Upcoming events: 08 Apr 2012 NOAA $bn disasters Q1 release "Online Haters" Are Psychopaths, Recent Study Finds. The Debrief, 6 Apr 2021 Recently published research finds that "online haters" or people who post hateful comments on online forums and social media demonstrate high levels of personality disorder traits associated with psychopathy. === UK infections drop about 60% amid vaccinations, lockdown msnNOW, 08 Apr 2021 13:58Z London (AP). The U.K.'s COVID-19 vaccination program is beginning to break the link between infection and serious illness or death, according to the latest ... Fauci says Covid cases 'are at a disturbing level' and are set to surge Daily Mail, Apr 2021 17:57Z Dr Anthony Fauci said on CNN on Wednesday said that U.S. coronavirus cases have plateaued at a 'disturbingly high level' and that there is a risk of a fourth ... Masquerading, deadly snake discovered and named after shape-shifting Chinese goddess Livescience.com, 08 Apr 2021 14:56Z Scientists in China have discovered a new species of deadly snake and have named it after a shape-shifting snake goddess from Chinese mythology. Ukraine conflict: Moscow could 'defend' Russia-backed rebels BBC News, 08 Apr 2021 17:53Z A senior Kremlin official issues a warning as tensions rise in eastern Ukraine. After Pandemic, Shrinking Need for Office Space Could Crush Landlords The New York Times, 08 Apr 2021 18:31Z As office vacancies climb to their highest levels in decades with businesses giving up office space and embracing remote work, the real estate industry in many ... 2021 Atlantic Hurricane Season Expected to Be More Active Than Normal, Colorado State University Outlook Says The Weather Channel, 08 Apr 2021 16:52Z The 2021 Atlantic hurricane season is predicted to be more active than usual, according to an outlook released Thursday by the Colorado State University ... Using the human hand as a powerless infrared radiation source Phys.org, 08 Apr 2021 13:51Z A team of researchers at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, has found that the human hand can be used as a powerless infrared radiation (IR) source in multiple ... First Thing: Biden announces sweeping gun reform orders The Guardian, 08 Apr 2021 10:39Z The White House has announced several executive actions on gun violence after recent mass shootings. Plus, more than 3600 US healthcare workers died in ... Covid-19 live updates: Brazil and India now worst-hit hotspots with record new cases and deaths The Washington Post on MSN.com, 08 Apr 2021 07:41Z In the United States, some 30.8 million people have been infected by the virus. More than 558,000 ... A biological Fukushima': Brazil COVID-19 deaths on track ... SMH, 07 Apr 2021 Rio de Janeiro: Brazil's brutal surge in COVID-19 deaths will soon surpass the worst of a record January wave in the United States, and with hospitals at breaking point it could exceed total US ... Six men to be accused of sex acts in Parliament House ABC News, 08 Apr 2021 07:39Z A Canberra man will next week lodge formal complaints against six other men, accusing them of engaging in sex acts within Parliament House. Government announces Pfizer as the preferred vaccine for people under the age of 50 ABC News, 08 Apr 2021 09:32Z The government says phase 1b of Australia's COVID-19 vaccination rollout may be delayed as it heeds advice to prioritise Pfizer for young people after blood clot concerns about the AstraZeneca jab. IBM just launched the first developer certification for quantum computing ZDNet, 07 Apr 2021 10:22Z IBM has unveiled its very first quantum developer certification, but what exactly does it suggest on a developer's CV? CDC Says More Virulent British Strain Of Coronavirus Now Dominant In U.S. NPR, 07 Apr 2021 23:23Z A more easily spread coronavirus variant first identified in England last year has now become the dominant strain in the U.S., the head of the Centers for Disease ... [Tythe!] G.O.P. Group Warns Donors Not to Opt Out of Monthly Donations The New York Times, 08 Apr 2021 02:23Z The National Republican Congressional Committee says to donors who opt out of recurring monthly donations: "We will have to tell Trump you're a DEFECTOR. Mysterious Plumes of Methane Gas Appear Over Bangladesh Bloomberg, 08 Apr 2021 07:06Z Satellites show large, frequent emissions over Dhaka-the latest discovery as scientists hunt for sources of the potent greenhouse gas. [The $25 bn games!] Tokyo Olympic torch relay moves off Osaka streets after virus spike ABC News, 08 Apr 2021 05:29Z COVID-19 concerns in Japan's second-biggest city, Osaka, lead to the cancellation of public events in the Olympic torch relay as officials declare a 'medical emergency'. Victoria says it's 'on track' to deliver 300,000 vaccines by mid-May. Here's how that will work ABC News, 08 Apr 2021 05:37Z Victoria has set a goal of administering 300,000 vaccines by May 16, and so far, things are on track. [Meanwhile, data analysis are starting to complain about numbers coming from the Fed govt about its vaccine program. The govt is refusing to release detailed numbers and give only a single total for the number of shots given by GP's around AUS since the start of the program. As previously seen in the UK, other numbers cited by officials seem to be based on the number of doses "put into the mail" rather than delivered into people's arms -- thought to be a 10-fold difference]. New Zealand hotel quarantine worker tests positive for COVID-19 ABC News, 08 Apr 2021 02:32Z NZ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says "over 80 per cent" of border workers have been vaccinated, but if workers have not received the jab by Monday they "will not be able to continue working in high-risk roles". [The news comes just 2 days after a travel bubble between AUS and NZ was announced]. Cruel mutilation of sharks and rays sparks calls for more humane treatment ABC Radio Adelaide, 08 Apr 2021 02:31Z Sharks and rays are having their fins and tails chopped off before being thrown back into the water alive, yet defenceless, prompting calls for South Australian fishers to treat them more humanely. [Yesterday is was just twins:] And then there were three: Cyclone brewing off WA coast joined by two tropical lows in rare weather phenomenon ABC News, 08 Apr 2021 03:30Z A cyclone brewing off the West Australian coast is joined by a second tropical low, adding to what was already a rare weather event. 'A rort that everybody was in on': Westpac facing court over 'junk' insurance ABC News, 08 Apr 2021 04:30Z The action comes as the federal government seeks to regulate the controversial sale of so-called "junk" insurance to consumers at the point of sale. But the travel industry is being given an exemption. Real Life BB-8 Robot Will Explore Moon's Lava Tubes The Debrief, 6 Apr 2021 Researchers developed a new drone, named DAEDALUS, explicitly designed to explore and map the Moon's lava tubes. Ancient human migration into Europe revealed via genome analysis The Guardian, 07 Apr 2021 18:30Z Genetic sequencing dating back 45000 years shows intermixing with Neanderthals more common than previously thought. Oldest DNA from a Homo sapiens reveals surprisingly recent Neanderthal ancestry Nature.com, 07 Apr 2021 16:29Z Scientists have sequenced the oldest Homo sapiens DNA on record, showing that many of Europe's first humans had Neanderthals in their family trees. Beijing now has more billionaires than any city BBC News, 08 Apr 2021 02:50Z The city has overtaken New York as it bounced back quickly from the pandemic, according to Forbes. Michigan ranks highest in COVID-19 hospitalizations amid surge as model predicts further worsening mlive.com, 07 Apr 2021 20:26Z Michigan's COVID-19 hospitalizations are following a surge of new cases in recent weeks, leading all other states in its rate of utilized hospital and ICU beds for ... UPS reveals plan to buy hundreds of helicopter-like electric aircraft to buzz around cities delivering packages - take a look Yahoo News, 07 Apr 2021 14:25Z The big brown delivery trucks in the sky can carry up to 1400 pounds of cargo and fly at speeds of up to 170 miles per hour. [New physics!] first results from Fermilab's Muon g-2 experiment strengthen evidence of new physics Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, 07 Apr 2021 15:45Z The long-awaited first results from the Muon g-2 experiment at the U.S. Department of Energy's Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory show fundamental ... Physicists Baffled And Thrilled By 2 Experiments That Defy Rulebook HuffPost, 07 Apr 2021 16:45Z Preliminary results from two experiments suggest something could be wrong with the basic way physicists think the universe works, a prospect that has the field ... IMF proposes `solidarity' tax on pandemic winners and wealthy Financial Times, 07 Apr 2021 12:43Z High earners and companies that prospered in the coronavirus crisis should pay additional tax to show solidarity with those who were hit hardest by the ... Carnival Cruises: We'll leave U.S. ports due to COVID rules New York Daily News, 06 Apr 2021 22:42Z Any port in a storm. Carnival Cruise Line threatened Tuesday to pull its ships from U.S. ports because of federal COVID cruise ship rules, USA Today reported. Greenlanders Vote Leftists Into Power, Putting Fate Of Rare-Earth Mine In Doubt NPR, 07 Apr 2021 18:41Z Voters in Greenland have given an opposition party its first-ever chance to form a government after a campaign that sought to define the limits of development on ... What a glacial river reveals about the Greenland Ice Sheet Phys.org, 07 Apr 2021 14:40Z With data from a 2016 expedition, scientists supported by NASA are shedding more light into the complex processes under the Greenland Ice Sheet that control ... Hospitals are seeing more young adults with severe Covid symptoms, CDC says CNBC, 07 Apr 2021 17:38Z Hospitals are seeing more and more younger adults in 30s and 40s admitted with severe disease from the coronavirus. 'Thank God I'm safe': NRA boss sailed in The Bahamas amid 'threats' after school shootings ABC News, 07 Apr 2021 03:07Z US National Rifle Association leader Wayne LaPierre says the outrage following deadly school shootings put him in such danger that he sought shelter aboard a borrowed 108-foot yacht in the Bahamas. 'Psychopath' who shot dead two children should not have had gun licence, coroner finds ABC News, 07 Apr 2021 06:05Z A "wholly inadequate" NSW Firearms Registry failed to perform its key responsibility when it granted gun licences to John Edwards, who shot dead his two children, a coroner finds. Maoist insurgents in India kill 22 police officers in ambush ABC News, 07 Apr 2021 07:05Z India's ultra-left-wing insurgency has rapidly gained support during the pandemic. Photo shows fire erupting on deck of stricken Antarctic ship ABC News, 07 Apr 2021 07:04Z The first image of the fire that knocked out one of the engines of an Antarctic supply ship is revealed, with the captain changing course to return to Australia sooner. California's Pacific Gas & Electric charged in 2019 wildfire KCRA Sacramento, 06 Apr 2021 20:54Z A California prosecutor filed 33 criminal charges Tuesday against the troubled Pacific Gas & Electric for a 2019 wildfire officials blamed on the utility. NSW ag workers offered half-price quarantine as crop losses tip $52m in five months ABC New England, 6 Apr 2021 at 8:08pm The NSW government will subsidise the hotel quarantine cost of agricultural workers to tackle its labour shortage. [Not picking up!] 'Still not received any response': Morrison to write to European Commission again to request vaccine doses ABC News, 6 Apr 2021 at 8:25pm Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Health Minister Greg Hunt will make further requests to the European Commission for Australia to receive its full order of 3.8 million AstraZeneca vaccine doses. Australia's historic 'peanut capital' [Kingaroy, Qld] is running out of nuts ABC Rural, 6 Apr 2021 at 8:37pm An Australian town famous for its nuts is running out of them as climate change brings on drought and a long-term trend of less rainfall. Australians are hoarding cash -- but criminals aren't to blame ABC/The Conversation, 6 Apr 2021 at 8:54pm If you haven't fished a note from your wallet in a while, you're not alone. So why has there been greater demand for cash? Labor staffer allegedly involved in foreign interference plot claims evidence was illegally obtained ABC News, 6 Apr 2021 at 9:22pm Australia's foreign interference laws will be tested in the High Court, as a former NSW Labor politician's adviser claims warrants used to search his home were illegal. [Double cyclone off WA:] Prepare for trouble, and make it double: Rare weather phenomenon brews off WA coast ABC News, 6 Apr 2021 at 10:50pm A rare weather phenomenon called the Fujiwarah Effect is developing off the West Australian coast as two cyclones look set to interact this week, creating a "tug of war" between them. COVID-19 variant spreads to all 50 US states, experts warn of vaccine shortages New York Post, 06 Apr 2021 15:34Z The highly-contagious variant that first emerged in the United Kingdom has now spread to all 50 states -- as experts warn that there are not enough vaccines on ... A third of COVID survivors suffer neurological or mental disorders: study Yahoo News, 06 Apr 2021 23:33Z One in three COVID-19 survivors in a study of more than 230000 mostly American patients were diagnosed with a brain or psychiatric disorder within six months, ... Fossil discovery deepens snakefly mystery Phys.org, 06 Apr 2021 20:32Z Fossil discoveries often help answer long-standing questions about how our modern world came to be. However, sometimes they only deepen the mystery-as ... Hubble Spots Double Quasars in Merging Galaxies NASA, 06 Apr 2021 13:32Z NASA's Hubble Space Telescope is "seeing double." Peering back 10 billion years into the universe's past, Hubble astronomers found a pair of quasars that are ... [Catchup!] IMF upgrades forecast for 2021 global growth to a record 6% Associated Press, 06 Apr 2021 13:31Z Washington. The rollout of COVID-19 vaccines and vast sums of government aid will accelerate global economic growth to a record high this year in a ... GM to build an electric Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck with more than 400 miles of range TechCrunch, 06 Apr 2021 16:30Z GM is adding an electric Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck to its lineup, as the automaker pushes to deliver more than 1 million electric vehicles globally by 2025. UK coastal waters valued at £200bn by ONS The Guardian, 06 Apr 2021 20:27Z Estimate of marine assets balloons as offshore wind soars alongside seaside' s importance for recreation, carbon capture and wildlife. UK Natural Capital Accounts Show Seabed as Carbon Sink Worth More Than Oil Bloomberg, 06 Apr 2021 17:27Z The U.K.'s seabed is more valuable as a carbon sink absorbing pollution from industry than as a source of oil and natural gas, official estimates from the ... Infectious Disease Expert Explains Why Next COVID-19 Wave In US Is Inevitable HuffPost, 06 Apr 2021 10:22Z Infectious disease expert Michael Osterholm on Monday warned of the inevitability of another new wave of the coronavirus sweeping across the United States. Children now playing 'huge role' in spread of COVID-19 variant, expert says WTVD-TV, 04 Apr 2021 New developments in the COVID-19 pandemic has one leading epidemiologist re- evaluating his own advice. Dr. Michael Osterholm supported sending children ... [It was a "great" decision to re-open the schools]. Former CIA chief says he 'hopes we can be friendly in dealing with other creatures if they exist' Daily Mail, 06 Apr 2021 07:17Z A former CIA director has spoken of his new 'openness' to the possibility of alien life, telling a story of an airplane that was brought to a halt at 40,000 feet, and ... [Slush fund:] Secret group of federal ministers intervened to fund projects against department recommendations ABC/7.30, 06 Apr 2021 07:12Z The scale of the projects chosen by the ministerial panel raises further questions about ministerial intervention in government grant schemes. [Compounding!] Timor-Leste to begin COVID vaccine rollout as clean up from fatal floods continues ABC News, 06 Apr 2021 07:10Z The country records its first COVID death and is dealing with about 500 cases, and despite the floods leaving thousands living in shelters, authorities are keen to begin inoculations two days after vaccines arrive. Victorian man who partially destroyed Aboriginal heritage site 'really sorry' ABC News, 06 Apr 2021 08:07Z The man who shifted stones that were placed in the shape of an eel by Aboriginal people more than 1,500 years ago in western Victoria apologises for his actions. [Despite his family owning the property for 100y he claims not to have understood the significance of the stones. Noone he knows ever read the big sign on the highway out front, apparently. The large semicircle had been previously partly destroyed when the highway came through, for some reason grazing the center of the pattern]. Sanjeev Gupta's Australian coal and steel empire could be dismantled after legal action launched ABC News, 06 Apr 2021 09:03Z People of the steel-making town of Whyalla are facing fresh uncertainty amid a push by creditors to break up the Australian empire of British billionaire Sanjeev Gupta, amid fallout from the collapse of a major lender. Pfizer halts shipment of 700,000 COVID vaccines to Israel after the country reportedly failed to make payment Insider, 06 Apr 2021 04:57Z The Jerusalem Post reported Pfizer halted a shipment of 700000 COVID vaccine doses after Israel failed to pay for its most recent shipment of 2.5 million doses. [Leadership!] Montana governor tests positive for COVID-19 | TheHill The Hill, 06 Apr 2021 02:56Z Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte (R) tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday, his office confirmed in a statement. Johnson Announces Free Covid Tests and Status Certificates for England The New York Times, 05 Apr 2021 18:49Z London. Prime Minister Boris Johnson offered Britons their first detailed glimpse of what a post-pandemic society might look like on Monday, announcing ... New batteries give jolt to renewables, energy storage Science Daily, 05 Apr 2021 18:48Z Researchers have been exploring the use of low-cost materials to create rechargeable batteries that will make energy storage more affordable. Now, they have ... A look at how Michigan is handling the recent COVID-19 case surge WDIV ClickOnDetroit, 05 Apr 2021 23:47Z Detroit. Michigan's COVID-19 numbers getting national attention. According to New York Times, seven of the ten top metro areas in the nation with the worst ... Senate Democrats can now pass more bills with 51 votes through budget reconciliation after parliamentarian ruling ... Vox.com, 05 Apr 2021 22:46Z Democrats just got an unprecedented Senate blessing. 'Caviar, champagne, no masks': French ministers accused of dining at secret restaurants during COVID lockdown ABC News, 5 AprApril at 4:42pm French government ministers become the subject of an investigation into the breaking of coronavirus restrictions at clandestine venues. Navalny fears prison tuberculosis outbreak as Putin signs off on presidential power play ABC News, 5 AprApril at 5:45pm The Russian opposition leader says he has a fever after three of the 15 inmates in his Russian prison ward are treated in hospital for tuberculosis. Brazil is buckling under a second COVID-19 wave. And this time, the victims are getting younger ABC News, 5 Apr 2021 at 6:42pm When Brazil's Pedro Dell'Antonia field hospital was set up in July last year , the average age of those admitted was 65. Now doctors put it at around 37. 'It's like the 90s again': Bosses barred from post-work calls, texts and emails ABC/The Business, 5 Apr 2021 at 7:00pm Technology is making work increasingly 24/7 for many employees, but Victoria Police workers have just won the "right to disconnect" -- and it may be coming to your workplace soon. What better way to try to tilt the odds back in your favour than through a good ole cash splash ABC News, 5 Apr 2021 at 7:01pm By dumb luck or good management -- or possibly a combination of the two -- the country's projected coronavirus deficit is not nearly as bad as forecast, which means the government is poised for a pre-election splurge, writes Ian Verrender. Nursing home forced to return COVID-19 vaccine after government mix-up ABC North Qld, 5 AprApril at 8:00pm Less than a third of Australia's aged care homes have received the vaccine and frustration is beginning to grow. [One group that operates multiple clinics reports the largest one with 8k patients on its books received only 50 doses a day under the govt scheme. PM Morrison had promised 4 mn Aussies would be vaccinated by the end of Mar. That fell far short -- less than 5%. He also said all aged care residents and front line staff would be vaccinated by this time. That's also fallen far short -- about 15%. The programs are so far behind the fed govt has now told (some reports say "secretly") health workers to forget getting vaccinated at work -- they have to go and find a GP clinic to give them the jabs]. Why vaccines aren't enough to control this pandemic ABC/The Conversation, 5 Apr 2021 at 8:31pm We hoped that mass vaccination would bring the pandemic to an end, but here' s how COVID variants complicate that picture, write members of the Lancet COVID-19 Commission Taskforce on Public Health. It's a tiny, five-year-old rule change and it's pushing some seniors to the housing brink ABC News, 5 AprApril at 8:41pm Pensioner Francez Czoloszynski was knocked back from public housing because she has too much super -- a rule advocates warn could prevent the elderly from retiring comfortably. {European Vacation!] European vacations on hold for Brits amid fears of COVID variants ABC News, 5 Apr 2021 at 8:43pm Britons will have to wait a little longer before booking summer holidays, despite the UK government unveiling a tiered "traffic light" travel system. Australia-New Zealand travel bubble set to be announced today ABC News, 5 AprApril at 8:53pm New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is expected to announce a date for the start of a travel bubble with Australia today. Follow live. [Australia allays new it wood become a state of Kwizeelan won day]. [Weed Food!] Stinking Roger, cobbler's peg and blackberry nightshade -- 'daunting' weeds grow to two metres tall after fire and now rain ABC South East NSW, 5 Apr 2021 at 10:02pm Landowners on the bushfire-ravaged NSW Far South Coast are facing the " relentless" task of removing unwanted weeds, which are out of control following decent rainfall. Islam's holiest site now only open to 'immunised' pilgrims, Saudi Arabia says ABC News, 5 Apr 2021 at 11:21pm Making a pilgrimage to Mecca -- one of Islam's holiest sites -- is an integral part of the Muslim faith, but later this year only those immunised against COVID-19 will be able to take part. What a Glacial River Reveals About the Greenland Ice Sheet NASA, 05 Apr 2021 14:28Z With data from a 2016 expedition, scientists supported by NASA are shedding more light into the complex processes under the Greenland Ice Sheet that control ... Yellen calls for minimum global corporate income tax Associated Press, 05 Apr 2021 20:27Z Washington. U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on Monday urged the adoption of a minimum global corporate income tax, an effort to offset any ... NASA Contest Offers $21k Prize To Envision The Future of Aviation The Debrief, 05 Apr 2021 This past Friday, NASA announced they were enlisting the public's help and offering up to $21,000 in prize money to... 46 COVID-19 cases linked to one indoor bar event in rural Illinois: CDC The Hill, 05 Apr 2021 16:13Z An indoor bar opening event in rural Illinois in February was linked to 46 cases of COVID-19, a new study finds, highlighting the dangers indoor gatherings in ... Sneaky New Bacteria on the ISS Could Build a Future on Mars WIRED, 05 Apr 2021 12:12Z NASA tracks the microbes that live on the space station, and sometimes it discovers new ones. Those hardy bugs may offer clues about surviving long missions. NASA's Mars Helicopter Survives First Cold Martian Night on Its Own Jet Propulsion Laboratory, 05 Apr 2021 16:11Z Making it through the frigid Martian temperatures after being deployed by NASA's Perseverance rover is a major milestone for the small rotorcraft. [Emperor For Life!] Putin signs law allowing him 2 more terms as Russia's leader Associated Press, 05 Apr 2021 15:57Z Moscow (AP). Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday signed a law allowing him to potentially hold onto power until 2036, a move that formalizes ... Supreme Court dismisses lawsuit over Trump's Twitter account Yahoo News, 05 Apr 2021 14:55Z Washington. The Supreme Court on Monday tossed out a lawsuit over former President Donald Trump's Twitter account, after the Justice Department said ... 'We're not rats': Parisians flock to River Seine amid COVID-19 lockdown ABC News, 05 Apr 2021 0:37Z As sunshine radiates across Paris, locals flock to the River Seine despite a nationwide COVID-19 lockdown in France. 'Get on with it,' federal government told after slow COVID vaccine rollout ABC News, 05 Apr 2021 01:37Z Australia's vaccination rollout strategy has been slow by international standards and needs to be "greatly improved", an infection control expert says. Phuket to jump vaccine queue in Thailand to revive tourism ABC News, 05 Apr 2021 02:36Z Holiday mecca Phuket will attempt to deliver shots to most of its population ahead of July 1, while UK PM Boris Johnson will set out plans to relaunch international travel on Monday. 'This is men choosing to use violence': Data reveals jump in domestic violence assaults amid COVID-19 pandemic ABC News, 05 Apr 2021 03:35Z Data from SA Police has revealed an 11 per cent increase in domestic violence assaults during COVID-19. White Ribbon Australia executive director Brad Chilcott says the stress of the year is no excuse for violent behaviour. 'New set of lungs': Drug Trikafta proves to be a game changer for people with cystic fibrosis, but it's not yet on the PBS ABC North and West SA, 05 Apr 2021 03:35Z A drug recently approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration helps improve the quality of life for people living with cystic fibrosis, but there's a catch. At least 27 dead, including six children, after floods in Timor-Leste ABC News, 05 Apr 2021 07:33Z The Australian government is helping people access clean water and is providing backup power to assist the thousands displaced in devastating floods in Timor-Leste. `Double Mutant' COVID-19 Variant Found in the Bay Area NBC Bay Area, 04 Apr 2021 23:46Z A new variant of the coronavirus is in the Bay Area and it is believed to be the first of its kind in the United States. Genesis drone show used a record-breaking 3,281 drones The Verge, 04 Apr 2021 23:44Z Hyundai's luxury vehicle brand Genesis used 3281 drones to create its logo over Shanghai's skyline on March 29th in celebration of the brand's arrival in China. Georgia GOP Lawmakers Demand Removal of Coca-Cola Products From Office Amid Election Law Spat Newsweek, 04 Apr 2021 18:42Z Donald Trump on Saturday also urged Americans to boycott Coca-Cola and other companies that have criticized Georgia's new voting legislation. Gut health and mental health: Microbiome study reveals a landmark finding Inverse, 04 Apr 2021 14:41Z Higher levels of wisdom were found to be associated with more diverse gut microbiomes, while loneliness was associated with less diverse displays. Archaeologists wondered why satellite photos of Israel were blurry. It led to a major discovery ABC News, 04 Apr 2021 19:26Z All two archaeologists wanted was better satellite imagery of Israel so they could do their work. Instead, they led the way to uncovering what could be major construction at a secretive nuclear facility. Australians feared mass unemployment, now bosses can't find workers to fill vacant jobs ABC News, 04 Apr 2021 20:25Z You can't say how quickly it will take for Australia's economy to recover from the pandemic, but with job vacancies surging, that's surely a positive sign, writes Gareth Hutchens. Threat of intense rainfall and flash flooding lingers off south-east Queensland's coast over Easter Monday ABC News, 04 Apr 2021 21:24Z Intense rainfall of up to 250 millimetres over Fraser Island off south-east Queensland may lead to dangerous flash flooding and wind gusts, the Bureau of Meteorology says. Daniel Andrews says he's walking for 18 minutes a day as 'pretty painful' recovery continues ABC News, 04 Apr 2021 22:23Z Victoria's Premier says he is making "steady progress" with his physiotherapy as he recovers from broken ribs and a spinal fracture suffered in a fall last month. [He slipped on steps a few wks back and almost broke his back]. UK considers COVID-19 passports to hold vaccine, test result information to reopen economy ABC News, 04 Apr 2021 22:22Z A trial will be held in the UK using 'coronavirus status' documents to verify vaccine and test results in people attending mass gatherings. Experts believe kids may be spreading the B117 COVID variant more than other strains KARE 11, 04 Apr 2021 03:46Z Space station crew to inspect mysterious hole on spacewalk AP Archive, 04 Apr 2021 04:13Z Cook County Health Officials Issue Warning About Rising COVID-19 Cases CBS Chicago, 04 Apr 2021 05:04Z Blockchain-based renewable energy marketplaces gain traction in 2021 Cointelegraph, 03 Apr 2021 22:01Z Blockchain projects focused on optimizing the energy sector are gaining traction as greater emphasis is placed on conservation and efficiency. Below the surface: reports of rising shark attacks don't tell the whole story The Guardian, 04 Apr 2021 09:00Z Fatal shark encounters in Australia are higher than ever. But does that mean the seas are no longer safe? 'Dumped chilli sauce' tech could reduce shark bites by 60 per cent, study finds ABC Eyre Peninsula, 04 Apr 2021 03:37Z Two Flinders University academics say more than 1,000 shark bites could be avoided over the next 50 years if the right devices are worn. Coronavirus patient in critical condition after being hospitalised in SA ABC News, 04 Apr 2021 03:36Z A man in his 40s with COVID-19 is in a critical condition in the intensive care unit at the Royal Adelaide Hospital. Health authorities believe the man has the South African variant of the virus. Life-threatening flash floods expected as wild weather worsens over Queensland into Easter Monday ABC News, 04 Apr 2021 06:35Z South-east Queensland is bracing for extreme weather overnight and into Easter Monday as coastal areas cop a drenching amid several wild weather warnings. It comes as the weather bureau warns of "potentially life- threatening flash flooding" in isolated parts. Companies race to design private space stations before ISS goes offline ampAxios, 03 Apr 2021 12:33Z NASA's future in orbit relies on private space stations. DeSantis declares state of emergency over leak at Tampa Bay-area wastewater pond Yahoo News, 03 Apr 2021 23:30Z Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) on Saturday declared a state of emergency for Manatee County as officials warned the collapse of a gypsum stack at the Piney ... Trump campaign reportedly duped supporters into giving recurring donations Business Insider, 03 Apr 2021 20:29Z The Trump campaign gave refunds in the amount of about $122 million compared to $21 million for the Biden campaign, the New York Times reported. Personal data for 533 million Facebook users leaks on the web Engadget, 03 Apr 2021 18:41Z A database of personal info for 533 million Facebook users has leaked on the web, including phone numbers. Saving Endangered Bonobos Teaches A Lesson In Empathy NPR, 03 Apr 2021 11:58Z At an animal sanctuary in the Congo, young students are learning why the gentle, endangered apes known as bonobos should be seen as a national treasure. How long would it take to walk around the moon? Livescience.com, 03 Apr 2021 11:58Z From our vantage point on Earth, the moon looks small. But if you were to hop in a spaceship, don a spacesuit and go on an epic lunar hike, how long would it ... Sydney's inland suburbs are 10°C warmer than the coast in heat waves New Scientist, 01 Apr 2021 Large-scale weather patterns and urban overheating are interacting to make Sydney's inland suburbs up to 10°C warmer than coastal areas during extreme ... Study reveals ocean warming at three times global average on NSW south coast ABC South East NSW, 03 Apr 2021 02:43Z A University of New South Wales study reveals that Narooma is a global hot spot for ocean warming. [Not news to readers of A.G-W]. Renewable Energy Set To Reshape The U.S. Power Sector OilPrice.com, 02 Apr 2021 16:39Z In the next two to three years the transition to renewable energy is set to accelerate at a remarkable rate. OSIRIS-REx to make final close approach to asteroid before heading back to Earth SpaceNews, 02 Apr 2021 NASA's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft will make one final close approach to the asteroid it collected samples from next week before heading back to Earth. Tampa Bay stares down environmental disaster from Piney Point phosphate plant ampAxios, 03 Apr 2021 02:15Z A worsening series of breaches in a 800-million-gallon holding pool at the Piney Point industrial site prompted Manatee County to evacuate residents within ... From stardust to pale blue dot: Carbon's interstellar journey to Earth Phys.org, 02 Apr 2021 18:23Z We are made of stardust, the saying goes, and a pair of studies including University of Michigan research finds that may be more true than we previously ... Video shows angered octopus attack man on Australia beach CBS News, 02 Apr 2021 18:22Z A video showing an octopus lashing out at a man on a beach last month in Western Australia has gone viral. Geologist and author Lance Karlson was about go ... Gov. DeSantis issues executive order prohibiting COVID-19 vaccine passports WESH 2 Orlando, 03 Apr 2021 02:46Z Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday issued an executive order banning COVID-19 vaccine passports. GE lands `largest combined onshore wind project' in its history Electrek, 02 Apr 2021 GE Renewable Energy will provide wind turbines for the massive 1.48 gigawatt North Central Wind Energy Facilities in Oklahoma. Kremlin Spy and Ex-US Convict Sent to Humiliate Navalny in Prison The Daily Beast, 02 Apr 2021 22:19Z After an exclusive visit to Navalny in prison, Maria Butina claimed he was living in better conditions than she did while jailed in the U.S.. This Salmonella Outbreak is Dangerous to You and Your Pets, CDC Says Lifehacker, 02 Apr 2021 20:05Z You probably already knew that birds like chickens can carry Salmonella bacteria, which is why we cook chicken and try not to eat too much raw cookie dough ... Biden lifts sanctions on International Criminal Court officials POLITICO, 02 Apr 2021 21:03Z President Joe Biden on Friday lifted sanctions and visa restrictions on officials of the International Criminal Court, reversing another foreign policy move by ... Sponges can survive massive doses of radiation without getting cancer New Scientist, 02 Apr 2021 08:02Z Sponges have cells that divide throughout their life so they should be prone to cancers, but they have survived 100 times the lethal dose of radiation for humans ... Severe weather expected along central and southern Queensland coast from Sunday ABC News, 02 Apr 2021 03:12Z The BOM is likely to issue a severe weather warning for coastal areas of Queensland on Easter Sunday, with rainfall of up to 150mm expected between Agnes Water and the New South Wales border. [Double block over the Tasman]. Almost 30,000 in NSW fully vaccinated against COVID-19, no new cases ABC News, 02 Apr 2021 05:10Z Almost 30,000 people across NSW have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, according to data released for the first time by health authorities. It comes as the state recorded no new locally acquired or overseas cases. Dozens of UK politicians sign letter against 'divisive and discriminatory' vaccine passports ABC News, 02 Apr 2021 12:09Z More than 70 UK politicians signal their opposition to the introduction of so-called vaccine passports that the government is considering bringing in to help open the economy. Deaths in America Surged in 2020, Well Beyond Official Covid-19 Toll Gizmodo, 02 Apr 2021 16:35Z The covid-19 pandemic drove a horrifying surge in U.S. deaths last year, new research published Friday has shown. [+22%; normally varies +-2%]. These weird lumps of 'inflatons' could be the very first structures in the universe Livescience.com, 02 Apr 2021 12:03Z An ultra-high-resolution simulation of a tiny slice of the universe - a million times smaller than a proton - has revealed the very first structures to ever exist. UK records big rise in blood clots after AstraZeneca COVID vaccine New York Post, 02 Apr 2021 15:02Z More UK residents that received the AstraZeneca vaccine developed blood clots than initially believed, officials said. Big Companies Like FedEx and Nike Paid No Federal Taxes The New York Times, 02 Apr 2021 12:54Z Just as the Biden administration is pushing to raise taxes on corporations, a new study finds that at least 55 of America's largest paid no taxes last year on ... Northern California to suffer more as drought looms Los Angeles Times, 02 Apr 2021 12:53Z Record amounts of regional water storage will buffer urban Southern California from the effects of drought this year. Vaccinated Americans Can Travel, C.D.C. Says The New York Times, 02 Apr 2021 16:30Z Americans who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 can travel "at low risk to themselves," both within the United States and internationally, but they must ... Perseverance found a weird rock on Mars, and scientists can't identify it BGR, 02 Apr 2021 04:25Z NASA's Perseverance rover has been on Mars for a little while now. It landed successfully in late February and spent a good chunk of March just testing its ... Study: US pesticide use falls but harms pollinators more Phys.org, 01 Apr 2021 18:25Z American farmers are using smaller amounts of better targeted pesticides, but these are harming pollinators, aquatic insects and some plants far more than ... We need to talk about UFOs again Washington Post, 01 Apr 2021 15:43Z In its news release, the Pentagon said, "the aerial phenomena observed in the videos remain characterized as `unidentified,'" putting the U in UFO. The Pentagon went further in August 2020, announcing ... NASA's Europa Clipper hits huge milestone in hunt for life on Jupiter's moon SlashGear, 01 Apr 2021 19:40Z NASA has big hopes for Jupiter's moon Europa, and the American space agency has just dotted the i's and crossed the t's on the spacecraft that will fly out. Azores: Big-Wave Discovery in the Middle of the Atlantic Surfline.com Surf News, 01 Apr 2021 15:28Z Situated in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, some 930 miles from Portugal, the Azores archipelago is a cluster of volcanic islands known for rugged beauty and ... Biodegradable Algae Solar Panels Clean The Air While Growing Green Energy Good News Network, 01 Apr 2021 16:28Z Adán Ramirez Sánchez has invented biodegradable algae solar panels that generate electricity and oxygen from co2. Evidence of Antarctic glacier's tipping point confirmed for first time Phys.org, 02 Apr 2021 08:27Z Researchers have confirmed for the first time that Pine Island Glacier in West Antarctica could cross tipping points, leading to a rapid and irreversible retreat ... COVID-19 Was 3rd Leading Cause Of Death In US For 2020, CDC Says HuffPost, 01 Apr 2021 12:10Z Death rates last year overall were highest among Black people and American Indian and Alaska Native people. The COVID-19 death rate was highest among ... Amtrak pitches new, improved train routes including Detroit to Toronto WDIV ClickOnDetroit, 01 Apr 2021 14:08Z Detroit. With President Biden's new infrastructure plan including $621 billion for transportation infrastructure, with $80 billion of that for passenger and freight ... Dark matter could be made of black holes from the beginning of time Livescience.com, 01 Apr 2021 12:07Z Evidence of collisions between black holes and neutron stars suggests dark matter might consist of concentrations of ancient black holes. Marsquake! NASA's InSight Detects Two Sizable Quakes on Mars SciTechDaily, 01 Apr 2021 16:07Z The magnitude 3.3 and 3.1 temblors originated in a region called Cerberus Fossae, further supporting the idea that this location is seismically active. NASA's ... Climate change cut global agricultural productivity 21% since 1960s Phys.org, 01 Apr 2021 15:05Z The University of Maryland (UMD) has collaborated with Cornell University and Stanford University to quantify the man-made effects of climate change on global ... Egypt may seek compensation for $1 billion lost from Suez Canal blockage New York Post, 01 Apr 2021 14:03Z Egypt wants to be compensated for the roughly $1 billion that it lost after a massive container ship got stuck in the Suez Canal for six days. Prominent Democracy Leaders In Hong Kong Convicted For Unlawful Assembly NPR, 01 Apr 2021 14:02Z A Hong Kong court has convicted seven prominent pro-democracy advocates, including lawyer Martin Lee and media tycoon Jimmy Lai, of unlawful assembly ... Accuweather to Florida: Watch out this hurricane season Tampa Bay Times, 01 Apr 2021 14:00Z The 2021 Atlantic hurricane season is expected to be more active than usual, according to an early forecast from private forecasting *service* AccuWeather - and ... Melting ice sheets caused sea levels to rise up to 18 meters Phys.org, 01 Apr 2021 09:59Z It is well known that climate-induced sea level rise is a major threat. New research has found that previous ice loss events could have caused sea-level rise at ... U.S. in Talks With Australia on Responses to War Over Taiwan, Diplomat Says Bloomberg, 01 Apr 2021 04:15Z The U.S. is undertaking "strategic planning" with its Australian ally to consider potential joint responses to a war over Taiwan, according to President Joe Biden's ... Earthquake Swarm Hits World's Largest Volcano Weatherboy, 31 Mar 2021 21:11Z An earthquake swarm continues on Mauna Loa, known as the world's largest active volcano. While nearby smaller Kilauea Volcano is erupting, Mauna Loa is... First X-rays from Uranus discovered Phys.org, 31 Mar 2021 17:24Z Astronomers have detected X-rays from Uranus for the first time, using NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory. This result may help scientists learn more about this ... April Will Kick Off With A Heat Wave CBS Denver, 01 Apr 2021 04:21Z Battle rages over vaccine passports The Hill1, 31 Mar 2021 20:21Z Republicans are up in arms over the possibility that businesses and local governments may require vaccine passports for people to get access to certain ... Fiery 'airburst' of superheated gas slammed into Antarctica 430,000 years ago Livescience.com, 31 Mar 2021 19:33Z Roughly 430000 years ago, an incandescent ball of hot gas came barreling out of the sky and slammed into Antarctica - and now, scientists have found tiny bits ... As a doctor, David is used to vaccines. But then he had the second Pfizer jab ABC Health & Wellbeing, 31 Mar 2021 19:57Z Australian ER doctor David Caldicott has never had an adverse reaction to a vaccine. But he needed a day on the couch after getting the second Pfizer jab. Australian former intelligence boss, business leaders and university student caught up in Chinese police data leak ABC Investigations, 31 Mar 2021 19:55Z The identities of more than 160 Australian citizens -- including a former intelligence chief, government officials and business leaders -- are exposed in hacked Shanghai police files that reveal the inner workings of China's surveillance state. Dozens of locations added to