The debate over Australia's energy future hots up, as the life of the country's biggest coal-fired power plant is extended... Australia's policy on recognising Palestine remains unchanged in the face of international moves on the matter... and, in rugby league, Isaiah Papali'i signs with the Penrith Panthers
Origin Energy has been in talks with the New South Wales government about extending the life of the Eraring power station after a review warned the scheduled August 2025 retirement could result in electricity shortfalls and price hikes. As part of the government's Future Made in Australia plan, the strategy aims to sure up Australia's position as a battery manufacturer, reducing reliance on other countries.
Ireland, Spain and Norway announced they will recognise a Palestinian state on May 28 and say they hope other Western countries will follow suit, prompting an angry response from Israel which recalled its ambassadors from the capitals of those three countries. "We will obviously look into matters such as economic recovery, support and rapid response. And also the most delicate political matters, in order to discuss about the future of New Caledonia. I will now go to the High Commissioner's office to listen to institutional, economic and political forces, and at the end of this day, we'll take some decisions and we'll make some announcements.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak set July 4 as the date for a national election that will determine who governs the United Kingdom."Now it will feel like a long campaign. I'm sure of that. But no matter what else is said and done, that opportunity for change is what this election is about."It has struggled to overcome a series of crises including an economic slump, ethics scandals and a revolving door of leaders in the past two years.