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20 March 2026

🌦️ Battery to slash power bills

Plus: Queens Wharf's future, Jets eye bounce-back, and Newcastle Fringe heats up ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
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Morning Post

Newcastle

Saturday, 21 March 2026  •  Issue #628

🌦️26°/18°
Shower or two, UV 8.1 (very high)
☀️ UV 8.1  •  🌅 Sunset 7:03 PM
 

Good morning! There's promising news on power bills as the Liddell battery hits a major milestone, and exciting ideas are brewing for Queens Wharf's transformation. Plus, we've got a spirited soup debate for you today.

— Nathan, Editor

At a Glance

🌦️ 26°/18° — Shower or two, UV 8.1 (very high)

📰 Liddell battery set to help lower power bills

🎭 Newcastle Fringe Festival + 4 more events

🍳 Recipe of the Week: Pumpkin Soup with a Kick

🕰️ On this day in 1963: Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary in San Francisco Bay closed after 29...

Today's Newcastle

Liddell battery set to help lower power bills

There's a milestone for the 500-megawatt battery at the former Liddell Power Station, with testing now underway. The $750 million project by AGL and government is expected to be fully operational by mid-year, bringing relief to household energy costs.

via NBN News

From eyesore to global icon: the bold ideas for Queens Wharf

Hotel accommodation, art centre, tourist hub — what should Queens Wharf become? The Herald explores the possibilities for transforming this waterfront space into something that could shape the city's future while linking to its past.

via Newcastle Herald

Around Australia

Giddey sets new Aussie NBA record

Josh Giddey continues his remarkable form with a new Australian NBA assists record, though it wasn't enough to give the Chicago Bulls a much-needed win.

via ABC News

Daylight saving ends in two weeks

Early on Sunday 5 April, clocks will go back one hour as daylight saving ends in NSW, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and ACT.

via The Guardian Australia

Around the World

Norway's crown princess speaks on Epstein — Crown Princess Mette Marit told Norwegian TV she was 'manipulated and deceived' by the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

via BBC World

Madagascar ministers face lie detector tests — The country's military president has decreed new ministers must pass polygraph tests to root out corruption.

via The Guardian World

What's On

What's On

Every Saturday we spotlight theatre and performances around Newcastle.

Festival

Newcastle Fringe Festival

Various venues, until 29 March

Nine days of theatre, comedy, music and performance across the city's best venues.

Music

Sunday Sessions at Civic Theatre

Civic Theatre, Sunday afternoons in March

Matinee concerts featuring classical and contemporary music in an intimate setting.

High Tea

High Tea at Roundhouse

Newcastle Ocean Baths, Saturdays & Sundays

Seaside indulgence with ocean views and delicious treats until late June.

Comedy

Newcastle Comedy Club Showcase

Civic Theatre, Saturday nights

Local and touring comedians deliver laughs in weekly showcases through mid-year.

History

Autumn at Fort Scratchley

Fort Scratchley, daily tours

Explore Newcastle's military heritage with guided tours through historic tunnels and gun emplacements.

Got an event to share? Let us know →

Recipe of the Week

Every Saturday we share a recipe worth trying.

Pumpkin Soup with a Kick

Serves 6 · 45 minutes

A bowl of golden pumpkin soup is one of autumn's great pleasures. This version has a gentle chilli kick and a swirl of cream that makes it feel special.

1 kg butternut pumpkin, peeled and chopped, 1 large onion, diced, 2 cloves garlic, crushed, 1 litre chicken or vegetable stock, 1 tsp ground cumin, Pinch of chilli flakes (optional), Cream and crusty bread to serve

Method

1. Sauté onion and garlic in a large pot with butter until soft.

2. Add pumpkin, cumin and chilli flakes. Stir for a minute.

3. Pour in stock, bring to the boil, then simmer 25 minutes until pumpkin is very soft.

4. Blend until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.

5. Serve with a swirl of cream and warm crusty bread.

Pumpkin or tomato — which makes the better soup?

PumpkinTomato

Daily Brainteaser

🧩

What has a head and a tail but no body?

Answer revealed at the bottom of today's edition.

Daily Games

✏️ Today's Featured Game

Crossword

10 clues · ~3 min

1 Across Cite a passage from a book
6 Across Extremely or excessively
7 Across Different or alternative
Play Crossword →

Yesterday 6 people played · Average time: 3m 45s

🧠 Trivia · Australia · 7 Qs→
What is the name of the famous Australian children's television show that...
💡 Word Ladder · 5 steps→
WORD → ??? → GAME

On This Day

Anniversary of

• Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary in San Francisco Bay closed after 29 years of operation. (1963)

• The Sharpeville Massacre occurred in South Africa when police opened fire on protesters, killing 69 people. (1960)

• Namibia gained independence from South Africa after decades of struggle. (1990)

• Twitter launched publicly, introducing the social media platform to the world. (2006)

🎂 Born on this day: British Academy Award-winning actor Gary Oldman (1958), Brazilian Formula One racing legend Ayrton Senna (1960), and American comedian and talk show host Rosie O'Donnell (1962).

Brainteaser Answer
A coin.

One Last Smile

One Last Smile illustration

Retirement means you can finally start that project you've been avoiding for thirty years.

Send this to a friend who’d laugh

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