just now (23+ words) Retailers in focus as holiday season begins; Tech stocks recover, but Nasdaq ends with monthly losses; Data centre cooling issue disrupts futures trading....

37+ min ago (416+ words) The Opposition says Energy Minister Chris Bowen has "completely ended up with egg on his face" over the electricity transition after a fresh warning that the east coast grid isn't prepared for the retirement of the nation's largest coal-fired power station. An Australian Energy Market Operator report on the plan to transition while maintaining security of the power system warns that the proposal to replace the Eraring power station may not be ready before its scheduled retirement in December 2027. The NSW Government is helping Transgrid buy synchronous condensers, which are used to stabilise the power supplied by renewables into the grid. But AEMO head Daniel Westerman said there was a risk they wouldn't be ready fast enough, potentially meaning large blackouts in years to come. "These are big spinning machines on the grid that really keep a stable heartbeat, and…...

40+ min ago (26+ words) The West Australian is a leading news source in Perth and WA. Breaking local and world news from sport and business to lifestyle and current affairs....

47+ min ago (261+ words) A long-lost painting by Baroque master Peter Paul Rubens, which was hidden for more than four centuries, has been sold at an auction in Versailles. The painting, which was recently found in a private townhouse in Paris, sold for 2.3 million euros ($A4.1 million) on Sunday. It depicts the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It was part of a French collection and was initially thought to be from one of the many Rubens workshops that existed at the time. The artwork was rarely valued at more than 10,000 euros. "And finally, we managed to have it authenticated by the Rubenianum, which is the Rubens committee in Antwerp." Nils B'ttner, an expert known for his research on Rubens, explained before the auction that the master often painted crucifixions but rarely depicted "the crucified Christ as a dead body on the cross". "So this is the…...

53+ min ago (310+ words) Virat Kohli has ruled out any possibility of returning to Test or Twenty20 internationals after his player-of-the-match century guided India to a 17-run win over South Africa -- but the great man is happy to keep starring in the 50-over game. The 37-year-old defied his age on Sunday as his sprightly running between the wickets yielded 49 runs, including 40 in singles, as he scored 135 from 120 balls. He also hit seven sixes and 11 boundaries in his record-extending 52nd ODI hundred in Ranchi. "Yeah, that's how it is going to be. I am just playing one format of the game," said Kohli, who retired from international T20s last year after India won the 20-over World Cup. He retired from Test cricket earlier this year. Former India captain Kohli, who still plays T20 cricket in the Indian Premier League, added: "I have played 300-odd ODI games, and so much…...

53+ min ago (550+ words) The West Australian is a leading news source in Perth and WA. Breaking local and world news from sport and business to lifestyle and current affairs....

1+ hour, 1+ min ago (67+ words) Kim Macdonald started at The Sunday Times in 1999, and spent five years covering politics and education. She then moved to London and worked for The Daily Express before moving to Sydney to work at The Daily Telegraph, including a six-month stint as acting business editor. She joined The West Australian in 2004 as IR reporter. Her media awards include the Arthur Lovekin Prize for journalism....

1+ hour, 17+ min ago (26+ words) The West Australian is a leading news source in Perth and WA. Breaking local and world news from sport and business to lifestyle and current affairs....

1+ hour, 18+ min ago (24+ words) Somewhere between the perfectly plated pavlova and the artfully filtered family photo, the spirit of Christmas has become wrapped up in keeping up appearances....

1+ hour, 58+ min ago (353+ words) Misinformation, anti-science sentiment and vaccine hesitancy is being blamed for a "worrying" drop in Australia's immunisation rates. The Australian Medical Association is urging Australians to reverse the trend, warning lives are unnecessarily being put at risk and emergency departments are being stretched too thin. Their latest report released on Monday - From coverage to concern: a policy analysis of Australia's immunisation decline - shows vaccination rates across child, adolescent and adult programs, as well as seasonal flu vaccination, have all dropped. AMA president Danielle McMullen said immunisation prevents between two and three million deaths a year but misinformation and anti-science sentiment were eroding public trust. "We are seeing increasing global conversations about vaccine hesitancy, and it is putting lives at risk," she said. "Unfortunately, Australia is not immune, and it is deeply concerning to see declining rates here, especially among children." Since…...