Queensland's contact tracing list, lockdown decision still to come ABC News, 31 Mar 2021 20:42Z Queensland's contact tracers have added more than 35 COVID-exposed locations to their list as Greater Brisbane residents wait to find out if their lockdown will be extended. More Byron Bay COVID-19 hotspots include pub, high streets and gym ABC Morning Briefing, 31 Mar 2021 19:52Z Visitors to all retail and takeaway shops on Lawson, Jonson, Browning and Fletcher Streets on Saturday must immediately seek COVID-19 testing after a man tested positive in the Byron area. Lockdown D-Day: Easter holiday plans hang in the balance as Greater Brisbane awaits today's lockdown decision ABC News, 31 Mar 2021 19:52Z More than 2 million residents across Greater Brisbane are holding their breath as they wait to hear if the region's three-day lockdown will end as planned at 5:00pm tonight or if Easter holiday celebrations will be thrown into disarray. [Just in time for an extended lockdown!] The half-price flights deal begins today. Here's what you need to know ABC News, 31 Mar 2021 20:07Z Discount airfares go on sale today for travel to more than a dozen regions across Australia to help provide a much-needed boost to the country's struggling tourism industry. Russia registers `world's first' COVID-19 vaccine for animals Al Jazeera English, 31 Mar 2021 15:39Z The shot is hoped to help prevent the spread of virus mutations and mass production could begin as early as April. [World's first crystal collection:] Innovative Homo sapiens behaviours 105000 years ago in a wetter Kalahari Nature.com, 31 Mar 2021 15:37Z The archaeological record of Africa provides the earliest evidence for the emergence of the complex symbolic and technological behaviours that characterize ... Diamonds That Formed Deep in the Earth's Mantle Contain Evidence of Deep-Earth Recycling Processes SciTechDaily, 31 Mar 2021 18:37Z Findings allow us to trace how minerals from the surface are drawn down into the mantle. Diamonds that formed deep in the Earth's mantle contain evidence of ... Biden infrastructure plan proposes spending $174B to boost America's EV market TechCrunch, 31 Mar 2021 16:34Z President Joe Biden has earmarked $174 billion from his ambitious infrastructure plan to build out domestic supply chains for electric vehicles, noting the ... British Government's 'Gaslighting' Report on Racism Says Slavery Had Some Upsides The Daily Beast, 31 Mar 2021 15:33Z Boris Johnson asked a group of supposed experts to find out how bad structural racism is in Britain-they concluded that it doesn't exist at all. [Didn't magically disappear:] India Reports Its Highest Daily Number Of COVID-19 Deaths So Far This Year NPR, 31 Mar 2021 17:33Z Mumbai. India on Wednesday recorded its biggest jump in COVID-19 deaths so far this year, as authorities in worst-hit Mumbai commandeered private ... [All the best laws are based on a lie:] Major U.S. companies take aim at Georgia's new voting restrictions CNBC, 31 Mar 2021 19:31Z Business executives across the United States are calling out efforts to restrict voting access. Joby's electric aircraft, explained Popular Science, 31 Mar 2021 15:30Z Joby Aviation wants to give you an electric taxi ride through the sky someday. Its aircraft features a half-dozen propellers, each more than 6 feet in diameter. N.Y. Seeks Trump Insider's Records, in Apparent Bid to Gain Cooperation The New York Times, 31 Mar 2021 19:30Z State prosecutors in Manhattan subpoenaed the personal bank records of the Trump Organization's longtime C.F.O. and are scrutinizing gifts he received from ... France Heads Into Monthlong Lockdown as Virus Spirals in Europe Bloomberg, 31 Mar 2021 20:07Z French President Emmanuel Macron announced a nationwide four-week lockdown, closing schools and business, in the latest and alarming sign that Europe is ... Facebook removes video interview with Trump, citing his ban from the platform CNBC, 31 Mar 2021 18:28Z Facebook removed a video interview with Donald Trump, a company spokesperson confirmed to NBC News on Wednesday, citing the former president's ... Biden's Climate Plan Means Tough Choices: Which Homes Get Saved? The New York Times, 31 Mar 2021 19:58Z Washington. President Biden's $2 trillion infrastructure plan represents an enormous effort to protect Americans from climate change, but it sidesteps one of ... Byron Bay Bluesfest cancelled for second year running after local man tests positive for COVID-19 ABC News, 31 Mar 2021 05:48Z The NSW Health Minister signs a public health order cancelling the Bluesfest in Byron Bay a day before it opens, despite organisers having said the event -- which was set to attract up to 15,000 people -- would go ahead. George Christensen says Queensland's mask mandate is 'insanity', prompting calls for PM to act ABC Tropical North, 31 Mar 2021 06:46Z The maverick MP's latest COVID comments are labelled as dangerous for public health, with calls for Prime Minister Scott Morrison to take action against him. They're a symbol of the fragility of life in Japan, but global warming is changing when cherry blossoms flower ABC News, 31 Mar 2021 08:45Z Japan's cherry blossoms reach their flowery peak earlier this year than at any time since formal records started being kept nearly 70 years ago. Experts say global warming is a likely cause. Fears for Easter tourism as new restrictions and uncertainty deter Australians from travelling ABC News, 31 Mar 2021 13:42Z A survey finds almost two thirds of people will not be travelling anywhere over the Easter period, while 32 per cent say they will not be travelling anywhere over the next 12 months. Italian police say Russian diplomat, Italian navy captain caught red-handed in spy transaction CBS News, 31 Mar 2021 10:36Z Police say the men were detained during a "clandestine meeting# immediately after the transfer of a document by the Italian officer in exchange for a sum of ... AccuWeather's 2021 Atlantic hurricane season forecast AccuWeather, 31 Mar 2021 14:35Z June 1 is two months away, but troubling signs are already emerging about what lies ahead for the 2021 Atlantic basin hurricane season. Top Trump adviser pursued his own COVID-19 medical supply deals, documents show The Hill, 31 Mar 2021 13:34Z A top adviser to former President Trump pursued his own ad hoc strategy for procuring key medical supplies after the president and others in the administration ... Scientists detect world's coldest cloud hovering over Pacific Ocean Livescience.com, 30 Mar 2021 14:25Z A severe thunderstorm cloud that formed over the Pacific Ocean in 2018 reached the coldest temperatures ever recorded. Texas Senate passes bill aiming to counter federal subsidies for wind and solar power Houston Chronicle, 30 Mar 2021 While President Joe Biden moves to expand the use of renewable energy nationwide, the Texas Legislature is doing the opposite, adding fees on solar and ... Cold weather perfect to pioneer electric aviation says Finnair and signs intention to purchase 20 battery planes The Independent Barents Observer, 30 Mar 2021 15:14Z With zero-emissions, low-noise and possible to operate on 750-meter runways, the first generation electric planes will be perfect for commuter flights between ... Hold on to your seats. FERC just hit the fast forward button on the clean energy transition. Utility Dive, 30 Mar 2021 15:14Z The following is a contributed article by Allison Bates Wannop, director of legal and regulatory affairs, and Jon Wellinghoff, chief regulatory officer, at Voltus. Covid in Brazil `completely out of control,' says Sao Paulo-based reporter CNBC, 31 Mar 2021 02:13Z Brazil just reached a grim Covid-19 milestone, and a reporter based in Sao Paulo doesn't see the situation improving in the near future. Brazil: Political crisis and Covid surge rock Bolsonaro BBC News, 31 Mar 2021 09:27Z Brazil's Jair Bolsonaro is facing the biggest crisis of his presidency after the heads of the army, navy and air force all quit and the country recorded its highest ... The "One Who Causes Fear" - Extremely Powerful New Meat-Eating Predator Discovered SciTechDaily, 30 Mar 2021 23:42Z Jorge Blanco's artist impression of Llukalkan aliocranianus. Credit: Jorge Blanco and Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. Ruling in the Late Cretaceous, ... Biden faces first Covid surge as allies brush off warnings POLITICO, 30 Mar 2021 23:39Z The Biden administration is confronting its first surge of Covid-19 with few public health options and even some of its Democratic allies ignoring pleas to slow ... Bizarre 'worm tornado' in New Jersey has scientists baffled Livescience.com, 30 Mar 2021 12:38Z A resident of Hoboken, New Jersey spotted the unusual worm spiral after days of heavy rainfall. Florida COVID numbers face new scrutiny Yahoo News, 30 Mar 2021 09:37Z New research published earlier this month in the American Journal of Public Health argues that Florida is undercounting the number of people who have died ... BREAKING (31 Mar); In a press conf NSW Prem Berejiklian says 1 community covid case has been detected linked with the Qld outbreak. Where there is one... there could be others, the Prem told reporters. She said in 4 key areas people will be required to follow enhanced social distancing rules and masking until the end of Easter rather than calling for a lock-down. She also asked people in the 4 areas not to travel outside of the region, but that would not be policed. Queensland records two new community COVID cases ABC News, 30 Mar 2021 22:42Z With Queenslanders sweating on the lifting of a lockdown in time for Easter, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk reveals the "absolutely encouraging news" that the state has recorded just three new cases of COVID-19 -- one in hotel quarantine and two linked to an existing case. 'Rare blood clots': German cities suspend AstraZeneca vaccine use for under-60s ABC News, 30 Mar 2021 22:42Z The decision came after the country's medical regulator announced it had received a total of 31 reports of rare blood clots in recent recipients of the AstraZeneca vaccine. 'We've misunderstood the risk': Australian researchers find new explanations in COVID-19 aerosol spread ABC News, 30 Mar 2021 22:41Z As Queensland grapples with two separate COVID-19 clusters originating from healthcare workers, researchers question the rationale of why some healthcare workers are better protected than others. Australia to produce its own guided missiles as part of billion-dollar defence manufacturing plan ABC News, 30 Mar 2021 22:40Z Australia will move to produce its own guided missiles under a $1 billion plan to establish a new weapons facility with a global arms manufacturer. Brisbane's COVID cluster grows as second nurse at PA hospital tests positive to coronavirus ABC News, 30 Mar 2021 23:07Z Queensland records two new community cases of COVID-19, both linked to an existing cluster, in an encouraging sign lockdown could be lifted tomorrow if the situation does not worsen. Australia joins 13 other countries in voicing concerns over lack of access for WHO COVID experts in China ABC News, 30 Mar 2021 23:16Z In a statement also signed by countries including the US, Canada, Japan and the UK, Australia expresses concerns that the WHO report into the origins of coronavirus was delayed and lacked access to complete data. Australia faces its first COVID test post-JobKeeper, and Brisbane is the guinea pig ABC News, 30 Mar 2021 21:01Z Brisbane's lockdown is the first to take place after the removal of the federal government's JobKeeper lifeline. Many sectors now fear the hoped-for boost from the Easter break will be lost. RAAF looking to establish a space command as it celebrates 100 years ABC News, 30 Mar 2021 21:00Z Australia's Air Force chief says planning is underway for a new military " space command" amid growing global competition for supremacy in the skies well above earth. `Carbon bomb' or economic lifeline? A massive new Australian gas project just got the green light ABC News, 30 Mar 2021 21:29Z Energy giant Santos will pour $4.7 billion into opening up a new gas field off the coast of Darwin, in what the Commonwealth and NT governments say is a major boost for the economy. New contact locations added as Qld officials race to contain outbreak ABC News, 30 Mar 2021 21:41Z At least a dozen new COVID-exposed locations have been announced in Queensland as the state grapples with a new outbreak and eight new cases of community spread. China approves sweeping electoral shake-up for Hong Kong ABC News, 30 Mar 2021 08:41Z China reduces the number of directly elected seats in Hong Kong's legislature in a setback for the territory's already beleaguered democracy movement. 11 COVID-19 alerts issued for Gold Coast, including Surf Life Saving event attended by hundreds ABC Gold Coast, 30 Mar 2021 10:34Z A Surf Life Saving Competition attended by hundreds of people is among 11 new COVID alerts issued by Queensland Health. [In related news, the fed govt has badly missed its vaccination target of 4 mn by the end of March. The fed govt plan that saw vaccines shipped to ~1000 GP's that registered to give out the shots has seen only 57,000 people inoculated (<2%). There have been numerous complaints from experts and doctors in the last few months saying there was not enough vaccine to meet the target, let alone too few doctors involved in sticking needles in people's arms. At one point only 20 doses per day were being sent to each GP limiting doses to 20k per day or less than 2 mn over 3m even if everything went right. But it didn't. As a geriatric I'm last on the list to be vaccinated. The local clinic says they have less than 100 doses available per day but more than 1000 people a day are booking for shots; come back in 3-6m]. How harnessing the power of white blood cells could be the key to an effective malaria vaccine ABC Health & Wellbeing, 30 Mar 2021 19:34Z For nearly 40 years a highly protective vaccine to fight malaria has eluded researchers, but a new Australian study hopes to help change that. Glencore pushing NT government to allow destruction of Aboriginal site of ' high archaeological significance' ABC/AM, 30 Mar 2021 19:21Z A plan to build a waste rock dump on the site of an archaeologically significant Aboriginal stone tool quarry could draw comparisons to the Juukan Gorge cave blasts, according to a briefing prepared for the NT government. Labor promises cheaper electric cars and cash for solar powered batteries, if it wins next federal election ABC News, 30 Mar 2021 19:45Z The federal opposition is vowing to make electric cars substantially cheaper and has declared it will install 400 "community batteries" in suburbs to help cut power bills, if it wins the next election. Queensland's vaccine rollout ramped up as all frontline healthcare workers to be vaccinated 'in next 48 hours' ABC News, 30 Mar 2021 19:45Z Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk insists the COVID-19 vaccine rollout is on track for frontline healthcare workers, despite criticism from the state opposition that the pace is "unacceptable". [Big surprise. The latest outbreak in Qld and NSW was sparked by an unvaccinated doctor treating COVID patients. The QLd govt has now ordered only vaccinated staff are allowed to treat patients. Hospital staff are 90% vaccinated in Qld at this point]. NASA's Metal Mission: Final Assembly of Psyche Spacecraft Begins - Destined to Explore a Metal-Rich Asteroid SciTechDaily, 30 Mar 2021 19:09Z NASA's Psyche mission to a distant metal asteroid will carry a revolutionary Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC) package. This artist's concept shows ... Flying taxi startup Lilium goes public via SPAC, unveils its new electric aircraft The Verge, 30 Mar 2021 14:06Z Lilium, a flying taxi startup based in Germany, is going public via a merger with a special acquisition company, or SPAC. As part of the deal, the company ... The Ocean's Youngest Monsters Are Ready for Glamour Shots The New York Times, 30 Mar 2021 19:05Z For most scuba divers, few places underwater match the visual thrill of a kaleidoscopic coral reef teeming with colorful fish. For Jeff Milisen, a marine biologist ... Georgia voting restrictions challenged again in third federal lawsuit Atlanta Journal Constitution, 30 Mar 2021 17:04Z A federal lawsuit filed Tuesday alleges Georgia's new voting law disproportionately harms Black voters and should be blocked in court. The suit is the ... Mutations could render current Covid vaccines ineffective in a year or less, epidemiologists warn CNBC, 30 Mar 2021 13:52Z Mutations of the coronavirus could render current vaccines ineffective within a year, according to a survey of experts. Charged Up: Scientists Find New Pathway to Harnessing the Sun for a Clean Energy Future SciTechDaily, 29 Mar 2021 22:49Z Berkeley Lab co-led collaboration with DESY and TU Freiberg brings us a step closer to more efficient photovoltaics and solar fuel systems. In the past 50 years, ... Northrop Grumman to supply solid rocket motors for first Mars Ascent Vehicle Spaceflight Now, 30 Mar 2021 03:32Z Global leaders call for a pandemic treaty - but U.S. and China remain silent CNBC, 30 Mar 2021 10:0Z Global leaders have jointly called for a pandemic treaty, although the U.S. and China are missing from the list. 'Active and dangerous scene': Mount Rushmore closed, 400 homes evacuated as multiple wildfires spread in South Dakota USA TODAY, 30 Mar 2021 0:29Z "Dangerous" wildfires spread through the area just outside Mount Rushmore in South Dakota, closing the monument and surrounding neighborhoods Monday. UBS says $140 trillion will pour into clean energy - and picks the global stocks to cash in CNBC, 30 Mar 2021 07:26Z UBS has estimated that around $140 trillion of investment will be spent on decarbonizing the world's energy supply by 2050 and named a number of stocks set ... Gupta concedes GFG too dependent on collapsed lender Greensill ABC News, 30 Mar 2021 05:44Z Whyalla steelworks owner Sanjeev Gupta says the collapse of major lender Greensill precipitated the "most difficult month" of his life, with the billionaire now reportedly facing another major setback. BOM declares La Niña over - but that doesn't mean the rain is done ABC Weather, 30 Mar 2021 06:0Z As the La Niña that's dominated our climate for the past few months officially dies, we're back in the hands of local climate drivers. Police warn Greater Brisbane residents attempting to flee lockdown face hefty fines ahead of Easter holiday period ABC News, 30 Mar 2021 06:08Z Deputy Commissioner Steve Gollschewski warns Greater Brisbane residents they must stay home over the Easter period until the COVID-19 lockdown ends -- and it could still be extended. `New path': AGL to split itself into two The Australian Financial Review, 29 Mar 2021 22:23Z AGL Energy will split itself in two to create separate retailing and power generation businesses as it grapples with the ... Contentious floating gas terminal proposal at Crib Point rejected ABC News, 30 Mar 2021 01:12Z The Victorian Government says AGL's plan to build the terminal near Hastings, on the Mornington Peninsula, would have had unacceptable environmental impacts. [Shambolic!] 'Don't just turn up': Confusion at Melbourne vaccine hubs ABC News, 30 Mar 2021 02:11Z Victoria's COVID-19 response commander has pleaded with the public not to show up to mass-vaccination sites in Melbourne, after several people walked in and received the AstraZeneca injection when they were not supposed to. [Pork!] Scathing report labels Berejiklian's grants program 'a brazen pork-barrel scheme' ABC News, 30 Mar 2021 02:10Z A $252 million NSW government grants scheme was designed "almost entirely for political purposes' after 95 per cent of funds went to councils in Coalition-held or marginal electorates, a report finds. Ecuadorian policeman arrested in Galápagos Islands after 185 baby giant tortoises found in suitcase ABC News, 30 Mar 2021 02:09Z An Ecuadorian policeman is arrested after airport officials in the Galápagos Islands discovered 185 baby giant tortoises stuffed in a suitcase to be trafficked. [Waterworld!] NSW floods turn coastal village into an 'island' for 12 days ABC Mid North Coast, 30 Mar 2021 03:08Z Crescent Head is reemerging after being cut off by floodwaters for almost a fortnight. The town's surf club volunteers used their rescue boats to transport food and medical supplies to isolated residents. Two clusters linked to the same Brisbane hospital. Here's what we know ABC News, 30 Mar 2021 03:37Z Brisbane's lockdown was triggered by two separate clusters that both originated from the same hospital at different times. Here's how the infection has spread. SARS-CoV-2: Limited protection against reinfection in over 65s Medical News Today, 29 Mar 2021 11:12Z Research finds that a first infection with SARS-CoV-2 provides only 47% protection against a second infection for those aged 65 years and over. VW accidentally leaks new name for its U.S. operations: Voltswagen CNBC, 29 Mar 2021 23:16Z A now unpublished press release called the change a "public declaration of the company's future-forward investment in e-mobility." In Trumpian move, Jeff Bezos reportedly orders Amazon chiefs to hit back at critics The Guardian, 29 Mar 2021 15:08Z The Amazon News Twitter account and executive Dave Clark have been lashing out at critics online - just as Alabama workers vote on unionization. Biden's infrastructure push: What a climate and transit bill could look like Vox.com, 29 Mar 2021 16:07Z Biden's massive infrastructure plan is also a climate plan. More rain, possible floods in the forecast for swamped South USA TODAY, 29 Mar 2021 16:06Z After a deadly and devastating weekend of flooding in portions of the South, another round of rain is forecast for the region on Tue, Wed. Biden says states should reinstate mask mandates and wait to reopen businesses as Covid cases rise CNBC, 29 Mar 2021 22:04Z "We're giving up hard-fought, hard-won gains," President Joe Biden said on Monday. Could humans ever be venomous? Livescience.com, 29 Mar 2021 20:04Z It's not likely, but humans have the tool kit to evolve venom. Scientists built a perfectly self-replicating synthetic cell Livescience.com, 29 Mar 2021 19:04Z Scientists have crafted a single-celled synthetic organism that divides and multiplies just like the real thing. The advancement could someday help researchers ... An Alliance of Autocracies? China Wants to Lead a New World Order. The New York Times, 29 Mar 2021 09:55Z As President Biden predicts a struggle between democracies and their opponents, Beijing is eager to champion the other side. Some landlords sell properties as CDC extends eviction ban CNBC, 29 Mar 2021 18:54Z A federal ban on evictions is putting the squeeze on smaller landlords, who are unable to directly access Covid rental relief funds, and some are starting to sell ... Airbus Explores If Hydrogen Could Make Large Electric Aircraft A Reality Simple Flying, 29 Mar 2021 12:52Z Airbus is looking to a century-old technology to provide solutions for large- scale electrification of flight. Superconductivity, first identified in 1911, reduces ... CDC director Rochelle Walensky warns of "impending doom" amid COVID-19 spikes CBS News, 29 Mar 2021 17:51Z Washington. Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), issued a dire warning of a sense of "impending doom" ... Don't come here ... yet! Mayor pleads for Brisbane travellers to stay away ABC Sunshine Coast, 29 Mar 2021 09:22Z A Sunshine Coast mayor is pleading for Brisbane holidaymakers to stay away from Noosa during the three-day lockdown, as some businesses announce they won't take guests from the state's capital. Labor pledges a $15 billion manufacturing fund ahead of next election ABC News, 29 Mar 2021 12:21Z Federal Opposition leader Anthony Albanese will promise to establish a $15 billion "national reconstruction fund" if Labor wins the next election, ahead of the party's special policy conference beginning in Sydney. 'On the phone 24/7': Authorities are working to ramp up vaccination efforts ABC/The Signal, 29 Mar 2021 17:20Z As of Monday, over 550,000 Australians had received a COVID-19 vaccination, but the rollout is behind the original schedule and some experts say we must learn lessons from the early stage of the rollout to improve the delivery of vaccines. Hand dryers can circulate germs through the air. Why are they still used everywhere? ABC/The Conversation, 29 Mar 2021 18:19Z Which side are you on, paper or dryer? In either case, here's the bottom line on what to do after using the toilet. Is it fair to ask solar owners to pay for exporting power? Here are some other solutions ABC Science, 29 Mar 2021 19:18Z Australians were recently told they could soon be charged for helping to cope with electricity "traffic jams" when they export solar to the grid. What are these jams and is charging owners the only solution? Sydney's 'Mr Sin' Abe Saffron was behind the Ghost Train fire at Sydney's Luna Park, according to former NSW police ABC Exposed, 29 Mar 2021 19:16Z The Luna Park Ghost Train fire that killed six children and one man was engineered by the underworld figure Abe Saffron, former senior police say for the first time. A long winter for retirees as low interest hurt the biggest savers ABC/7.30, 29 Mar 2021 19:14Z For young first home buyers and families burdened by huge mortgages, it is the best of times. For retirees, it is the winter of despair, writes Alan Kohler. 'Kick in the teeth' pre-Easter lockdown causes chaos and mass cancellations across Greater Brisbane ABC News, 29 Mar 2021 19:41Z Millions of people across Greater Brisbane wake to a ghost town as the region's snap three-day lockdown causes chaos and mass cancellations for holiday bookings and events across the state ahead of the busy Easter period. UK on track to hit Covid vaccine target by July, says Oliver Dowden Guardian News, 27 Mar 2021 A remnant of a protoplanet may be hiding inside Earth Livescience.com, 29 Mar 2021 11:22Z Scientists say that remnants of the protoplanet Theia, which once crashed into Earth, can still be found deep inside our planet. AP Exclusive: WHO report says animals likely source of COVID Yahoo News, 29 Mar 2021 07:19Z Beijing (AP). A joint WHO-China study on the origins of COVID-19 says that transmission of the virus from bats to humans through another animal is the most ... It's 'very likely' that COVID-19 first spread to humans from bats via another animal, WHO report finds ABC News, 29 Mar 2021 08:24Z The WHO study into the origins of COVID-19 finds transmission of the virus from bats to humans through another animal is most likely scenario, but many questions are left unanswered. U.S. Officials Air Concerns About WHO's Covid Origin Report Top Biden administration officials on Sunday expressed concern about the way a pivotal report examining the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic was crafted, ... Bloomberg, 29 Mar 2021 03:19Z Biden expresses confidence that "rational" gun control can pass evenly- divided Senate CBS News, 29 Mar 2021 11:17Z President Biden on Sunday expressed confidence that a "rational" gun control bill can pass the evenly-divided Senate. In the wake of two deadly mass shootings ... Suez Canal traffic resumes after cargo ship Ever Given is moving again CNBC, 29 Mar 2021 14:01Z The massive ship that was wedged in the Suez Canal has been freed. The Ever Given, one of the world's largest container ships, became stuck in the waterway ... [MIB:] Military and spy agencies accused of stiff-arming investigators on UFO sightings Politico, 26 Mar 2021 A public accounting is proving to be an "onerous job of trying get everyone to come clean," one government adviser said. This purple box could help save Australia's bee industry from disaster ABC News, 29 Mar 2021 04:28Z Artificial intelligence technology is being used in a trial of new sentinel hives that could detect pests which threaten the beekeeping industry. ["Don't panic buy... there's plenty of food..."] Supermarket shelves emptied despite calls not to 'rush out and panic-buy' ABC News, 29 Mar 2021 04:40Z Supermarket shelves are cleared of some essential items and lines of shoppers snake out of stores ahead of Greater Brisbane going into a three-day lockdown for the second time this year. South Australians using state government websites could be handing over personal data to the Liberal Party, expert warns ABC News, 29 Mar 2021 05:13Z South Australians using government websites on a range of topics, including COVID-19 information, could be handing personal data and information over to the Liberal Party, a privacy expert has warned. Florida's Coronavirus Cases Rise, Especially Among the Young The New York Times, 28 Mar 2021 20:44Z Scientists view Florida - the state furthest along in lifting restrictions, reopening society and welcoming tourists - as a bellwether for the nation. If recent trends ... UK eases lockdown but nervously eyes European virus surge The Associated Press, 28 Mar 2021 16:42Z London. Britain is taking another small step out of lockdown as it looks nervously at a new virus surge inundating its European neighbors. With U.K. ... Flooding in Nashville Kills at Least 4 as Water Keeps Rising The New York Times, 28 Mar 2021 21:41Z Dozens of people were rescued as cars were swept away and neighborhoods were swamped. "We're not out of the woods yet," officials said, as water levels ... [Uncomfortable conversation:] Most US Covid deaths `could have been mitigated' after first 100,000, Birx says The Guardian, 28 Mar 2021 20:39Z Former coronavirus taskforce coordinator tells CNN deaths could have been prevented if Trump administration acted sooner. [Day 454:] BREAKING (29 Mar): In a shock press conf Qld Prem Palaszczuk announced 10 new cases of UK covid19 had been detected overnight, incl 4 in the community. So a 3 day lock-down of Brisbane will start at 5pm tonight. Because one of the infected people had travelled to Gladstone the Prem also announced compulsory mask wearing will also go into effect from today. New study shows pregnant women and babies have strong immune response to COVID vaccine KARE11.com, 27 Mar 2021 23:42Z A local health expert weighs in on the study published this week in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. United returns to New York JFK after more than a five year hiatus with inaugural flagship routes The Points Guy, 28 Mar 2021 13:40Z Nearly six years ago, United Airlines bid farewell to New York's JFK airport, giving up its operations at the nation's sixth-busiest airport - and the biggest. The U.S. is in a delicate position as Covid cases increase alongside vaccinations, experts warn CNBC, 28 Mar 2021 15:40Z Daily Covid-19 cases are increasing once again after months of declines, a troubling sign as more Americans let down their guard, experts say. [Compounding:] Amid A Myriad Of Crises, Lebanon Now Confronts An Ecological Disaster On Its Shores NPR, 28 Mar 2021 16:38Z Some of the country's last beaches spared from development are now carpeted in globs of tar from an oil spill in the Mediterranean, damaging beaches that are ... Record rains kill 4, force 130 swift-water rescues in Nashville as more storms slam battered South USA TODAY, 28 Mar 2021 16:34Z Nashville, Tenn. At least four people were killed and swift-water rescue crews plucked more than 130 people from cars, apartments and homes as ... NSW Health contacting more than 20,000 people returning from Brisbane ABC News, 28 Mar 2021 07:31Z People recently returned from Brisbane will receive an SMS or an email from health officials urging them to get tested for COVID-19 as the cluster of cases in the city grows. Australia's cyber watchdog called in as Federal Parliament crippled by another hacking attempt ABC News, 28 Mar 2021 12:30Z Australia's cyber authorities are working to establish what has caused a crippling IT disruption at Federal Parliament that has left many of the building's occupants without access to email across the weekend. Cyber attack disrupts live broadcasts by Channel Nine ABC News, 28 Mar 2021 07:19Z All of Channel Nine's employees are asked to work from home as the company tries to restore services disrupted by a cyber attack. 'God only knows what could happen': Brazil braces for coronavirus surge ABC News, 28 Mar 2021 13:30Z For the first time, new daily cases in Brazil topped 100,000 on March 25, with predictions that deaths could top 500,000 by July. Asia-Pacific, the Gigantic Domino of Climate Change International Monetary Fund, 26 Mar 2021 Also, the fastest-growing part of the global economy and many of the leaders in green technology. What Asia does to fight global warming will be... UK government axes green homes scheme months after launch Yahoo News Australia, 28 Mar 2021 10:06Z Heating Britain's homes makes up about 14% of the country's carbon emissions, according to the Committee on Climate Change. Sarah-Jane's homeless, angry and demanding answers. And she's not alone ABC North Coast, 28 Mar 2021 0:21Z Amid fears of a surge in homelessness when evictions resume this week, three tiers of government are dodging responsibility for the housing crisis. NSW Health contacting more than 20,000 people returning from Brisbane ABC News, 28 Mar 2021 08:18Z People recently returned from Brisbane will receive an SMS or an email from health officials urging them to get tested for COVID-19 as the cluster of cases in the city grows. Suez canal: Syria 'rations' fuel as efforts to free stuck ship fail The Guardian, 28 Mar 2021 04:53Z Syria oil ministry restricts supply as canal chief says 'technical or human errors' may have been behind stranding of the Ever Given. Global calls to tackle Myanmar military's 'reign of terror' after worst mass killing The Guardian, 28 Mar 2021 05:52Z US secretary of state says Washington 'horrified' after bloodiest day since February coup. Biden Pledges To Nearly Triple Science Research Funding The Debrief, 26 Mar 2021 During his first press conference, U.S. President Joe Biden said his administration was planning to invest heavily in science, pledging to... [Anonymous trolling:] PM orders Laming into training after he says he 'didn't even know' what he was apologising for ABC News, 27 Mar 2021 05:26Z Scott Morrison directs controversial Liberal backbencher Andrew Laming to complete an awareness course after he appeared to downplay his apology for bad behaviour towards two women. Residents in small town still isolated with no power after devastating floods ABC News, 27 Mar 2021 08:24Z A water taxi service is the only way residents of Port Macquarie's North Shore are able to access their homes, after unprecedented floods left a trail of destruction. Queensland scrambles to contain growing coronavirus cluster ABC News, 27 Mar 2021 14:22Z Authorities reveal dozens of locations in Brisbane visited by two men who tested positive for coronavirus, after it is revealed one of the men partied with friends while waiting for his test result. Brisbane man who tested positive to coronavirus partied with friends while waiting for his result ABC News, 27 Mar 2021 08:24Z A Strathpine man who tested positive to coronavirus held a party for 25 people at his home after being told to isolate while he waited for his test results. Myanmar forces reportedly kill more than 90 people in deadliest day since military coup ABC News, 27 Mar 2021 15:21Z Security forces have reportedly killed more than 90 people across Myanmar in what is believed to be the bloodiest day of protests since the military coup last month. The big question facing millions of workers and business tomorrow ABC News, 27 Mar 2021 17:57Z At its peak, JobKeeper payments were being made to 3.6 million employee. Tomorrow is all comes to an end, writes Casey Briggs. China Hits U.S., Canada With Sanctions as Xinjiang Fallout Grows Bloomberg, 27 Mar 2021 17:53Z A quarrel over allegations of human-rights abuses in China worsened as Beijing announced retaliatory sanctions on individuals in the U.S. and Canada and the ... China, With $400 Billion Iran Deal, Could Deepen Influence in Mideast The New York Times, 27 Mar 2021 16:14Z China agreed to invest $400 billion in Iran over 25 years in exchange for a steady supply of oil to fuel its growing economy under a sweeping economic and ... '199 years is long enough': Kim Janey becomes Boston's first Black and first female mayor The Guardian, 27 Mar 2021 11:13Z Fifty-four white men have led Boston since it was incorporated as a city in 1822, but that all changed this week. Younger Brazilians Are Dying From Covid in an Alarming New Shift Bloomberg, 27 Mar 2021 0:12Z Staggering under its worst period of the pandemic, with daily records of caseloads and deaths, Brazil is facing a daunting development: a rising number of ... Scientists Have Simulated The Primordial Quantum Structure of Our Universe ScienceAlert, 25 Mar 2021 Peer long enough into the heavens, and the Universe starts to resemble a city at night. Galaxies take on characteristics of streetlamps cluttering up ... A Collapse Foretold: How Brazil's Covid-19 Outbreak Overwhelmed Hospitals The New York Times, 27 Mar 2021 10:00Z The virus has killed more than 300000 people in Brazil, its spread aided by a highly contagious variant, political infighting and distrust of science. Short-term high-fiber diets trigger major changes in `starving' gut bacteria SlashGear, 26 Mar 2021 21:00Z Dietary fiber, though indigestible by humans, is a vital element for keeping one's gut bacteria healthy -- and that, an increasing body of research has revealed. How Microsoft's Quantum Boast Went Bust Gizmodo, 26 Mar 2021 16:34Z Microsoft is an outlier among the companies investing in quantum computing research. Unlike Google, IBM, or the handful of startups that have built noisy ... Renewables met 97% of Scotland's electricity demand in 2020 BBC News, 26 Mar 2021 Scotland narrowly missed a 100% target but renewables output has tripled in the last 10 years. [The 8" Option:] U.S. Navy offers to help clear cargo ship from Suez Canal Politico, 26 Mar 2021 19:31Z The U.S. Navy has offered to help Egyptian officials to clear the Suez Canal, where a cargo ship has been stuck and blocking all traffic for days, a spokesperson ... Covid-19 cases are rising. States are opening up anyway. msnNOW, 26 Mar 2021 22:44Z After several weeks at a plateau, Covid-19 cases in the United States are rising again, the clearest warning sign yet that the country could face another ... OneWeb and SpaceX are racing to beam internet to the Arctic The Verge, 26 Mar 2021 19:43Z Broadband internet satellite operators OneWeb and SpaceX are vying for chunks of lucrative government subsidies to connect Earth's northernmost regions. Much-feared asteroid Apophis won't hit Earth for at least 100 years, Nasa says The Guardian, 27 Mar 2021 03:42Z Chunk of space rock was once the 'poster child for hazardous asteroids' but it will be a while before humans need to worry about it again. FDA approves first personalized cell therapy for multiple myeloma STAT, 27 Mar 2021 03:40Z The Food and Drug Administration on Friday approved the first personalized cell therapy to treat patients with advanced multiple myeloma. It will be marketed ... Auto supplier BorgWarner expects EVs to account for almost 50% of revenue by 2030 CNBC, 27 Mar 2021 0:40Z The transition to electric vehicles "goes at different speed and different region but it's profound," BorgWarner CEO Frederic Lissalde told CNBC. Chinese Ship Deployment Roils South China Sea NPR, 27 Mar 2021 01:38Z China has provoked international alarm by massing ships in the South China Sea near a reef claimed by both China and the Philippines. This week, Manila ... Violent EF-4 tornado leaves at least 1 dead, "catastrophic" damage across Newnan WSB Atlanta, 26 Mar 2021 22:36Z Newnan, Ga. Coweta County woke up to widespread damage, downed trees and heavily damaged or destroyed houses after a tornado tore through the ... Joe Biden invites 40 world leaders to virtual summit on climate crisis The Guardian, 27 Mar 2021 02:34Z Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin among invitees as US heralds return to forefront of climate fight. "No evidence" to support former CDC director's theory that coronavirus escaped from lab, scientists say CBS News, 27 Mar 2021 03:34Z Dr. Robert Redfield, the former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, told CNN he believes the coronavirus originally escaped from a lab in ... CDC `deeply concerned' about rising Covid cases as vaccinations accelerate The Guardian, 26 Mar 2021 18:33Z Most recent weekly average shows 7% increase in Covid infections in US from previous week, at about 57000 cases a day. 