New Queensland government bins Labor’s hydro project set to be key part of renewable transition

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LNP energy minister rules out considering a smaller version of the Pioneer Burdekin scheme

Queensland’s new Liberal National party government has cancelled a Labor hydro project despite public service advice that a downsized version of the scheme would have delivered “exceptional value on both a capacity and storage basis”.

Announced under premier Annastacia Palaszczuk in 2022, the gigantic Pioneer Burdekin pumped hydro scheme formed a key element of the state’s legislated plan for a renewables transition by 2035.

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Independent MPs cancel airline VIP memberships – as it happened

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This blog is now closed

In case you missed it – political editor Karen Middleton talked to shadow transport minister Bridget McKenzie about the Qantas saga for the Australian Politics podcast – please enjoy McKenzie’s nimble wordcraft:

Westpac has recorded a $7bn full-year profit, representing a modest decline on last year’s strong result, as the number of homeowners falling behind on repayments jumped higher.

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Heatwave to turn parts of Australia into ‘one of the hottest places in the world’ this week

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Some of the east coast and the north will bake in a furnace of potentially life-threatening heat, the Bureau of Meteorology forecasts

A heatwave is due to strike Australia’s east coast, with temperatures expected above 40C, making the country’s north “one of the hottest places in the world” this week, the Bureau of Meteorology has forecast.

Residents in northern New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory are being warned to brace for unsettled weather through the week, starting on Monday, as a mass of heat moves eastward from central Australia.

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Pakistan shuts primary schools for a week in Lahore due to dangerous air quality – The Associated Press

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  1. Pakistan shuts primary schools for a week in Lahore due to dangerous air quality  The Associated Press
  2. Video: Hazardous Smog Cloaks Pakistan’s 2nd-Largest City  The New York Times
  3. Lahore air pollution hits historic high, forcing school closures  NBC News
  4. This Is The World's Most Polluted City, 6 Times Worse Than Delhi  NDTV
  5. Pakistan province calls for ‘climate diplomacy’ with India as record smog chokes major city  CNN
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Myanmar junta chief to make first China visit since seizing power – Reuters

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  1. Myanmar junta chief to make first China visit since seizing power  Reuters
  2. Head of Myanmar's military government visits close ally China for the first time since taking power  The Associated Press
  3. Myanmar military government chief on first visit to ally China since coup  Al Jazeera English
  4. Myanmar Ethnic Groups Slam China as They Begin Talks With India  Bloomberg
  5. Myanmar Junta-Linked Businessmen Head to China Ahead of Min Aung Hlaing’s Visit  The Irrawaddy
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Putin and his puppets stole the Georgian election – POLITICO Europe

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  1. Putin and his puppets stole the Georgian election  POLITICO Europe
  2. Thousands rally again in Georgia to protest the parliamentary election they say was rigged  The Associated Press
  3. Georgia’s ruling party crushes the country’s European dream  The Economist
  4. Edward Lucas: 'Georgia Is Heading In The Direction Of Belarus'  Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty
  5. Euroviews. Did we just witness Georgia go from dream to nightmare?  Euronews
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Israel says it carried out ground raid into Syria, seizing a Syrian citizen connected to Iran – CBS News

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  1. Israel says it carried out ground raid into Syria, seizing a Syrian citizen connected to Iran  CBS News
  2. Israel announces ground raid in Syria was conducted 'in recent months'  NBC News
  3. Israel announces it conducted a ground raid in Syria  KXAN.com
  4. Moment IDF captures Iranian operative Ali Soleiman al-Assi accused of spying on troops inside Syria  New York Post
  5. IDF raid Syria, seize Syrian-national IRGC operative - Israel News  The Jerusalem Post
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Thousands of children in Gaza receive 2nd dose of polio vaccine, with others cut off – NPR

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  1. Thousands of children in Gaza receive 2nd dose of polio vaccine, with others cut off  NPR
  2. Thousands of Children in Gaza Get 2nd Dose of Polio Vaccine  The New York Times
  3. Statement by UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell on a deadly weekend of attacks in North Gaza  UNICEF
  4. Israeli military denies strike on Gaza vaccination clinic  Reuters
  5. Daily Press Briefing by the Spokesperson of the…  Welcome to the United Nations
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Hundreds showed up for a Halloween parade. They got ‘ghosted.’ – The Washington Post

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  1. Hundreds showed up for a Halloween parade. They got ‘ghosted.’  The Washington Post
  2. The Guy Behind the Fake AI Halloween Parade Listing Says You’ve Got It All Wrong  WIRED
  3. Dublin Halloween parade hoax dupes thousands into packing Ireland capital's streets for nothing  CBS News
  4. Pakistan Company Apologises For Advertising Non-Existent Halloween Parade In Dublin  NDTV
  5. Pakistan website accidentally tricks thousands into attending non-existent Halloween party in Dublin  Hindustan Times
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Live briefing: Entire northern Gaza population ‘at imminent risk’ of death, UNICEF head says – The Washington Post

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  1. Live briefing: Entire northern Gaza population ‘at imminent risk’ of death, UNICEF head says  The Washington Post
  2. Statement by Principals of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee – Stop the assault on Palestinians in Gaza and on those trying to help them  World Health Organization (WHO)
  3. As Famine Stalks Gaza, Farmers Lament Their Many Losses  The New York Times
  4. North Gaza 'apocalyptic,' everyone at 'imminent risk' of death, warns UN  Reuters
  5. Israel at War, Day 393: Situation in North Gaza Is 'Apocalyptic,' UN Officials Say  Haaretz
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Israel says it carried out ground raid into Syria, seizing a Syrian citizen connected to Iran – The Associated Press

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  1. Israel says it carried out ground raid into Syria, seizing a Syrian citizen connected to Iran  The Associated Press
  2. Israel sends troops into Syria, detaining alleged Iranian agent  VOA Asia
  3. Hostage deal contingent on end of war, court names suspect in security leak case  The Jerusalem Post
  4. IDF says commandos captured man in Syria gathering intel on border for Iran  The Times of Israel
  5. Israel announces ground raid in Syria was conducted 'in recent months'  NBC News
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Thousands of Children in Gaza Get 2nd Dose of Polio Vaccine – The New York Times

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  1. Thousands of Children in Gaza Get 2nd Dose of Polio Vaccine  The New York Times
  2. Vaccination centre and aid official’s car bombarded in Gaza, says UN  The Guardian
  3. Statement by UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell on a deadly weekend of attacks in North Gaza  UNICEF
  4. Gaza polio vaccinations to resume after WHO reports strike on clinic  BBC.com
  5. Delayed Gaza polio vaccinations to resume on Saturday, agencies say  Reuters
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