Show Notes
Australia has just passed laws requiring mobile coverage almost anywhere in the country, including remote areas currently outside the mobile map. The new rules would rely on low-Earth-orbit satellite technology to deliver basic calls and texts, but there are real questions about cost, funding, and whether the industry can actually deliver it.
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The condition of Federal Independent MP Helen Haines has improved, five days after she was struck by a car in what police allege was a deliberate attack. 65-year-old Ms Haines was critically injured and has lost both of her legs, following Monday's incident outside her electorate office in Wangarrata. The Alfred Hospital says her condition has been downgraded from critical, to serious but stable. 43-year-old Brendan Nugent faced court during the week charged over the incident. WA Greens senator Jordon Steele-John has confirmed he won't attend parliament when it resumes next week. Senator Steele-John is facing allegations of inappropriate conduct towards women, which he's denied. The matter will be the subject of an independent investigation led by the WA branch of the Greens. French authorities are investigating potential terrorist links to a shooting in the outskirts of Paris that's left one person dead and five others injured. President Emmanuel Macron says the attack was planned to kill people based on the colour of their skin, or their perceived religion. Officials say the gunman fired an automatic weapon at a petrol station, a medical centre and a children's playground. Authorities have arrested a 39-year-old suspect, who they've named as Kevin T. The mother of a 12-year-old girl injured in the shooting has told French broadcaster RTL that her daughter suffered eight bullet wounds, and that she was wearing a headscarf at the time. For more news at any time you can follow the ABC News Top Stories podcast.
Western Sydney International Airport is preparing for its first passengers, with a second Sydney airport finally a reality after more than half a century of concept discussion, protests and delays. Its check-in counters are digital and open to any airline, and its air traffic controllers will work from Eastern Creek, 20 kilometres away, watching a live view from about 25 cameras. The airport is not yet connected to Sydney's train network, so how will travellers get there until the Metro line opens?
A personalised mRNA vaccine plus an immunotherapy drug cut the risk of death or melanoma returning by 42 per cent compared with the drug alone, a trial led by Professor Georgina Long has found. Each vaccine is designed from the patient's own tumour to help their immune system recognise it, and was given to patients who had melanoma surgically removed but were at risk of it returning. Experts caution the treatment is intended for advanced stage melanoma patients.
The cost of building the Snowy 2.0 pumped hydro scheme has doubled again, with a new report finding it could reach $25 billion and not come online until 2029. Announced in 2017, Snowy 2.0 is Australia's biggest renewable energy project and was expected to cost $2 billion and be operating by 2021. Snowy Hydro and the Albanese Government say work must continue, while the Coalition wants Energy Minister Chris Bowen sacked, so what happens now?
Guests will find leaving an Airbnb rental is soon more like checking out of a hotel. The company is moving to ban hosts from asking to them to do check out chores, like stripping the beds or washing dishes. The changes will come into effect from November 20. Hosts are not happy, they're warning it could mean higher cleaning fees, higher prices - or even having listings pulled from the site.