5+ min ago (238+ words) An out-of-control bushfire is threatening homes and properties with residents warned to leave now or put their lives in danger. An Emergency Warning is in place for residents of Bluff Point, Spalding and Sunset in Geraldton, Western Australia. Residents have been told they are in danger, and need to act immediately to survive. The Department of Fire and Emergency Services issued an evacuation order just before 6am on Monday. Residents in Glenfield have also been told to prepare to leave. A bushfire Watch and Act is also in place for Waggrakine and Moresby, also suburbs of Geraldton. Residents there were told to evacuate on Sunday, and on Monday have been warned it is still not safe to return. "There is a possible threat to lives and homes as a fire is burning in the area and conditions are changing," the DFES…...

18+ min ago (419+ words) Tens of thousands of poker machines will be switched off at dawn to allow problem gamblers to revive and survive. NSW is second only to Nevada, home to casino-lined Las Vegas, when it comes to the number of gaming machines with nearly 90,000 across the state. More than 670 clubs will be mandated to shut down down all poker machines between 4am and 10am each day of the week. "The six-hour shutdown is a harm minimisation measure intended to provide players with an important break in play, so patrons go home, get 'out of the zone' and reflect upon their behaviour," the government announced on Monday. A 2023 report into electronic gaming machines showed 70.5 per cent of gamblers are classified at high or moderate risk between 4am and 10am. Gaming Minister David Harris said variations to a 2001 law were not fit for purpose for pubs and clubs…...

21+ min ago (291+ 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. Four men have been charged following an investigation into an alleged Sydney-based international "satanic child sex abuse material ring" As part of an investigation into the online distribution of child sexual abuse material involving ritualistic or satanic themes, Strike Force Constantine detectives allegedly uncovered a Sydney-based pedophile network The network is alleged to possess, distribute and facilitate the material through a website administered internationally With assistance from the Central Metropolitan Region Operational Support Group and the Public Order and Riot Squad, six search warrants were executed in Waterloo, Ultimo and Malabar on November 27 At the Waterloo address, police arrested a 26-year-old man, who police allege played a leading role in the group Footage showed…...

38+ min ago (947+ words) Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull has said he "hopes" the Alliance with the United States will endure Donald Trump's second Presidency, but said that AUKUS has made Australia more dependent on the Americans at a time when they are less dependable than ever. During an hour-long in-person conversation with the Teal independent MP Monique Ryan in the formerly-Liberal-held seat of Kooyong over the weekend, Mr Turnbull gave his views on Australian foreign policy and the need to become more independent from the United States. He said that under the Trump Administration, Australia and the US no longer shared the same values and that China and the United States were behaving in "very similar ways." "It's a very different United States ". they are our Ally, that Alliance will endure " we hope," he said. "But we have to deal with it, recognising…...

55+ min ago (328+ 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. A 25-year-old man has been charged with murder after a father-of-two was killed in a brazen daylight shooting in Sydney's west on Friday Mal Seve was shot in his chest, neck and legs in Blacktown on Friday morning Paramedics treated the 28-year-old, who is understood to have been a member of the Inner West Brotherhood gang, but he died at the scene at Carinya Street Two men were arrested after a brief police pursuit, which ended when their Mazda ute crashed on nearby Kildare Road A 25-year-old man was taken to hospital with minor injuries, and upon his release was charged with murder, use offensive weapon to prevent lawful detention, be carried in conveyance…...

57+ min ago (373+ words) It was the swift action of local ambulance volunteers gave WA schoolboy Charlie Ware a head start in what would become a weeks-long battle against a life-threatening meningococcal B infection." The parents of meningococcal survivor Charlie Ware say they had no idea their son remained unprotected and have pleaded for the State Government to fund the vaccine for the deadly virus" B strain "We were completely in the dark and unaware that there was a B strain vaccination you could get," mum Alyce Ware said, revealing Charlie, now 6, had received the jab for the A, C, W and Y strains " but not the B strain "It was knowledge that we didn"t have " that was where most of our anger came from," she said The vaccine costs up to $130 per dose and two or three doses are required depending on…...

57+ min ago (405+ words) Bethany Hiatt is The West Australian's education reporter, covering issues from kindergarten to university and everything in between. Prior to joining The West, she worked as a high school teacher and on suburban newspapers. She began her journalism career as a cadet at Perth's Daily News....

1+ hour, 19+ min ago (32+ words) Asian stocks have made a steady start as investors bet on a US rate cut this month and the Yen has perked up amid the likelihood of a rate hike in Japan....

1+ hour, 34+ 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, 36+ min ago (510+ words) Barnaby Joyce has admitted the Coalition's prior failure to address ageing coal-fired power plants was a "mistake, after a new report that warned the closure of a major NSW plant could risk blackouts. The Australian Energy Market Operator has advised infrastructure needed to stabilise the energy grid will not be installed in time for the enormous Eraring coal power plant's scheduled closure in 2027. The "lack of system security means NSW could be at risk of blackouts if the plant is shut down before the grid is stabilised, according to the report. Grilled by Sunrise host Nat Barr on the previous Coalition government's lack of action on ageing coal plants, Mr Joyce " who has three times served as deputy prime minister " acknowledged a "mistake had been made. While defending coal power as the "cheapest form of energy, Mr Joyce was asked…...