Aftershocks expected for months, seismologists say

The epicentre was near Muswellbrook in the Upper Hunter close to a site earmarked for a nuclear power plant.

Seismologist Michael Turnbull predicts "reasonably sized" earthquakes of at least magnitude 3 could hit the area for the next couple of months.

For newlyweds Ethan and Molly an MVP-worthy performance by a brother-in-law was pitch-perfect for their humour-infused celebration, but wedding pranks don't always go to plan and sometimes backfire.

While some growing high-density locations are being applauded for incorporating open space with community facilities and transport, others are criticised as "dormitory suburbs" lacking in life.

A Central Coast landowner is awarded significant damages after petroleum and diesel from a neighbouring service station contaminates his property.

A 40-year-old man appears in court after a stash of 63 weapons and an "exorbitant" amount of ammunition are found on a property near Newcastle, as part of an investigation into native bird exports.

Jordan Patten, 19, allegedly armed himself and donned military gear before walking into the office of Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp earlier this year.

In what she describes as a "full-circle moment", Sara Foster is leading the organisation that helped her find her way when she was single, pregnant, and not long out of high school. She says she's grateful to be able to "return the favour".

When Pryce Muller chanced upon a show about drag queens, he and his family finally found a way to communicate with each other.

Ruby was told she had a 75 per cent chance of dying if she kept riding bulls. She liked those odds.

As Newcastle gets busier and busier, a green space in which to relax has taken root in the city’s east.

Hot winter: Newcastle could experience its warmest winter day on record on Wednesday, August 28, if the temperature reaches 30 degrees. Temperatures are expected to reach the high 20s around the region this week but could surpass the current record of 29.9 degrees. The heat's being caused by a contraction of cold fronts to the south of Australia, meaning no cold air is being pushed up through the mainland.

Image credit: Dave Anderson

Teen allegedly kidnapped: A man has been refused bail after he allegedly kidnapped a 16-year-old girl at gunpoint near Newcastle. Police allege the 69-year-old man was carrying a firearm when he forced a teenage girl into the boot of a sedan in Martinsville, Lake Macquarie, on Friday afternoon. It's alleged she was taken to Cooranbong and was detained in a house overnight before being moved to a church where she was able to alert police. The accused fronted the Newcastle Local Court on Monday charged with taking a person to commit an indictable offence and firearm offences, where he was refused bail, and is due back in court in October.

Missile factory planned: A weapons factory announced for Williamtown will be one of only two in the world capable of producing naval strike and joint strike missiles. The federal government announced it will contribute up to $850 million, in partnership with Norwegian firm Kongsberg, towards the project. Construction is expected to begin later this year. The Newcastle Greens lord mayoral candidate Charlotte McCabe says she's "disgusted" by the plans and believes it'll make the Hunter more of a military target.

High speed rail update: Global rail construction experts met in Newcastle Tuesday morning for a briefing on the proposed high-speed rail project. The project would connect Newcastle to Sydney in one hour, and the Central Coast to both cities in 30 minutes. High Speed Rail Authority chief executive Tim Parker says a business case for the project will be handed to the federal government by the end of year.

Solar fast-tracked: The New South Wales government is accelerating plans for an $880-million solar farm south-west of Merriwa, proposed by developer Lightsource bp. The Goulburn River Solar Farm will include battery storage, which will provide energy to the grid outside of daylight hours and during peak demand. About 191,000 homes are set to be powered by the development, and proponents say 350 construction jobs will be created. The government says it's funding road upgrades and conservation works as part of the project.

Right to disconnect: New right-to-disconnect laws which are now in effect are long overdue, Newcastle psychologist Dr Stuart Edser says. The new federal government changes will allow all non-small business employees to refuse unreasonable out-of-hours work contact. It's aimed at giving people a better work-life balance and reducing unpaid labour. Dr Edser says it's a positive step.

Mining jobs: A New South Wales parliamentary inquiry into post-mining land use has heard MACH Energy will double its employment base as many other mines in the region close. MACH Energy's general manager Christian Lauritzen says the company is in a unique position to support the Hunter's mining workforce after securing approval to continue mining coal at the Mount Pleasant site until 2048. An appeal from local environmentalists against the approval was dismissed last week.

Finals hopes alive: Newcastle Knights men's coach Adam O'Brien has praised his team's adaptability during Saturday night's 36-points-to-16 rugby league victory over South Sydney at Stadium Australia. The Knights lost Tyson Frizell to a head knock and Kai Pearce-Paul to a leg laceration late in the first half. Neither returned to the field, with Frizell displaying category one concussion symptoms and Pearce-Paul taken to hospital for surgery. The Knights must win their next two games for a chance to play finals footy.

Knights win in heat and wind: The women's Newcastle Knights overcame hot, windy conditions and an almost 45-minute game delay to secure a 20-point win over the Parramatta Eels. They're now back in the top four after the 36-16 win, with three tries from Newcastle in the first 14 minutes. The team had lost its previous two rounds. Saturday's match was due to kick off at 11am but couldn't start until a paramedic was present.

Bolden released: Newcastle Jets striker Sarina Bolden will depart the club to play in Europe. Bolden, who scored a club high 14 goals for the Jets last season and was contracted to the club for this season, has been released to follow her dreams of playing overseas. She'll depart the club immediately to play for an unnamed Italian side.

Ful medames is a much-loved Lebanese brunch dish that combines creamy fava beans and chickpeas with garlic, lemon juice and olive oil. It's easy to prepare and ready in 25 minutes.