WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) – In the age of dinosaurs – before whales, great whites or the bus-sized megalodon – a monstrous shark prowled the waters off what’s now northern Australia, among the sea monsters of the Cretaceous period.

It seemed inevitable - politically at least - that the federal government would step in to save Tomago Aluminium in New South Wales, Australia's largest aluminium smelter. Rio Tinto, the owners of Tomago, has enjoyed attractively priced electricity for a long time, most recently with AGL. But this contract ends in 2028.

Winston Churchill has just arrived in New York City. It is October 6 1929. Travelling with several members of his family, the British statesman checks into the Plaza Hotel, synonymous with wealth and celebrity - and certainly not cheap. But that's no concern for Churchill: the cost of his stay - along with his cigars and brandy - are being covered by his old friend, financier Bernard Baruch.