'Jim Crow in the 21st century': Biden denounces Georgia Republicans over new voting law The Guardian, 26 Mar 2021 21:33Z President says new law represents 'blatant attack on the constitution' as voting rights activists vow to keep up the fight. New study to test Moderna vaccine in transmission prevention among college students Yahoo News, 26 Mar 2021 14:39Z College students in the United States, vaccinated with Moderna Inc's COVID-19 vaccine, will be part of a new study to test its effectiveness in curbing the spread ... NASA primed for historic flight of experimental Mars helicopter Spaceflight Now, 26 Mar 2021 15:38Z Volkswagen to seek dieselgate damages from former CEO, Audi boss Yahoo Finance, 26 Mar 2021 12:36Z Volkswagen will claim damages from former Chief Executive Martin Winterkorn and former Audi boss Rupert Stadler over its diesel emissions scandal, the ... How the AstraZeneca vaccine became a political football - and a PR disaster The Guardian, 26 Mar 2021 19:35Z It was billed as the vaccine to deliver the world from Covid. But over the last six months, AstraZeneca - whose jab was designed to save thousands of lives for no ... Germany woefully behind with COVID vaccinations, and shortages only small part of an "unbelievable" problem CBS News, 26 Mar 2021 15:34Z Mistrust in a vaccine driven by government hesitancy and EU-wide shortages are only the tip of an iceberg threatening to sink Germany's COVID response. Deadly tornadoes hit Alabama, leaving path of destruction CBS News, 26 Mar 2021 10:54Z Multiple fatalities were reported after tornadoes hit Alabama. Far-Right Extremists Move From `Stop the Steal' to Stop the Vaccine The New York Times, 26 Mar 2021 11:53Z Extremist organizations are now bashing the safety and efficacy of coronavirus vaccines in an effort to try to undermine the government. Finnair Intends To Acquire 19-Seat Electric Aircraft One Mile at a Time, 25 Mar 2021 19:52Z Finnair has signed a Letter of Interest to acquire 20 electric aircraft by 2026, each of which can seat 19 passengers. France's Aura Aero unveils 19-seat electric aircraft development plan Flightglobal, 22 Mar 2021 19:39Z French aerospace firm Aura Aero is intending to develop a 19-seat electric- powered regional aircraft, as it looks to certify its two-seat Integral R light single. Dominion Voting sues Fox for $1.6B over 2020 election claims Associated Press, 26 Mar 2021 11:51Z Washington. Dominion Voting Systems filed a $1.6 billion defamation lawsuit against Fox News on Friday, arguing the cable news giant falsely ... [Shareholder Welfare:] Top companies pocket JobKeeper as shareholders paid millions ABC News Breakfast, 26 Mar 2021 02:19Z Fresh analysis comparing how much companies received in JobKeeper with what they paid in dividends shows some shareholders substantially benefited from the taxpayer-funded wage subsidy. Two Logan women who breached Queensland's border rules plead guilty ABC News, 26 Mar 2021 02:18Z Two Logan women accused of breaching Queensland's strict COVID-19 border rules by trying to avoid quarantine upon return from Melbourne, are sentenced after pleading guilty to a lesser charge in the Brisbane Magistrates Court this morning. Fears for missing woman after car found submerged as NSW flood recovery begins ABC News, 26 Mar 2021 04:16Z There are grave fears for a woman missing on the NSW Mid-North Coast after her car was discovered submerged in a river. It comes as authorities announce thousands of dollars in grants for flood recovery. WA imposes new quarantine restrictions for travellers from Queensland after COVID case ABC News, 26 Mar 2021 05:14Z WA's Health Minister announces new restrictions on visitors from Queensland following a locally acquired coronavirus case in that state. University of Southern California to pay out $1 billion in sex abuse case ABC News, 26 Mar 2021 05:14Z The University of Southern California agrees to pay a record settlement to hundreds of women who say they were sexually abused by former campus gynaecologist George Tyndall. [What Pandemic?] There were 51,723 footy fans at the MCG last night -- but was it a world record? ABC News, 26 Mar 2021 06:13Z One of the biggest crowds seen at any event in the post-COVID world was recorded at the MCG last night. But it looks like a real world record could be set within a month. What's changed in Victoria with masks, dance floors and gyms ABC News, 26 Mar 2021 03:17Z Victoria's coronavirus restrictions have moved to their most relaxed settings in more than a year. Here's what it means for gatherings, sport and the pub. There's 'no law against manipulation' in $2b water markets, but ACCC pushes for change ABC Rural, 26 Mar 2021 07:12Z The watchdog's major investigation of Murray-Darling Basin water markets concludes they have long outgrown their oversight, regulation and governance settings. Washington health officials monitoring 23 people for Ebola KING5.com, 26 Mar 2021 04:03Z The individuals recently traveled from Guinea and Democratic Republic of the Congo, which are experiencing Ebola outbreaks. Health officials say public risk is ... India Cuts Back on Vaccine Exports as Infections Surge The New York Times, 25 Mar 2021 21:00Z A major supplier of the AstraZeneca vaccine, India is now circling the wagons and restricting exports. The impact is beginning to be felt worldwide, particularly in ... Exclusive: Hong Kong tells foreign governments to stop accepting special British passport Yahoo News, 25 Mar 2021 The Hong Kong government on Thursday confirmed a Reuters report that it had told 14 countries to stop accepting a British travel document that many of its ... Death Toll from Texas' Winter Storm Rises to 111 The New York Times, 26 Mar 2021 02:59Z Houston. Far more people died in the winter storm that crippled Texas last month than had been previously understood. At least 111 people - nearly twice ... [China v World:] China slaps new sanctions on UK entities over 'lies and disinformation' on Xinjiang CNBC, 26 Mar 2021 01:58Z China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced sanctions on U.K. entities in response to similar action by Britain over alleged human rights abuses in Xinjiang. [Arterial Blockage!] In Suez Canal, Stuck Ship Is a Warning About Excessive Globalization The New York Times, 26 Mar 2021 13:32Z London. The world got another warning this week about the perils of its heavy reliance on global supply chains. As a single ship ran aground in the Suez ... Giant Ship Blocking Suez Canal Could Take `Days, Even Weeks' to Free The New York Times, 25 Mar 2021 22:57Z Tugboats and dredgers were toiling to release the wedged container vessel, which is obstructing the crucial artery of global trade like "a very heavy beached ... Seriously though, how are crews going to get this ship out of the Suez Canal? ABC News, 26 Mar 2021 04:15Z It started off as your everyday news update, then it turned into a bit of a laugh, but the Ever Given is still stuck diagonally in the Suez Canal and it's causing some very big and very expensive problems. So how does one move a vessel the size of a skyscraper? Several killed in Ohatchee, Calhoun County from apparent tornado amid Alabama storms Gadsden Times, 25 Mar 2021 23:57Z Calhoun County Coroner Pat Brown confirmed five people killed after an apparent tornado struck the Ohatchee area -- including three members of one family. Rental listings are up, but they're the wrong homes, in the wrong spots for the wrong price ABC/The Business 25 Mar 2021 19:27Z The states' bans on evictions are coming to an end and new research shows there is a lack of available, affordable rentals for lower income-earners to move into if they are forced to leave their current homes. For Ty, JobKeeper meant food on the table. Now he's one of thousands of jobless Queenslanders facing 'scary' futures ABC News, 25 Mar 2021 20:25Z After diving the depths of the Great Barrier Reef with thousands of tourists, Cairns instructor Ty McCormack is jobless. He's one of 8,000 people in Far North Queensland bracing for the end of JobKeeper. 'Is your leadership safe?': The question that shows how much Scott Morrison's position has fallen ABC/The Conversation, 25 Mar 2021 20:24Z It was a question with a simple answer, but that it was put says volumes for how embattled the PM has become in a few weeks, writes Michelle Grattan. Final evacuation orders expected to be lifted today as SES assesses damage ABC MORNING BRIEFING, 25 Mar 2021 20:22Z The SES was called to dozens of flood rescues last night but all rivers across the state have now peaked and the final 23 evacuation orders are hoped to be cancelled today. [Compounding!] Border river floods destroy droughted farmers' first good crop in years ABC Rural, 25 Mar 2021 22:12Z Major flooding has dealt a savage blow to drought-stricken farmers on the NSW and Qld border by destroying the first decent crops grown in years. A gene defect may make rabbits do handstands instead of hop Science News Magazine, 25 Mar 2021 18:18Z Mutations in a gene typically found throughout the nervous system rob rabbits of their ability to hop. Instead, the animals walk on their front paws. Octopuses, Like People, Seem To Have Active Stages Of Sleep, May Dream NPR, 25 Mar 2021 21:59Z Octopuses have an "active" phase of sleep, the kind that might involve dreaming, but they probably don't have long, complicated dreams like people do. Scientists Finally Identify a Deadly Toxin That's Been Killing Birds WIRED, 25 Mar 2021 18:17Z For 25 years, a mysterious killer has been on the loose across the American south, responsible for the deaths of over 100 eagles and thousands of other birds. Georgia House Passes Sweeping Bill to Restrict Voting The New York Times, 25 Mar 2021 21:14Z The Georgia House of Representatives on Thursday passed a sweeping bill to limit voting access in the state, clearing a major hurdle in the Republican-led ... Groundbreaking H3X Motor Brings Electric Aircraft One Step Closer To Reality CleanTechnica, 25 Mar 2021 19:13Z The startup H3X says it has developed a compact electric motor that develops more than 3 times the power and weighs less than most commercially available ... Scientists find evidence that novel coronavirus infects the mouth's cells National Institutes of Health, 25 Mar 2021 11:19Z An international team of scientists has found evidence that SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, infects cells in the mouth. While it's well known that the ... Sprawling 5,000-year-old cemetery and fortress discovered in Poland Livescience.com, 25 Mar 2021 13:18Z A gigantic, 5000-year-old complex of long barrows and stone-lined tombs has been unearthed in Poland, after archaeologists investigated lines in crops in a ... This eVTOL Flies 3 Times Farther Than Most Electric Aircraft. Here's How. Yahoo Lifestyle, 25 Mar 2021 14:14Z The Talyn system includes a drone and main aircraft, which can fly five people for 300 miles, or three times farther than most competitors. 12 people are behind most of the anti-vaxxer disinformation you see on social media Mashable, 24 Mar 2021 23:13Z A dozen social media users are responsible for the majority of the anti-vaccination posts on social media, according to a new study. Deadly heat waves will be common in South Asia, even at 1.5 degrees of warming Phys.org, 24 Mar 2021 20:12Z Residents of South Asia already periodically experience heat waves at the current level of warming. But a new study projecting the amount of heat stress ... ["We didnt want to cause mass panic":] Swarms of flashing `Tic-Tac shaped' UFOs chased four US Navy destroyers off California coast at 45mph, ship logs reveal The Sun, 25 Mar 2021 06:02Z MYSTERIOUS UFOs began popping up off the California coast last year, prompting US Navy warships to follow them in a ... UK Government Is Secretly Investigating UFOs, Former Ministry Of Defence Official Says UNILAD, 24 Mar 2021 17:04Z The UK government is secretly investigating UFO sightings, according to a former Ministry of Defence official. In 2017, ... Solar panel owners frustrated by proposed feed-in charges ABC News, 25 Mar 2021 06:20Z Solar panel owners say a proposal to charge them for exporting energy to the grid is a penalty for trying to do the right thing. But the regulator says it could be cheaper for them in the long run. 'Threat to peace and stability' as North Korea fires suspected ballistic missiles ABC News, 25 Mar 2021 07:19Z North Korea has launched suspected ballistic missiles into the ocean near Japan, despite a UN Security Council ban on testing similar weapons. COVID-19 strain linked to Papua New Guinea identified in Queensland ABC News, 25 Mar 2021 07:18Z Queensland Health says a new strain of COVID-19 detected in travellers from Papua New Guinea isn't a "lineage of concern". Taiwan begins mass production of long-range missile amid China tensions ABC News, 25 Mar 2021 07:45Z Taiwan says it has begun mass production of a long-range missile and is developing three other models, in a rare admission of efforts to develop strike capacity amid growing Chinese pressure. White House Weighs Executive Orders on Gun Control The New York Times, 25 Mar 2021 01:44Z A day after President Biden called on Congress to pass a new assault weapons ban and tougher background checks, the administration was considering steps it ... Americans back tougher gun laws, but GOP support plummets even after Atlanta, Boulder shootings, exclusive poll finds USA TODAY, 24 Mar 2021 20:45Z A USA TODAY/Ipsos Poll after the mass shootings in Georgia and Colorado shows 65% of Americans want tougher guns laws, but GOP support falls to 35%. International UFO Investigation Organization Sets Up Permanent Headquarters in Ohio Cleveland Scene, 24 Mar 2021 15:16Z The truth is out there. And possibly literally right here in the Ohio, as Cincinnati is once again home to nonprofit UFO ... Rubio wants answers on 'UFOs' reported over US military posts Fox News, 24 Mar 2021 Senate Florida Republican Marco Rubio is eagerly awaiting a report by top security officials who will brief Senate Intelligence Committee members on "unidentified aerial phenomenon" threatening ... Part Of The San Andreas Fault Is Moving Way Faster Than We Previously Thought LAist, 24 Mar 2021 19:11Z As if the San Andreas fault wasn't concerning enough, research just released today shows that a nearby portion of it is moving much faster than scientists ... 'Continuing Deadlock' As Netanyahu Lacks Votes To Win Israeli Election NPR, 24 Mar 2021 15:09Z Neither Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nor his opponents appear to have a secure path to forming a majority coalition. The scales could tip as more votes ... Arab Party Could Break Israel Election Deadlock The New York Times, 24 Mar 2021 22:48Z Jerusalem. After a fourth Israeli election in two years appears to have ended in another stalemate, leaving many Israelis feeling trapped in an endless loop, ... In Reversal, Merkel Drops Plan For Lockdown In Germany Ahead Of Easter NPR, 24 Mar 2021 21:09Z German Chancellor Angela Merkel is revoking her own plan for a tight national lockdown ahead of the long Easter holiday. The abrupt move comes one day ... Aerosol formation in clouds: Studying climate modeling's last great uncertainty factor Phys.org, 24 Mar 2021 18:03Z Researchers at the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI have studied for the first time how chemical reactions in clouds can influence the global climate. They found that ... The quantum world of diamonds nature video, 24 Mar 2021 14:03Z Minnesota reports 89 COVID-19 cases in vaccinated individuals Minneapolis Star Tribune, 24 Mar 2021 17:00Z Minnesota has identified 89 "breakthrough" cases of COVID-19 in which people contracted the infectious disease after being fully vaccinated. None of these ... Scientists discover why the human brain is so big The Guardian, 24 Mar 2021 16:59Z Molecular switch makes human organ three times larger than great apes', study finds. Event Horizon Telescope Images Magnetic Fields at the Edge of M87's Supermassive Black Hole SciTechDaily, 24 Mar 2021 13:59Z The Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) collaboration, which produced the first- ever image of a black hole, has today revealed a new view of the massive object at ... Coronavirus: 'Double mutant' Covid variant found in India Yahoo News, 24 Mar 2021 14:58Z This comes as India reported 47262 cases and 275 deaths on Wednesday, its highest tally this year. UK Gov Agrees North Sea Deal with Industry Rigzone News, 24 Mar 2021 10:56Z The UK government vowed Wednesday that high-skilled oil and gas workers and the supply chain will not be left behind in the transition to a low carbon future... New evidence suggests `alliance' between Oath Keepers, Proud Boys ahead of Jan. 6 POLITICO, 24 Mar 2021 15:56Z A key member of the Oath Keepers militia told associates he had coordinated alliances with the Proud Boys and other paramilitary groups in advance of Donald ... Christian Porter set to be stripped of AG role, Reynolds to lose Defence portfolio ABC News, 24 Mar 2021 08:08Z Christian Porter is set to be stripped of the Attorney-General's portfolio as the Prime Minister seeks to cauterise the deepening crisis engulfing his government. Government lifts temporary pause on cashless welfare card trial ABC Goldfields, 24 Mar 2021 08:07Z Nearly 4,000 people across Australia will be forced onto the trial of the federal government's controversial cashless welfare card after a temporary pause on new participants, due to the pandemic, was lifted by the Social Services Minister today. Heavy rains make for unique and rare Uluru sights ABC News, 24 Mar 2021 09:07Z Wild weather spanning most of central and eastern Australia has caused stunning scenes at Uluru, with heavy rain creating large waterfalls on the rock. Netanyahu's future unclear as Israel's exit polls forecast stalemate ABC News, 24 Mar 2021 09:06Z Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu's prospects of retaining power are uncertain, with exit polls in the fourth national election in two years projecting yet another stalemate. Smart's airless bike tires use NASA tech to defeat punctures Engadget, 24 Mar 2021 11:36Z NASA-approved startup Smart is using the space agency's smart memory alloy tech in its Metl bike tires. The Next Trick: Pulling Coronavirus Out of Thin Air The New York Times, 24 Mar 2021 09:33Z Thermo Fisher Scientific's new air sampler can help monitor for airborne pathogens, and signals renewed interest in bioaerosol surveillance. [Reality:] Upcoming Pentagon report will detail 'difficult to explain' UFO sightings New York Post, 22 Mar 2021 03:30Z A forthcoming government report will reveal evidence of UFOs breaking the sound barrier without a sonic boom and other "difficult to explain" phenomena, the ... United States 'has secret evidence of UFOs doing things human technology can't' The Mirror, 22 Mar 2021 12:59Z John Ratcliffe, who served as Director of National Intelligence under Donald Trump, claims that a forthcoming 'X Files' report will detail sightings which have baffled experts ... [Plant Food!] Weeds pose biggest-ever threat to food crops due to climate change boost The Daily Telegraph, 24 Mar 2021 06:16Z Weeds have been boosted by climate change and are a greater threat to food crops now than at any point in human history, ... Fed, Treasury vow to evaluate climate change risk to financial system American Banker, 24 Mar 2021 0:15Z Top officials at the U.S. central bank and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen reaffirmed their commitment to understand how ... Wildfires could become a big threat in the UK due to climate change New Scientist, 24 Mar 2021 07:13Z Climate change is projected to drive a large increase in fire danger across the whole of the UK, with projections suggesting ... David Staples: Can Conservatives recover from being a laughingstock on climate change? Hmm Edmonton Journal on MSN.com, 24 Mar 2021 09:47Z This is the current state of the Conservative Party of Canada, which emerged from its disastrous weekend convention as the ... Flu Shots Are Linked to a Drop in COVID-19 Infections, And Scientists Aren't Sure Why ScienceAlert, 24 Mar 2021 06:49Z Getting a flu shot is not the same thing as getting a COVID-19 vaccination. If it were, the world would be in a very different place right now. How Nokia plans to establish a 4G network on the Moon FierceWireless, 23 Mar 2021 22:48Z 4G LTE networks are well established here on Earth, but what does it take to translate cellular technology for applications on the lunar surface? New COVID-19 study finds multiple neurological symptoms in patients who were never hospitalized Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar 2021 20:24Z In what is thought to be the first study of its kind, Northwestern doctors found high levels of neurological symptoms among patients who developed long-term ... G.O.P. and Allies Draft `Best Practices' for Restricting Voting The New York Times, 23 Mar 2021 23:21Z As Republican legislatures seek to usher in a raft of new voting restrictions, they are being prodded by an array of party leaders and outside groups working to ... Senate filibuster reform would produce 'nuclear winter', says Mitch McConnell The Guardian, 23 Mar 2021 13:21Z Mitch McConnell, who was accused of laying waste to bipartisan co-operation in the Senate when he blocked a supreme court pick by Barack Obama then ... Health officials: 'Widespread transmission' of B117 variant in Minnesota Bring Me The News, 23 Mar 2021 21:13Z A more contagious variant of the coronavirus is likely transmitting widely throughout Minnesota, according to members of the Minnesota Department of Health. Minnesota reports sixth young COVID-19 death Minneapolis Star Tribune, 23 Mar 2021 17:12Z Minnesota on Tuesday reported its sixth death in someone 24 or younger from COVID-19, an infectious disease that has caused 6,789 deaths overall in the state ... [Too Fat Too Fat Too Fat!] Suez Canal Blocked With Giant Ship Stuck in Top Trade Artery Bloomberg, 24 Mar 2021 02:33Z A giant container ship ran aground in the Suez Canal, blocking off traffic in both directions on one of the world's busiest maritime trade routes that's vital for the ... [At last report 150 ships are waiting to go through the canal losing the world economy about $1 tr per day. About 20% of them are oil tankers]. E.U. Set to Curb Covid Vaccine Exports for 6 Weeks The New York Times, 24 Mar 2021 02:13Z Brussels. The European Union is finalizing emergency legislation that will give it broad powers to curb exports for the next six weeks of Covid-19 vaccines ... Severe weather, flood warning for Tasmanian east coast ABC News, 23 Mar 2021 20:18Z Very heavy surf, damaging winds and flash flooding warnings are issued for Tasmania's east coast, with authorities on standby as the weather worsens. Despite days of heavy rain Brisbane dams fail to see any significant inflows ABC News, 23 Mar 2021 20:17Z River levels in the Logan region will continue to rise today despite the easing weather conditions with days of heavy rain causing major flooding but failing to bring any significant inflows into Brisbane's major dams. 'There are many things we wished we'd known and done differently': UK mourns COVID dead one year on ABC News, 23 Mar 2021 20:17Z A year after the UK's first lockdown Boris Johnson announces plans for a "fitting and permanent memorial" to coronavirus victims, but more so he is under pressure to hold a public inquiry into what went so wrong. Authorities warn NSW's swollen rivers yet to peak, as rain eases ABC News, 23 Mar 2021 20:16Z The rain is mostly gone, but authorities are warning people in NSW's multiple flood-affected areas to be on high alert, with some swolen waterways not expected to reach their peak until tonight. Global deaths rise for first time in seven weeks ABC News, 23 Mar 2021 21:14Z The World Health Organization warns that developed countries need to do more to get vaccines to less developed countries as global deaths rise for the first time in seven weeks. Amazon 'river monster' turns up dead in Florida Livescience.com, 23 Mar 2021 19:11Z The rotting body of a dead Amazon "river monster" recently washed ashore in Florida, raising concerns about whether this gigantic predatory fish has joined the ... Germany's Merkel Extends COVID-19 Lockdown, Citing Threat Of 'Third Wave': Coronavirus Updates NPR, 23 Mar 2021 16:01Z The German chancellor announced an intensified coronavirus lockdown going into Easter, warning that new mutations raised the specter of a potentially deadly ... They Had Mild Covid. Then Their Serious Symptoms Kicked In. The New York Times, 23 Mar 2021 09:11Z In the fall, after Samar Khan came down with a mild case of Covid-19, she expected to recover and return to her previous energetic life in Chicago. After all, she ... COVID-19 Vaccine in The Form of a Pill Is Set to Enter First Clinical Trials ScienceAlert, 23 Mar 2021 01:20Z A coronavirus vaccine which exists in pill form could enter the first phases of clinical trials this year. 'A loud month, for sure': U.S. awaits huge, 17-year cicada hatch Yahoo News, 22 Mar 2021 20:19Z (Reuters). For millions of Americans, this May will be an extra noisy month. A once-every-17 year hatch of periodic cicadas is set to occur across parts of the ... New result from the LHCb experiment challenges leading theory in physics Phys.org, 23 Mar 2021 09:19Z The LHCb Collaboration at CERN has found particles not behaving in the way they should according to the guiding theory of particle physics-the Standard ... China's retaliatory sanctions on the EU set the stage for how Beijing will respond to other global powers CNBC, 23 Mar 2021 09:16Z In the first coordinated action by Western nations since U.S. President Joe Biden took office, the U.S., EU, U.K. and Canada imposed sanctions on Chinese ... Evanston approves reparations program, believed to be first of its kind in the nation Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar 2021 04:26Z Evanston approved a housing grant program as part of the city's landmark municipal reparations program designed to compensate Black residents for codified ... Landsat Data Warns of Harmful Algal Blooms NASA, 22 Mar 2021 15:25Z From the vantage point of space, satellites, including the NASA and USGS's Landsat 8, can help scientists identify lakes where harmful algal blooms have ... Idaho Site Historical Artifact Proves Invaluable for Modern Radiation Safety Idaho Falls Magazine, 22 Mar 2021 16:25Z The INL site is also home to a rich history that has shaped the lab's work. BREAKING (23 Mar): PM Morrison has announced a streamlined plan to give cash assistance to the 1000s of families forced to evacuate by the expanding NSW floods. Mr Morrison indicated all red tape will be removed to allow people access to lump sum payments just as during the bush fire emergency last year. The press conference then turned to addressing new findings of sexual impropriety in parliamentary offices after hours. Revealed by The Australian yesterday a group of staffers on FB had been revealing to each other various "acts" performed on desks and in offices over the last few years. One staffer was immediately sacked and the govt has called on relevant reporters to reveal the identity of other members of the group. This comes on the back of allegations of rape in parliamentary offices which Mr Morrison claims never to have heard about. The PM said today the "crap" had to end. More than 1,000 arrests as Miami Beach pushes spring-break curfew into April The Guardian, 22 Mar 2021 20:20Z Miami Beach officials have extended a curfew and state of emergency into April, in response to large spring-break crowds of partygoers who have celebrated in ... The richest Americans don't report at least 20 percent of their income to the IRS, new research suggests Yahoo News, 22 Mar 2021 08:19Z The richest Americans dodge much more in income taxes than the Internal Revenue Service previously assumed, according to research being published ... First Covid, Then Psychosis: `The Most Terrifying Thing I've Ever Experienced' The New York Times, 22 Mar 2021 19:18Z Like a small number of Covid survivors with no previous mental illness, Ivan Agerton developed psychotic symptoms weeks after his coronavirus infection. New porous material promising for making renewable energy from water Phys.org, 22 Mar 2021 15:18Z One prospective source of renewable energy is hydrogen gas produced from water with the aid of sunlight. Researchers at Linköping University, Sweden, have ... Scientists Detect 55 Chemicals Never Before Reported in People - 42 "Mystery Chemicals" Whose Sources Are Unknown SciTechDaily, 22 Mar 2021 02:33Z Scientists at University of California San Francisco have detected 109 chemicals in a study of pregnant women, including 55 chemicals never before reported in ... Jeep unveils all-electric Wrangler concept SUV CNBC, 22 Mar 2021 08:32Z The Wrangler "Magneto" is a concept vehicle, meaning it's a custom product typically built by automakers to gauge customer interest or show a future direction. [We're Not Here!] China denies incursion as 200 ships dock at Philippine reef Yahoo News, 22 Mar 2021 10:31Z Bad weather prompted more than 200 Chinese fishing vessels to anchor at a reef claimed by the Philippines, Beijing said on Monday, sidestepping accusations ... Biden Tax Plan: White House Set to Target Rich Who Made Windfall During Covid Bloomberg, 22 Mar 2021 13:23Z President Joe Biden's economic team at the White House is determined to make good on his campaign pledge to raise taxes on the rich, emboldened by ... Mars Still Has Oceans Of Water Buried Beneath Surface, Study Finds India Times, 21 Mar 2021 A new NASA-backed study has found that the Red Planet still has much of its water--and that it may be hiding a large amount of it underground. Russian Hacker Pleads Guilty To Offering $1M Bitcoin Bribe To Tesla Employee Benzinga, 22 Mar 2021 04:22Z Thousands of traders just like you are using Benzinga Options to learn the options trading formula that Nic Chahine uses to earn a full-time living. Congo-Brazzaville: Guy-Brice Parfait Kolelas dies from Covid on poll day BBC News, 22 Mar 2021 09:21Z The main opposition presidential candidate in Congo-Brazzaville had said he was "fighting death". Raspberry Pi Detects Unseen Cosmic Rays from Space Tom's Hardware, 21 Mar 2021 23:20Z CosmicPi is an open-source application used to detect cosmic rays that's designed to run on a Raspberry Pi. He Redefined `Racist.' Now He's Trying to Build a Newsroom. The New York Times, 22 Mar 2021 09:26Z The author Ibram Kendi and The Boston Globe are teaming up to cover racism, inspired by Boston's 19th-century abolitionist newspapers. Will Clean Energy Kickstart A New Resource War OilPrice.com, 21 Mar 2021 23:19Z As the world races towards a clean energy future, a new resource war could be brewing under the surface, and it may just reshape geopolitics entirely. Russian jets hit targets near Syria's Turkish border ABC News, 22 Mar 2021 03:08Z Russian jets hit several towns and cities in north-western Syria near the Turkish border, while Syrian army artillery kills seven civilians and injures 14 medics in an attack on a hospital, witnesses and rebel sources say. Nurse practitioners angered by requirement they must be supervised in order to give COVID vaccine ABC News, 22 Mar 2021 04:07Z Highly skilled nurses say they are frustrated they have been locked out of the COVID-19 vaccination roll-out in Australia due to a government requirement that they must be supervised in order to administer the vaccine. Hospital warns of COVID patients dying in car parks as PNG suffers coronavirus surge ABC News, 22 Mar 2021 05:06Z Papua New Guinea's biggest hospital is reporting a 70 per cent positive rate for COVID-19 among symptomatic patients, while health officials warn of a coming spike in deaths. Lifesavers rescue cow that was swept onto beach during floods ABC/7.30, 22 Mar 2021 06:02Z A calf was "distressed and exhausted" when lifesavers reached it in the water, but with the help of locals and a spinal board they managed to get it to safety. [Reports say another 6m of rain fell in many areas of NSW again today -- almost 2y worth in at least one spot -- with the BoM saying more is on the way until at least Wed]. Warragamba Dam spilling Sydney Harbour's worth of water into basin each day ABC News, 22 Mar 2021 06:03Z Experts are concerned about where the massive volume of water pouring from Sydney's Warragamba Dam will go, as debate continues about the impact the flow will have. 'Potentially hazardous' asteroid to fly by Earth on March 21, but no threat of collision, NASA says KHON2 News, 22 Mar 2021 05:54Z New Effort To Clean Up Space Junk Prepares To Launch NPR, 22 Mar 2021 06:35Z A demonstration mission to test an idea to clean up space debris is scheduled to launch early Monday morning from a launch site in Kazakhstan. Known as ... [Leadership!] COVID-19 strikes Brazil's Congress as third senator dies Yahoo News, 20 Mar 2021 A third senator has died of COVID-19 in Brazil, raising questions around precautions taken in the country's Congress where as many as one-in-three lawmakers ... Covid: Brazil's Bolsonaro calls governors 'tyrants' over lockdowns BBC News, 22 Mar 2021 02:52Z Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has described as "tyrants" state governors and mayors who have imposed lockdowns to contain the coronavirus outbreak. Government rejects call to hand control of family law system to states and territories ABC News, 21 Mar 2021 at 10:31pm The federal government argues handing control of the family law system to the states and territories would take decades to implement and would expose families to duplication. Saudi Aramco to prioritise energy supply to China for half a century ABC News, 21 Mar 2021 at 11:44pm Saudi Arabia remains the largest supplier of oil to China, which has made ambitious pledges on climate change. 'No-one is going anywhere': Heavy rain closes roads across outback SA ABC News, 22 Mar 2021 01:38Z Heavy rain cuts roads across the state's Far North, as another flash-flooding warning is issued for this afternoon. NSW government ministers in dam stoush as water levels rise ABC News, 22 Mar 2021 01:39Z Major disagreements have emerged between NSW government ministers over the management of Warragamba Dam, as water spilling over the wall causes flooding issues for some Sydney suburbs. NSW government sought to spend $200m in bushfire funding without opening applications ABC/7.30, 21 Mar 2021 19:55Z Earlier this year, the NSW government came under scrutiny for its allocation of $177m from a national bushfire recovery scheme -- and new documents released this week have shed more light on how the grants were decided. American kids mark a staggering coronavirus milestone: One year since they set foot in a classroom ABC News, 21 Mar 2021 19:55Z A year without running around at recess. A year without sharing paintbrushes in art class. A year without hugging, playing, fighting and whispering with friends. These are the children who spent America's coronavirus outbreak indoors. 'A huge overreach': Bill could cover up records of mistreatment of women in politics ABC News, 21 Mar 2021 19:53Z Changes to privacy rules for participants of an inquiry into sexual assault and harassment in Parliament House could leave victims without access to materials relating to their own cases, Independent MP Zali Steggall warns. [Boondoggle!] [64]How JobKeeper turned into profit maker ABC News, 21 Mar 2021 19:52Z It's quite likely JobKeeper could end up being the biggest corporate welfare scheme Australia has ever run, with billions of taxpayer dollars transferred into the pockets of the wealthy, writes Ian Verrender. Victoria's pause on international flights leaving stranded Australians ' exhausted and shattered' ABC News, 21 Mar 2021 19:51Z Georgina Trigg and her family have been packing up their belongings and preparing to leave Dubai. But with Melbourne Airport still closed, they have just received the news they've been dreading. 'Provocative action': Hundreds of Chinese vessels in South China Sea alarms Philippines ABC News, 21 Mar 2021 19:51Z The Philippines urges China to recall more than 200 Chinese boats spotted at a reef in the South China Sea, saying the presence violates maritime rights. [Flood disaster:] SES evacuates 2,000 people as NSW braces for another day of catastrophic flooding ABC News, 21 Mar 2021 19:51Z Thousands of people across New South Wales are grappling with the flood crisis this morning as evacuation warnings remain in place for large swathes of areas west of Sydney and the waters continue to rise in many regional areas. [The disaster is growing from a 1-in-50 to 1-in-100 y event. Parts of the Hawkesbury has topped 10m over flood level overnight, exceeding the floods of 1951. More water is expected today with predictions of 14m over flood stage by tomorrow. Flooding is also now threatening in parts of SA and the NT]. Queensland urged to brace for more wet weather and flooding ABC News, 21 Mar 2021 20:05Z Queenslanders, particularly in the south-east, are being urged to brace for more wet weather and flooding conditions today. More evacuations expected as saturated areas of Western Sydney receive more rain ABC News, 21 Mar 2021 19:54Z Western Sydney has endured a catastrophic night of mass evacuations, unrelenting rain and record flooding and today will bring much of the same as three rivers continue to rise. Follow our live blog for rolling updates. Amid the NSW downpour, a plague of spiders emerges ABC News, 21 Mar 2021 18:56Z It's the stuff of nightmares -- at the same time rising floodwaters surrounded Melanie Williams's home on the NSW Mid-North Coast, thousands of spiders scaled the fence in her front yard. 'Tough little critters': Platypuses thrive in Victoria after Black Summer ABC Goulburn Murray, 21 Mar 2021 20:33Z Platypus populations in north-east Victoria are much stronger than expected after last year's bushfires, much to the relief of researchers. [Dead Ending:] `Why would you not?' Alarm as Republican men say they won't get Covid vaccine The Guardian, 21 Mar 2021 12:30Z A recent poll reported 49% of Republican men saying they won't get the shot as mixed messaging persists among conservatives. Ex-FDA head warns COVID-19 variant could infect vaccinated New Yorkers New York Post, 21 Mar 2021 18:30Z New York's homegrown COVID-19 variant may be infecting people who have already had the virus - or even been vaccinated, the former head of the Food and ... How did coyotes become regular city slickers? Livescience.com, 21 Mar 2021 11:28Z Coyotes originated in prairies and deserts, but are now right at home in big cities across North America. How did this naturally shy creature learn to thrive in ... Plans for sustainable city on Mars are unveiled, with hopes of beginning construction in 33 years Daily Mail, 21 Mar 2021 06:28Z Nara, the capital city and one of five planned, is built vertically instead of horizontally into the side of a cliff, which would diminish the effect of atmospheric ... [Leadership!] Congo-Brazzaville presidential candidate in hospital with Covid-19 BBC News, 21 Mar 2021 17:26Z The main opposition presidential candidate in Congo-Brazzaville says he is "fighting death". Qantas boss: Governments 'to insist' on vaccines for flying BBC News, 21 Mar 2021 03:43Z "Governments are going to insist" on vaccines for international travellers, Qantas' boss tells the BBC. [Lunar timecapsule:] Australian author's novels on love, sex and aliens set for Moon debut ABC Southern Qld, 21 Mar 2021 03:53Z A time capsule of human creativity is being sent to the Moon for future generations -- and steamy stories of sex and aliens from Queensland author Imogene Nix will be among the 21st century novels making their lunar debut. Emergency alert issued for Gold Coast suburbs as heavy rainfall predicted to impact low-lying homes ABC News, 21 Mar 2021 04:52Z An emergency alert has been issued for parts of the Gold Coast as severe thunderstorms bring intense rainfall and flash flooding to much of south- east Queensland. Residents in low-lying areas are being told to consider moving to higher ground. Sydney is bracing for a significant flood -- here's why the city has found itself in danger ABC News, 21 Mar 2021 02:54Z They key to understanding NSW's floods could be closer to home than you think -- behold, the "bathtub effect". People urged to work from home, keep children out of school as NSW battles weather crisis ABC News, 20 Mar 2021 at 8:29pm Rainfall coming this week in NSW will be "beyond anyone's expectations" as residents in flood-affected areas of the state are told to prepare to work from home and keep children out of school. Parts of Western Sydney devastated by 'one-in-50-year' flood ABC News, 20 Mar 2021 at 7:41pm NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian says potentially another 4,000 people may have to evacuate as parts of Western Sydney are hit by a one-in-50-year weather event. Bulgaria's PM warns Russia to stop spying after six arrested with alleged links to Moscow ABC News, 20 Mar 2021 at 10:14pm Prosecutors say members of the alleged spy ring, which includes former and current military intelligence officers, passed classified information about Bulgaria, NATO and the EU to an official at the Russian embassy in Sofia. 6 Lions Found Dead In Ugandan National Park NPR, 21 Mar 2021 0:12Z Six lions were found dead and dismembered in a suspected poisoning in Uganda's Queen Elizabeth National Park. The park is home to hundreds of bird ... Decommissioned NOAA weather satellite breaks up SpaceNews, 20 Mar 2021 17:10Z A polar-orbiting weather satellite decommissioned nearly eight years ago has broken up, adding to the growing debris population in a key orbit. 1,500 Wind Turbines. 2,700 Square Miles. Offshore Wind in the Atlantic Will Be Big. Really Big NBC 10 Philadelphia, 21 Mar 2021 01:10Z American offshore wind farms, of which there are 17 in the works for the Atlantic Ocean, are no longer far off on the horizon. The overall magnitude of this... China reportedly bans Tesla cars from military facilities over spying fears Engadget, 20 Mar 2021 16:48Z China's military has reportedly banned Tesla cars from its facilities over fears the cameras could be used for spying. [Case of projection?] Florida tops 2 million coronavirus infections The Hill, 20 Mar 2021 21:47Z Florida on Saturday reached a total of 2 million coronavirus infections since the pandemic began, according to data from the Florida Department of Health. Worlds With Underground Oceans - Like Europa, Titan, and Enceladus - May Be More Conducive to Supporting Life Than Earth SciTechDaily, 20 Mar 2021 21:45Z Layers of ice and rock obviate the need for "habitable zone" and shield life against threats. SwRI researcher theorizes worlds with underground oceans may be ... Brazil Covid variant detected in New York resident for the first time, Cuomo says CNBC, 20 Mar 2021 21:44Z The patient with the Brazil variant is a Brooklyn resident in their 90s with no travel history, according to a press release. The Calved Brunt Ice Shelf Reveals a Seafloor Teeming With Life Hidden For 50 Years ScienceAlert, 20 Mar 2021 20:00Z After years of cracking and crumbling, a humongous iceberg finally broke away from Antarctica's Brunt Ice Shelf last month and began drifting out to sea. Like a ... [Release The Cracken!] Antarctic seafloor exposed after 50 years of ice cover Yahoo News, 17 Mar 2021 14:11Z Life gets busy wherever it can, even under thick ice cover in Antarctica. German scientists have inspected an area of seafloor newly exposed by the calving of ... [Breaking Up Is Easy To Do:] This mega Antarctic iceberg just snapped off from the continental mainland ABC/Digital Story Innovation Team, 04 Mar 2021 19:59Z See how a 1,200-square-kilometre iceberg breaks from the Brunt Ice Shelf in Antarctica, the first large iceberg to calve from this shelf in 50 years. Iceberg bigger than New York City broke off Antarctica CNN, 28 Feb 2021 A giant iceberg broke off the Brunt Ice Shelf in Antarctica on Friday, not far from a British scientific outpost. The 490 square miles (1270 square # Is the Brunt Ice Shelf on the brink? phys.org, 12 Feb 2021 In early 2019, all eyes were fixed on the Brunt Ice Shelf in Antarctica, where a massive iceberg, around the size of Greater London, appeared poised to break off. ... Tokyo Olympic Games will not have overseas spectators, tickets to be refunded ABC News, 20 Mar 2021 11:48Z Organisers for this year's Olympics announce no fans will be allowed to come to Tokyo to watch the games and tickets for the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games will be refunded. [Japan set to lose $1.4 bn in tourism revenue]. Turkey withdraws from Instanbul Convention treaty to protect women from gender-based violence ABC News, 20 Mar 2021 12:48Z Turkey withdraws from a landmark European treaty protecting women from violence that it was the first to sign a decade ago and which bears the name of its largest city. The US and China are preparing for war -- and Australia is caught in the crosshairs ABC News, 20 Mar 2021 18:47Z China is becoming more aggressive in tone and actions, while the US is strengthening its regional alliances, writes Stan Grant. 'They've got our back': Trade Minister thanks US following China clash ABC News, 20 Mar 2021 07:50Z Australians should be comforted that the United States has "got our back" in the deteriorating relationship between Canberra and Beijing, says Federal Trade Minister Dan Tehan. Australia's lesser-known ecosystems are heading for collapse. Here's what we stand to lose ABC Science, 20 Mar 2021 19:46Z From the arid woodlands of central Australia to mangrove forests in the Gulf of Carpentaria, a damning report has found that 19 of the 20 Australian ecosystems studied are heading toward collapse if we don't intervene. She stood up to Thailand's powerful King. Now this 22yo faces a jail sentence of up to 135 years ABC News, 20 Mar 2021 19:46Z Depending who you talk to in Thailand, Rung is either a brave warrior for the monarchy reform cause or a rude young woman who has insulted the country's most important and sacred institution. [Superspreader!] It could take two years to vaccinate the Philippines. By then it might be a hotbed of variants ABC News, 20 Mar 2021 19:45Z The escalating situation in the Philippines is a stark example of the dangers that lower-income nations face; behind in the global vaccine queue but still vulnerable to the ravages of more-infectious strains. Parts of Sydney's north evacuated amid major flood risk as wild weather set to continue ABC News, 20 Mar 2021 20:27Z The NSW State Emergency Service is ordering anyone in low-lying areas of Agnes Banks, Freeman's Reach, Pitt Town Bottoms, Pitt Town North, Cornwallis, Grono's Point on the Hawkesbury and low-lying areas of North Richmond to evacuate. Evacuation warnings across Western Sydney and mid-north coast as Warragamba Dam overflows ABC News, 20 Mar 2021 19:43Z There are multiple flood and evacuation warnings across NSW, with a majority focused on Western Sydney and the state's mid-north coast. Devastated couples' home floats away on their wedding day in NSW floods ABC News, 20 Mar 2021 19:44Z Sarah Soars and Joshua Edge will remember March 20 for all the wrong reasons -- they had been due to tie the knot, but instead watched as their home on the NSW Mid-North Coast was swept away in the state's flood crisis. Party's over: Miami Beach closing causeways, imposing spring break South Beach curfew Miami Herald, 20 Mar 2021 19:38Z Miami Beach City Manager Raul Aguila said he is imposing an 8 p.m. curfew in South Beach and blocking entry to the city at 9 p.m. due to spring break crowds. COVID symptoms may be stopped by baby aspirin Deseret News, 20 Mar 2021 17:37Z Can aspirin stop COVID? Is it good to take baby aspirin when you have COVID? Quantum mechanics gives new insights into the Gibbs paradox physicsworld.com, 20 Mar 2021 10:57Z Entropy has been a subject of debate among physicists ever since it was formulated in classical thermodynamics some 150 years ago. One such debate centres ... Where Europe Went Wrong in Its Vaccine Rollout, and Why The New York Times, 20 Mar 2021 07:52Z Brussels. The calls began in December, as the United States prepared to administer its first batches of Covid-19 vaccine. Even then, it was clear that the ... [Leadership!] Imran Khan tests positive for COVID-19 two days after vaccination ABC News, 20 Mar 2021 11:34Z The Pakistan Prime Minister and cricket great is "self-isolating at home" according to the country's health minister. Sydney's biggest dam overflows for first time in years amid massive deluge ABC News, 20 Mar 2021 07:30Z Sydney's main water source, Warragamba Dam, spills over for the first time since 2016, as rivers in Australia's largest city swell and evacuation orders are issued for multiple locations around the state. 