When it closed in July, The Zoo was one of the longest-standing music venues in Australia, having first opened its doors in late 1992 under the management of…
A man has been extradited from Queensland and charged with murder nearly a week after a woman was found seriously injured at a northern New South Wales home. Police were called to a property at Ocean Parade in Coffs Harbour, on the NSW mid-north coast, on Wednesday evening after receiving a concern-for-welfare call. Officers found…
A “contrite” Qantas will pay a $100m penalty for selling thousands of tickets for cancelled flights, after a federal court judge said she would approve a settlement that ends the landmark legal action. Australia’s biggest airline will pay an additional $20m to affected ticket holders as part of the agreement struck with the Australian Competition…
