Deadly Barnsley fire: Landlord appeals $250k payout

It is a case that is likely to have ramifications for all rental property owners in relation to providing working smoke alarms.

Newcastle teen Kade Sutton was put into an induced coma after suffering heart failure during a warm-up. Now he's back at the crease, with the support of some sporting heroes and his life-saving coach.

Three men from Sydney have been sentenced to prison over their sexual assaults against three women in their late teens, with the longest term being 14 years.

A prosecutor has told the jury in a child sex abuse trial that a woman's multiple personality diagnosis may be confusing but that doesn't make it unbelievable or inconceivable.

The first study into underwater noise pollution in estuaries on the east coast of Australia has uncovered the potentially devastating impacts noise from human activities is having on marine life.

Another heatwave is predicted across Australia this week, as the weather bureau confirms the nation just sizzled through its hottest spring on record.

The final report from the Independent Panel on Gaming Reform concluded that the cashless gaming trial was met with a "reluctance from patrons to engage with the technology".

For the best part of a century and a half, Lambton Park has been a flourishing focus of life in Newcastle. Paul Irvine, who leads the team taking care of the park’s gardens, takes the ABC’s Scott Bevan on a tour to smell the roses – and so many other flowers.

IDPwD in the Hunter: Cessnock PCYC celebrated International Day of People with Disability this week with the Hunter community fun day. Local officers and students also welcomed the Special Olympics torch at the event opening. Wednesday, December 3, is International Day of People with Disability and this year's theme focuses on amplifying the leadership of people with disabilities.

Image credit: ABC Newcastle/Cecilia Connell

New Newy trains: Local passengers were able to experience the new inter-city train fleet between Newcastle and Sydney this week. The first passenger services of the $3 billion Mariyung fleet departed the Newcastle Interchange on Tuesday morning. The South Korean fleet has been stabled at Broadmeadow and in Central Coast sheds since 2019 after the Rail, Tram and Bus Union flagged safety concerns. After months of testing and adjustments, the Office of the National Safety Regulator approved the fleet for passenger services.

Wet, hot summer predicted: The majority of the New South Wales will likely have a hotter than average summer, paired with high rainfall, the Bureau of Meteorology predicts. The bureau has released its summer long-range forecast for December through to February. It shows there's a 68 per cent chance Scone will have a wetter than average summer, while there's a 71 per cent chance Novocastrians will see rain above the historical median reading of 178.3 millimetres for summer.

Repair works after Lake Mac council fire: Work has begun to repair Lake Macquarie City Council's administration building after a suspicious fire last week. Assessment of the damage, which affected the entire building, was conducted at the weekend after police wrapped up a crime scene at the site. Mayor Adam Shultz said it's too early to estimate the full cost of the damage and repairs. It took more than 40 firefighters about two hours to extinguish the blaze at Speers Point in the early hours of Wednesday morning. About 400 council staff will work remotely until the building reopens early next year.

Mine extension assurance: A temporary extension to one of the Hunter Valley Operations mine sites won't result in more coal being extracted per annum, the company's general manager Dave Foster says. HVO has applied to extend the life of its north site until the end of 2026 after it withdrew a larger proposal to extend operations until 2050. Mr Foster says it's working to adjust the larger proposal to keep in line with current emissions targets.

Stockton erosion camera: A new beach camera will be installed at Stockton as the next step in the state government's repair project. The camera will monitor the effects of storms, tidal activity and dredging on the shoreline. The information gained will be supplemented with advice from the new Stockton Special Advisory Panel.

Call for foster care reform: The government has an obligation to reform the foster-care system in New South Wales, Communities and Families Minister Kate Washington says. Her comments come after the release of a damning new report. The government-commissioned review raised questions about how taxpayer money is being spent by non-government out-of-home care providers. Billions of dollars is spent each year on foster care in the state and the Port Stephens MP says that money is not always being directed to the children who need it.

Paralympian honoured: Newcastle's Lauren Parker has been named Paralympics Australia's Paralympian of the Year. The 35-year-old is a dual-sport Paralympic gold medallist, winning both the PTWC triathlon and the women's road race cycling event in France earlier this year. Parker also won a silver medal in the women's road time trial. She was presented with the award at a ceremony on the Gold Coast on Saturday.

Jets fall short: The Newcastle Jets men's side recorded another loss at the weekend, going down 2-nil against Auckland FC. The New Zealand side is currently undefeated in their first A-League season, and is yet to concede a goal.

This recipe takes the comforting holiday flavours you know and love and adds your favourite spreads, such as jam and chocolate hazelnut spread.

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