'The house was literally moving': 'Mini-tornado' damages homes in Sydney's west ABC News, 20 Mar 2021 06:31Z Maryanne Tafeuni realised she was witnessing something unusual when the top of a cubby house flew across her backyard this morning. Texas Roadhouse founder Kent Taylor died by suicide after suffering from severe 'post-Covid related symptoms' Yahoo! Voices, 19 Mar 2021 22:29Z "After a battle with post-Covid related symptoms, including severe tinnitus, Kent Taylor took his own life this week," Taylor's family said. Deadly Ontario fireworks explosion caused $3.2 million in damage: Officials KTLA Los Angeles, 20 Mar 2021 02:27Z A massive fireworks explosion that left two people dead in Southern California earlier this week caused at least $3.2 million worth of damage, officials said ... `Large amount' of fireworks inside Ontario home set off huge explosion, officials say Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, 16 Mar 2021 22:03Z A "large amount" of fireworks stored at a home in Ontario ignited and set off a booming explosion Tuesday afternoon, officials said, rattling nearby residents and ... Rare mosquito-borne virus claims life on Tiwi Islands as authorities issue warning ABC News, 20 Mar 2021 03:47Z Health authorities are reminding Territorians about the dangers of mosquito bites after a person died on the Tiwi Islands, where the annual football grand final is being held tomorrow. Iceland halts air travel following volcanic eruption DW, 20 Mar 2021 0:02Z A volcano in southwest Iceland has erupted as anticipated following thousands of smaller earthquakes in the area in recent weeks. Bored chimps at Czech zoos video chat during lockdown Livescience.com, 19 Mar 2021 17:50Z Zookeepers from two zoos in the Czech Republic have set up big screens to allow their chimps to interact with each other via a video call. [This explains my last couple Zoom meetings]. Brazil's Rio de Janeiro closes beaches as pandemic worsens Yahoo News, 19 Mar 2021 13:49Z The beaches of Brazilian city Rio de Janeiro will be closed this weekend, according to a municipal decree enacted on Friday, as the local government seeks to ... ["Third" Wave:] Charts show that Europe's third coronavirus wave has begun CNBC, 19 Mar 2021 20:48Z The variant first discovered in the U.K. is seen as the reason for the new spike. The strain is reported to be much more virulent than the original one. [Coming up day 445]. Not Enough Vaccine Doses In Europe To Stop A 3rd Wave, German Health Minister Says NPR, 19 Mar 2021 16:13Z German Health Minister Jens Spahn says he's in favor of acquiring Russia's Sputnik V vaccine, noting that new infections in Germany are rising at a "very clearly ... Drug companies say coronavirus could be stopped in months rather than years. Here's how ABC News, 19 Mar 2021 17:32Z Pharmaceutical companies in Bangladesh say they could effectively rid their country of coronavirus in a matter of months. All they need is a vaccine blueprint. But drug makers in the West say they have good reasons for not handing it over. GPs frustrated with coronavirus vaccine shortage and poor communication ABC News, 19 Mar 2021 07:46Z An online eligibility checker for the coronavirus vaccine directs people to call GP clinics in their area but some providers are being caught off guard, some were left of the list and all have too few doses to meet demand. Trump's Mar-a-Lago partially closed due to COVID outbreak Associated Press, 19 Mar 2021 22:30Z Washington. Former President Donald Trump's Palm Beach, Florida, club has been partially closed because of a COVID-19 outbreak. Fauci says the variant from the U.K. likely accounts for up to 30% of Covid infections in U.S. CNBC, 19 Mar 2021 19:46Z The variant, called B.1.1.7, has been reported in at least 94 countries and detected in 50 jurisdictions in the U.S., Fauci said. NOAA warns of water use cutbacks, fires and low levels in reservoirs amid significant drought The Hill, 19 Mar 2021 15:37Z Nearly half the U.S. is in drought and conditions are expected to grow worse, NOAA says. [Drought shown "developing" in new areas incl the S 1/2 of Fla. ]. It was not a good week for either version of 'Scotty from Marketing' ABC/7.30, 19 Mar 2021 18:31Z It has not been a good week for the government's marketing department. But more importantly, it has been a shocker for government accountability, writes Laura Tingle. Scientists may have figured out how SARS-CoV-2 jumped from animals to humans Salon, 19 Mar 2021 17:20Z The origin story for the novel coronavirus was always a bit nebulous. We know the outbreak began in Wuhan, China; and the discovery of SARS-CoV-2 ... Scientist behind Pfizer vaccine: mRNA shots for cancer coming 'in couple years' The Times of Israel, 19 Mar 2021 15:19Z BioNTech's Ozlem Tureci says the know-how behind revolutionary inoculations could soon be used to treat far more than the coronavirus pandemic. Data from Insight reveals size of Mars's core Phys.org, 19 Mar 2021 13:18Z An international team of researchers studying seismic data collected by NASA's Insight spacecraft has used the data to calculate the size of Mars' core. NASA and SpaceX agree to share data to avoid satellite collisions Engadget, 19 Mar 2021 10:18Z SpaceX already has over 1,000 Starlink satellites in orbit, but that's just a tiny fraction of the full constellation the company plans to deploy. While it originally ... WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook are recovering from major outage TechRadar, 19 Mar 2021 18:29Z Couldn't access chat platforms from Facebook on Friday? This is what went down today and how quickly your favorite apps recovered. Myanmar Crackdown Intensifies, With Nine More Protesters Reportedly Killed NPR, 19 Mar 2021 14:15Z Security forces in Myanmar reportedly shot and killed nine anti-junta protesters on Friday, bringing the number killed in six weeks of post-coup unrest in the ... 'Told to shoot our own family': Myanmar police say they fled to India after refusing to fire on protesters ABC News, 19 Mar 2021 14:33Z A group of Myanmar police officers who fled to neighbouring India say they fear they may never be able to return home after defying orders to shoot people protesting against last month's military coup. [Wet!] Flood evacuation orders issued in NSW, Sydneysiders warned to stay home ABC News, 19 Mar 2021 05:48Z The State Emergency Service is working into the night responding to emergency calls amid rising floodwaters as three evacuation orders are issued for NSW. US and Chinese diplomats spar in unusual public display of animosity ABC News, 19 Mar 2021 06:47Z When top diplomats from China and the US met, they were meant to have two minutes each to open talks. Instead, both sides took pot shots at each other for over an hour. In a first, US pipeline agency weighs climate change impacts KCAU, 19 Mar 2021 01:39Z For the first time, a federal energy board is weighing how a proposed natural gas pipeline would affect greenhouse gas emissions, one of several steps taken this week by the Biden administration ... [Doppla Raider!] Did tornadoes hit the Triad area? The National Weather Service will investigate WFMY News2, 19 Mar 2021 08:07Z The National Weather Service will begin their investigation early Friday morning to find out if tornadoes touched down in the ... 25 Tornadoes Reported in Several States, Including Alabama, as Severe Storms Move Southeast Yahoo Finance, 18 Mar 2021 15:08Z 25 tornadoes were reported across several states on Wednesday as a line of storms continue to move further into the Southeast ... Rooftop Solar in California is Ready to Take the Next Step CleanTechnica, 18 Mar 2021 New residents told to pipe down on live music noise in Victorian first ABC News, 18 Mar 2021 at 7:31pm Miff Smith is used to wrangling noise complaints about her music venue in Melbourne's inner south-east. Now her local council is telling new developers that rock'n'roll is part of the deal on her St Kilda street. [Lunar Rights!] We have human rights, should the Moon have rights too? ABC Radio National, 18 MarMarch at 8:00pm Some say we should give the Moon its own rights, to protect it from us meddling humans. But what would these rights be? And would they achieve anything? BOM forecasts 'life-threatening' flash flooding and windstorms across NSW ABC News, 18 Mar 2021 at 8:48pm The Bureau of Meteorology warns of "life-threatening" flash flooding and windstorms stretching along the 500 kilometres stretch of coast from Coffs Harbour to Sydney's north. 'Back to nature': Natural burial sites open in response to growing demand ABC Sunshine Coast, 18 Mar 2021 at 10:59pm Many Queensland families are currently having to travel interstate to give their loved ones a natural burial, but now more councils are looking at providing it as an option at their cemeteries. Weirdo Manta Shark Found Fossilized in Mexican Limestone Gizmodo, 18 Mar 2021 19:09Z Paleontologists have announced the discovery of an extraordinary fossil shark in Mexico. They describe Aquilolamna milarcae, a Late Cretaceous shark that ... Found in space: Complex carbon-based molecules Phys.org, 18 Mar 2021 18:08Z Much of the carbon in space is believed to exist in the form of large molecules called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Since the 1980s, circumstantial ... WHO thinks it knows where COVID-19 originated PennLive, 18 Mar 2021 17:07Z The agency is expected to release the team's investigative findings in the next two weeks. [Lockdown!] Paris region to enter month-long coronavirus lockdown ampAxios, 18 Mar 2021 19:07Z Paris and other regions within France will enter a month-long lockdown starting Friday as coronavirus cases, hospitalizations and deaths across the country ... 'I totally disagree with you,' Fauci tells GOP senator in fiery exchange over masks CNBC, 18 Mar 2021 22:05Z White House chief medical advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci pushed back on Thursday against Republican Sen. Rand Paul's claim that people are not at risk of Covid ... House passes bill setting up path to citizenship for millions of Dreamers CNBC, 18 Mar 2021 22:05Z Lawmakers in the House of Representatives on Thursday passed an immigration bill that would create a path to citizenship for millions of undocumented ... U.S. Consumers Will Pay The Bill For Higher Crude Prices OilPrice.com, 17 Mar 2021 23:26Z Production restraint amid a quickly recovering global oil market is already leading to higher oil prices, which may be a good thing for producers, but bad news for ... Chuck Schumer Stalls Climate Overhaul of Flood Insurance Program The New York Times, 18 Mar 2021 16:24Z Senator Chuck Schumer is objecting to a plan that would raise costs for some of his constituents by bringing flood insurance rates in line with climate risks. Nearly half the U.S. is in drought and conditions are expected to grow worse, NOAA says CNBC, 18 Mar 2021 16:24Z Nearly half of the continental U.S. is in a moderate to exceptional drought, government forecasters said Thursday, and conditions are expected to grow more ... UK hit by vaccine shortage with new bookings put on hold BBC News, 17 Mar 2021 23:08Z Elderly Asian woman attacked in San Francisco fights back, sends alleged attacker to hospital CBS News, 18 Mar 2021 13:07Z The 76-year-old says the attack in San Francisco was totally unprovoked. She hit back, sending the man to the hospital on a stretcher, his face bloodied. Biden to Reach 100 Million Vaccinations Goal Six Weeks Early Bloomberg, 18 Mar 2021 08:05Z President Joe Biden is poised to meet his goal of delivering 100 million Covid-19 vaccine shots in his first 100 days in office as soon as Thursday, reaching the ... 70 orcas target young blue whale in four-hour killing orgy off WA coast ABC Great Southern, 18 Mar 2021 02:53Z Multiple pods of killer whales join forces to slaughter a juvenile blue whale at the Bremer Canyon, a marine hotspot about 50km off the coast of Western Australia. 'Fire clouds' are the terrifying weather systems of the future, but a new tool may help us prepare ABC News, 18 Mar 2021 03:52Z A new fire simulator tool being developed by the CSIRO can predict some of the most dangerous bushfire behaviours, and there are hopes it will be a game-changer for firefighters and forecasters alike. 'Charted their own path': British foreign minister explains why Scott Morrison's climate invitation was withdrawn ABC News, 18 Mar 2021 03:51Z Prime Minister Scott Morrison failed to meet the required terms for his attendance at a global leaders climate summit last December, Britain's Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab confirms to the ABC. Long COVID Symptoms Are Vanishing For Some Vaccinated Patients, And We Don't Know Why ScienceAlert, 18 Mar 2021 01:44Z A woman who had long COVID said her symptoms were gone 36 hours after getting her second dose of COVID-19 vaccine, according to The Washington Post. Astronomers map silk of cosmic web Phys.org, 18 Mar 2021 0:43Z An international team of astronomers, including several from the Netherlands, has mapped a piece of the cosmic web without using bright quasars for the first ... [Leadership!] Tanzania's Covid-denying president, John Magufuli, dies aged 61 The Guardian, 17 Mar 2021 22:41Z Leader's death follows two-week absence from public life that prompted rumours he had virus. [Tanzania's official covid stats remain around 500 cases with 21 deaths and has not been updated since last Apr. Doctors say 1000s of people have died from the virus and they are required by the govt to call it "pneumonia"]. MAGIS-100: The quantum search for dark matter and gravitational waves Fermilab, 17 Mar 2021 14:39Z Man wanted by police arrested near residence of Vice President Kamala Harris, gun and ammo found in car CNBC, 18 Mar 2021 0:39Z A man who was wanted by the police was arrested near the residence of Vice President Kamala Harris on Wednesday. A long gun and ammo were found in his ... First baby in U.S. born with antibodies against COVID-19 after mom receives dose of Moderna vaccine while pregnant CBS News, 17 Mar 2021 18:24Z At 36 weeks pregnant, a Florida health care worker received her first shot of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. She gave birth three weeks later to a healthy ... NASA Unlikely To Send People To The Moon In 2024, But Is Proceeding With Tests NPR, 17 Mar 2021 18:23Z NASA is counting down to what should be the final major test of the massive rocket it is building to put the first woman and the next man on the moon. Scientists say they've peeked into the 'black box' of early human development Yahoo News, 17 Mar 2021 17:22Z For the first time, scientists have used human cells to make structures that mimic the earliest stages of development, which they say will pave the way for more ... Israel's election: Netanyahu seeks a majority to block his corruption trial ampAxios, 17 Mar 2021 19:20Z Polls show Netanyahu's bloc just short of a majority. WMO's Hurricane Committee Will No Longer Use Greek Alphabet CBS Miami, 17 Mar 2021 22:19Z 'Particularly Dangerous Situation': Tornado Outbreak Continues in the South; Damage in Mississippi, Alabama The Weather Channel, 17 Mar 2021 21:18Z A dangerous tornado outbreak is underway in the Deep South, including the potential for long-track intense tornadoes as well as damaging winds and large hail. Scientists Grow Mice Embryos in a Mechanical Womb The New York Times, 17 Mar 2021 17:53Z Biologists have long held that a fetus needs a living uterus to develop. Maybe not anymore. E.U. Proposes Covid-19 Certificate for Travelers The New York Times, 17 Mar 2021 15:51Z Brussels. Pressed by member states desperate to save the summer tourist season, the European Union on Wednesday proposed a Covid-19 certificate ... Why does DNA spontaneously mutate? Quantum physics might explain. Livescience.com, 17 Mar 2021 11:49Z Quantum mechanics, which rules the world of the teensy-tiny, may help explain why genetic mutations spontaneously crop up in DNA as it makes copies of itself. Scientists determine the origin of extra-solar object 'Oumuamua Phys.org, 17 Mar 2021 12:10Z In 2017, the first interstellar object from beyond our solar system was discovered via the Pan-STARRS astronomical observatory in Hawaii. It was named ... Why Russian scientists just deployed a giant telescope beneath Lake Baikal Livescience.com, 17 Mar 2021 13:09Z Russian scientists have deployed Baikal-GVD, an enormous underwater telescope that will search for neutrinos beneath Lake Baikal. "High risk" of large and dangerous tornadoes across South Yahoo! Voices, 17 Mar 2021 11:07Z Research says these extreme outbreaks are becoming more likely and shifting location because of a warming climate. [Too Much Power!] Authorities remotely switch off thousands of SA home solar panels due to lack of power grid demand ABC News, 17 Mar 2021 06:41Z Energy authorities in SA use new solar switch-off powers for the first time, remotely cutting output from thousands of rooftop units during "near-record minimum demand" to maintain the stability of the grid. NASA's Juno Reveals Dark Origins of One of Jupiter's Grand Light Shows NASA, 16 Mar 2021 17:07Z The gas-giant orbiter is illuminating the provenance of Jovian polar light shows. New results from the Ultraviolet Spectrograph instrument on NASA's Juno ... Florida teenager to spend three years in prison after hacking Apple's Twitter 9to5Mac, 16 Mar 2021 21:05Z A Florida teenager who hacked Apple's Twitter account in July has agreed to plead guilty in exchange for a three-year prison sentence. Pentagon Pushes For Bigger Effort To Deter China's Growing Military Might NPR, 16 Mar 2021 23:05Z The Pacific Deterrence Initiative aims to beef up the military in the Pacific and work more closely with partners and allies. But some experts are cautious about ... Right whale population shows some growth WMUR-TV, 16 Mar 2021 17:04Z Putin Authorized Russian Interference in 2020 Election, Report Says The New York Times, 17 Mar 2021 0:03Z The assessment was the intelligence community's most comprehensive look at foreign efforts to interfere in the election. Wikipedia Is Finally Asking Big Tech to Pay Up WIRED, 16 Mar 2021 16:12Z From the start, Google and Wikipedia have been in a kind of unspoken partnership: Wikipedia produces the information Google serves up in response to user ... France, Germany and Italy suspend AstraZeneca vaccine BBC News, 15 Mar 2021 [Pretty weird. Italy blocked export of AZ and now wont use it itself]. [FTL!] Tiny Wormholes May Be Usable for Interstellar Communication The Debrief, 16 Mar 2018 [P]hysicists at the University of Oldenburg and the Universidade de Aveiro in Portugal have now shown in a paper that wormholes could be passable without negative energy. The researchers simplified their task using a so-called semiclassical approach that combines elements of relativity with aspects of quantum theory and classical electrodynamics. 'That's unjust': Vaccine passports could be our ticket to freedom, but they're also controversial ABC News, 16 Mar 2021 14:02Z Tens of millions of vaccinated people in China have been given access to a special digital passport that could allow them to eventually travel abroad. But amid deep concerns over ethics, privacy and COVID-19 transmission, similar proposals are stalling in the West. China suspected of cyber attack on WA Parliament during state election ABC News, 16 Mar 2021 18:01Z Western Australia's parliamentary email network was hit by suspected Chinese hackers earlier this month as part of a massive global cyber-attack involving Microsoft software. Moderna announces vaccine trials on children ABC News, 16 Mar 2021 14:57Z Trump-Era COVID-19 Guidance Was Outdated, Downplayed Severity: CDC HuffPost, 16 Mar 2021 17:56Z Not all guidance released by the CDC during the Trump administration was based on the best scientific data or authored by its staff, the agency's review found. Supermassive black hole found wandering through space Yahoo News, 16 Mar 2021 15:55Z In a galaxy far, far away, there's a supermassive black hole on the move - and scientists aren't sure why. Billions of lightning bolts may have jump-started life on Earth, study suggests Livescience.com, 16 Mar 2021 16:54Z Lightning storms on early Earth may have given the planet enough phosphorus to craft the first DNA and RNA molecules, study suggests. Most of Mars' missing water may lurk in its crust Science News Magazine, 16 Mar 2021 15:54Z An ocean's worth of water may be lurking in minerals below Mars' surface, which could help explain why the Red Planet dried up. Once home to lakes and rivers ... Integrated review: UK to lift cap on nuclear stockpile BBC News, 16 Mar 2021 16:52Z The UK will also shift focus towards Indo-Pacific countries, following a year-long foreign policy review. Mother and daughter arrested after allegedly casting hundreds of fraudulent Homecoming Court votes ABC News, 16 Mar 2021 13:51Z A mother and her daughter have been arrested after a scam involving hundreds of votes that were fraudulently cast for the high school's Homecoming Court was ... Virus Variants Likely Evolved Inside People With Weak Immune Systems The New York Times, 15 Mar 2021 19:50Z Growing evidence suggests that people with cancer and other conditions that challenge their immune systems may be incubators of mutant viruses. Trump's Incomplete Border Wall Is in Pieces That Could Linger for Decades The New York Times, 16 Mar 2021 14:50Z A last-minute rush to build lasted through Donald J. Trump's last day in office. The effort left odd, partially completed sections of a barrier whose fate President ... Hundreds arrested in Miami Beach as spring breakers ignore COVID-19 protocols, mayor says CBS News, 16 Mar 2021 11:10Z The mayor of Miami Beach said hundreds of people were arrested and at least two police officers were injured this weekend as thousands of spring breakers ... [Shh! That turtle is watching us!] DARPA Will Use Marine Life to Spy on Enemy Subs The Debrief, 16 Mar 2021 Over the last three years, the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, DARPA, has been steadily working on a bold attempt to convert marine life into a vast army of underwater spies under the PALS program. Instead of directly tracking adversarial subs, with the Persistent Aquatic Living Sensors (PALS) program, DARPA is turning the sensors towards marine life to harness organisms' natural ability to sense disturbances as a means of monitoring strategic waters. No reason to pause use of AstraZeneca vaccine in Australia, Chief Medical Officer says ABC News, 16 Mar 2021 08:13Z The list of countries pausing the roll out of the AstraZeneca COVID19 vaccine continues to grow. This is why Australia won't join them. Ancient Dead Sea Scroll fragments discovered in Judean Desert ABC News, 16 Mar 2021 09:13Z Israeli archaeologists discover dozens of new Dead Sea Scroll fragments. It is believed they were hidden during a Jewish revolt against Rome nearly 1,900 years ago. Australia-China barley row escalates to World Trade Organisation dispute panel ABC/Vic Country Hour, 16 Mar 2021 02:36Z Australia's claim that China breached international trading rules by imposing tariffs on barley last year will be referred to a dispute panel to be established by the World Trade Organisation. Baited 'thirsty' rodents found in water tanks as mouse plague worsens ABC Western Plains, 16 Mar 2021 03:34Z Rural residents are raising concerns about potentially contaminated drinking water after finding poisoned mice in their tanks, as the mouse plague continues to worsen across Australia. [A mouse plague has been running From Qld to Vic for around 6m now]. Microbes Unknown to Science Discovered on The International Space Station ScienceAlert, 16 Mar 2021 06:26Z The menagerie of bacterial and fungal species living among us is ever growing - and this is no exception in low-gravity environments, such as the International ... Myanmar coup: fears of economic crisis loom as food and fuel prices soar The Guardian, 16 Mar 2021 06:25Z World Food Programme says people already reeling from pandemic are facing double-digit price increases in staple foods. Good vibrations: bladeless turbines could bring wind power to your home The Guardian, 16 Mar 2021 06:23Z 'Skybrators' generate clean energy without environmental impact of large windfarms, say green pioneers. [Greenhouse!] Scientists Stunned to Discover Plants Beneath Mile-Deep Greenland Ice - And Why This Is So Troubling SciTechDaily, 15 Mar 2021 19:50Z Long-lost ice core provides direct evidence that giant ice sheet melted off within the last million years and is highly vulnerable to a warming climate. In 1966, US ... Top-secret Cold War project found disturbing 'life-like' fossil plants under Greenland Livescience.com, 15 Mar 2021 23:53Z Frozen soil that was collected in Greenland during the Cold War by a secret military operation hid another secret: buried fossils that could be a million years old. USGS Cautions that the World's Largest Volcano Could Erupt Weatherboy, 15 Mar 2021 13:50Z The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is urging people to prepare for the possibility of an eruption at the world's largest volcano: Mauna Loa on the Big... Exclusive: Regular booster vaccines are the future in battle with COVID-19 virus, Peacock says Yahoo News, 15 Mar 2021 09:03Z Regular booster vaccines against the novel coronavirus will be needed because of mutations that make it more transmissible and better able to evade human ... `Parosmia' is the rancid-smelling aftermath of COVID-19 that has many concerned WAVY.com, 14 Mar 2021 20:04Z An increasing number of patients are now suffering from a strange condition after recovering from COVID-19. It's called parosmia, and it's leaving patients with a ... [Altered sense of smell]. Huge Brush Fire In New Jersey Forces Road Closures, Businesses To Evacuate CBS New York, 15 Mar 2021 02:01Z Stranded drivers rescued as abandoned vehicles litter streets and highways amid Colorado snowstorm The Denver Channel, 15 Mar 2021 01:01Z Denver. It may look like a scene from a movie in some areas of the state come Monday morning. Abandoned vehicles and even snowplows litter highways ... Attorney-General Christian Porter launches defamation action against ABC ABC News, 15 Mar 2021 01:14Z Attorney-General Christian Porter has launched defamation action against the ABC and journalist Louise Milligan. The proceedings relate to an article that reported a letter had been sent to Prime Minister Scott Morrison containing a historical allegation of rape against a serving Cabinet minister. [Interestingly, the suit relates to the release of details from a "dossier" sent to the PM and other snr politicians. While the ABC and other reporters did not name any particular person when they reported the allegations of a decades-old rape, Mr Porter and his lawyers claim the news items had "enough detail that he could be easily identified" by anyone familiar with him or the case, and is therefore defamation. If the claimant wasn't the senior lawyer in the country it probably would be laughed out of court. Just another piece of evidence suggesting Mr Porter is being affected by the allegation and should probably stand aside as AG while it is sorted out]. 'Like the end of the world': Beijing choked by worst dust storm in decade ABC News, 15 Mar 2021 07:37Z While Beijing often faces sandstorms in March and April due to its proximity to the massive Gobi Desert, the country's weather service says this year's weather is the "most intense sandstorm" in 10 years. Dutch police break up thousands of anti-lockdown protesters The Hill, 14 Mar 2021 21:34Z Police in the Netherlands dispersed thousands of anti-lockdown protesters outside the Hague on Sunday, one day before national elections begin in the country. [Recent daily cases NL (7d smoothed): 428 4584.57 3 Mar 2021 429 4674 430 4548 431 4485.71 432 4545.57 433 4527.71 434 4536.43 435 4588.14 436 4633.14 437 4813 438 5011.57 439 5175.57 14 Mar ]. Expensive strawberries expected to hit supermarkets as fruit picker numbers dwindle ABC News, 14 Mar 2021 at 8:01pm Farmers are slashing the size of strawberry crops or not planting at all out of fear fruit will rot on the ground amid a picker shortage that is expected to jack up prices at the supermarket. ["cant decide" == "it didnt happen"]. No-one is 'hoarding' water in the southern Murray-Darling Basin, new study finds ABC Rural, 14 Mar 2021 at 8:15pm During the recent drought, irrigation water was so expensive that many farmers could not grow a crop, leading to accusations some were hoarding water to make a profit. But a new study has found no evidence that took place. Berejiklian calls for caution over borders, as health departments issue alerts over latest cases ABC News, 14 MarMarch at 8:31pm NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian is urging state governments across Australia to "give us a chance" before making any decisions over borders, as health departments in Victoria, Western Australia, Northern Territory, South Australia and Tasmania issue alerts in response to a new case in Sydney. [The NSW case involves a quarantine security guard who now has a confirmed case of UK covid]. 'Cats the size of dogs': The tiny island's plan to fix its feral problem ABC News, 15 Mar 2021 01:04Z For years, Bruny Island, off Tasmania's south-east coast, has had a feral cat problem -- but there's hope a new facility on the island will help stop native species becoming "a banquet for cats". Women have descended on Parliament House to demand change -- here's what they want ABC News, 14 Mar 2021 at 10:43pm After a month of accusations that Parliament House harbours a toxic workplace in which women are not protected, black-clad protesters have descend on the nation's capital to send a message that "enough is enough". [Nuttin to hide!] Attorney-General Christian Porter launches defamation action against ABC ABC News, 15 Mar 2021 2021 at 12:44am The proceedings relate to an article that reported a letter had been sent to Prime Minister Scott Morrison containing a serious allegation against a serving Cabinet minister. [Backstory: there was a story circulating a few weeks back that a "dossier" had been sent to various politicians about a rape that allegedly took place decades ago involving a women who since suicided and a senior politician. Noone came forward for several weeks but after apparently some pressure from PM Morrison the AG stepped forward to tearfully deny it was him and the events never happened and he was taking mental health leave to recover. The stories didn't stop and the possible source of the dossier revealed as friends and family of the dead woman. NSW police have since said they won't re-open the case. They apparently have been in contact with the alleged victim for years and indicate she had "decided" (presumably they mean "persuaded by police" because the case would go nowhere) to drop the complaint. The day after that the woman killed herself. All of this has been reported by various news organisations but of course the ABC is subject to a special relationship with the govt and relevant ministers]. 'This is a real concern': Queensland Premer on alert as PNG experiences rise in COVID cases ABC News, 15 Mar 2021 01:39Z Concerns mount after Papua New Guinea, which is on the doorstep of the Torres Strait and Queensland, faces a significant rise in coronavirus cases, with hospitals struggling to keep up with demand. Martial law imposed in parts of Yangon as Myanmar protests turn violent, leaving at least 17 dead ABC News, 14 Mar 2021 18:47Z As Myanmar protests enter their sixth week, at least 17 people are dead after the latest day of violent clashes between demonstrators and authorities in Yangon, with at least one police officer killed. Tiny Town, Big Decision: What Are We Willing to Pay to Fight the Rising Sea? The New York Times, 14 Mar 2021 13:24Z On the Outer Banks, homeowners in Avon are confronting a tax increase of almost 50 percent to protect their homes, the only road into town, and perhaps the ... Scientists want to store DNA of 6.7 million species on the moon, just in case Livescience.com, 14 Mar 2021 13:10Z Scientists have unveiled plans for a lunar ark on the moon containing genetic information on 6.7 million species to ensure their preservation against existential ... US comes under pressure to share vaccines with rest of world The Hill, 14 Mar 2021 12:09Z President Biden is under increasing pressure to share the U.S. vaccine stockpile with the rest of the world. If You Can't Do This in 90 Seconds, Your Heart Is in Danger, Study Says Best Life, 13 Mar 2021 New research shows that patients' ability to do this activity in 90 seconds is a good preliminary test of their heart health. Siberia's warming shows climate change has no winners Nikkei Asia, 14 Mar 2021 01:39Z Tokyo. On Feb. 19, a Russian icebreaker that transports liquefied natural gas arrived at Sabetta, an LNG loading port in the far north of Siberia. New "Soft Robot" Conquers The Deepest Part of the Ocean The Debrief, 12 Mar 2021 Researchers in China have successfully tested a soft robot that swims like a manta ray in the Mariana Trench, the... British Airways boss calls for 'travel without restriction' for vaccinated people ABC News, 14 Mar 2021 06:03Z Vaccinated people should be allowed to travel without restrictions while those yet to receive the jab should be allowed to travel with a negative COVID-19 test, according to the British Airways boss. A CSG company knocked on Anne's door. What happened next drove a wedge through her family ABC/Landline, 13 Mar 2021 at 10:59pm With the Narrabri Gas Project given the green light, farmers are wondering what is next for gas. Close contacts of COVID-19 doctor test negative as contact tracing continues in Brisbane ABC News, 14 Mar 2021 01:25Z Queensland has one new case of COVID-19, but it is likely historical and not connected to the case of a doctor at Brisbane's Princess Alexandra Hospital who tested positive, the state's health authorities say. NSW Health rushing to find source of positive hotel quarantine case ABC News, 14 Mar 2021 0:26Z NSW Health is conducting urgent genomic testing to identify the source of infection of a security guard who has tested positive for coronavirus. He is the first locally acquired case in NSW in 55 days. NSW quarantine hotel security guard who contracted COVID-19 had been vaccinated ABC News, 13 Mar 2021 9:37pm The quarantine hotel security guard who tested positive to COVID-19 in Sydney had received his first Pfizer vaccination dose, Prime Minister Scott Morrison confirms. SpaceX prepares for Air Force test connecting an aircraft to its Starlink satellite internet CNBC, 13 Mar 2021 Elon Musk's SpaceX is preparing to further expand testing of its Starlink satellite internet in a test for the U.S. Air Force, an FCC request revealed. Oil in the ocean photooxides within hours to days, new study finds Phys.org, 13 Mar 2021 10:17Z A new study lead by scientists at the University of Miami (UM) Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science demonstrates that under realistic ... [Wahh!] Russia, after Twitter slowdown, accuses U.S. of using IT to engage in unfair competition Yahoo News, 13 Mar 2021 10:32Z Russia on Saturday accused the United States of using IT opportunities to engage in unfair competition and of social media platforms arbitrarily and ... Spring Break Is Already Getting Wild in Miami, Panama City, South Padre Island Despite COVID-19 The Daily Beast, 13 Mar 2021 23:31Z Miami police said they dealt with "very large crowds" on Friday night, despite COVID still raging across the country. Russian police detain around 200 people, including leading opposition figures, at Moscow meeting Yahoo News, 13 Mar 2021 11:12Z Russian police detained around 200 people, including several prominent opposition figures, at a meeting of independent and opposition politicians in Moscow ... BREAKING (13 Mar): WIPE-OUT! Results from the WA state election have come in as pundits were predicting -- a wipe-out for the Lib/NP opposition. Despite being the incumbent there has been a "massive" 16% swing to the ALP. The latest numbers show 50 out of 59 seats have now gone to the ALP with 3 seats still undecided. The young leader of the LP -- Zak Kirkup -- had predicted on live radio the opp'n had no chance at all of winning the election and that statement is widely believed to have knocked several points off the the chances of a conservative win. Kirkup has now become the first LP leader in 88 years to lose his own safe seat and it's expected the results will delete the LP as an official party in WA leaving the Nationals as the official opposition. [Long Ebola:] Ebola Survivor Infected Years Ago May Have Started New Outbreak The New York Times, 13 Mar 2021 03:42Z An Ebola outbreak now occurring in Guinea was almost certainly started by someone who survived West Africa's historic 2014-16 epidemic, harbored the virus ... Minneapolis City Council approves $27M settlement in George Floyd family lawsuit KSTP, 12 Mar 2021 23:41Z The city of Minneapolis on Friday agreed to pay $27 million to settle a civil lawsuit from George Floyd's family over the Black man's death in police custody, even ... Has the mystery of the world's oldest computer been solved? Scientists create a digital replica of the 2,000-year-old Antikythera Mechanism using X-rays and ancient Greek ... Daily Mail, 13 Mar 2021 01:23Z Now researchers at University College London (UCL) believe they have solved the mystery of the 'world's oldest computer' by ... BREAKING (13 Mar): Former AUS Fin Min Mathias Cormann has been elected chief of the OECD. From Perth Mr Cormann thanked the PM and the opposition for supporting his bid for the job and he looked forward to making people's lives better. Climate experts in dismay at choice of Mathias Cormann as OECD chief Fiona Harvey, The Guardian The Guardian reports that there "climate experts have expressed dismay" at the appointed of Mathias Cormann, a former finance minister in an Australian government, to be the next secretary general of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The newspaper says Cormann has "a record of strong hostility to climate action" and that "developing countries [are] particularly concerned" by his appointment. It quotes Saleem Huq, the director of the International Centre for Climate Change and Development in Bangladesh, who says: "The appointment of a climate sceptic from Australia to head the OECD is very disappointing and will reduce the credibility of the OECD as an institution in the eyes of developing countries." It also quotes Mohamed Adow, the director of the Power Shift Africa thinktank, who says: "It's terrible to see a politician with such a poor record on climate action getting the job of leading the OECD. What makes it worse is that apparently his appointment was backed by the UK, despite them [being] about to host the crucial COP26 summit." BBC News also picks up on the same concerns, saying Cormann is "a centre-right politician, had faced opposition stemming from his record on climate change". It adds: "He tried to abolish Australia's renewable energy targets and has called carbon pricing a `very expensive hoax'." Australian Associated Press, via the Guardian, covers Cormann's reaction to be appointed in which he "singled out climate change as a key challenge, saying he planned to pursue an ambitious and `global' approach to help countries become carbon-neutral by 2050". The Financial Times explains that the "50-year-old politician narrowly beat Cecilia Malmstrom, the former EU trade commissioner, who was unable to secure a unified bloc of European countries to support her". 'Trying to invert reality': Mathias Cormann's climate credentials will be a hard sell at the OECD DanielHurst, The Guardian BREAKING (13 Mar): Qld has confirmed the first community covid infection in 3m after a doctor tested +ve yesterday. The doctor had been treating 2 covid patients in quarantine. But between being infected with the disease and going into isolation she apparently worked at least one shift in another hospital. Several locations in Brisbane have now been designated possible spreader sites and authorities are scrambling to locate any other possible cases. It's been confirmed also the infection is the more infectious UK variant. Traces of Earth's early magma ocean identified in Greenland rocks Phys.org, 12 Mar 2021 19:13Z New research led by the University of Cambridge has found rare evidence - preserved in the chemistry of ancient rocks from Greenland - which tells of a time ... Exchange servers first compromised by Chinese hackers hit with ransomware Ars Technica, 13 Mar 2021 01:10Z Now organizations using Microsoft Exchange have a new security headache: never-before seen ransomware that's being installed on servers that were already ... Remember those mystery seed packets? The USDA says they cracked the case Lansing State Journal, 12 Mar 2021 12:07Z The USDA figured out what was in the mystery seed packages mailed around the country in 2020. Fully vaccinated Hawaii health care worker contracts COVID-19, DOH says Hawaii News Now, 12 Mar 2021 18:12Z Officials said the health care worker received the final vaccine shot in early January, then traveled to several cities on the mainland about a month later. [Anniversary:] U.S. tops 100 million Covid vaccine doses administered, 13% of adults now fully vaccinated CNBC, 12 Mar 2021 20:50Z The milestone marks the fulfillment of President Joe Biden's goal to administer at least 100 million shots within his first 100 days in office. Google slams Microsoft for trying `to break the way the open web works' The Verge, 12 Mar 2021 17:10Z Google and Microsoft engineers might collaborate on the Chromium browser code, but that hasn't stopped corporate politics between the pair. Google has ... Italian government approves strict new Covid measures as cases rise The Guardian, 12 Mar 2021 19:08Z The Italian government has approved regulations that could result in half of the country, including Lazio, the region surrounding Rome, entering total lockdown ... WHO says it's investigating reports of blood clots in people who got AstraZeneca Covid vaccine CNBC, 12 Mar 2021 19:08Z "Just because it's reported following a vaccination doesn't mean that it's because of the vaccination," said WHO's chief scientist, Dr. Soumya Swaminathan. So Big It's Boring: The Rise of Utility-Scale Solar Greentech Media News, 12 Mar 2021 18:06Z In 2015, I was sitting with representatives of Strata Solar, Southern Company and the Arkansas Public *Service* Commission, waiting to go onstage. We were the ... What fueled humans' big brains? Controversial paper proposes new hypothesis. Livescience.com, 12 Mar 2021 14:14Z A new hypothesis argues that as animals shrank over the Pleistocene, human brains grew. But brain evolution may not have been that simple. NASA is naming the rocks and soil on Mars in the Navajo language KSL.com, 12 Mar 2021 16:00Z NASA is naming landmarks and geological features on Mars in the Navajo language. H2Pro's dollar-a-kilo green hydrogen: a 20-year leap in clean energy? New Atlas, 10 Mar 2021 Israeli company H2Pro claims its highly efficient water-splitting technology will deliver green hydrogen at less than US$1 per kilogram before 2030. That' s a big ... A quantum light source outshines a competitor 1000-fold A device uses an unconventional material to produce 'entangled' photons, a valued commodity for quantum technologies, more than 1,000 times faster than a ... Heavy rains lead to crippling floods in Hawaii. Scientists warn of more occurrences due to climate change. Yahoo, 11 Mar 2021 12:41Z Days of torrential rain have caused catastrophic flooding across Hawaii, which scientists say are occurring more frequently ... Sunreef's New All-Electric Catamaran Blends Solar and Wind Energy for Unlimited Range Robb Report, 12 Mar 2021 0:33Z The Sunreef 80 Eco runs on two electric engines or the wind. It also has a "solar skin" and hydro generation system to produce clean energy. [Moon Strength:] NASA and Blue Origin upgrading New Shepard spacecraft for artificial gravity SYFY WIRE, 11 Mar 2021 22:22Z In a collaboration between NASA and Blue Origin, scientists will equip the New Shepard astronaut capsule to simulate the effects of lunar gravity. Life on Venus? Hold your horses! SETI Institute, 11 Mar 2021 23:18Z Hackers Are Swarming Microsoft Exchange Gizmodo, 12 Mar 2021 01:52Z At least 10 different hacker groups are targeting Microsoft Exchange servers, which seems bad. A 'wake-up call'? Bible teacher Beth Moore, Black pastors cut ties with Southern Baptists USA TODAY, 11 Mar 2021 21:51Z Some say a string of recent departures should serve as a wake-up call for the network of churches, which just lost popular Bible teacher Beth Moore. First-ever study of all Amazon greenhouse gases suggest the forest is worsening climate change National Geographic, 11 Mar 2021 21:49Z The first broad look at all of the gases that affect how the Amazon works-not just CO2-reveals a system on the brink. Climate change: 'Default effect' sees massive green energy switch BBC News, 11 Mar 2021 16:31Z When suppliers make green energy the default choice, consumers stick with it even if it's costly. Quantum weirdness isn't weird - if we accept objects don't exist New Scientist, 10 Mar 2021 We can grasp the truth about the quantum world, says physicist Carlo Rovelli - as long as we abandon our most cherished assumption about what's real and ... Earth-sized exoplanet may have lost its original atmosphere, but gained a second one through volcanism Phys.org, 11 Mar 2021 15:41Z Orbiting a red dwarf star 41 light-years away is an Earth-sized, rocky exoplanet called GJ 1132 b. In some ways, GJ 1132 b has intriguing parallels to Earth, but ... Winter Storm Xylia, a Potentially Historic Blizzard in the Rockies and High Plains, Hits This Weekend The Weather Channel, 10 Mar 2021 23:33Z In parts of the High Plains, this could be an historic snowstorm. Here's our latest forecast. Quantum Mischief Rewrites the Laws of Cause and Effect Quanta Magazine, 11 Mar 2021 16:31Z Spurred on by quantum experiments that scramble the ordering of causes and their effects, some physicists are figuring out how to abandon causality altogether. Military leaders thrash Tucker Carlson after comments about female troops POLITICO, 11 Mar 2021 19:30Z Senior military officials are condemning Fox News host Tucker Carlson for saying this week that President Joe Biden is making a "mockery" of the armed forces ... North Carolina governor vows to stymie GOP-driven election changes POLITICO, 11 Mar 2021 17:30Z North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper on Thursday said he's prepared to make full use of his veto pen to stymie Republican-led effort to restrict voting access in the ... Gun Bills, Including Expanded Background Checks, Pass The House NPR, 11 Mar 2021 20:28Z The House on Thursday passed two bills aimed at strengthening the nation's gun laws, including stricter background checks. US Air Force is guarding against electromagnetic pulse attacks. Should we worry? Livescience.com, 11 Mar 2021 13:17Z A U.S. Air Force base in Texas has taken the first steps to guard against an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) attack. But what, exactly, is an EMP, and how big is the ... Denmark becomes sixth country to suspend AstraZeneca jab over blood clot fears Yahoo News Australia, 11 Mar 2021 05:59Z Denmark has suspended the use of the COVID-19 vaccine while it investigates concerns that it could ... [After a number of reports and the death of a 40 yo 10 days after vaccination there are growing concerns in Europe over a link between AZ and an enhanced risk of blood clots]. Australia's world-leading hydrogen pipeline drives analysts to boost renewable growth forecast pv-magazine-australia, 11 Mar 2021 06:55Z Market analyst Fitch Solutions has raised its expectations for renewables in Australia, citing the country's unrivalled green ... Hydrogen hubs boost NSW regional centres The Australian, 11 Mar 2021 08:56Z The Hunter and Illawarra are poised to benefit from the first green hydrogen hubs in NSW, with Energy Minister Matt Kean declaring the 70m investment will drive new low carbon jobs and helping the ... Australian port to host massive PV array, hydrogen plant pv magazine International, 11 Mar 2021 05:57Z London-based Eco Energy World plans to combine a 300 MW solar project in Australia with a 200 MW hydrogen plant and 100 MW of energy storage to export green hydrogen to the global market. World-leading hydrogen plant bound for QLD energymagazine, 11 Mar 2021 04:56Z Eco Energy World has announced a major project that is set to position Australia as a world leader in the development of green hydrogen. [Miniflu!] Virus drove record U.S. death rate in 2020, CDC finds POLITICO, 11 Mar 2021 0:27Z The U.S. death rate increased by 15 percent last year as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, making it the deadliest year in recorded U.S. history, the Centers of ... [Record!] Brazil Covid deaths top 2,000 in 24 hours Yahoo News, 10 Mar 2021 22:23Z Brazil registered a record 2286 deaths from Covid-19 in the past 24 hours, the health ministry said Wednesday, as a worrying surge pushed the figure past 2000 ... [Freeforall:] At least 10 hacking groups using Microsoft software flaw -... Thomson Reuters Foundation, 11 Mar 2021 03:26Z Convalescent Plasma For COVID-19 Turns Out To Be A Bust NPR/Shots - Health News, 10 Mar 2021 15:24Z Infusing blood plasma from people who have recovered from COVID-19 into sick patients looks good on paper. But studies of the treatment haven't found ... Bacteria know how to exploit quantum mechanics, study finds Phys.org, 10 Mar 2021 18:24Z A group of scientists at the University of Chicago discovered that certain bacteria deliberately use the rules of quantum mechanics to save their photosynthetic ... 'Unethical and un-Australian': NSW government faces pressure from within own ranks over Sydney rezoning ABC News, 11 Mar 2021 05:38Z The NSW government faces increasing pressure from within its own ranks to fairly compensate Western Sydney residents impacted by infrastructure projects, including the under-construction international airport. Switch flipped on Australia's largest community-owned solar farm ABC News, 11 Mar 2021 05:49Z Around 260 homes are now being powered by Australia's largest community-owned solar farm, which opened today in Canberra's east. Australia's closest neighbour has been plunged into a COVID crisis ABC News, 11 Mar 2021 05:49Z Even as many countries around the world are reaching what they hope is the beginning of the end of the pandemic, a new coronavirus tragedy is just starting to unfold on Australia's doorstep. App used for COVID-19 check-ins goes down across NSW ABC News, 11 Mar 2021 06:08Z The primary smartphone app used for COVID-19 check-ins in NSW is experiencing an "unplanned outage", the state government confirms. Government walks back COVID-19 vaccination rollout targets, blames production and supply issues ABC News, 11 Mar 2021 04:40Z The head of the Department of Health blames uncertainty around local production and international supply issues as the government appears set to miss its stated vaccine rollout targets. Perseverance Rover's SuperCam Science Instrument Delivers First Results Jet Propulsion Laboratory, 11 Mar 2021 0:26Z Data from the powerful science tool includes sounds of its laser zapping a rock in order to test what it's made of. The first readings from the SuperCam instrument ... IceCube Detection of a High-Energy Particle - Antineutrino of "Unmistakably of Extraterrestrial Origin" SciTechDaily, 10 Mar 2021 16:26Z A visualization of the Glashow event recorded by the IceCube detector. Each colored circle shows an IceCube sensor that was triggered by the event; red circles ... Texas attorney general threatens to sue Austin officials if they don't lift local mask mandates CBS News, 11 Mar 2021 04:22Z Texas' attorney general on Wednesday threatened to sue officials in Austin and Travis County if they did not lift local mask mandates. The announcement comes ... Ghost Towns of Fukushima Remain Empty After Decade-Long Rebuild Bloomberg, 10 Mar 2021 16:34Z Laid waste by a nuclear disaster a decade ago, Japan's Fukushima is still struggling to recover, even as the government tries to bring people and jobs back to ... Norilsk Nickel pays Russia $2.5 billion in damages over Arctic oil spill ABC News, 10 Mar 2021 14:20Z The environmental cost of a massive oil spill in Russia's Arctic region may continue to be felt for decades but the company responsible has now paid out $2.5 billion to Russia for the damage it casued. FBI releases footage of person who allegedly placed pipe bombs in Washington ABC News, 10 Mar 2021 15:19Z The FBI releases CCTV footage of a hooded figure placing pipe bombs around Washington DC the night before the Capitol Hill riots, as part of a public plea for assistance in identifying the culprit. France's Space Force Conducts First Military Drills Against Space-Based "Threats" The Debrief, 10 Mar 2021 Alongside the US Space Force and German space command, France's space force conducted its first military drills in outer space to counter threats from space based objects. The head of France's newly created Space Command, Michel Friedling, said the drills were a "stress test of our systems" and said they "were a first for the French army and even a first in Europe." Government to slash domestic airfares to get more Aussies to holiday at home ABC News, 10 Mar 2021 12:11Z The move is aimed at propping up ailing parts of the tourism and aviation sectors, which have been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic and fear the end of the JobKeeper program later this month. Jeff Bezos's climate change effort, the Bezos Earth Fund, will spend $1 billion a year Vox.com, 09 Mar 2021 22:05Z The Amazon founder also named Andrew Steel, the head of the World Resources Institute, as its first CEO. Hospitals at breaking point as Brazil hits new COVID deaths record ampAxios, 10 Mar 2021 06:04Z Brazil is facing "overload and even collapse of health systems" because of surging COVID-19 cases, a report by the state-run Fiocruz institute warned Tuesday, ... Russia says it is slowing down Twitter to protect citizens from illegal content CNBC, 10 Mar 2021 11:25Z Russia has announced that it plans to throttle speeds on social media platform Twitter for failing to remove illegal content from its platform. Biden Moves To Make It Illegal (Again) To Accidentally Kill Migratory Birds NPR, 09 Mar 2021 23:02Z The Biden administration is moving to restore protections for migratory birds that were loosened under former president Donald Trump - a back-and- forth ... Hawaii Governor Declares State of Emergency After Floods The New York Times, 10 Mar 2021 11:36Z An evacuation order affected people near the Kaupakalua Reservoir and Dam in the Haiku area of Maui. At least half a dozen homes were damaged or ... Microsoft-led team retracts quantum 'breakthrough' BBC News, 09 Mar 2021 12:41Z The team believed they had found evidence of particles useful to developing quantum computing. Honeywell Is Developing A Hybrid-Electric Aircraft Engine Simple Flying, 09 Mar 2021 14:41Z Commercial aviation is often singled out as the bad boy of carbon emissions. As such, manufacturers are seeking to minimize their impact on the environment ... Rolls-Royce Gets One Step Closer To The Fastest Electric Plane CleanTechnica, 09 Mar 2021 23:06Z When most people think of Rolls-Royce, they think of really expensive but ancient-looking cars. In the Back to the Future series, wrecking into one was bad ... Doctors to decide whether Daniel Andrews needs spinal surgery after fall ABC News, 10 Mar 2021 02:45Z The ABC understands the Premier has fractured his T7 vertebra in his mid back, and doctors are expected to decide whether he needs spinal surgery today. Here's what we know. Tokyo Olympics reportedly to go ahead without overseas spectators ABC News, 10 Mar 2021 03:44Z Concerns by the Japanese public over the potential spread of coronavirus has led authorities to ban overseas spectators from this year's Olympics and Paralympics, according to a news report. Scott Morrison to join Quad talks with Joe Biden and Japanese, Indian counterparts ABC News, 10 Mar 2021 03:44Z Boosting India's capacity to produce COVID-19 vaccines will be a focus of " historic" talks between the leaders of the four Quad countries. The $3.5b plan to develop vaccines within 100 days ABC News, 10 Mar 2021 04:43Z An international coalition sets out what it calls a "moonshot" plan to ensure the development of new vaccines against COVID-19 and emerging epidemics within 100 days. Global food prices the highest in six years as countries compete to replenish stockpiles ABC Rural, 10 Mar 2021 05:42Z Agri-commodity prices are at their highest level in six years sparked by short supplies, rising demand, and are being driven even higher by speculators. Cairns Hospital declares 'code yellow' emergency after influx of COVID-19 patients from PNG ABC Far North, 10 Mar 2021 05:41Z One of the biggest hospitals in Far North Queensland has declared a "code yellow" emergency indicating it is nearing capacity as it treats six fly-in fly-out mine workers. Five cases of COVID-19 in Canberra as new infection connected to repatriation flight recorded ABC News, 10 Mar 2021 05:40Z The ACT records one new case of COVID-19, a male aged in his 20s who has been in hotel quarantine since last week and is a close contact of two previously recorded infections. Queensland Public Trustee under scrutiny over fees and charges ABC News, 10 Mar 2021 04:42Z The Queensland Government will establish a new board to provide oversight to the Public Trustee in response to shortfalls in its legal duties and community expectations. China and Russia to build lunar space station BBC News, 10 Mar 2021 04:31Z The two countries will create research facilities on the surface and/or in the moon's orbit. Tesla (TSLA), Cloudfare (NET) Breached in Verkada Security Camera Hack Bloomberg, 10 Mar 2021 02:30Z A group of hackers say they breached a massive trove of security-camera data collected by Silicon Valley startup Verkada Inc., gaining access to live feeds of ... Piers Morgan Leaves Good Morning Britain After Controversial Meghan Markle Remarks HuffPost, 09 Mar 2021 21:29Z Piers Morgan has left Good Morning Britain, following controversial remarks he made about Meghan Markle. ITV had faced widespread calls to axe the divisive ... Quantum Mechanics, the Chinese Room Experiment and the Limits of Understanding Scientific American, 09 Mar 2021 19:28Z Hollywood line-cutters close Pasadena COVID vaccine clinic Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar 2021 03:27Z Pasadena officials on Tuesday canceled a COVID-19 vaccination clinic for senior citizens, grocery store employees and other essential workers after hundreds ... 'Your life doesn't count for much': PFAS payout cold comfort as residents' contamination fears linger ABC Katherine, 9 Mar 2021 at 9:37pm More than $212 million in federal compensation finally reaches communities with PFAS-contaminated drinking and groundwater, but their concerns are far from over. Battery power in, coal-fired power out as energy giant closes plant four years early ABC Gippsland, 9 Mar 2021 at 11:27pm Energy Australia will close the Yallourn power station in Victoria's Latrobe Valley in mid-2028, four years ahead of schedule, and build a giant power- generating battery instead. Fugitive Hong Kong politician Ted Hui allowed into Australia, vows to continue fight for democracy in exile ABC News, 10 Mar 2021 0:16Z Fugitive Hong Kong legislator Ted Hui becomes the first Hong Kong politician to be granted a travel exemption by the Australian government during the pandemic. Russian Hackers Currently Targeted In Mysterious Cyberwar Four Major Dark Web Russian Cybercrime Forums Have Been Hacked Recently The Debrief, 9 Mar 2021 A mysterious person or group is currently waging cyberwar on online forums used by Russian hackers and cybercriminals on the dark web. According to security analysts, at least four major Russian-language cybercrime forums, serving thousands of experienced cybercriminals, have been hacked in the last few weeks. In at least two instances, hackers made off with users' email and IP addresses and hashed passwords. [4 major Russian hacker sites have been broken in as many weeks with the "other hackers" making off with member names and contact details as well as $150K in cryptocurrency]. Universe's oldest known quasar discovered 13 billion light-years away Livescience.com, 09 Mar 2021 21:05Z Astronomers have discovered the most distant and ancient single source of radio emissions in the known universe. 13-year-old girl lied about French teacher who was later beheaded, her lawyer says CBS News, 09 Mar 2021 22:03Z A 13-year-old schoolgirl confessed that she lied about a French teacher who was beheaded after showing his class cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad, ... Arkansas governor signs near-total abortion ban into law Yahoo News, 09 Mar 2021 21:02Z Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson on Tuesday signed into law legislation banning nearly all abortions in the state, a sweeping measure that supporters hope will ... Plan to allow thousands of California oil wells faces vote Los Angeles Times, 09 Mar 2021 A plan to fast-track drilling of thousands of new oil and gas wells over the next 15 years in California's prime oil patch was being considered Monday by Kern ... Exotic crystals of 'ice 19' discovered Livescience.com, 09 Mar 2021 12:46Z Scientists have identified the 19th form of water ice. The exotic, four-sided crystals of this rare ice variety, now dubbed ice XIX, form at ultra-low temperatures and ... Tesla Faces Heavy Competition In Booming EV Market OilPrice.com, 08 Mar 2021 23:07Z After years of sheer dominance, signs are now emerging that the most popular EV name could be losing its sway on the markets. Authorities 'alarmed' by second strong COVID-19 reading in Adelaide CBD wastewater ABC News, 09 Mar 2021 03:54Z South Australian health authorities have expressed concern about a second "strong" result for COVID-19 in the wastewater of Adelaide's CBD. Apophis, a Feared Future Earth Impactor, Just Flew Past Us The Debrief, 8 Mar 2021 In 2004 when Apophis was initially discovered, astronomers were concerned about its possible trajectory, which appeared to put it on a collision course with Earth. Fortunately, the more than 300-meter-wide space rock was detected early enough that we had time to prepare: the possible impact wasn't expected to occur until 2029. Based on existing data collected by NASA, the threat of a 2029 impact with Apophis was eventually ruled out. Although its 2029 passage will be close at just under 20,000 miles from Earth--placing its path between Earth and the Moon--it is not believed that the asteroid will represent a threat at that time. CDC study finds about 78% of people hospitalized for Covid were overweight or obese CNBC, 08 Mar 2021 17:41Z An overwhelming majority of people who have been hospitalized, needed a ventilator or died from Covid-19 have been overweight or obese, the CDC said. [Leadership!] Syrian president Assad, wife test positive for coronavirus New York Post, 08 Mar 2021 20:45Z Damascus, Syria. Syrian President Bashar Assad and his wife have tested positive for the coronavirus, the president's office said Monday, with both having ... Twitter sues Texas attorney general over investigation into content moderation practices POLITICO, 09 Mar 2021 03:43Z Twitter on Monday filed a complaint in U.S. District Court against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, seeking to stop the state's investigation into its content ... Remote C.I.A. Base in the Sahara Steadily Grows The New York Times, 09 Mar 2021 0:42Z Washington. Deep in the Sahara, the C.I.A. is continuing to conduct secret drone flights from a small but steadily expanding air base, even as the Biden ... Rare meteorite chunk traced by scientists to Gloucestershire driveway The Guardian, 09 Mar 2021 01:20Z 'Dream come true' to locate first carbonaceous chondrite seen in UK, part of fireball that caused sonic boom. More contagious variant of COVID-19 found to be widespread in Houston wastewater, city health officials say KPRC Click2Houston, 09 Mar 2021 0:19Z Houston. The Houston Health Department announced Monday the U.K. variant (B.1.1.7) of the virus that causes COVID-19 was found in most of the city's ... [Reality Check!] Donald Trump Greeted by Lone Supporter and Angry Protesters As He Returns to New York Newsweek, 08 Mar 2021 23:17Z Protesters gathered outside the building calling for his arrest on Monday morning with signs that read, "Florida Man Go Home," "Indict Trump" and " Arrest Trump. New study warns Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines could be far less effective against South Africa variant The Hill, 08 Mar 2021 22:26Z A new report states that the South African COVID-19 mutation renders existing vaccines less effective. The first known case of the South African variant appeared ... 4.6-billion-year-old meteorite belongs to Earth's long-lost baby cousin Livescience.com, 08 Mar 2021 21:25Z A lonely meteorite that landed in the Sahara Desert in 2020 is older than Earth. The primeval space rock is about 4.6 billion years old, and is the oldest known ... Neanderthals disappeared from Europe earlier than thought, says study Phys.org, 08 Mar 2021 22:25Z Neanderthal fossils from a cave in Belgium believed to belong to the last survivors of their species ever discovered in Europe are thousands of years older than ... Meet the Sea Slugs That Chop Off Their Heads and Grow New Bodies The New York Times, 08 Mar 2021 17:24Z A few years ago, Sayaka Mitoh, a Ph.D. candidate at Nara Women's University in Japan, was perusing her lab's vast collection of sea slugs when she stumbled ... Insatiable demand for cannabis has created a giant carbon footprint Phys.org, 08 Mar 2021 16:22Z It's no secret that the United States' $13 billion cannabis industry is big business. Less obvious to many is the environmental toll this booming business is taking, ... Meet Allen Weisselberg, the Trump Organization CFO prosecutors are reportedly trying to flip Business Insider, 08 Mar 2021 21:21Z Allen Weisselberg may know more about the Trump Organization and family's finances than anyone else, and he's loyally served Donald Trump for decades. 'What they are doing is wrong': Australia wants to put global pressure on EU over vaccine supply ABC News, 08 Mar 2021 18:37Z Italy's decision to block 250,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine to Australia is an example of "vaccine protectionism" that could seriously harm developing nations in our region, according to Trade Minister Dan Tehan. UK school students will perform their own COVID-19 tests. Some experts think it could be a 'disaster' ABC News, 08 Mar 2021 18:56Z The UK government is hoping students will perform their own COVID-19 tests as schools reopen across England this week. But the scheme is already raising doubts among experts, and warnings it could be a "disaster". 'We had no choice': How a year without tourists changed Bali ABC/Foreign Correspondent, 08 Mar 2021 18:58Z It was one of Bali's best kept secrets, then tourism boomed. Now COVID has forced locals back to nature. Vermonters see, hear, feel fireball speeding over state WCAX, 08 Mar 2021 04:59Z You called us from all over the state Sunday evening, reporting a loud boom and a body-rattling vibration. Well, we found out you were hearing and feeling a ... Spring Breakers Take Over Florida amid COVID Pandemic: 'We're Very Concerned,' Miami Beach Mayor Says PEOPLE, 07 Mar 2021 23:28Z "I'm not opposed to college kids having fun - just not in the middle of a pandemic," Broward County Mayor Steve Geller said. 'Devastating sins' catch up on Anglican church as it fights to survive in the bush ABC Central West, 7 Mar 2021 at 8:35pm The largest Anglican diocese in western New South Wales is suffering from a crippling shortage of ministers as it struggles to pay back the church's victims of child sexual abuse. Authorities warn of 'particular risk' to new region amid rise in cases ABC News, 7 Mar 2021 at 8:43pm As Queensland records five new cases in hotel quarantine, Health Minister Yvette D'Ath says the large number of cases in Papua New Guinea means they are "particularly concerned" about Torres Strait. NSW puts $750 million on the table to help clean up big emitters ABC Illawarra, 7 Mar 2021 at 8:43pm The NSW Energy Minister will travel to steel giant Bluescope in Wollongong today to announce a $750 million program to help businesses develop low-emissions technologies. Microsoft server flaws raise alarms at White House, DHS The Detroit News, 07 Mar 2021 14:41Z At least 30000 organizations across the U.S. have been hacked via holes in Microsoft's email software in the last few days. Patching is not a fix for servers hit in Microsoft hack, White House warns ABC News, 08 Mar 2021 01:13Z The White House urges computer network operators to take additional steps to work out if their systems were targeted by a hack of Microsoft's Outlook email program, saying a recent software fix still left serious vulnerabilities. Biden administration launching task force to investigate whether China orchestrated Microsoft Exchange hack Business Insider, 07 Mar 2021 17:49Z President Joe Biden's administration is launching a task force to investigate the recent hack of a popular Microsoft product, allegedly backed by Beijing, CNN ... Russian intelligence trying to undermine confidence in Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine New York Post, 07 Mar 2021 17:41Z Russian intelligence agencies have been sharing false and misleading information to undermine confidence in COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer and other ... Pivotal Discovery Could Open New Field of Quantum Technology Called "Magnonics" SciTechDaily, 07 Mar 2021 06:39Z In a first-of-its-kind discovery, researchers in the University of Chicago's Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering and Argonne National Laboratory announced ... China steps up plans for Arctic foray raising fears of military build-up Sify.com, 06 Mar 2021 Amidst growing tensions in the South China Sea, Beijing has unveiled an ambitious plan to construct a Polar Silk Road and actively participate in the development of Arctic and Antarctic regions ... NASA sent thousands of worms to space to solve a major problem Inverse, 06 Mar 2021 Scientists sent thousands of worms to the ISS to test their muscle strength. The experiment is part of a study on how space travel affects astronauts' muscles. 'Very strong' reading of coronavirus in wastewater from Adelaide's CBD ABC News, 07 Mar 2021 03:35Z South Australian health authorities say testing of Adelaide's wastewater has returned a "very strong" positive result for COVID-19. Kennedy Prepares for 1st Flight of SLS, Orion for Moon Missions NASA, 06 Mar 2021 The rocket that will take America and its international partners back to the Moon will launch from NASA's Kennedy Space Center. Swiss vote on proposal to ban face coverings in public The Associated Press, 07 Mar 2021 11:56Z Berlin. Swiss voters delivered their verdict Sunday on a proposal to ban face coverings, both the niqabs and burqas worn by a few Muslim women in ... Uncrewed Underwater Vehicle Maps the Splendor of Seafloor Off California Interesting Engineering, 06 Mar 2021 11:55Z MBARI and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) scientists have been using a remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV) to map the ... China sets goal of sending 12 astronauts to space by 2023, opening of space station by 2022 [#unreliablesource] RT, 06 Mar 2021 16:41Z Hot on the heels of its recent successes reaching the Red Planet, China's space agency has announced the lofty goal of executing 11 launch missions and ... Coronavirus variants driving another surge across Europe ampAxios, 06 Mar 2021 22:39Z The World Health Organization said this week that variants of the coronavirus are provoking another uptick in infections across Europe. Why it matters: European ... 'I will not self-suffocate': Idaho protesters burn masks at state capital New York Post, 06 Mar 2021 23:38Z Protesters in Idaho staged a mask burning event at the state capital on Saturday, as frustration over coronavirus-related disruptions to daily life continue to fester. Georgia prosecutor investigating Trump election interference has hired a top racketeering attorney Business Insider, 07 Mar 2021 03:37Z The Georgia district attorney investigating former President Donald Trump's actions surrounding the state's presidential election has hired a lawyer with ... CDC study finds mask mandates slow coronavirus spread; dining out can increase cases KSL.com, 06 Mar 2021 05:15Z A new national study adds strong evidence that mask mandates can slow the spread of the coronavirus, and that allowing dining at restaurants can increase ... [From a couple wks ago when all US states were seeing a down-turn in cases, the past week has seen an up-tick in 20 states]. In Oregon, scientists find a coronavirus variant with a worrying mutation Seattle Times, 06 Mar 2021 02:15Z Scientists in Oregon have spotted a homegrown version of a fast-spreading variant of the coronavirus that first surfaced in Britain - but now it's combined with a ... Tens of thousands of US organizations hit in ongoing Microsoft Exchange hack Ars Technica, 06 Mar 2021 23:12Z Tens of thousands of US-based organizations are running Microsoft Exchange servers that have been backdoored by threat actors who are stealing ... [From the quiet in my google junk folder I assume most of them send out junk mail 24/7]. Europe staggers as infectious variants power virus surge WGN TV Chicago, 06 Mar 2021 17:12Z Milan (AP). The virus swept through a nursery school and an adjacent elementary school in the Milan suburb of Bollate with amazing speed. In a matter of ... Rising seas: A failure of economics to cut greenhouse emissions Al Jazeera English, 06 Mar 2021 09:10Z Profit, power and produce at stake as an ambitious China looks to Greenland ABC Radio National, 06 Mar 2021 19:34Z Greenlanders are weighing up the delicate balance of economic growth, foreign influence and their environment as an election campaign largely centred on a Chinese-backed rare earth mine ramps up. Sport set to reckon with impacts of climate change, and encouraged to act now ABC News, 06 Mar 2021 20:33Z Sport in Australia is set to imminently face the impacts of climate change, a new report states, as calls strengthen for sporting bodies in the country to lead the way on the issue. US Senate passes Biden's $2.5 trillion COVID stimulus package, but ditches minimum wage increase ABC News, 06 Mar 2021 20:32Z After an all-night session in the chamber, what could become one of the largest government spending programs in US history moves a step closer to becoming law, but those Americans hoping for an improved minimum wage miss out. Queensland's Chief Health Officer renews calls for mask wearing on flights after airport cases ABC News, 06 Mar 2021 22:0Z Jeannette Young says it is crucial people at airports and on flights continue to wear masks and stay vigilant with social distancing and personal hygiene after recent COVID-19 cases travelled through Brisbane Airport. We Have Vaccines For COVID-19. Why Don't We Have Good Treatments? BuzzFeed News, 06 Mar 2021 16:15Z Everyone was looking for a quick fix," Anthony Fauci told BuzzFeed News. [Follow the money. You might only need to treat 1% of the population but a vaccine goes to 70,80% of the population]. Trump demands three Republican groups stop raising money off his name Yahoo News, 06 Mar 2021 17:13Z Former President Donald Trump has demanded that three main Republican groups stop using his name and likeness to help raise money, a Trump adviser said ... USDA relocations curtail ag research, farmer confidence Associated Press, 06 Mar 2021 15:11Z Belle Plaine, Kan. More than a year after two U.S. Department of Agriculture research agencies were moved from the nation's capital to Kansas City, ... `I've Never Seen Anything Like This': Chaos Strikes Global Shipping The New York Times, 06 Mar 2021 17:50Z The pandemic has disrupted international trade, driving up the cost of shipping goods and adding a *fresh* challenge to the global economic recovery. Move over, SolarWinds: 30,000 orgs' email hacked via Microsoft Exchange Server flaws The Verge, 06 Mar 2021 02:58Z Four exploits found in Microsoft's Exchange Server software have reportedly led to over 30,000 US governmental and commercial organizations having their ... Massive Microsoft email hack hits tens of thousands of companies and it hasn't yet been stopped ABC News, 06 Mar 2021 01:57Z Microsoft initially said the hacks had been "limited and targeted attacks" but as the malware continues to spread, US officials confirm fears there are tens of thousands of organisations affected. [I *wondered* why everything seemed so quiet across that interweb thingy!] SC governor drops mask requirement at restaurants, state government buildings News 19 WLTX, 06 Mar 2021 01:58Z Protesters and Police Clash in Paraguay Amid Anger Over Pandemic Response The New York Times, 06 Mar 2021 03:57Z AsunciÓn, Paraguay. Protesters clashed with the police in Paraguay's capital, Asunción, late on Friday as anger over the government's handling of the ... A "swarm" of over 20,000 earthquakes has rocked Iceland in the past 10 days - and it could spark a volcanic eruption CBS News, 05 Mar 2021 22:57Z Southwest Iceland is currently experiencing a "swarm" of seismic activity, with more than 20,000 earthquakes recorded since February 24, according to the the ... 'Fungal ghosts' protect skin, fabric from toxins, radiation Phys.org, 05 Mar 2021 16:55Z The idea of creating selectively porous materials has captured the attention of chemists for decades. Now, new research from Northwestern University shows ... Stop 'whining,' Bolsonaro tells Brazilians after record ... NBC News, 05 Mar 2021 08:01Z Brasilia. After two straight days of record COVID-19 deaths in Brazil, President Jair Bolsonaro on Thursday told Brazilians to stop "whining" and move on, in his latest remarks attacking ... Brazil reports 75,495 new coronavirus cases, 1,800 deaths in 24 hours Reuters, 06 Mar 2021 03:03Z Brazil's COVID-19 task force estimates daily deaths could reach 3,000, sources say MSN.com, 05 Mar 2021 22:02Z (Reuters). Brazil's daily COVID-19 death toll could reach 3,000 if serious action is not taken to halt the spread of the ... 'Responsible for destruction': Donald Trump faces second lawsuit over Capitol riot ABC News, 5 Mar 2021 at 8:47pm Democratic representative Eric Swalwell, who tried unsuccessfully to convict the former president last month of inciting insurrection, is launching a civil suit against Donald Trump and his allies. 'People don't know': Australia's top-secret 'horrific' WWII mustard gas trials ABC Mid North Coast, 5 Mar 2021 at 10:10pm An old rock engraving recently threw the spotlight on Australia's secret wartime chemical weapons program, prompting an "overwhelming" response from families keen to share their stories and highlight what happened. Frequent flyer data for major airlines hacked, travellers recommended to change passwords ABC News, 06 Mar 2021 0:59Z Hackers were in some computer systems for up to a month but the company that was breached will not say how many airlines or travellers were affected. Perseverance rover goes for first drive on the surface of Mars ABC News, 06 Mar 2021 02:04Z NASA's six-wheeled, car-sized astrobiology probe travelled a total of 6.5 metres during a half-hour test spin within Jezero Crater, the site of an ancient, long-vanished lakebed and river delta on the Red Planet. US Senate Democrats reach deal on jobless assistance in COVID-19 relief bill ABC News, 06 Mar 2021 02:09Z Senate leaders strike a deal with moderate Democrat Joe Manchin over emergency benefits for unemployed Americans, breaking a nine-hour logjam that had stalled the party's showpiece $US1.9 trillion ($2.45 trillion) COVID-19 relief bill. NASA awards key contract to bring rock samples back from Mars Engadget, 05 Mar 2021 10:46Z NASA has taken a big step in the Mars Sample Return mission, awarding the Mars Ascent Propulsion System (MAPS) contract to longtime NASA contractor ... CDC data: Iowa ranks last in percentage of population fully vaccinated KCCI Des Moines, 05 Mar 2021 17:21Z Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data shows Iowa ranks last in the nation for the percentage of the population fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Xcel proposes $1.7B transmission investment in Colorado to unlock nearly 5.5 GW new renewables Utility Dive, 04 Mar 2021 Xcel Energy on Tuesday announced plans to invest $1.7 billion in transmission in order to unlock 5,500 MW of largely new renewables projects in its Colorado ... Texas monitor says power-grid overcharged $16 billion during storm Business Insider, 05 Mar 2021 03:16Z A watchdog for Texas' power-grid operator said it overcharged as millions went powerless. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas is not federally regulated. Black holes could be dark stars with 'Planck hearts' Livescience.com, 05 Mar 2021 13:43Z Black holes may not be black or holes, a new theory proposes. Apes at San Diego Zoo become first non-human primates to receive COVID-19 vaccine ABC News, 05 Mar 2021 09:47Z Nine great apes at the San Diego Zoo, where a number of gorillas tested positive for coronavirus earlier this year, are doing well after receiving COVID-19 vaccines. Europe facing 'uphill battle' with Covid vaccines as Italy blocks AstraZeneca shipment CNBC, 05 Mar 2021 13:41Z Europe's coronavirus vaccine rollout has been thrust into the spotlight again after Italy blocked a shipment of Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines to Australia. Human-caused climate change, not nature, is behind changes in Atlantic hurricane cycles, new study finds CBS News, 05 Mar 2021 12:23Z Scientists thought the decades-long cycle of active and slower hurricane seasons was a natural pattern - but new research suggests otherwise. Sen. Brad Hawkins' Bill on Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles Unanimously Passes FuelCellsWorks, 04 Mar 2021 Sen. Brad Hawkins' bill to promote hydrogen-powered vehicles has cleared a major hurdle. The Senate today voted 49-0 to approve Senate Bill 5000, which ... Trump appointee arrested in connection with Capitol riot Politico, 05 Mar 2021 02:22Z The FBI on Thursday arrested Federico Klein, a former State Department aide, on charges related to the storming of the Capitol on Jan. 6, marking the first ... Howard Springs quarantine facility set to more than double in capacity ABC News, 05 Mar 2021 02:30Z The Northern Territory's Howard Springs quarantine facility will soon be responsible for quarantining 15 per cent of all Australians returning on international repatriation flights. 'Filthy and uninhabitable': Complaints about private rehab sector investigated in damning report ABC News, 05 Mar 2021 05:28Z A lack of regulation over private alcohol and drug rehabilitation treatment centres has allowed some unscrupulous providers to prey on people "at their most vulnerable", a new report finds. Online graduation ceremony bombs with students, who liken it to 'end credits of a crappy movie' ABC Illawarra, 05 Mar 2021 06:27Z The University of Wollongong is coming under fire from students for its lacklustre ceremony for the class of 2020 which featured a one-hour pre- recorded video. School principals in crisis meeting after petition detailed thousands of alleged sexual assaults ABC News, 05 Mar 2021 06:26Z More than 100 NSW private school principals convene to discuss sex education following a petition started by former Sydney student Chanel Contos which detailed thousands of alleged sexual assaults against female students. Why Italy's Australian vaccine ban matters even if we're making our own ABC/The Conversation, 05 Mar 2021 07:25Z News of the blockage of a shipment of 250,000 COVID-19 vaccines from Europe to Australia has caused concern and outrage. But to avoid these types of shortfalls in future, it's important to address the underlying problems, writes Deborah Gleeson. 'It's important Whyalla is not led to fail': SA government seeks answers as uncertainty hovers over steelworks financial future ABC News, 05 Mar 2021 07:24Z After taking a long road back to profitability, the Whyalla steelworks is once again facing uncertain times following speculation around the financial situation of its owner, British billionaire Sanjeev Gupta. [Reeducation!] Patriotism and 'holistic love' for China: Beijing considers overhauling Hong Kong's electoral system ABC News, 05 Mar 2021 07:24Z China's parliament is considering changes to Hong Kong's electoral committee, a severe blow to any remaining democratic hopes in the global financial hub. SBS accused of possibly airing forced confessions from prisoners in China ABC News, 05 Mar 2021 07:25Z SBS suspends its daily broadcast of the Chinese government's Mandarin news bulletin after a human rights group accuses the public broadcaster of possibly airing forced confessions from prisoners. For The First Time, Organic Matter Crucial For Life Has Been Found on an Asteroid's Surface ScienceAlert, 05 Mar 2021 02:26Z Follow the twisted limbs of your family tree all the way back to its primordial origins billions of years in the past and you'll find that we all originated from dust rich ... US debt projected to balloon to more than double GDP by 2051 Aljazeera.com, 04 Mar 2021 23:23Z The Congressional Budget Office warned that by 2051, US debt will skyrocket to 202% of GDP up from 102% this year. In Iceland, 18,000 Earthquakes Over Days Signal Possible Eruption on the Horizon The New York Times, 04 Mar 2021 21:21Z Volcanoes in southwestern Iceland have been quiet for 800 years, but the period of rest may soon be over: More than 18,000 earthquakes have shaken the area ... Tsunami Warning Lifted for New Zealand After 8.1-Magnitude Earthquake The New York Times, 05 Mar 2021 01:22Z Sydney. A tsunami warning for parts of New Zealand was lifted on Friday afternoon, hours after officials had told residents of coastal areas to evacuate in the ... BREAKING (5 Mar): A "concerning situation" in NZ as reports are coming in of large waves hitting the E coast and others of a sudden fall in ocean levels. The latest alert issued by the NZ govt is there "will" be coastal inundation as the result of 3 large quakes -- one of them over mag 8 at 2am local time -- off the NZ coast. It's reported at least 10s of 1000s and perhaps 100s of 1000s of people are on the move after emergency evac orders were issued for some coastal areas. 'We're destroying an industry that's taken decades to build': Plea for change on international students ABC News, 04 Mar 2021 20:00Z A peak education body lobbies the government for a dedicated hotel quarantine program for international students, vowing to "pay whatever it takes" to make it happen. Leaders aren't talking and trade tensions remain, but Chinese students haven't abandoned Australia ... yet ABC News, 04 Mar 2021 19:02Z Chinese people in Australia lodge more student visa applications in the month of January this year than in January during any previous year. How do you renovate on a subantarctic island? ABC News, 04 Mar 2021 20:57Z It's some 1,550 kilometres away from the closest hardware store, but work is underway to lay the foundations of a renovation project on the remote and rugged Macquarie Island that will take seven years to complete. Hubble Solves Mystery of Monster Star's Dimming HubbleSite, 04 Mar 2021 16:33Z Stars come in an extraordinary range of sizes. One of the most colossal is VY Canis Majoris. If placed in the middle of our solar system it would engulf all the ... Indian man accused of beheading teen daughter in apparent "honor killing" CBS News, 04 Mar 2021 15:29Z Indian police have arrested a man and accused him of decapitating his own teenage daughter in a rage over her relationship with another man he didn't like, ... [Pacific-wide tsunami warning:] Tsunami watch ordered in Hawaii after 8.1 New Zealand quake; impact on California under review Los Angeles Times, 04 Mar 2021 21:11Z Tsunami watch ordered in Hawaii after magnitude 8.1 quake; officials reviewing impact on California. 'Do not stay at home': Tsunami warnings for New Zealand as third strong earthquake strikes ABC News, 04 Mar 2021 21:13Z Evacuation orders are in place for New Zealanders living in some areas on the east coast of the North Island after a third earthquake struck in the area. [ Historically, the gradual rise in sea level has accumulated to be around 20 cm over the 20th century through to present. This can be enough, in combination with a severe storm-tide event, to cause seawater inundation of low-lying coastal margins, as occurred in parts of Auckland in 2011 and 2014. Further rises in sea level will further exacerbate such situations with more frequent coastal inundation and erosion of vulnerable coastal areas. -- Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, 2015 ]. Tsunami warning for Norfolk Island after three earthquakes hit near New Zealand ABC Morning Briefing, 04 Mar 2021 20:57Z Residents on Norfolk Island are being warned to move to higher ground after three earthquakes near New Zealand triggered a tsunami warning for the island. [2nd cummin delayed!] QAnon Theorists Switch Date to March 20 After No Trump Inauguration, Call the 4th 'False Flag' Newsweek, 04 Mar 2021 19:28Z Right-wing conspiracists who support QAnon began to express doubt over the significance of March 4-which they previously believed to be the date of Donald ... High security at US Capitol as Trump supporters gather hoping for his return to power ABC News, 04 Mar 2021 21:47Z Far outnumbered by security forces deployed to deter any possible attack, a smattering of followers of the Qanon conspiracy theory gather near the US Capitol on the day the movement predicts former president Donald Trump will be sworn in for a second term in office. Terahertz waves from electrons oscillating in liquid water Phys.org, 04 Mar 2021 15:27Z Ionization of water molecules by light generates free electrons in liquid water. After generation, the so-called solvated electron is formed, a localized electron ... Wyoming Coal Country Pivots, Reluctantly, to Wind Farms The New York Times, 04 Mar 2021 19:26Z In the heart of coal country, the town of Rawlins will soon be home to one of the nation's largest wind farms. But pride in the fossil fuel past remains a powerful ... Texas Gov. Abbott blames Covid spread on immigrants, criticizes Biden's 'Neanderthal' comment CNBC, 04 Mar 2021 17:26Z Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Thursday criticized President Joe Biden for calling his decisions to lift Covid restrictions and mask mandates earlier this week ... ERCOT CEO Bill Magness will be replaced in aftermath of Texas power outages The Texas Tribune, 04 Mar 2021 03:27Z Bill Magness is the latest official to depart following the winter storm catastrophe. Then and now: A 'megadrought' in California BBC News, 04 Mar 2021 01:25Z See how extreme weather has affected an crucial reservoir in California. Energy Secretary Ready To Unleash $40 Billion In Green Energy Funds OilPrice.com1, 04 Mar 2021 09:25Z President Biden's new Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm is ready to let loose $40 billion in Department of Energy loans. Construction set to start on Australia's first lithium-ion battery manufacturing plant ABC Newcastle, 04 Mar 2021 06:41Z Prime Minister Scott Morrison tours the site of what will soon be Australia's first advanced manufacturing facility of lithium-ion batteries. Thai sailors rescue abandoned cats from a burning, sinking ship ABC News, 04 Mar 2021 07:40Z Thai navy sailors brave choppy waters to perform a dramatic rescue after discovering four cats abandoned on a sinking ship that caught fire off a paradise island. Australia's share of extinct animals rises as list of the lost updated Sydney Morning Herald, 03 Mar 2021 Twelve more mammals, some of which disappeared more than 70 years ago, have been added to Australia's official extinction ... [Australia now has officially lost 100 species since 1788. This is 10x more than the 2nd-place]. NSW tenants will have six months to pay off rental arrears ABC New England, 04 Mar 2021 01:42Z Amid warnings of a looming wave of rental stress, the NSW government confirms tenants in arrears will not have to pay them down straight away when an evictions moratorium expires at the end of March. Concerns passengers onboard Qatar flight to Brisbane contracted COVID-19 via 'superspreader' ABC News, 04 Mar 2021 04:40Z Queensland's Chief Health Officer says she holds concerns for six people who travelled on a Qatar Airways flight who may have contracted COVID-19 from a "superspreader" with three travellers now confirmed to have the Russian variant. Fake COVID-19 vaccine distribution networks uncovered in China, South Africa ABC News, 04 Mar 2021 05:19Z Police in China and South Africa seize thousands of fake doses of COVID-19 jabs, global police organisation Interpol says, warning this represented only the "tip of the iceberg" in vaccine-related crime. More than 250,000 Utahns are now fully vaccinated Salt Lake Tribune, 04 Mar 2021 02:20Z Utah's latest coronavirus data released from the state Department of Health. Wave Power Could Be Energy's Next Big Leap Bloomberg Quicktake, 03 Mar 2021 22:18Z Brazil is facing a spike in Covid-19 deaths and an overwhelmed health care system. A more contagious variant of the virus may be part of the problem. Why Blood Type May Matter for COVID Infection WebMD, 03 Mar 2021 20:53Z A new study provides further evidence that people with certain blood types may be more likely to contract COVID-19. Scientists find source of dangerous, high energy solar particles that could threaten Earth The Independent, 03 Mar 2021 19:53Z Scientists have found the exact source of dangerous rays that are fired from the Sun and threaten activities on the Earth. One of the largest ecosystems on Earth lives beneath the seafloor and eats radiation byproducts ZME Science, 03 Mar 2021 17:51Z Researchers at the University of Rhode Island's (URI) Graduate School of Oceanography report that a whole ecosystem of microbes below the sea dines not on ... President Joe Biden slams governors for lifting mask mandates, calls it 'Neanderthal thinking' CNBC, 04 Mar 2021 00:13Z Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves, both Republicans, announced Tuesday they would allow businesses to reopen at 100% capacity ... Dutch Covid test centre hit by suspected bomb attack The Guardian, 03 Mar 2021 11:42Z Police have said they are working on the assumption that an explosion that damaged a Dutch coronavirus test centre early on Wednesday was a deliberate ... Myanmar: 18 People Killed During Anti-Government Protests NPR, 03 Mar 2021 16:42Z A crackdown on anti-junta protests in Myanmar showed no signs of letting up, a day after after Southeast Asian foreign ministers issued a tepid call to end to the ... [Other reports say at least 33 killed]. House Oversight Committee reissues subpoena for Trump financial records CNBC, 03 Mar 2021 16:41Z Oversight Chair Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., argues it remains vital for Congress to see Trump's finances and other records in order to craft legislative reforms. Ice Age Testing Reveals Challenges in Climate Model Sensitivity Eos, 02 Mar 2021 Increased reflection of incoming sunlight by clouds led one current-generation climate model to predict unrealistically cold temperatures during the last ice age. Canadian 'incel' killer found guilty of murder over Toronto van attack The Guardian, 03 Mar 2021 18:39Z Self-described 'incel' convicted of 10 counts of first-degree murder and 16 counts of attempted murder. A 'space hurricane' hovered above the North Pole for about 8 hours, study says USA TODAY, 03 Mar 2021 0:37Z For the first time, scientists have spotted what they're calling a "space hurricane" spinning above the North Pole, according to a new study. Space hurricane spotted above the North pole BBC, 3 May 2021 The space hurricane was spotted by scientists from China's Shandong University, where they saw a swirling mass of plasma that behaved a lot like the hurricanes here on Earth - except these space hurricanes rain electrons instead of water! The space hurricane was spotted across 1,000km, above the North Pole. Similar to hurricanes found inside Earth's atmosphere, it turned in an anti- clockwise direction and lasted for almost 8 hours. Professor Mike Lockwood, a space scientist at the university of Reading said: "Until now, it was uncertain that space plasma hurricanes even existed, so to prove this with such a striking observation is incredible". Germany Places Far-Right AfD Party Under Surveillance for Extremism The New York Times, 03 Mar 2021 12:34Z Berlin. Germany's domestic intelligence agency has placed the far-right Alternative for Germany under observation as a potential threat to the country's ... The Hottest Amenity From Developers? A Power Plant Made of Batteries. The New York Times, 03 Mar 2021 08:33Z Charged via rooftop solar panels, the cells form a network that provides a building with backup electricity and that utilities can tap during peak periods. Brazil Hits Record for Covid Deaths as Hospitals Near Collapse Bloomberg, 03 Mar 2021 0:32Z Brazil reported a record daily number of Covid-19 deaths as a resurgence of the virus fills up hospital beds and pushes local governments to call for more drastic ... This is Australia's first car to receive a zero-star safety rating -- here's why ABC News, 03 Mar 2021 02:36Z Mitsubishi is facing questions over its new van after it flunked safety tests, becoming the first car ever to receive a zero-star rating from Australia's car safety program. WA Police want permanent stop and search powers for vehicles in WA post-COVID ABC News, 03 Mar 2021 02:34Z WA's Police Commissioner says he will seek support after the election for new legislation to give officers greater powers to stop and search vehicles at the state's border. 'This is one of those years': Warning after half-tonne croc hauled from Darwin Harbour ABC News, 03 Mar 2021 05:31Z A 4.5-metre saltwater crocodile estimated to weigh 500 kilograms is trapped in waters off Darwin, prompting a warning that large crocodiles have been mobile during a heavy wet season. [Mutant!] CDC director: Mutant coronaviruses could wipe out gains in fighting COVID-19 Salon, 02 Mar 2021 23:23Z After a month of falling coronavirus case numbers in the United States, President Joe Biden's CDC director warned that the rise of mutant coronavirus strains ... Animals fake death for long periods to escape predators Phys.org, 03 Mar 2021 0:22Z Many animals feign death to try to escape their predators, with some individuals in prey species remaining motionless, if in danger, for extended lengths of time. Cuttlefish have ability to exert self-control, study finds The Guardian, 03 Mar 2021 05:22Z Humans, chimps, parrots and crows have evolved to exert self-control, a trait linked to higher intelligence. Now, researchers say cuttlefish - chunky squid-like ... Japanese billionaire is looking for eight people to join him for a Moon voyage on SpaceX rocket The Verge, 02 Mar 2021 22:21Z Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa invited the public on Tuesday to apply for a spot on SpaceX's Starship in his private mission around the Moon, reaching ... Why many in Russia are reluctant to have Sputnik vaccine BBC News, 03 Mar 2021 01:20Z When officials in Sputnik village announced recently that they would be offering Russia's Sputnik V vaccine at the local clinic, just 28 pensioners signed up for a ... NOAA Acknowledges the New Reality of Hurricane Season Gizmodo, 02 Mar 2021 18:18Z We're one step closer to officially moving up hurricane season. The National Hurricane Center announced Tuesday that it would formally start issuing its ... Forecasters are considering an earlier start to hurricane season -- here's why WKMG News 6 & ClickOrlando, 27 Feb 2021 01:29Z Next month, the World Meteorological Organization will be holding its annual hurricane committee meeting, during which weather officials will review and retire ... CDC chief warns of 'potential fourth surge' of coronavirus in US Guardian News, 02 Mar 2021 16:13Z Gov. Greg Abbott says it is now time to open Texas 100%, end statewide mask mandate The Dallas Morning News, 02 Mar 2021 23:46Z Austin. Texans will no longer be required to wear a face mask in public and all businesses can open at full capacity starting next week, Gov. Greg Abbott... As Ebola spreads in Africa, CDC requires airlines to collect contact information on travelers from DRC, Guinea CNBC, 02 Mar 2021 21:12Z The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is requiring airlines to collect contact information for all passengers from Guinea and the Democratic Republic ... Far-Right Groups Are Splintering in Wake of the Capitol Riot The New York Times, 02 Mar 2021 01:11Z The breakdown of larger organizations sets the stage for small groups or lone offenders, who are more difficult to track. BREAKING (3 Mar): 2 Rio Tinto directors, including Chairman Simon Thompson, will resign amid ongoing fallout from the Juuken Gorge debacle. The announcement comes ahead of Rio's AGM in Apr. Rio decided to blow up the caves -- the site of aboriginal shelters and artifacts -- in mid 2020 as part of an iron ore development. Juuken Gorge was the only inland site so far discovered to show continuous human occupation for the past 46,000 years incl the peak of the last ice age. Mysterious New Warp Drive Patent Surfaces Online The Debrief, 02 Mar 2021 After first publishing his groundbreaking 1994 warp drive concept in the journal Classical and Quantum Gravity, Mexican Mathematician and Physicist Miguel Alcubierre received significant positive and negative feedback. Most applauded his solution, which did indeed appear to create a working theory on how a warp drive might allow faster than light travel without violating the laws of physics. In contrast, others zeroed in on the incredible amount of energy needed to propel his theoretical spacecraft. Study: Pfizer COVID-19 jabs less effective on obese people WION, 28 Feb 2021 Hydroxychloroquine, once touted by Trump, should not be used to prevent COVID-19, WHO experts say CBS News, 02 Mar 2021 13:16Z Hydroxychloroquine should not be used to prevent or treat COVID-19, the World Health Organization (WHO) advised this week. The anti-inflammatory drug was ... Coronavirus crisis unlikely to be over by the end of the year, WHO warns The Guardian, 02 Mar 2021 12:17Z Dr Michael Ryan says Covid-19 is 'very much in control' as global infections rise for first time in almost two months. High-Tech Scan Peeks Inside Sealed Letters From The Renaissance NPR, 02 Mar 2021 18:15Z A signed, sealed but not delivered letter from 1697 has finally been read with the help of a high-tech scan that looked inside without breaking its seal. Rare Australian bee rediscovered after nearly a century Livescience.com, 02 Mar 2021 16:15Z An extremely rare species of bee that hasn't been seen for nearly a century and was thought to be extinct has been rediscovered by a lone researcher in ... US reports record number of variant coronavirus cases The Hill, 01 Mar 2021 The U.S. on Sunday reported an all-time high of 306 cases of coronavirus variants, with the majority concentrated in Florida, Michigan and Texas, USA Today ... Six Dr Seuss books cease publication over racist and insensitive portrayals The Guardian, 02 Mar 2021 18:54Z Publication of six Dr Seuss books will cease, the company that preserves and protects the author's legacy said on Tuesday, due to their racist and insensitive ... How this thin, flexible film converts any light into clean energy - Q&A Electrek, 01 Mar 2021 Transparent ORENgE can apparently capture any light and convert it to clean energy in a more efficient way than traditional solar panels. Miami Says It Can Adapt to Rising Seas. Not Everyone Is Convinced. The New York Times, 02 Mar 2021 17:08Z Officials have a new plan to manage rising water. Succeed or fail, it will very likely become a case study for other cities facing climate threats. [Japan is starting to rue it's development of a multi-$bn 14m high 400 km long seawall after the 2011 tsunami]. Biden administration sanctions Russia over Navalny poisoning and arrest POLITICO, 02 Mar 2021 15:07Z The Biden administration announced new penalties on Russia on Tuesday in response to the poisoning and jailing of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny ... In a Momentous Discovery, Scientists Show Neanderthals Could Produce Human-Like Speech ScienceAlert, 01 Mar 2021 16:13Z Our Neanderthal cousins had the capacity to both hear and produce the speech sounds of modern humans, a new study has found. Texas Public Utility Commission chair DeAnn Walker resigns The Texas Tribune, 01 Mar 2021 22:09Z On Monday, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick called for PUC Chair DeAnn Walker and Electric Reliability Council of Texas CEO Bill Magness to resign. Texas power crisis deepens as electric companies skip nearly $2.5 billion in charges from February blackout CNBC, 02 Mar 2021 0:12Z Texas energy companies failed to pay another $345 million for electricity and other services incurred last month, the operator of the state's grid said. Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders propose 3% wealth tax on billionaires CNBC, 02 Mar 2021 01:08Z Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Sen. Bernie Sanders and other Democrats on Monday proposed a 2% annual tax on wealth over $50 million, rising to 3% for wealth over ... Half a trillion corals: World-first coral count prompts ... phys.org, 01 Mar 2021 17:55Z "In the Pacific, we estimate there are roughly half a trillion corals," said the study lead author, Dr. Andy Dietzel from the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies at James Cook ... [Not The Bananas!] Banana crops 'devastated' as Tropical Cyclone Niran brings powerful winds, heavy rainfall to north Queensland ABC News, 1 Mar 2021 at 7:58pm A low off the north Queensland coast intensifies into Tropical Cyclone Niran, bringing powerful winds, heavy rainfall and potential flooding to coastal communities. [Superbug!] Poo-loving superbug grown to treat sewage water in Australian first ABC News, 1 Mar 2021 at 8:06pm They're the poo-loving superbugs that are greening Queensland's sewage systems with their big appetite. Now a Brisbane wastewater plant has farmed enough Anammox bugs to fill 10 swimming pools. Honey yields down 40 per cent for beekeepers in disappointing summer season ABC/SA Country Hour, 1 Mar 2021 at 9:23pm The honey season is more bitter than sweet for Australia's honey producers as cool, dry weather and the ever-present challenge of climate change take a toll. [Probing:] 'Great psychological pain': Japan asks China to stop performing anal swab tests for COVID on its citizens ABC News, 1 Mar 2021 at 9:45pm Foreign governments are expressing concerns over anal testing as Beijing claims the controversial practice is more accurate than nasal or mouth swabs. Five strikes and you're out: Twitter clamps down on COVID-19 misinformation ABC News, 1 Mar 2021 at 10:06pm Twitter will apply warnings to tweets that contain misleading information about COVID-19 vaccines and implement a strike system that could see users permanently banned for repeat violations. Royal commission finds Victoria's mental health system has 'catastrophically failed to live up to expectations' ABC News, 1 Mar 2021 at 11:07pm Victoria's mental health system operates in crisis mode, has "catastrophically failed to live up to expectations" and must be rebuilt, a damning report from the state's mental health royal commission finds. Investigation into secret trial of Witness J restarted ABC News, 02 Mar 2021 0:52Z An investigation into the top secret trial, sentencing and jailing of a former military intelligence officer is restarted by the national security watchdog. Like 'jackhammers in a maternity ward': Concerns for whales amid causeway demolition at Victor Harbor ABC Radio Adelaide, 02 Mar 2021 01:34Z Approval is granted to demolish and replace Victor Harbor's heritage causeway despite concerns that construction works will drive the region's whales away, which arrive to breed and calve between May and November annually. A 1990s iMac Processor Powers NASA's Perseverance Rover Gizmodo, 01 Mar 2021 20:03Z As we watched NASA put a rover on Mars last month, it definitely seemed like the agency had to be using some sort of high-tech processor in its machine. When should you end a conversation? Probably sooner than you think Science Magazine, 01 Mar 2021 21:03Z While studying for his master's degree at the University of Oxford, Adam Mastroianni confronted a fear common to many party goers: Would he get stuck in a ... GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE: Vital Signs of the Planet NASA, March 2021 Carbon Dioxide Concentration January 2021 numbers are in: Earth's global average concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide was about 415 parts per million, a 32% rise since direct measurements began in 1958 and a 48% rise since pre-industrial levels (1850). Sea Level Global average sea level continues to rise at a rate of 3.3 mm (0.13 inches) per year, which is like adding 2.5 times the water in Lake Erie to the ocean every year, or about 25 times that amount per decade. Ice Sheets Greenland and Antarctica have been losing ice mass at a combined average rate of 428 billion metric tons (BMT) per year since 2002. (One BMT is about the weight of 14.7 billion people, or about twice that of everyone alive today.) Six cases of Brazilian variant of Covid-19 found in the UK Channel 4 News, 28 Feb 2021 20:33Z Meet the swirlon, a new kind of matter that bends the laws of physics Livescience.com, 01 Mar 2021 12:32Z Fish school, insects swarm and birds fly in murmurations. Now, new research finds that on the most basic level, this kind of group behavior forms a new kind of ... Rolls-Royce develops its own electric plane in pivotal moment for aviation The Telegraph, 01 Mar 2021 09:29Z Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy guilty of corruption, sentenced to three years in jail ABC News, 01 Mar 2021 13:24Z A French court finds former president Nicolas Sarkozy guilty of trying to bribe a judge and influence peddling. Argentinian titanosaur may be oldest yet: Study Al Jazeera English, 01 Mar 2021 08:24Z The 20-metre lizard, discovered in Argentina in 2014, roamed what is now Patagonia some 140 million years ago. It's Not Just Texas. The Entire Energy Grid Needs An Upgrade For Extreme Weather NPR, 28 Feb 2021 12:42Z The Texas blackout is a reminder that climate-driven extreme weather stresses the U.S.'s power system in many ways. Much is needed to harden the grid for the ... Texas electricity firm files for bankruptcy citing $1.8 billion in claims from grid operator Yahoo Finance, 01 Mar 2021 07:41Z Brazos Electric Power Cooperative Inc is one of dozens of electricity providers facing enormous charges stemming from a severe cold snap last month. Tropical Cyclone Niran could become category 3 as technical issues take Townsville radar offline ABC News, 01 Mar 2021 02:10Z Tropical Cyclone Niran is expected to form tomorrow morning and could reach category 3 strength, but the weather radar in Townsville is currently out of action, and could remain offline for days. Government pledges $452m to overhaul aged care sector following damning royal commission ABC News, 01 Mar 2021 03:09Z A royal commission into the aged care sector has made 148 recommendations to overhaul the sector following a damning two-year investigation. Trump proposes new voting limits, rails against "monster" voting rights bill Yahoo News, 01 Mar 2021 02:05Z Former U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday laid out a variety of election proposals, such as limiting absentee voting and days when Americans can vote, ... Covid vaccine: More than 20 million people in UK have now received first dose The Independent, 28 Feb 2021 15:59Z From news to politics, travel to sport, culture to climate - The Independent has a host of newsletters to suit your interests. Find the stories you want to read, and ... New AI `Deep Nostalgia' brings old photos, including very old ones, to life The Verge, 28 Feb 2021 20:57Z An AI-powered service called Deep Nostalgia that animates still photos has become the main character on Twitter this fine Sunday, as people try to create the ... The City Where Cars Are Not Welcome The New York Times, 28 Feb 2021 10:56Z Heidelberg, Germany. Eckart Würzner, a mayor on a mission to make his city emission free, is not terribly impressed by promises from General Motors, Ford ... The One Gut Microbe An MD Says Is Crucial For Longevity + 3 Foods It Loves mindbodygreen.com, 26 Feb 2021 By now, we know that gut health is inextricably linked to the functioning of many of your body's other processes-your immune system, mood, skin health, you ... Hong Kong detains nearly 50 pro-democracy activists for alleged breaches of national security law ABC News, 28 Feb 2021 12:47Z Dozens of Hong Kong pro-democracy figures, including former politicians, are detained in the largest mass charge against the semi-autonomous Chinese territory's opposition camp since national security laws imposed by China came into effect. 'We tried to warn people': Inside a Brazilian city's COVID-19 crisis ABC News, 28 Feb 2021 18:46Z Thought by many to be the first city in the world to overcome the pandemic, Manaus has become a cautionary tale of what can happen when politics and science fail, leaving the novel coronavirus to spread almost unmitigated. Three ways to vaccinate the world and make sure everyone benefits, rich and poor ABC/The Conversation, 28 Feb 2021 19:45Z Vaccine inequality isn't just a moral outrage -- it is also a sure-fire way to perpetuate the pandemic's devastating health, social and economic impacts on the whole world, writes Michael Toole. Israel announces it will vaccinate Palestinian labourers ABC News, 28 Feb 2021 20:44Z Israel has launched one of the world's most successful vaccination programs, inoculating over half of its population in just two months. Russia launches Arctic weather satellite Spaceflight Now, 28 Feb 2021 09:59Z If you would like to see more articles like this please support our coverage of the space program by becoming a Spaceflight Now Member. If everyone who ... Russia Sends Navalny to Notorious Penal Camp Feared by Inmates Bloomberg, 28 Feb 2021 14:56Z Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny, who survived a chemical poisoning last year that he called a Kremlin attempt to kill him, has begun serving his ... WHO investigation may have finally found coronavirus patient zero BGR, 27 Feb 2021 21:00Z The World Health Organization will soon publish the findings of its official investigation into the origins of COVID-19. Investigators spoke with the man currently ... Virginia joins 15 other states in legalizing marijuana POLITICO, 28 Feb 2021 01:59Z The Virginia Legislature approved adult-use marijuana legalization Saturday in a historic vote marking the first state in the Old South to embrace full legalization. This family have been observing rain for 100 years, and they do not have any good news ABC Southern Qld, 27 Feb 2021 at 9:10pm A Queensland family honoured for 100 years of service to the Bureau of Meteorology as rain observers say the past 10 years have been the driest on record. No light at end of tunnel as popular caves remain closed following fire, flood and pandemic ABC Central West, 28 Feb 2021 0:43Z Communities relying upon tourism say it is time to open all the Blue Mountain caves after being closed for business for more than a year. 'Unfortunate but necessary': Ardern sends Auckland into COVID-19 lockdown ABC News, 27 Feb 2021 09:03Z New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says Auckland will go into a lockdown for seven days after a community case of COVID-19 with an unknown origin was recorded. [Ardern said there had been a number of cases of high risk behaviour and implored kiwis to "follow the rules"]. The curious case of India's plummeting infections curve: Can they vaccinate enough people before variants hit? ABC News, 27 Feb 2021 20:02Z A sudden drop in cases has given India a golden opportunity to beat coronavirus. But with its ambitious vaccination program falling behind and new variants threatening to breach the borders, experts fear the window of opportunity is rapidly closing. Rooster kills owner with cockfight blade strapped to its leg ABC News, 27 Feb 2021 20:10Z Police in southern India briefly held the rooster before sending it to a poultry farm after its owner bled to death from knife wounds to his groin. Robots bring futuristic, 'digital-savvy new agriculture' opportunities to farming ABC Landline, 27 Feb 2021 20:21Z A Queensland couple's decade-long push to lead the world in the production of agricultural robots has received a multi-million-dollar funding boost. Even by Pentagon terms, this was a dud: The disastrous saga of the F-35 Salon, 27 Feb 2021 13:50Z The military-industrial complex spent $2 trillion building a "flying Swiss Army knife." Now it's been shelved. [Losers:] Stolen-Election Myth Fuels G.O.P. Push to Change Voting Laws The New York Times, 27 Feb 2021 18:49Z Republican legislators want big changes to the laws for elections and other aspects of governance. A fight over the ground rules for voting may follow. Top health officials warn COVID-19 case decline is 'stalling' Business Insider, 27 Feb 2021 07:14Z COVID-19 case counts have been falling at a rapid rate for weeks, but top health officials warn that progress seems to be "stalling" just as some states have ... New Zealand's largest city to go back into lockdown over new COVID-19 case The Hill, 27 Feb 2021 16:12Z New Zealand's largest city, Auckland, is going back into a seven-day lockdown after a new coronavirus case emerged. Golden Trump statue turning heads at CPAC was made in... Mexico The Guardian, 27 Feb 2021 17:12Z Artist Tommy Zegan reveals figure was constructed in country the former president has assailed and demonized. Some Earth Life Could Already Survive on Mars Universe Today, 27 Feb 2021 04:21Z Mars' surface is a harsh environment for life. But life on Earth is notoriously resilient as well. No one is quite sure yet how microbes from Earth would fare on the ... DOJ Fines United Airlines $49 Million For Mail Fraud One Mile at a Time, 27 Feb 2021 14:19Z United Airlines is paying $49 million to resolve criminal fraud charges related to the company's delivery of mail on behalf of the USPS. Coronavirus: Study reveals 3 early signs of COVID-19 affecting your eyes Times of India1, 27 Feb 2021 16:18Z Doctors believe that nearly 1-3% of people who do contract COVID will develop one or the other symptoms related to an eye infection. Temperatures jump as winter `heat wave' envelops parts of Europe AccuWeather, 26 Feb 2021 20:18Z The latter half of February brought a winter "heat wave" to many parts of Europe that started the month in a deep freeze. In the waning days of the month, people ... Tackling a surge in mozzie-borne Ross River virus with spray like 'bringing a knife to a gunfight' ABC Gippsland, 27 Feb 2021 01:18Z With nearly 6,000 cases around Australia in the past year, experts say the debilitating Ross River virus is ruining lives. And there's no silver bullet in sight. Russia's wheat export tax expected to deliver big pay day for Aussie farmers ABC/Landline, 27 Feb 2021 01:17Z Russia is about to double its controversial export tax on wheat. What could it mean for Australian farmers? Around the world, regions with Mediterranean climates are drying out, and making bushfires worse ABC Weather, 27 Feb 2021 02:16Z Scientists believe drought and fires hitting south-western Australia are connected to drought and fires hitting Mediterranean climates around the world. [RECORD!] Watch 2020's hurricane season unfold in a mesmerizing four-minute timelapse The Verge, 26 Feb 2021 17:52Z This week, NASA released a grim four-minute timelapse of the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season, a mesmerizing display of last year's record-breaking string of ... [Ssh! Darwin at work!] CPAC hosts booed for asking attendees to wear masks Politico, 26 Feb 2021 16:51Z Organizers of the Conservative Political Action Conference were met with boos on Friday morning as they encouraged the crowd inside a Florida hotel ballroom ... [Hungry hungry worm!] 'Absolutely frightening': Hungry caterpillar dubbed the 'coronavirus of agriculture' could force up food prices ABC/Landline, 26 Feb 2021 at 8:45pm The fall armyworm started eating its way through crops in Far North Queensland a year ago. It is now destroying farms in the Northern Territory, Western Australia, New South Wales and Victoria, which could prove very costly for consumers. Do it 'for the young people': Call for bi-partisanship on climate policy after unprecedented WA election ABC News, 26 Feb 2021 at 10:11pm The WA Liberal party's startling about-turn on climate policy, vowing to close coal-fired power stations, could change the conversation on carbon emissions regardless of the numbers in Parliament. Federal Liberal MP labels as a 'lemon' Zak Kirkup's energy election policy, weeks out from state poll ABC News, 27 Feb 2021 03:50Z Federal West Australian Liberal backbencher Andrew Hastie launches a scathing attack on a key Opposition policy just weeks out from the state election. [It's great to see federal conserbatibs sabytage the election of their state colleagues over climate policy]. Human remains wash up on NSW's South Coast, days after Melissa Caddick's foot was found ABC News, 26 Feb 2021 at 10:35pm NSW Police establish a crime scene and send the remains for forensic analysis, though it is too early to say whether they belong to Sydney businesswoman Melissa Caddick. [Some reports say foul play is suspected. Female con artist went missing after police moved to arrest her for defrauding investors out of $mns. At least 2 lawyers represending different groups of former clients say total amount involved could be $20 mn or more. Only $5k was left in her bank a/c before she went missing]. Iran condemns US airstrikes as 'illegal aggression' as 22 militiamen reported dead ABC News, 26 Feb 2021 at 11:07pm The US sent an "unambiguous message" with airstrikes that reportedly killed 22 Iran-backed militiamen in Syria, says the White House of the first military action under President Joe Biden. Victoria to ban single-use plastics including straws, cutlery and plates by 2023 ABC News, 27 Feb 2021 00:28Z Victoria will ban certain single-use plastics -- such as straws, cutlery, plates and cotton buds -- by 2023 in a bid to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill, the state government announces. White spot prawn disease now endemic to Queensland's Moreton Bay region ABC Radio Brisbane, 26 Feb 2021 10:36Z White spot disease is now endemic in wild prawn populations in south-east Queensland's Moreton Bay region, ravaging the local industry and sparking calls for increased biosecurity. 'Let's eat pineapples all together': Taiwan's response to China's latest trade ban ABC News, 26 Feb 2021 18:35Z Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen calls on people to eat more pineapples to help farmers, saying Taiwan has been "ambushed" by a Chinese ban on the fruit, reminiscent of Beijing's use of tariffs to sting Australia. US says Saudi Crown Prince approved operation to 'capture or kill' journalist Jamal Khashoggi ABC News, 26 Feb 2021 18:36Z A US intelligence report concludes that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman likely ordered the 2018 murder of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Abdi fled to Australia with a bullet in his leg. After years in detention, his heart gave out ABC News, 26 Feb 2021 19:06Z The death of a Somali asylum seeker in Perth years after he suffered a heart attack on Nauru highlights the deep impact of Australia's refugee policies, advocates say. The tragedy of Tasmania's underwater kelp forests ABC Science, 26 Feb 2021 18:59Z As a young man, Puck Vaughn would catch fish among the giant underwater kelp forests along Tasmania's south-east coast. He later landed a job in a kelp processing factory, but then the underwater forests began to disappear. La Niña's flurry of frogs: It's a Booroolong baby boom ABC/Landline, 26 Feb 2021 19:11Z Wetter weather over summer leads to a local baby boom for a critically endangered frog species in northern New South Wales Bill Allowing Big Tech To Form "Techno-Governments" To Be Announced Today The Debrief, 26 Feb 2021 Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak will be announcing legislation today that will allow major technology companies to effectively form techno-governments. Gov. Sisolak first mentioned the proposal of creating "Innovation Zones" in Nevada during his State-of-the-State address on January 19. "New companies creating groundbreaking technologies can come to Nevada to develop their industries. This will be done without tax abatements or public financing." While the legislation wouldn't provide subsidiaries or public funding, according to a draft of the Bill obtained by the Las Vegas Review-Journal, major technology firms would be granted authority to form their independent techno-governments within Nevada. "[They] would carry the same authority as a county, including the ability to impose taxes, form school districts and justice courts and provide government services, to name a few duties," Las Vegas Review-Journal reports. Hidden scenes in ancient Etruscan paintings revealed Livescience.com, 26 Feb 2021 14:54Z Scientists using a new technique have uncovered the colorful and once-hidden scenes in paintings of the ancient Etruscans. Pokemon celebrates 25th anniversary as rare cards fetch six figures amid pandemic South China Morning Post, 26 Feb 2021 13:52Z Nearly 3 million Americans haven't gotten their second COVID-19 vaccination on time CBS News, 26 Feb 2021 17:51Z Hospital and public health officials say vaccine supply and scheduling snafus are a big reason for 2nd-dose delays. Brisbane ratepayers spend $132 million buying back bus depot they used to own ABC Radio Brisbane, 26 Feb 2021 03:38Z Brisbane City Council has spent $132 million purchasing a bus depot in Sherwood, after selling the land in 2009 for $21 million and leasing a purpose-built depot from its private owners ever since. Mick Gatto loses defamation case against ABC over Lawyer X article ABC News, 26 Feb 2021 03:37Z The well-known Melbourne identity loses a defamation lawsuit against the ABC, with the Supreme Court rejecting claims he had unfairly been labelled "one of Australia's most violent criminals" by the public broadcaster. 'Long and difficult' journey with handcar out of North Korea for Russian diplomats ABC News, 26 Feb 2021 05:34Z A group of Russian diplomats used a hand-pushed rail trolley to leave North Korea this week, amid Pyongyang's strict anti-coronavirus measures. Nature reserve opened on Kangaroo Island following devastating bushfires ABC News, 26 Feb 2021 05:34Z The Western River Refuge spans almost 370 hectares and is ringed by a six-foot tall electric fence to provide a safe habitat for vulnerable species, including the critically endangered Kangaroo Island dunnart. We Finally Know Why Dinosaurs Were Either Humongous or Tiny, Unlike Modern Animals ScienceAlert, 26 Feb 2021 0:40Z A team of US scientists has demonstrated that the offspring of huge carnivorous dinosaurs like Tyrannosaurus rex, who grew from the size of house cats to ... [Cult!] Fealty to Trump is the one litmus test at conservative conference Los Angeles Times, 26 Feb 2021 0:38Z GOP officials disagree intensely over the party's future. But no sign of debate will be visible when conservatives gather this weekend for CPAC's festival of ... New coronavirus variant in NYC has vaccine-evading mutation Livescience.com, 25 Feb 2021 22:03Z The variant, dubbed B.1.526, is on the rise in the city. The influence of juvenile dinosaurs on community structure and diversity Science Magazine, 25 Feb 2021 19:02Z Modern carnivore communities include species that span a range of body sizes. For example, on the African savannah, there are small species (mongooses), ... Germans Clamor for Covid Vaccines, but Shun AstraZeneca's Offering The New York Times, 25 Feb 2021 20:59Z Berlin. At the start of the year, many Germans were complaining about a shortage of coronavirus vaccines that could free them from onerous lockdowns and ... A Huge Red Flag Just Popped Up in a Little-Studied Region of Antarctica Gizmodo, 25 Feb 2021 Glaciers in Antarctica are turning the concept of "glacial pace" on its head. A new study of a little-observed area on the continent finds that rising heat is making ... Atlantic Ocean circulation at weakest in a millennium, say scientists The Guardian, 25 Feb 2021 21:57Z Decline in system underpinning Gulf Stream could lead to more extreme weather in Europe and higher sea levels on US east coast. Fiona Harvey Environment ... A Major Ocean Current May Be Hurtling Towards Collapse Gizmodo, 23 Feb 2021 19:57Z The ocean may have less time than we thought before massive, irreversible shifts take place. A new study finds that a crucial ocean system may reach its "tipping ... EU leaders feel the pressure over handling of coronavirus pandemic POLITICO.eu, 25 Feb 2021 04:33Z As European Council convenes for a summit, Commission has no major breakthrough on vaccine rollout. Snakes insert their heads into living frogs' bodies to swallow their organs ( because nature is horrifying) Livescience.com, 25 Feb 2021 16:32Z In two new studies, researchers identified more snakes that disembowel frogs to eat their organs, a gruesome habit that was only recently discovered. Pilot reports unknown missile-like object flew over plane during flight to Phoenix The Arizona Republic, 25 Feb 2021 17:29Z A pilot at American Airlines radioed that an unidentified object flew over their passenger jet during a flight in the area of New Mexico from Cincinnati to Phoenix ... Greg Abbott Admits Failure from All Power Sources After Initially Blaming Green Energy Newsweek, 25 Feb 2021 09:28Z Texas Governor Greg Abbott has conceded that the recent mass power outage in the state was due to failures in the network involving all sources of power, not ... Manhattan prosecutors reportedly obtain millions of pages of Trump's tax records Yahoo News, 25 Feb 2021 15:26Z The Manhattan district attorney is now in possession of millions of pages of former President Trump's tax and financial records, CNN first reported, following a ... [Miniflu!] Amid COVID-19 pandemic, flu has disappeared in the US The Associated Press, 25 Feb 2021 05:59Z New York. February is usually the peak of flu season, with doctors' offices and hospitals packed with suffering patients. But not this year. Flu has ... NASA wants to play a big part in the development of electric aircraft Engadget, 24 Feb 2021 12:57Z NASA is working with the aviation industry to develop Electrified Aircraft Propulsion tools and designs in a bid to introduce the systems to commercial flights by ... CDC report: 68% of people who exercised indoors at one Chicago gym contracted COVID-19 WGN TV Chicago, 25 Feb 2021 02:32Z A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests that some indoor exercise facilities may have trouble preventing the spread of ... Parker Solar Probe Offers Stunning View of Venus NASA, 24 Feb 2021 20:17Z NASA's Parker Solar Probe captured stunning views of Venus during its close flyby of the planet in July 2020. Moderna to begin clinical trials of Covid booster shots for variant from South Africa, sends to NIH for study CNBC, 25 Feb 2021 0:16Z Moderna said it has shipped to the NIH doses of a new Covid-19 vaccine designed to provide better protection against the variant from South Africa. 'I'm the only person she's revealed her beliefs to': How QAnon followers are dealing with being wrong ABC/The Signal, 24 Feb 2021 15:28Z The QAnon conspiracy movement is moving the goalposts on its bizarre predictions once again, promising Donald Trump will be inaugurated on March 4. Why do supporters stick with the conspiracy theory when the predictions keep on being wrong? Brisbane officially named 'preferred' choice to host 2032 Summer Olympic Games ABC News, 24 Feb 2021 19:27Z Brisbane is on the cusp of being the third Australian city to host the Summer Olympic Games as the IOC announce it as their preferred venue for the 2032 Games. Burnt, stepped on and left in bed to rot: The real-life horror story inside an exclusive nursing home ABC/7.30, 24 Feb 2021 19:27Z Dik, Brian and Vera's families paid top dollar for them to live at a "lovely" nursing home, but damning reports from the aged care regulator and allegations by a group of trainee nurses tell another story. China and India battle for vaccine supremacy in soft power push across the world ABC News, 24 Feb 2021 19:26Z Experts say Beijing and New Delhi are sending millions of doses of COVID-19 vaccinations abroad in the hopes of shoring up their international reputations and securing some political goodwill in return. Company building Australia's submarines warned to spend big on local companies ABC News, 24 Feb 2021 19:32Z The Australian government is getting increasingly frustrated with French company Naval Group's refusal to formalise a pledge to spend at least 60 per cent of the contract value on local suppliers. 'Don't be put off by this': Aged care patients show no adverse reactions to Pfizer vaccine bungle ABC News, 24 Feb 2021 19:53Z Two aged care patients who were inadvertently injected with four times the required dose of the COVID-19 Pfizer vaccine are showing no symptoms of adverse reactions. After years just keeping trees alive, the recent rain has 'future-proofed' the National Arboretum ABC News, 24 Feb 2021 20:0Z The National Arboretum's trees struggled to take root, and then were carefully kept alive through drought and bushfire. Now months of good rain has seen its forests explode into life. Victorian contact tracing still plagued by 'infuriating' data errors, contractors say ABC News, 24 Feb 2021 20:10Z Marciano Alvarez's cake shop in Melbourne was listed as a COVID-19 exposure site earlier this month, but he's adamant an infected person could not have visited at the specified time because the store wasn't open. Remains of oldest American dog bolster idea that first humans arrived along the coast Science Magazine, 24 Feb 2021 0:56Z When researchers began to excavate a tunnellike cave on the west coast of Alaska in 1998, they were hoping to discover the remains of ancient bears. Instead ... Hundreds of skeletons fill this remote Himalayan lake. How did they get there? Livescience.com, 24 Feb 2021 13:55Z Hundreds of people have died at a remote Himalayan lake, and some of them had no obvious reason to be there. Facebook pledges to invest $1 billion in news after Australia standoff ends CNBC, 24 Feb 2021 17:54Z Facebook is planning to spend at least $1 billion in the news industry over the next three years on the back of its fight with the Australian government. [Deregulation works!] Texas's deregulated electricity market raised consumer costs by $28B: WSJ The Hill, 24 Feb 2021 16:53Z Texas's deregulated electricity market has raised costs to consumers by $28 billion since 2004, The `average' hurricane season has a new normal AccuWeather, 24 Feb 2021 18:26Z The new findings adjust what is considered a normal hurricane season, as storms of all intensities continue to form more frequently than ever before. China's Mars craft enters parking orbit before landing rover The Associated Press, 24 Feb 2021 06:15Z Beijing. China says its Tianwen-1 spacecraft has entered a temporary parking orbit around Mars in anticipation of landing a rover on the red planet in ... SolarWinds hack was work of 'at least 1,000 engineers', tech executives tell Senate The Guardian, 24 Feb 2021 10:54Z True scope of the breach, which affected 100 companies and several federal agencies, is still unknown. Chinese court rules that a woman's housework is worth $128 a month CNBC, 24 Feb 2021 08:13Z The decision for a 50000 yuan payout for five years of household work was made under China's new civil code that took effect in January. ERAU Electric Aircraft Reaches Milestone AVweb, 23 Feb 2021 15:16Z Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's "eSpirit" electric aircraft has reached the taxi-test stage after four years of development. Italian cemetery collapses, sending coffins down cliff into sea ABC News, 23 Feb 2021 at 9:27pm Concerns over the graveyard's stability are raised before a landslide sends part of a cemetery and 200 coffins cascading down a cliff in the Italian Riviera. 'Tidal wave' of renewables could force early coal power closures ABC Newcastle, 24 Feb 2021 01:06Z An analysis of Australia's energy market has found a number of the nation's coal-fired power stations could be financially unviable by 2025 and at least one may be forced to close early. Wages growth stuck at record low as public sector pay freezes bite ABC News, 24 Feb 2021 01:09Z A stronger-than-expected increase in private sector pay over the last three months of 2020 keeps wages growth above economist expectations, but pay rises remain at record lows. Contagious virus easy to confuse with COVID-19 on the rise in Queensland ABC Sunshine Coast, 24 Feb 2021 01:33Z The spread of a highly contagious virus with similar symptoms to COVID-19 has prompted warnings that 2021 could be a year of illness and disease as social distancing rules start to relax. US Postal Service Awards Contract to Launch Multi-Billion-Dollar Modernization of Postal Delivery Vehicle Fleet PRNewswire, 23 Feb 2021 20:59Z The U.S. Postal Service announced today it awarded a 10-year contract to Oshkosh, WI, based Oshkosh Defense, to manufacture a new ... Winter Storm Uri: The Texas dream of going it alone was never real Vox.com, 23 Feb 2021 19:57Z The power was still out in my Dallas housing complex early last Tuesday, so I grabbed the survival hatchet from my emergency bag to chop up a couple of fallen ... Top board leaders resign after deadly Texas power outages POLITICO, 23 Feb 2021 21:55Z Austin, Texas. Top board leaders of Texas' embattled power grid operator said Tuesday they will resign following outrage over more than 4 million ... There's a hidden message in the parachute of NASA's Mars rover The Verge, 23 Feb 2021 17:57Z The parachute for NASA's Perseverance rover had a hidden message written in binary code that said "Dare Mighty Things." Mt Etna's latest eruptions awe even those who study volcanos Associated Press, 23 Feb 2021 17:09Z Rome. Mount Etna, Europe's most active volcano, has awed even seasoned volcanologists in recent days with spectacular spurts of lava lighting up the ... Freshwater fish are in "catastrophic" decline with one-third facing extinction, report finds CBS News, 23 Feb 2021 17:55Z Thousands of fish species are facing "catastrophic" decline - threatening the health, food security and livelihoods of hundreds of millions of people around the ... Fed Chair Jerome Powell Warns Of Long Road Ahead To Recover Millions Of Lost Jobs NPR, 23 Feb 2021 18:56Z Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell warned on Tuesday the United States has a "long way" to go to return to full employment, even as he expressed ... Rabies Could Mutate into "Zombie Virus" Says New Study ... The Debrief, 23 Feb 2021 A new Italian study cautions that the rabies virus could mutate, either naturally or artificially, into an "apocalyptic" disease that turns humans into hyper-aggressive "zombies.". Admittedly, the paper approaches the theoretical idea that, since the rise of COVID-19, the world must begin "to think-out-of-the-box" when it comes to large-scale epidemics. "Zombie Virus" Possible via Rabies-Flu Hybrid? National Geographic, 23 Feb 2021 But for the rabies virus to trigger a zombie pandemic like in the movies, it would also have to be much more contagious. Humans typically catch rabies after being bitten by an infected animal, usually a dog-and the infection usually stops there. Climate change: West Antarctica's Getz glaciers flowing faster BBC News, 23 Feb 2021 15:11Z Satellites record the speed-up of glaciers along a 1000km stretch of Antarctic coastline. [Warm glaciers flow no faster coz of global warming... ... Mummy!] Oath Keeper Jessica Watkins 'Idiot' Who Was 'Brainwashed' by Conspiracies, Friend Argues Newsweek, 23 Feb 2021 13:08Z A friend of Jessica Watkins, Capitol riot suspect and member of the far- right Oath Keepers group, has requested a judge release from custody, claiming she is ... [Lawyer now says Watkins was not working with the SS]. How two radically different communities coexist beneath the canopies of California's iconic kelp forests Phys.org, 22 Feb 2021 Walk along the beach after a winter storm and you'll see a shore littered with wracks of giant kelp, some 30 to 40 feet long-evidence of the storm's impact on ... California's coronavirus strain looks increasingly dangerous Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb 2021 13:06Z A coronavirus variant that emerged in mid-2020 and surged to become the dominant strain in California not only spreads more readily than its predecessors, but ... [Stuff Up!] Michigan lung transplant recipient dies from COVID-19 spread by donor lungs WDIV ClickOnDetroit, 23 Feb 2021 06:02Z With careful screening organ transplants are still carried out in the era of COVID-19. However, doctors are learning more about how the disease can escape ... Expert says no cause for 'huge alarm' after flesh-eating bacteria found in inner Melbourne suburbs ABC News, 23 Feb 2021 05:45Z Health authorities detect cases of the Buruli ulcer in Essendon, Moonee Ponds and Brunswick West, but an expert says the risk of getting it is low and there are good treatments for the illness. [20 cases so far this year; normally 10 per year.Initially the infection looks like an insect bite but authorities say you need to get treatment right away before it starts to spread. The bug is carried by mosquitoes and was usually restricted to coastal areas 100s of km away. But it's now come to the city]. Aboriginal heritage site damaged near Pilbara BHP iron ore mine ABC News, 23 Feb 2021 08:43Z Mining giant BHP are investigating damage to a culturally significant Aboriginal site in Western Australia's iron ore-rich Pilbara region. Seven West Media announces news agreement with Facebook ABC News, 23 Feb 2021 09:20Z The media company's deal with Facebook is the first with a local publisher to be announced and comes hours after Facebook said it would reverse its block on Australian news sites. Ghost particle from shredded star reveals cosmic particle accelerator Phys.org, 22 Feb 2021 16:40Z Tracing back a ghostly particle to a shredded star, scientists have uncovered a gigantic cosmic particle accelerator. The subatomic particle, called a neutrino, ... We're on a 'one-way road to freedom,' Boris Johnson tells Britain after Covid lockdowns CNBC, 22 Feb 2021 20:38Z The lockdown easing for England will come in a number of steps and will be data dependent at every stage, the British prime minister said. Jobseeker to be raised by $50 a fortnight when coronavirus supplement scrapped [After 25y boosted from $40 to a generous $43.57 a day]. The Guardian, 22 Feb 2021 16:36Z The modest increase to the unemployment benefit is well below the $350 proposed by welfare advocates. Israel is giving the world a glimpse into a post-vaccine future. But not everyone is happy ABC News, 22 Feb 2021 15:08Z Australia's vaccine scheme is only just getting started. But in Israel, where half its population has received at least one dose, the vaccinated are getting their old lives back, with gyms, pools and sporting grounds opening just for them. Boeing recommends grounding its 777 aircraft after Denver engine failure ABC News, 22 Feb 2021 16:35Z Most airline companies that operate 777 planes say they'll follow the advice to temporarily withdraw them from their operating fleet. This 17,300-year-old kangaroo is Australia's oldest known rock art ABC Science, 22 Feb 2021 16:57Z The 17,300-year-old roo, portrayed in dark mulberry paint on the ceiling of a rock shelter in the Kimberley, is one of a suite of animal depictions -- and the odd human-like figure -- unveiled today. Cosmologists create 4,000 virtual universes to solve Big Bang mystery Livescience.com, 22 Feb 2021 12:53Z Cosmologists simulated 4000 versions of the universe in order to understand what its structure today tells us about its origins. Dominion Seeks $1.3 Billion In Lawsuit Against MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell NPR, 22 Feb 2021 15:48Z Dominion Voting Systems filed a defamation lawsuit against MyPillow Inc. and its CEO Mike Lindell on Monday, saying he spread false information that its voting ... Trump to tell CPAC he is Republican 'presumptive 2024 nominee' - report The Guardian, 22 Feb 2021 15:49Z Unnamed source tells news site Axios Trump's speech to the rightwing event will have the message 'I'm still in charge' Supreme Court Denies Trump's Bid to Conceal Financial Records The New York Times, 22 Feb 2021 16:09Z Washington. The Supreme Court on Monday rejected a last-ditch attempt by former President Donald J. Trump to shield his financial records, issuing a brief ... An Ex-KGB Agent Says Trump Was a Russian Asset Since 1987. Does it Matter? New York Magazine, 20 Feb 2021 14:22Z Donald Trump's relation to Russia was never explained completely. Craig Unger's new book, "American Kompromat," has former KGB agent Yuri Shvets saying ... A Ripple Effect of Loss: U.S. Covid Deaths Approach 500,000 Twice as many Americans have died as early worst-case projections. The New York Times, 21 Feb 2021 08:24Z [Any questions?] Lead levels in two-year-olds hit 10-year high in SA smelter city ABC North and West SA, 22 Feb 2021 05:07Z Smelter owner Nyrstar had promised a multi-million-dollar upgrade would halve the smelter's lead emissions, but they increased in the second half of last year. Melbourne doctors under investigation after endorsing hydroxychloroquine ABC News, 22 Feb 2021 06:06Z The Therapeutic Goods Administration issues a "cease and desist" letter to a group of Melbourne doctors who have been vocal in their support of an unapproved COVID-19 treatment. 30,000 Macs Infected With Newly Detected Form Of Malware, Dubbed 'Silver Sparrow' Yahoo Finance, 21 Feb 2021 22:45Z Some 30000 Mac computers have been infected with what until last week had been undetected malware, Ars Technica has reported. The 30000 detections ... Big GOP Donors Seek to Funnel Money to Anti-Trump Republicans to Prise Party from His Grip Newsweek, 22 Feb 2021 04:43Z Republicans are looking to inject large donations into the campaigns of candidates and politicians who have stood against Donald Trump as they seek to pry the ... Government to escalate Facebook feud by pulling advertising spend ABC News, 21 Feb 2021 at 11:28pm The government seeks to punish Facebook for "seeking to exert power or influence over our democratic systems", pulling ad spending which is potentially worth millions of dollars. [Cost of NG:] Texans 'slugged $US1,000 a day for electricity' during deadly deep freeze ABC News, 21 Feb 2021 at 11:53pm Elected officials in Texas say the state should help pay some of the eye-watering electricity bills sent to residents after the devastating and deadly winter storm that caused widespread blackouts. [Good news!! 4 new deadly spiders discovered in Australia!] Blind luck: Nullarbor cavers bring four new trapdoor spider species into the light ABC Radio Perth, 22 Feb 2021 01:00Z Scientists name limestone cave-dwelling spiders after Thai cave-rescue heroes following rare discoveries deep underground and some painstaking scientific detective work. Missing Sydney businesswoman has less than $6,000 in her bank accounts, court hears ABC News, 22 Feb 2021 01:59Z Melissa Caddick, who went missing in November shortly after the corporate watchdog ASIC raided her home, has just $5,600 in her bank accounts, a court hears. Long-Lost, Priceless Fossil Turns Out to Be a 30-Million-Year-Old Vampire Squid ScienceAlert, 21 Feb 2021 23:47Z Vampire squid have been lurking in the dark corners of the ocean for 30 million years, a new analysis of a long-lost fossil finds. 'We've had a gutful': Traditional owners threaten to shut Kakadu as park falls into disrepair ABC/Four Corners, 21 Feb 2021 20:00Z Kakadu is supposed to be a jewel in Australia's tourism crown, yet our biggest national park is falling into disrepair amid accusations of mismanagement and neglect. Rainfall has dropped by 20 per cent since 1970 in this part of WA. So what are the locals doing about it? ABC Weather, 21 Feb 2021 19:59Z The people of south-west Western Australia have no choice but to adapt to one of the world's greatest declines in rainfall. This is what they're doing about it. Australia joins global vaccine blitz as UK, US ramp up jab targets ABC News, 21 Feb 2021 20:43Z Vaccine rollouts begin across the country as Australia joins the international race to immunise against COVID-19. WA sees 6y high in emergency sunburns ABC News, 22 Feb 2021 WA has seen a 50% rise in emergency admissions for sunburn. Normally it sees about 200 cases a year where sunburn is so bad it required significant emergency treatment. But in the past 12m more then 320 cases turned up, many of them badly burned children. Severe sunburn is thought to be a major precursor of skin cancer. About 14k Australians a year are diagnosed with melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer. Survival rates are high -- about 90% -- but with 1429 deaths in 2018 it was the 10th most common cause of death. [Member -- radiation cain kill nobody]. Intrepid cyclist listed as a 'missing person' after eight-day Victorian trip without a phone signal ABC Gippsland, 21 Feb 2021 21:47Z After turning his phone on after eight days of travelling without reception, Layton Keddy was shocked to see his face plastered all over social media and listed by Victoria Police as a missing person. Virus Variants Deliver Fresh Blow to Europe's Open Borders The New York Times, 21 Feb 2021 20:34Z Brussels. As new variants of the coronavirus spread rapidly, major countries are moving to reintroduce border controls, a practice that's become Europe's ... Scientists unearth a consequence of solar panels in the Sahara Inverse, 21 Feb 2021 10:32Z Turning the world's most forbidding deserts into giant solar farms sounds perfect, right? Scientists say not quite. Fauci calls 500,000 coronavirus deaths 'terrible' POLITICO, 21 Feb 2021 16:27Z Dr. Anthony Fauci called the United States' approach of half a million deaths due to Covid-19 "terrible," "really horrible" and "historic" Sunday. "It's nothing like ... Close to 70 dead in states with severe winter weather: report The Hill, 21 Feb 2021 04:27Z While temperatures are already on the rise in Texas and other states battered by this week's severe winter weather, the freezing temperatures and extreme ... [Anobba Grate Idee!] Comments on: A Sea of Garbage: Ocean Floor Landfills SciTechDaily, 21 Feb 2021 17:56Z The Messina Strait, a submarine bridge separating the island of Sicily from the Italian Peninsula, is the area with the largest marine litter density worldwide ... [That Old Refrain:] Texas congressman: One energy company alerted ERCOT, Texas officials days before winter storms of potential problems. No one listened WFAA.com, 21 Feb 2021 15:54Z Dallas. The Texas electric grid was not built to withstand "much less than 10 degrees," U.S. Rep. Colin Allred, D-Dallas, said on Saturday evening. But low ... Almost half of Republicans would join Trump party: poll The Hill, 21 Feb 2021 17:53Z Nearly half of Republicans say they would abandon the party as it is currently structured and join a new party if former President Trump was its leader, according ... 50% of mild, moderate COVID patients have symptoms after 6 months - study The Jerusalem Post, 21 Feb 2021 14:37Z Nearly half of people who contract mild or moderate cases of COVID-19 still experience symptoms six months later, according to a new study published by Israeli ... Seven Hundred Leagues Beneath Titan's Methane Seas The New York Times, 21 Feb 2021 10:35Z Mars, Shmars; this voyager is looking forward to a submarine ride under the icebergs on Saturn's strange moon. Texas and California built different power grids, but neither stood up to climate change POLITICO, 21 Feb 2021 12:32Z Texas and California may be worlds apart in their politics and climate policies, but they have something in common: Extreme weather crashed their power grids ... Pfizer-BioNTech Shot Stops Covid's Spread, Israeli Study Shows Bloomberg, 21 Feb 2021 14:48Z The Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech SE Covid-19 vaccine appeared to stop the vast majority of recipients in Israel becoming infected, providing the first real-world ... Unprecedented Map of the Sun's Magnetic Field Created by CLASP2 Space Experiment SciTechDaily, 20 Feb 2021 16:26Z Every day space telescopes provide spectacular images of the solar activity. However, their instruments are blind to its main driver: the magnetic field in the outer ... Israel to issue badges as proof of vaccination KOMO News, 20 Feb 2021 22:24Z Jerusalem (AP). Israel unveiled a plan on Saturday to allow people who have been vaccinated against the coronavirus to attend cultural events, fly abroad ... Why a dazed deer in Tennessee had hair growing from its eyeballs Livescience.com, 20 Feb 2021 A whitetail deer was found stumbling through the streets of Farragut, Tennessee, with thick hair growing out of both of its eyeballs. March of the southern hairy-nosed wombat seen from space as trails crisscross the Nullarbor ABC Great Southern, 20 Feb 2021 at 11:17pm The southern hairy-nosed wombat might just have the perfect personality for life on the Nullarbor. Known for being "extremely funny" and "tough as nails" in equal measure, the once struggling species is now thriving in the vast, arid landscape. WWII survivor first in Australia to receive COVID-19 vaccine ABC News, 21 Feb 2021 04:28Z Jane Malysiak, an 84-year-old World War II survivor, becomes the first person in Australia to be vaccinated against COVID-19, saying she is excited but "didn't expect such a lot of people" to turn up to the event. Facebook removes main page of Myanmar military for 'incitement of violence' ABC News, 21 Feb 2021 05:28Z Facebook has come under heavy criticism for failing to contain online hate campaigns in Myanmar, despite having banned army chief Min Aung Hlaing -- now the military ruler -- in 2018. Hundreds of homes being 'left vacant' by landlords in Adelaide's CBD ABC News, 21 Feb 2021 05:27Z South Australia's peak housing welfare organisation says finding ways to unlock a vast body of vacant dwellings in Adelaide's CBD could help significantly reduce homelessness, as well as rental stress. Plane loses engine on flight out of Denver ABC News, 21 Feb 2021 01:47Z [UA Boeing 777]. 'I thought we were done': Passengers put driver's licences in their pockets after engine explodes ABC News, 21 Feb 2021 02:29Z The Boeing 777-200 had just reached cruising altitude and the captain was making an announcement when one of the plane's engines exploded and showered a US town with debris. All Facebook cares about is your personal data. Should it really be running Australia's quasi-public messaging board? ABC News, 20 Feb 2021 20:14Z The fog lifted after Facebook blocked Australians from "news content" last week; we saw the role the social media giant plays in Australian society. Our heavy reliance on a corporation to provide fundamental public services is deeply problematic, writes Gareth Hutchens. 'More likely to lie, to cheat, to swear': How power changes people ABC Radio National, 20 Feb 2021 20:13Z Have you ever noticed people get promotions for inspiring their workmates but change when in power? These experts share their tips to keep power in check. [Too Hard Basket:] Their homes are threatened by 'massive' falling rocks, and no-one knows what to do about it ABC News, 20 Feb 2021 20:13Z The Haddocks and Kemps loved their lifestyle in the isolated Sydney suburb of Great Mackerel Beach, but everything changed when the first boulders landed in their backyards, and authorities are worried there are more on the way. Herbicides in contaminated compost blamed on Melbourne council waste ABC News, 20 Feb 2021 21:12Z Recycling giant Suez says the powerful herbicides that contaminated a batch of compost produced at its Melbourne facility late last year, killing hundreds of home vegetable gardens, came from council green waste. 'Not good for life': Queensland river so polluted it poses threat to wildlife and public safety ABC News, 20 Feb 2021 22:11Z Ipswich's Bremer River is so heavily polluted and oxygen starved it is a risk to public safety, according to an independent study. The man behind the research says the waterway should be reclassified as "highly disturbed". [Moved Forward:] Australia's COVID-19 vaccination program will begin today, Health Minister Greg Hunt says ABC News, 20 Feb 2021 22:30Z With the first Pfizer doses originally due to be administered tomorrow, Mr Hunt tells the ABC's Insiders program a small group of people will be vaccinated today ahead of the broader rollout. Monsoon flooding in Indonesia's capital forces over 1,300 to flee their homes Global News, 20 Feb 2021 06:58Z Severe flooding across several areas in the Indonesian capital forced more than a thousand people to flee their homes on ... Indonesian police may probe coal miners over deforestation-linked floods Mongabay, 18 Feb 2021 Jakarta. Police in Indonesia are considering opening an investigation into allegations that a recent deadly flood in Borneo ... [Miniflu 2.0:] First human case of H5N8 bird flu reported in Russia The Hill, 20 Feb 2021 20:44Z Russia on Saturday announced that it has identified the first cases of H5N8 avian influenza in humans, according to multiple reports. 'Workers exposed to bird flocks': Russia detects first case of H5N8 bird flu in humans ABC News, 20 Feb 2021 22:11Z The nation's consumer health watchdog Rospotrebnadzor says seven workers at a poultry plant in Russia's south were confirmed to be infected with the H5N8 strain, but have since recovered without passing it on to anyone else. Biden declares major disaster in Texas, more than 14 million told to boil water after power failure CNBC, 20 Feb 2021 21:50Z President Joe Biden has approved a major disaster declaration for Texas as the state grapples with widespread power outages and water shortages. Octopuses Have a Secret Sense to Keep Their 8 Arms Out of Trouble The New York Times, 20 Feb 2021 10:51Z Even when an octopus can't see light with its eyes, its arms seem to know it is there. Why wind turbines in New York keep working in bitter cold weather unlike the ones in Texas syracuse.com, 19 Feb 2021 16:50Z Syracuse, N.Y. Texas Republicans were quick to blame the state's wind turbines for the massive power outages that millions of Texans experienced this week ... [Satan v Satan:] Trump gears up for war with his own party POLITICO, 20 Feb 2021 12:59Z There's no longer a chief of staff to screen his calls and he keeps no predictable working hours. So an unspoken rule has governed Donald Trump's calendar ... [Whiplash!] More snow Sunday - followed by 'what will feel like a heat wave' - after snowiest 3 weeks since 1979 FOX 32 Chicago, 19 Feb 2021 21:58Z More snow could be on the way Sunday as a cold snap that has taken hold of the Chicago area begins to release its icy grip. `I Am Worth It': Why Thousands of Doctors in America Can't Get a Job The New York Times, 18 Feb 2021 Medical schools are producing more graduates, but residency programs haven't kept up, leaving thousands of young doctors "chronically unmatched" and deep ... Russian Court Clears Way to Send Navalny to a Penal Colony The New York Times, 20 Feb 2021 13:50Z The ruling clears the way to send Aleksei Navalny, the most vocal opponent of President Vladimir V. Putin, to a penal colony. [Compounding!] Record-setting cold weather and COVID-19 a 'dual-trauma event' for Texas ABC News, 20 Feb 2021 03:49Z Doctors in in the US state of Texas, say they have never experienced a more harrowing week than this, with one explaining the fallout from record-setting cold weather "has completely rocked us in our ERs -- and in our own homes". [Don't worry, poly vortix is just a buzzword!] Protesters chant 'my body, my choice' days before COVID jab rollout ABC News, 20 Feb 2021 05:47Z Several thousand people join anti-vaccination protests across Australia just days out from the country administering its first coronavirus jabs. Biden to sign Texas disaster declaration, says he plans to visit state next week WHAS11 News, 20 Feb 2021 07:37Z In comments made Friday, President Joe Biden said he would sign the disaster declaration as soon as it is in front of him. Billions in damage across the South prompts focus on who's to blame, and who will pay Washington Post, 20 Feb 2021 07:42Z The cold surge may be the most expensive disaster in Texas history. But experts worry its causes won't be addressed. Google Fires Researcher Meg Mitchell, Escalating AI Saga Bloomberg, 20 Feb 2021 07:02Z Google fired the lead of its Ethical Artificial Intelligence team, Meg Mitchell, escalating the turmoil surrounding its AI division after the acrimonious exit of ... Meet Elizabeth Ann, the genetic copy of a ferret that died more than 30 years ago ABC News, 19 Feb 2021 at 8:34pm US scientists successfully clone an endangered black-footed ferret using frozen cells from a long-dead wild animal, the first time any native endangered species has been cloned in the United States. 'They've outcompeted everything': The decades-long battle against the invasive seastar ABC News, 19 Feb 2021 at 9:25pm For almost four decades Tasmanians have waged war against the invasive northern Pacific seastar, now a group of divers are hoping their sustained effort to remove it will make a difference -- and they have science on their side. 'I'd never seen anything like it': Family faces $29,000 bill after living in mouldy rental ABC News, 19 Feb 2021 at 10:14pm For most people, household mould is not a major issue, but for a minority, it can have a serious impact on their health if left unchecked. 'Soul destroying': Native wildlife carers forced to euthanase animals caught in bushfire ABC Mid West & Wheatbelt, 19 Feb 2021 at 10:40pm Wildlife rescuers face the difficult task of caring for animals with "terrible injuries" in the wake of a West Australian bushfire disaster. 9 Oath Keepers indicted for conspiracy, including 7 members of the tactical "stack" seen entering Capitol in combat gear CBS News, 20 Feb 2021 0:38Z Federal prosecutors announced a nine-person indictment of Oath Keepers militia members, including new charges for six who were recently arrested and ... Power outrage: Some seeing electric bills as high as $17K in wake of Texas winter storm WFAA, 19 Feb 2021 05:37Z BREAKING (20 Feb): Victoria has recorded 3 new cases of UK covid in the past 24 hrs. Another case has worsened and the patient transferred to ICU. All cases were in isolation or quarantine and no community cases were recorded. Quantum Spacetime Measured in an Major Step to Understanding the Fabric of Reality Physicists at Fermilab Measured Spacetime on the Planck Scale The Debrief, 19 Feb 2021 Scientists with Fermilab recently announced the successful measurement of quantum spacetime at the smallest imaginable scale in known physics, known as the Planck length. According to quantum mechanics, everything is continuously fluctuating on microscopic scales. However, when measuring quantum matter on the Planck-scale, scientists discovered that quantum spacetime is perfectly still in the smallest region possible. While considerable unknowns remain, gaining a better understanding of quantum spacetime's bizarre world could be a significant step to understanding the very fabric of reality and why things happen at definite times and places. ... Using an ultra-sensitive laser interferometer, the Holometer can detect holographic fluctuations in quantum spacetime. As laser light passes through an arrangement of mirrors in the Holometer, the mirrors can show minute jitters of matter, or quantum-geometrical fluctuations. Physicists call this property of spacetime "holographic" noise. ... Recently completing final experiments with the reconfigured Holometer, the Fermilab team of scientists once again found quantum spacetime at the Planck scale is perfectly still. "Our final result is again no jitters, which can be interpreted as no Planck-scale twists, of a certain kind, in the fabric of spacetime. It seems spacetime at the Planck scale is very quiet indeed," said Dr. Hogan in a statement provided by Fermilab. Results of the study were published in the journal General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology. ... White House Adviser Says Texas Outages Show How U.S. Is Unprepared For Climate Change NPR, 18 Feb 2021 23:04Z White House homeland security adviser Liz Sherwood-Randall says the extreme weather situation in Texas serves as a reminder that the U.S. is not fully ... Top scientists call for universal coronavirus vaccine Medical Xpress, 18 Feb 2021 20:51Z The prestigious journal Science on Thursday published an editorial calling for a global effort to develop a universal coronavirus vaccine that would remain ... Power back on for more than 90% of Austin; focus shifts to water, food access Austin American-Statesman, 18 Feb 2021 20:48Z More than 90% of Austin Energy customers had power as of Thursday afternoon, a warming development in the city's continued fight against the winter storm - a ... Earth's Magnetic Field Flipped 42,000 Years Ago. The Consequences Were Dramatic ScienceAlert, 19 Feb 2021 01:38Z A global period of upheaval 42000 years ago was the result of a reversal in Earth's magnetic field, new research has found. End of Neanderthals linked to flip of Earth's magnetic poles, study suggests The Guardian, 18 Feb 2021 20:51Z The flipping of the Earth's magnetic poles together with a drop in solar activity 42,000 years ago could have generated an apocalyptic environment that may ... UK PM Boris Johnson to call on G-7 support for 100-day target to develop new vaccines CNBC, 18 Feb 2021 22:37Z U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson will call on leaders of the world's largest economies to support efforts to speed up the development of new vaccines. Texas Storms, California Heat Waves and `Vulnerable' Utilities The New York Times, 18 Feb 2021 18:35Z In California, wildfires and heat waves in recent years forced utilities to shut off power to millions of homes and businesses. Now, Texas is learning that deadly ... Extreme weather 'will get worse' across the US and poses a security threat Daily Mail, 18 Feb 2021 15:36Z The experts made the proclamation on Wednesday as Texas battled winter storms that caused historic power outages, leaving millions of residents without heat ... US to pledge $US4 billion to COVAX global vaccine effort abandoned by Trump administration ABC News, 19 Feb 2021 0:54Z The US government will pledge $US4 billion to a vaccination program for developing countries at the G7 global economic summit in hopes that other countries will follow suit and contribute additional funds, US officials say. COVID claims another Anzac Day event over 'safety of veterans' ABC News, 19 Feb 2021 0:54Z Another Anzac Day parade is cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic amid concerns over the ability for such an event to be run safely. Look, but don't touch! Bushwalkers warned about potentially deadly fungus ABC Far North, 19 Feb 2021 0:52Z The world's second-deadliest fungus is spotted growing near a popular hiking trail in Far North Queensland, prompting a warning to bushwalkers. 'A slap in the face': Facebook ban on Australian news could have serious effects in the Pacific ABC/Pacific Beat, 18 Feb 2021 20:14Z Facebook's decision to block Australian news sites could help misinformation flourish in Pacific Island nations, where the platform is most popularly used to share and read news online. Tenants hit with rent hikes of up to $100 a week as COVID-19 protections expire ABC News, 18 Feb 2021 21:13Z Tasmanian residential tenants have been hit with rent hikes of up to $100 a week, with a wave of increases following the end of COVID-19 rental protections. Indonesia warns of big fines for refusing COVID-19 vaccine ABC News, 18 Feb 2021 21:13Z In what appears to be a world first, the Indonesian government declares jabs will be compulsory, with residents of Jakarta facing fines of more than $450 for refusing a COVID-19 vaccine. 'Wanting to be a good dad': Ted Cruz heads to Cancun amid Texas emergency ABC News, 18 Feb 2021 21:12Z Texas senator Ted Cruz is under fire after flying to Mexico for a family holiday as his home state battles a winter storm which has left millions of people without power or safe drinking water. [3-D TOUCHDOWN!] NASA rover makes a successful landing on Mars ABC News, 18 Feb 2021 21:12Z NASA's microbe-hunting Perseverance rover successfully lands on Mars after a seven-month journey spanning nearly half a billion kilometres. Yvonne's father died from a wound on his foot. But she says it was a 'culture of neglect' that really killed him ABC News, 18 Feb 2021 21:31Z Yvonne's father Henk Niemen died after a wound on his foot remained unseen by staff for five days at a Perth aged care facility. His daughter and the child of another deceased resident have serious concerns about the company's care of vulnerable residents. Sleep research - Lucid dreamers may be able to talk to the outside world The Economist/Opinion 18 Feb 2021 21:21Z Dreams are clearly important. All humans have them, as do animals from cats to elephants. Neuroscientists believe they are involved in the processing of ... 'Beginning of the end for Facebook': Q+A tackles the platform's Australian news ban ABC News, 18 Feb 2021 13:06Z Australia's shadow communications minister, Michelle Rowland, questions whether Facebook's news ban is the "beginning of the end" for the platform in Australia as eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant calls Facebook out for not doing enough in areas such as child safety. Facebook unrepentant as Prime Minister dubs emergency services block 'arrogant' ABC News, 18 Feb 2021 07:42Z Facebook's head of policy in the Asia-Pacific argues it was the government's proposed law -- and not a failure to test their algorithm -- that pushed them to "inadvertently" block emergency services pages during bushfire season. 'The only news left': Anti-vaccine pages unscathed by Facebook news ban ABC Science, 18 Feb 2021 07:43Z Fake news is spreading while Facebook blocks trusted news sites, leading to concerns of a spike in vaccine scare stories on the eve of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout. 'Wildly unfair': UN says 130 countries have not received a single Covid vaccine dose The Guardian, 18 Feb 2021 01:17Z UN secretary general calls for 'global vaccine taskforce' led by G20 in what he says is a 'moral test' of world community. Study: Genetic mutation inherited from Neanderthals could help protect against severe COVID cases The Hill, 17 Feb 2021 23:41Z Researchers have discovered a possible genetic link between Neanderthal DNA and a lower risk of developing a severe case of the coronavirus. [Miniflu!] Covid Causes Sharp Drop in U.S. Life Expectancy The New York Times, 18 Feb 2021 05:40Z Life expectancy in the United States fell by a full year in the first six months of 2020, the federal government reported on Thursday, the largest drop since World ... Federal Regulators Plan to Investigate Massive Texas Power Outage NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth, 18 Feb 2021 07:42Z Federal regulators have opened an inquiry into what caused the massive power outages across Texas. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) ... Counterfeit anti-COVID masks leave thousands of US hospital workers exposed ABC News, 18 Feb 2021 05:41Z US authorities fear that about 6,000 frontline health workers have been using knockoff face masks that "have no utility whatsoever", according to Homeland Security, potentially exposing them to the coronavirus. Facebook took down all of Australia's news content - and all my work went with it ABC Illawarra, 18 Feb 2021 06:33Z University of Wollongong student Maddie Date woke up this morning to find all her work for the student news outlet had disappeared, a casualty of Facebook's ban on Australian media. [In a TV interview Simon Milner (pom?), VP Facebook Australia Public Policy, refused to concede the move was ill-considered and the AI-based blocking s/w used had not been tested before it was activated. He indicated the problems many Australian groups faced this morning with their work lost or emergency messages unavailable to FB used was comparable to the problems the company would have paying for the material is uses to generate its mostly tax-free income]. 'They've spat the dummy': WA Premier accuses Facebook of acting like 'North Korean dictator' ABC News, 18 Feb 2021 05:41Z Mark McGowan accuses Facebook of "behaving like a North Korean dictator" over its nationwide ban on news content which has included wiping the pages of state MPs three weeks out from an election. Google will pay News Corp for the right to showcase its news articles CNBC, 17 Feb 2021 17:26Z Google struck a three-year deal with the Murdoch family owned media conglomerate News Corp., which includes ad revenue sharing and the development of a ... [Google seems to be "experimenting" with search function in Australia. When I stopped getting things in the search list I was expecting I changed to Bing and they turned up again]. Major Australian media company strikes Google news pay deal The Associated Press, 15 Feb 2021 03:39Z Canberra, Australia. Seven West Media has become the largest Australian news media business to strike a deal with Google to pay for journalism in a ... Facebook restricts Australians' access to news ABC News, 17 Feb 2021 19:47Z Australians are being blocked from accessing news in their Facebook feeds, in a dramatic escalation of the social media giant's stand-off with the federal government. Facebook can't be trusted for reliable news, says government, as Mark Zuckerberg speaks to the Treasurer ABC News, 17 Feb 2021 21:43Z Facebook's credibility as a source for news should be questioned, according to Communications Minister Paul Fletcher, who warns content on the site will now come from groups without fact-checking capabilities or editorial policies. Pfizer says South African variant could significantly reduce vaccine protection CNBC, 17 Feb 2021 23:14Z A laboratory study suggests that the South African variant of the coronavirus may reduce antibody protection from the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine by two-thirds, and ... `Bristol Covid variant' that may diminish vaccine efficacy discovered for first time in US The Independent, 17 Feb 2021 18:13Z The Bristol variant of the coronavirus has been detected for the first time in the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said on ... [Read The Labels People!] Some COVID-19 vaccine intended for second doses 'inadvertently' given as first doses instead, Pa. health secretary says WTAE Pittsburgh, 17 Feb 2021 23:46Z Some COVID-19 vaccine that was shipped to providers and intended as second doses was inadvertently used as first doses, Pennsylvania's acting health ... Amid Rising Seas, `Dry' Jersey Shore Resort Is Wetter Than It Likes NBC 10 Philadelphia, 17 Feb 2021 22:09Z The impacts of rising sea levels can be clearly seen in Ocean City, New Jersey, a family resort town spending tens of millions of dollars to deal with flooding. Victoria's third lockdown is over but what is the political cost for Daniel Andrews? ABC News, 17 Feb 2021 19:46Z Victoria's snap coronavirus lockdown could present a new challenge for Daniel Andrews if he has to take tough action in the future, with the Premier's social and political capital taking a hit over the past week, writes Richard Willingham. Victorian lockdown 'not about a virus', Liberal MP tells online protest group ABC News, 17 Feb 2021 21:44Z Three Victorian Liberal MPs address a group of vaccine conspiracy theorists and anti-lockdown protesters at an online rally, hours before the state's stage 4 restrictions lift. 'The world's leading bank robbers': US indicts North Korean hackers ABC News, 17 Feb 2021 22:42Z Three North Korean computer programmers are charged by the US over a massive hacking spree aimed at stealing more than $US1.3 billion in money and cryptocurrency, affecting companies from banks to Hollywood movie studios. The CDC Just Predicted a "Rapid Rise" in COVID Cases Best Life, 17 Feb 2021 19:30Z A new report from the CDC has predicted that highly contagious variants of the virus could lead to a "rapid rise" in COVID cases. New Covid-19 Nigerian variant detected in the UK with 38 confirmed cases The Sun, 16 Feb 2021 Million-year-old mammoth DNA rewrites animal's evolutionary tree Ars Technica, 17 Feb 2021 18:30Z Ancient DNA has revolutionized how we understand human evolution, revealing how populations moved and interacted and introducing us to relatives like the ... This million-year-old DNA from mammoth teeth is the oldest ever sequenced ABC Science, 17 Feb 2021 15:58Z It's not quite Jurassic Park, but scientists have successfully extracted and reconstructed million-year-old DNA from mammoth teeth -- and solved a couple of mysteries about the creatures' evolutionary history along the way. NASA Will Listen for Thumps on Mars From Perseverance Rover's Arrival The New York Times, 17 Feb 2021 22:54Z When the Perseverance rover sets down on Mars on Thursday, another NASA spacecraft already there will be listening for the thump-thump that will result when ... Son of prominent conservative Brent Bozell charged in Capitol riot The Hill, 17 Feb 2021 15:25Z Authorities have charged Leo Brent Bozell IV, son of prominent conservative commentator Leo Brent Bozell III, for crimes related to the mob attack on the Capitol. Siberia's Newest Exploding Crater Has Been Mapped in 3D Gizmodo, 17 Feb 2021 18:23Z For the first time ever, geologists have used a drone to map the interior of a giant blowout crater, the likes of which have appeared with increasing regularity in ... Holiday COVID-19 surge to blame for rising cases of inflammatory syndrome in children in some US cities ABC News, 17 Feb 2021 10:53Z In recent weeks, hospitals in Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, Colorado, Nebraska and New Jersey have reported an increase in cases of MIS-C cases, a rare ... UK will soon expose volunteers to Covid in world's first 'human challenge' study CNBC, 17 Feb 2021 14:52Z The U.K. is to be the first country in the world to run a Covid-19 "human challenge" study, following approval from the country's clinical trials ethics body. MDH updates quarantine guidelines as cases among those vaccinated emerge in U.S. KSTP, 17 Feb 2021 05:50Z The Minnesota Department of Health issued updated quarantine guidelines for the general public on Tuesday. The new recommendations follow CDC protocol . [Projection 101:] Putin says Russia needs to safeguard parliamentary elections from foreign meddling Yahoo News, 17 Feb 2021 13:49Z Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday Russia needed to ensure that its parliamentary vote scheduled for September is free of foreign meddling ... A Glimpse of America's Future: Climate Change Means Trouble for Power Grids The New York Times, 17 Feb 2021 12:47Z Systems are designed to handle spikes in demand, but the wild and unpredictable weather linked to global warming will very likely push grids beyond their ... Ford invests $1 billion in German plant, targets move to 'all-electric' passenger vehicles in Europe by 2030 CNBC, 17 Feb 2021 10:36Z Alongside passenger cars, Ford wants its commercial vehicle offering to focus on low and zero emission tech too. 'Contrary to basic human rights': Biden says China to face repercussions over abuse of Muslim minorities ABC News, 17 Feb 2021 06:29Z China will pay a price for its human rights abuses, United States President Joe Biden warned, responding to queries on the Asian nation's handling of Muslim minorities in its far western region of Xinjiang. Facebook deletes Pete Evans's Instagram account ABC News, 17 Feb 2021 08:26Z Celebrity chef Pete Evans is permanently booted off Instagram after sharing misinformation about coronavirus and vaccines. CenterPoint Energy states power outages 'could last several more days'; more than half of customers still without power Community Impact Newspaper, 16 Feb 2021 23:01Z CenterPoint Energy officials stated in a Feb. 16 release that its customers could be without power for several more days as the Electric Reliability Council of ... Travis County judge signing order to turn off outside lighting, prohibit price gouging KVUE.com, 17 Feb 2021 01:10Z Austin, Texas. Travis County Judge Andy Brown said Tuesday that he is signing an order to require Austin businesses, stadiums and skyscrapers to turn off ... 'Completely unacceptable': Abbott says ERCOT hasn't been transparent, demands answers about Texas power outages WFAA.com, 17 Feb 2021 02:09Z Dallas. During a live interview Tuesday afternoon, Gov. Greg Abbott called for more transparency and more answers from the state's utility leaders amid the ... NEW McLaren Artura: A 205mph PLUG-IN Hybrid Supercar AutoTrader, 17 Feb 2021 0:57Z 'We've never seen this sort of event': Dead, sick baby turtles wash up in Queensland after eating plastic ABC Capricornia, 17 Feb 2021 01:37Z Scientists report an "unusually large number" of weeks-old flatback turtles washing up on the Capricorn Coast with plastic debris in their systems. NSW Premier says 35,000 frontline workers to receive COVID-19 vaccine from Monday ABC News, 17 Feb 2021 0:20Z NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian says the process of vaccinating 35,000 frontline workers will take three weeks and will take place at three Sydney hospitals. [In Qld the govt has announced only 100 people will be vaccinated on Mon. The Prem has called in Qld-ers not to panic at the slow rollout]. Some mask rules and home visit limits will remain once Victoria's snap lockdown ends tonight ABC News, 16 Feb 2021 at 10:48pm Victoria's snap "circuit-breaker" coronavirus lockdown will end on schedule tonight, Premier Daniel Andrews confirms, but masks will be mandatory in most indoor and outdoor settings and caps on gatherings will be in place. At Least 12 Deaths Tied to Winter Storm Uri as Millions Remain Without Power in Texas and Some Lose Water, Too The Weather Channe, 16 Feb 2021 17:33Z With millions of homes without power and the coldest temperatures in decades, Texans endured a miserable night in the aftermath of Winter Storm Uri. Biggest Oil Refineries in U.S. Are Going Dark Amid the Cold Yahoo Finance, 16 Feb 2021 (Bloomberg). After creating havoc in the power and natural gas markets, the next commodity sector causing concern in Texas is the state's enormous oil ... Natural gas, not wind turbines, main driver of Texas power shortage PolitiFact, 16 Feb 2021 23:18Z When a rare blast of Arctic air and ice hit Texas and resulted in a massive power outage, the critics of wind power were quick to focus on the wind turbines that ... You Can Thank Climate Change For Extreme Weather Patterns Wreaking Havoc in Texas and Across the U.S. NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth, 16 Feb 2021 21:21Z As Texas and other portions of the country shelter in place and brace for a second wave of winter storms, some are questioning what role climate change has ... Severe weather, blackouts show the grid's biggest problem is infrastructure, not renewables TechCrunch, 15 Feb 2021 18:35Z It's becoming harder for the U.S. to ignore the very real effects of global climate change - and despite the efforts of naysayers, it's not a push to renewables ... Barnaby Joyce pushes his own government to allow 'green bank' to invest in coal ABC News, 16 Feb 2021 13:19Z Former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce moves to change his own government's legislation to allow the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, which invests in Australia's transition to lower emissions, to invest in coal-fired power. The coronavirus is here to stay - here's what that means Nature.com, 16 Feb 2021 11:13Z A Nature survey shows many scientists expect the virus that causes COVID-19 to become endemic, but it could pose less danger over time. Winter weather: 3 dead in North Carolina tornado; millions still without power in Texas; more ice, snow coming USA TODAY, 16 Feb 2021 15:10Z The unrelenting winter weather is showing no signs of letting up. At least three people were killed in a tornado that tore through a seaside North Carolina town ... Polar vortex brings extreme cold, winter weather to central US News 19 WLTX, 15 Feb 2021 23:09Z India's dramatic fall in virus cases leaves experts stumped Associated Press, 16 Feb 2021 07:24Z New Delhi. When the coronavirus pandemic took hold in India, there were fears it would sink the fragile health system of the world's second-most ... Blue-Green Algae Could Help Keep Humans Alive on Mars, Experiment Suggests ScienceAlert, 16 Feb 2021 05:23Z Mars may not have a lot going on at the moment, life-wise, but the dusty red planet may not be as inhospitable as it seems. The Colossal Weight of Cities Is Making Them Sink, Even as Sea Levels Are Rising ScienceAlert, 16 Feb 2021 02:21Z Cities don't just have sea level rises to worry about - they're also slowly sinking under the weight of their own development, according to new research, which ... Homeless to be evicted from hotel because WA Government won't pay, owner says ABC News, 16 Feb 2021 05:46Z A group of homeless people, including children and pregnant women, are set to be evicted from a Perth hotel because the owner says the WA Government has reneged on its promise to foot the bill -- but the government disputes it made the bookings. Ross River virus infections reach record levels in NSW ABC North Coast, 16 Feb 2021 05:45Z Three months ago Graeme Stuart was playing golf, paddling a dragon boat and loving life as a grey nomad. Now, thanks to the debilitating virus, even simple tasks are sometimes beyond him. [Compounding!] Why is the power still out? ERCOT and CenterPoint explain outage KHOU.com, 15 Feb 2021 20:41Z Those in Houston and other parts of Texas started experiencing power outages as the grid was put under stress due to Arctic weather. Frozen Wind Farms Are Just a Small Piece of Texas's Power Woes Yahoo Finance, 16 Feb 2021 01:41Z (Bloomberg). Don't point too many fingers at Texas wind turbines, because they're not the main reason broad swaths of the state have been plunged into ... City of Abilene: 2-3 hours of water left; Eliminate all non-essential use immediately KTXS, 16 Feb 2021 0:40Z The City of Abilene said water customers have two to three hours of treated water capacity remaining at current consumption levels. "Immediate curtailment of ... Scientists say Jupiter was responsible for the asteroid that killed the dinosaurs The Next Web, 15 Feb 2021 22:37Z One of the galaxy's oldest whodunits may have finally been solved thanks to some simulation-powered super sleuthing from Harvard University. In this case, we ... CO2 dip may have helped dinosaurs walk from South America to Greenland Phys.org, 15 Feb 2021 20:37Z A new paper refines estimates of when herbivorous dinosaurs must have traversed North America on a northerly trek to reach Greenland, and points out an ... Planet Nine Might Be a Giant Illusion, Scientists Say, And Here's Why ScienceAlert, 15 Feb 2021 22:23Z A hypothetical mystery planet thought to be responsible for strange orbits in the outer Solar System just got dealt one of its biggest blows yet. Light used to detect quantum information stored in 100,000 nuclear quantum bits Phys.org, 15 Feb 2021 16:20Z Researchers have found a way to use light and a single electron to communicate with a cloud of quantum bits and sense their behavior, making it possible to ... 'Probably the biggest bribe ever given': The woman who exposed Putin ABC/Foreign Correspondent, 15 Feb 2021 19:30Z She's a thorn in the side of Russia's strongman President. Maria Pevchikh claims her latest expose confirms Vladimir Putin is secretly "the richest person in the world". [Belated:] UK introduces Australian-style hotel quarantine. But one perk for guests could be 'very risky' ABC News, 15 Feb 2021 20:27Z Nearly a year after the coronavirus pandemic began, the UK has introduced an Australian-style hotel quarantine system, but with some major differences. Calls for dedicated quarantine facility for Victoria, with Avalon Airport exploring options ABC News, 15 Feb 2021 19:28Z Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton says it would be "fantastic" if Victoria had a stand-alone hotel quarantine facility like Howard Springs, as Avalon Airport is mooted as a regional site for a hotel quarantine new facility. Travellers at Holiday Inn 'hot hotel' to be transferred after water damage ABC News, 15 Feb 2021 20:54Z Residents at the Holiday Inn on Flinders Lane, a quarantine hotel specifically for COVID-positive patients, will be transferred to another facility after water damage over the weekend. How mental health services funded during the pandemic could be Australia's missing link ABC News, 15 Feb 2021 20:27Z In Victoria, 15 dedicated mental health clinics were set up last year as a response to the pandemic. Advocates say these clinics can save lives and transform a 'broken' system, but need to be funded beyond the promised 12 months. 'False and fake' $36m tourism plan for North Stradbroke Island wasted on controversial projects, locals say ABC News, 15 Feb 2021 20:26Z Tourism operators on North Stradbroke Island off Brisbane say a $36 million tourism fund should be spent on practical things like new toilet blocks, beach showers and footpaths not on controversial projects like the "Whale on the Hill" attraction. WHO confirms dramatic fall in new COVID-19 cases globally ABC News, 15 Feb 2021 20:33Z The World Health Organization says there has been a significant fall in the number of new coronavirus cases being reported globally as vaccine rollouts continue, while Melbourne is waking up to day four of its "circut-breaker" lockdown. 'Huge step for British car manufacturing': Luxury car brand Jaguar to go all electric by 2025 ABC News, 15 Feb 2021 20:32Z Struggling luxury car brand Jaguar plans to phase out internal combustion engines -- a move that has been welcomed by the British automotive industry and its Prime Minister. High-altitude birds evolved thicker 'jackets' BBC News, 15 Feb 2021 14:43Z Himalayan songbirds in colder, more elevated environments have feathers with more fluffy down. Why do we breathe so loudly when we sleep? Livescience.com, 15 Feb 2021 12:43Z During the most peaceful sleep, some people snore obnoxiously loud, ruining the chances of slumber for anyone sharing their bedroom. But even those who ... Ancient Rome Has an Urgent Warning for Us The New York Times/Opinion, 15 Feb 2021 10:39Z The era of the Antonine Plague offers a reminder of what a powerful force nature has been throughout human history. Life found feet beneath 3,000 feet Antarctica ice sheet Business Insider, 15 Feb 2021 12:38Z Scientist have found life under 3,000 feet under of ice in Antarctica, challenging their assumption that nothing could live in such conditions. The previous theory ... New video captures discovery of spongy animals deep under Antarctic ice Livescience.com, 15 Feb 2021 11:41Z Scientists discovered a rock covered with unknown animals under an Antarctic ice shelf. Scientists Accidentally Discover Strange Creatures Under a Half Mile of Ice WIRED, 15 Feb 2021 05:39Z Bivouacked in the middle of the Filchner-Ronne Ice Shelf -- a 5-hour flight from the nearest Antarctic station -- nothing comes easy. Even though it was the ... Sea level data confirms climate modeling projections were right Phys.org, 15 Feb 2021 14:38Z Projections of rising sea levels this century are on the money when tested against satellite and tide-gauge observations, scientists find. WTO Finally Appoints Its First Woman and First African Leader The Daily Beast, 15 Feb 2021 16:37Z Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has been appointed the first woman and the first African to lead the World Trade Organization as Director-General. The Nigerian-American ... How Victoria's outbreak swelled from three cases in quarantine to a cluster of 17 ABC News, 15 Feb 2021 06:30Z Victorian contact tracers close off some "branches of investigation" from early cases, but are still trying to get ahead of those stemming from a private function in Melbourne's north. Fifty people in Queensland yet to be traced after transiting Melbourne Airport exposure zone ABC News, 15 Feb 2021 03:32Z Queensland Health says 50 people who passed through Melbourne Airport's declared coronavirus exposure zone are yet to be contacted, as the Gold Coast misses out on hosting a world surfing tour because authorities will not pick up the quarantine tab for competitors. PPE taskforce member 'flabbergasted' stricter standards weren't applied in Victorian hotel quarantine ABC News, 15 Feb 2021 05:31Z Victoria's beleaguered hotel quarantine program was not following the same infection control standards drawn up by a PPE taskforce, which were being applied to the rest of the state's health system. Israel study on Pfizer vaccine shows 94% drop in symptomatic COVID-19 cases Yahoo News, 14 Feb 2021 21:42Z A recent study by Israel's largest healthcare provider found that after both doses of the Pfizer vaccine, people are 94% less likely to have symptomatic COVID-19 ... [Rolling Outage:] Texas power grid straining under cold, rolling outages or blackouts possible as soon as tonight: ERCOT KTRK-TV, 14 Feb 2021 16:40Z The manager of Texas' electric grid is bracing for record electricity usage while managing unusually high power-generation problems that could lead to rolling ... Guinea declares first Ebola outbreak since 2016, after confirming 7 new cases linked to a funeral Business Insider, 14 Feb 2021 21:38Z Guinea has declared an Ebola outbreak for the first time since 2016, when a two-year outbreak in West Africa finally ended after killing more than 11,000 people. Soaring crime is killing NYC's subway system New York Post, 15 Feb 2021 01:36Z Two more straphangers met their gruesome end on Gotham's subways over the weekend, bringing the transit-murder total in just over a year to eight. Before ... The Tesla Semi's 500 kWh battery and Convoy Mode are grossly underestimated Teslarati, 15 Feb 2021 02:34Z The Tesla Semi may be delayed for quite some time now, but it appears that Elon Musk's all-electric Class 8 truck will be well worth the wait. And as the ... Brookfield Renewable Sees a More Than $100 Trillion Opportunity Ahead The Motley Fool, 14 Feb 2021 The renewable energy giant believes we're still in the early stages of a massive, multidecade investment cycle. Biden calls for Congress to pass stricter gun laws on anniversary of Parkland mass shooting CNBC, 14 Feb 2021 21:33Z President Joe Biden on Sunday called on Congress to strengthen gun laws on the third anniversary of the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High ... BREAKING (15 Feb): ABC says there is a good chance Melbourne's lock-down could be extended after tram lines, the Vic Market and a party have been listed as spreader sites. In what was described as a "comedy of errors" a hotel worker's test that was initially flagged "-ve" was found to be weakly positive and a party she attended may now have spread to other people who've had 6 days to further spread the virus. Authorities confirm human remains found inside crocodile believed to be missing fisherman ABC News, 14 Feb 2021 05:44Z Human remains are found inside a four-metre crocodile believed to have fatally attacked a 69-year-old fisherman in far north Queensland last week, authorities confirm. JobKeeper numbers fall as scheme nears its finishing date ABC News, 14 Feb 2021 11:43Z New figures from the ATO show that the number of people collecting JobKeeper support more than halved across the final three months of 2020. New Zealand puts largest city into lockdown over three positive COVID-19 cases New York Post, 14 Feb 2021 14:39Z Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern ordered the three-day lockdown for Auckland after a couple and their daughter tested positive in the nation widely hailed for ... No conviction, but Trump Senate trial provided valuable evidence for possible prosecutions USA TODAY/Opinion, 14 Feb 2021 15:37Z Democrats won the impeachment witness fight when Trump's team agreed to enter evidence of the call showing his dereliction of duty in the Capitol attack. Research highlights ways to protect astronaut cardiovascular health from space radiation Phys.org, 12 Feb 2021 Space: the final frontier. What's stopping us from exploring it? Well, lots of things, but one of the major issues is space radiation, and the effects it can have on ... [No Question:] After not-guilty vote, McConnell says Trump 'morally responsible' for Capitol riot Yahoo News, 13 Feb 2021 22:02Z U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell called Donald Trump "practically and morally responsible" for his supporters' deadly attack on the Capitol, only ... Scientists identify how harmless gut bacteria 'turn bad' Phys.org, 13 Feb 2021 An international team of scientists has determined how harmless E. coli gut bacteria in chickens can easily pick up the genes required to evolve to cause a ... [We're Hee-ah!] China Releases Breathtaking Video From Spacecraft Orbiting Mars Futurism, 12 Feb 2021 China's space agency has released amazing footage of its Tianwen-1 probe orbiting Mars. It shows an incredible amount of detail. NASA Invites Public to Share Thrill of Mars Perseverance Rover Landing NASA, 12 Feb 2021 NASA is inviting the public to take part in virtual activities and events as the agency's Mars 2020 Perseverance rover nears entry, descent, and landing on the ... United Arab Emirates becomes the first Arab country to reach Mars CNBC, 09 Feb 2021 21:29Z The Emirates Mars mission, named the Hope probe, has made the UAE the first Arab country and the fifth globally to reach the red planet. BREAKING (14 Feb): The Senate has "rebuked" Pres Trump 57/43 in his 2nd impeachment trial. The numbers were not enough to convict Mr Trump of inciting insurrection. Mr Trump says the result is a vindication and proof of the biggest witch hunt in history. He said his movement to MAGA has only just begun. Commentators say it's not over yet from another angle. The Congress has the option to pass legislation to prevent Mr Trump running for public office again. Tim Kaine Says 'Most Shocking Revelation' of Trial Involves Trump Tweet Attacking Pence Newsweek, 13 Feb 2021 20:33Z Democratic Senator Tim Kaine said Saturday that the "most shocking revelation" of Donald Trump's second impeachment trial so far has involved Trump's tweet ... White House has 'deep concerns' over China role in WHO Covid-19 report The Guardian, 13 Feb 2021 19:34Z White House has requested data from the early days of the outbreak that must be free from 'alteration by the Chinese government' Pakistan zoo officials believe two white tiger cubs have died from coronavirus ABC News, 13 Feb 2021 09:51Z Two 11-week-old white tiger cubs in a Pakistan zoo have died after contracting coronavirus from a handler, officials say. [Sur-prise!] Greek tennis player tests positive for COVID-19 after leaving Australia following ATP Cup stint ABC News, 13 Feb 2021 12:50Z Tennis Australia says a Greek player -- who says he has tested positive for coronavirus in South Africa -- tested negative before he left Australia on February 9 following the ATP Cup in Melbourne. [In other news 2 new community cases of covid were detected in the past 24 hrs from 21,000 tests]. [On The Beach:] Is hotel quarantine worth the risk as variants spread? Here are the alternatives ABC News, 13 Feb 2021 18:49Z With the emergence of international variants of the virus throwing a new spanner in the works, questions are again being raised about the weaknesses of Australia's quarantine programs, and what we can learn from how other countries are managing the crisis. How a junior employee on $27,000 helped bring down James Packer's billion- dollar empire ABC/7.30, 13 Feb 2021 19:48Z Crown Resorts may be pondering how its current predicament could have been averted if the company had just compensated and apologised to a junior employee for putting her in danger in China. [Nuttin Two Hide!] The one potential coronavirus clue China would not hand over to the WHO's pandemic investigators ABC News, 13 Feb 2021 19:57Z Some experts are questioning the purpose of the World Health Organization's coronavirus probe in China, which wraps up after months of diplomatic tension with no clarity on how the virus began. China refused to provide WHO with raw data on COVID cases, says Australian investigator ABC News, 13 Feb 2021 11:51Z An Australian infectious disease expert says Chinese authorities refused to give raw data on early COVID-19 cases to a World Health Organization-led team probing the origins of the pandemic. 'It's absolute Russian Roulette': Home gardeners angry after using toxic compost ABC News, 13 Feb 2021 20:06Z A batch of commercial compost leaves a Suez recycling facility in Melbourne bound for Victorian garden centres. Crops begin to die within weeks. Thought-detection: AI has infiltrated our last bastion of privacy VentureBeat, 13 Feb 2021 15:09Z Our thoughts are private - or at least they were. New breakthroughs in neuroscience and artificial intelligence are changing that assumption, while at the same ... 'How do I get home?' Frantic scenes as Australian Open hit by COVID-19 lockdown Sporting News, 13 Feb 2021 04:07Z It's 1 p.m. at the Australian Open on a beautiful, sunny Friday afternoon in Melbourne, but no one's eyes are on the tennis. Everyone is glued to their phones as ... With the Economy on the Ropes, Hungary Goes All In on Mass Vaccination The New York Times, 13 Feb 2021 05:07Z Hungary on Friday began injecting citizens with Russia's Sputnik V vaccine, becoming the first country in the European Union to administer a coronavirus ... Nationwide winter storms: Icy roads cause pile-up in Tennessee; about 300,000 people without power in Oregon USA TODAY, 13 Feb 2021 18:57Z Heavy snow and ice blasted the Pacific Northwest into Saturday morning, leaving hundreds of thousands without power. Powerful Earthquake Strikes Japan The New York Times, 13 Feb 2021 18:43Z The epicenter of the quake was off the coast of Fukushima Prefecture, the site of a massive earthquake and tsunami in 2011 that killed thousands and caused ... Earth to Voyager 2: After a Year in the Darkness, We Can Talk to You Again The New York Times, 12 Feb 2021 10:43Z In the nearly 44 years since NASA launched Voyager 2, the spacecraft has gone beyond the frontiers of human exploration by visiting Uranus, Neptune and, ... Quantum Theory Proposes That Cause and Effect Can Go In Loops Universe Today, 12 Feb 2021 12:42Z Causality is one of those difficult scientific topics that can easily stray into the realm of philosophy. Science's relationship with the concept started out simply ... Robocalls and scam calls persist during pandemic, so Americans have stopped answering the phone USA TODAY, 12 Feb 2021 23:12Z During the coronavirus pandemic, robocalls slowed, but still 45.9 billion were made. And the calls appear to be rising again as call centers reopen. [It seems I'm 40 years ahead of Americans]. Trump lawyers find a way to blame antifa for Capitol riot Yahoo News, 12 Feb 2021 19:10Z Donald Trump's lawyers made the case Friday that it was a "preposterous and monstrous lie" to suggest that the former president had incited an insurrection by ... 'These are public waters': Locals upset as salmon producer stays silent on mass fish deaths ABC News, 12 Feb 2021 at 9:28pm Tasman Peninsula residents call on salmon producer Tassal to detail the cause of mass fish deaths at their lease near Port Arthur, but the company says it has been reported to regulators as required. Eyes on France as Google strikes $98 million deal with local publishers ABC News, 12 Feb 2021 at 11:43pm Google agrees to pay $98 million over three years to a group of 121 French news publishers, angering independent outlets who say the deal is unfair and opaque. With 480 Australian athletes destined for Tokyo anxiety's high as only 78 have been selected ABC South West Vic, 13 Feb 2021 01:16Z Australia plans on sending one of its largest ever away team of athletes to the Toyko Games this year. There's just one problem -- there are no competitions available for them to qualify. BREAKING (13 Feb): The cluster of confirmed UK covid cases has increased to 20 overnight. At a press conf Prem Andrews said areas of concern now include Broadmeadows, the Craigieburn train line, and Melbourne airport. Tracers have gone through electronic records for Melb airport and more than 2000 people have been asked to get a test and isolate as they were on the premises around the time infected people were transiting. Mr Andrews said all contacts will be interviewed to chase down further contacts. Holiday Inn cluster grows to 14 cases after worker's friend tests positive ABC News, 12 Feb 2021 at 10:15pm A locally acquired coronavirus case reported by Victoria's health authorities on the first day of a snap lockdown has been linked back to the Melbourne Airport Holiday Inn outbreak, bringing the cluster to 14 cases. [Nuttin Two Hide!] Amazon sues New York's AG to stop a COVID-19 safety investigation Engadget, 12 Feb 2021 21:57Z Amazon is suing New York Attorney General Letitia James over an investigation into COVID-19 safety concerns at two fulfillment centers. In the lawsuit, Amazon ... Was Stonehenge moved? New clues suggest the prehistoric monument was first built in Wales USA TODAY, 12 Feb 2021 20:56Z Origins of the prehistoric Stonehenge remain a mystery 5,000 years later, but new research suggests that its bluestones may actually be a dismantled Welsh ... Four Oregonians tested positive for COVID after being fully vaccinated KGW.com, 12 Feb 2021 22:35Z Portland, Ore. The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) on Friday announced that four Oregonians who have been fully vaccinated later tested positive for ... Astronomers Looking for One Black Hole May Have Found an Entire Squad Gizmodo, 12 Feb 2021 21:34Z About 7800 light-years away-within our galactic neighborhood-is globular cluster NGC 6397, basically a wad of stars held together by gravity. That bunch of ... Europa Decision Delivers Crushing Blow To NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) Hackaday, 12 Feb 2021 18:34Z These days, NASA deciding to launch one of their future missions on a commercial rocket is hardly a surprise. After all, the agency is now willing to fly their ... Cause of mysterious dark streaks on Mars found Livescience.com, 12 Feb 2021 18:33Z Landslides may be causing mysterious dark streaks on the Martian surface, scientists have found. With a reported deal in the wings for Joby Aviation, electric aircraft soars to $10B business Yahoo Tech, 12 Feb 2021 14:31Z One year after nabbing $590 million from investors led by Toyota, and a few months after picking up Uber's flying taxi business, Joby Aviation is reportedly in ... [Immuni^H^H^HReinfected!] Recovered Covid patients have been reinfected with new virus strains, WHO says CNBC, 12 Feb 2021 21:01Z Preliminary reports from South Africa show people who have recovered from Covid-19 have been reinfected with a new, more contagious variant of the virus. Bumble founder Whitney Wolfe Herd becomes youngest self-made woman billionaire after IPO Fox Business, 12 Feb 2021 20:59Z Bumble founder and CEO Whitney Wolfe Herd became the world's youngest self-made woman billionaire this week after shares of the dating app company ... GameStop: Did investors win or lose? BBC News, 12 Feb 2021 10:58Z Russia Threatens To Cut Ties With EU If Sanctions Are Imposed Over Jailing Of Navalny NPR, 12 Feb 2021 18:57Z Russia said Friday that it is prepared to cut ties with the European Union if the bloc slaps economic sanctions on the Kremlin in retaliation for the detention of ... New study reveals biodiversity important at regional scales Phys.org, 11 Feb 2021 New research shows that biodiversity is important not just at the traditional scale of short-term plot experiments-in which ecologists monitor the health of a ... Bombshell Report Surfaces On COVID Deaths In New York Nursing Homes CBS New York, 12 Feb 2021 04:55Z Fruit juice will now have a lower health star rating than diet cola in shift to sugar-based grading ABC/Vic Country Hour, 12 Feb 2021 03:49Z Today's decision by state and territory ministers infuriates fruit producers but aligns with a campaign against high-sugar products in family shopping trolleys. 'Groundhog Day': business leaders anxious and dismayed by Victoria's snap lockdown ABC News, 12 Feb 2021 06:48Z Business lobby says even a short lockdown in Victoria will have "monumental social and economic costs" and call for a national plan to manage COVID-19 outbreaks. Australian Open to be closed to crowds as Victoria announces COVID lockdown ABC News, 12 Feb 2021 03:50Z The Victorian Government's decision to instate a five-day statewide COVID-19 lockdown from midnight means the Australian Open will proceed without fans. Scientist proposes a new timeline for Mars terrains Phys.org, 11 Feb 2021 22:02Z A Southwest Research Institute scientist has updated Mars chronology models to find that terrains shaped by ancient water activity on the planet's surface may ... Portrait of young galaxy throws theory of galaxy formation on its head Phys.org, 11 Feb 2021 20:02Z Scientists have challenged our current understanding of how galaxies form by unveiling pictures of a young galaxy in the early life of the Universe which ... 'The vehicles are just mangled': Six dead in 130-vehicle crash on icy Texas interstate in US ABC News, 11 Feb 2021 at 11:52pm At least six people are dead and dozens are injured in a massive crash on an icy Texas interstate, as a winter storm dropped freezing rain, sleet and snow on parts of the US. Microsoft calls on other countries to follow Australia's lead on media bargaining code ABC News, 12 Feb 2021 0:45Z Microsoft's Brad Smith says the United States Government should not object to Australia's media bargaining code, urging governments such as the US, Canada and the European Union to follow Australia's lead in forcing tech giants to pay for news content. New Zealand plans to start COVID-19 vaccinations next week ABC News, 12 Feb 2021 01:44Z Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says the country's COVID-19 inoculation program will begin on February 20, brought forward by taking receipt of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine earlier than anticipated. Victoria to enter snap five-day coronavirus lockdown from midnight tonight ABC News, 12 Feb 2021 02:16Z All of Victoria will enter a snap five-day lockdown to respond to a growing coronavirus outbreak linked to the Holiday Inn hotel at Melbourne Airport. NT declares Greater Melbourne a COVID hotspot ABC News, 12 Feb 2021 01:43Z Anyone arriving into the NT from Greater Melbourne will be required to enter mandatory quarantine at Howard Springs. NSW health authorities rush to track down 7,000 travellers possibly exposed to COVID-19 ABC News, 12 Feb 2021 02:17Z NSW Health is urgently contacting 7,000 people who entered NSW from Victoria after attending COVID-19 exposure sites throughout Melbourne Airport, as Victoria plunges into a snap lockdown. BREAKING (12 Feb): Prem Dan Andrews has announced a 5 day "circuit breaker" from midnight. He says there is no evidence that cases have escaped metro Melbourne but the whole state would see the same restrictions because there was no way to erect the Ring Of Steel in 24 hrs. At present 905 people have been found to be contacts of infected people and must remain in isolation for 2 wks. Mr Andrews confirmed all cases in the current outbreak involve the new infectious UK strain. He said the new strain is not the 2020 covid, and it's "moving at light speed". Lancet report faults Trump for 'avoidable' coronavirus deaths The Hill, 11 Feb 2021 15:34Z A report in the British medical journal The Lancet blames former President Trump for an error-filled response to the coronavirus pandemic that it says contributed ... [40% of deaths were preventable says report]. [Minibrains!] Tiny Blobs of Brain Cells Could Reveal How Your Mind Differs from a Neanderthal's The New York Times, 11 Feb 2021 19:54Z Researchers grew clusters of brain cells in the lab with a gene carried by our ancient ancestors. [China v World:] China Bans BBC World Service, Following U.K. Ban Of Chinese Network NPR, 11 Feb 2021 18:53Z The Chinese state news agency said the BBC had "undermined China's national interests and ethnic solidarity." Britain stripped the license for CGTN, the ... Whales' Long, Loud Calls Reveal Structure beneath Ocean Floor Scientific American, 11 Feb 2021 19:52Z Scientists investigating a seismic fault off the U.S. West Coast have an unlikely new ally in their quest to create images of the Earth's crust deep beneath the ... Deficit projected at $2.3 trillion for 2021, not counting additional stimulus, CBO says CNBC, 11 Feb 2021 21:51Z The federal budget deficit is projected at $2.3 trillion in the 2021 fiscal year, a drop from last year but well ahead of anything the U.S. has ever seen. BREAKING (12 Feb): Another 2 people have been added to the growing list of new UK covid cases in Melbourne. The new cases bring the total to 13. Authorities are also warning there was an 8 hr window on Tue at an airport cafe where the virus could have escaped interstate. 'Sustained talks led to agreement': India and China agree to pull back troops at border ABC News, 11 Feb 2021 12:39Z Defence minister Rajnath Singh tells Indian parliament an agreement has been reached over Pangong Tso, a glacial lake at 4,270 metres, after several rounds of talks between military commanders and diplomats. Nick Coatsworth under fire over aerosol transmission and AstraZeneca vaccine on Q+A ABC News, 11 Feb 2021 13:38Z As cases from Melbourne's Holiday Inn coronavirus outbreak grow, Australia's top infectious diseases expert is told he is "wrong" to say there is a debate about aerosol transmission. 'A step back into traditional roles': Fears the jobs recovery isn't working for women ABC/PM, 11 Feb 2021 17:35Z New analysis of the jobs market shows women with degrees are doing worse than their male peers, raising fears about the impact of COVID-related unemployment on their careers. Astronomers Just Confirmed The Most Distant Known Object in The Solar System ScienceAlert, 11 Feb 2021 07:36Z The most distant known object in the Solar System is now confirmed. FarFarOut, a large chunk of rock found in 2018 at a whopping distance of around 132 ... Video Game-Playing Pigs Stretch Our Concepts of Animal Intelligence Gizmodo, 11 Feb 2021 06:11Z The four pigs came to win. If they played the game well, they got delicious dog food (they used to get M&Ms, but the humans decided those were too sugary). Former Republican officials in talks to form center-right anti-Trump party: report The Hill, 11 Feb 2021 04:09Z A contingent of former Republican officials are in talks to form a political party that would break away from supporters of former President Trump, [Peter Ridd:] Controversial marine scientist gets chance to fight his dismissal in High Court ABC News, 11 Feb 2021 05:22Z A Queensland academic who was sacked from James Cook University after making critical comments about the research of his colleagues gets the chance to argue his case in the High Court. CDC: COVID-19 quarantine unnecessary for fully vaccinated people ampAxios, 11 Feb 2021 0:42Z People who are fully vaccinated no longer need to quarantine after exposure to someone infected with the coronavirus, the Centers for Disease Control and ... [How could this policy *possibly* go wrong? Elsewhere the cluster of B117 cases that somehow(TM) escaped Melbourne's quarantine system has grown to 11. Several states have moved to bar people from Melbourne crossing their borders until further notice]. Cathay Pacific temporarily suspends all flights to Australia, except to Sydney ABC News, 11 Feb 2021 03:23Z Cathay Pacific temporarily suspends all flights to Australia, except to Sydney, after the Hong Kong Government imposes new COVID restrictions. Poll: 1 in 3 Americans say they definitely or probably won't get a COVID vaccine OregonLive, 10 Feb 2021 21:38Z About 1 in 3 Americans say they definitely or probably won't get the COVID-19 vaccine, according to a new poll that some experts say is discouraging news if the ... Scientists Are Pretty Sure They Found a Portal to the Fifth Dimension Popular Mechanics, 10 Feb 2021 20:37Z In a new study, scientists say they can explain dark matter by positing a particle that links to a fifth dimension. Here's what that means. Millions in U.K. face financial ruin while stuck in "death trap" homes CBS News, 10 Feb 2021 19:48Z As an official inquiry reveals a U.S. company's link to the deadly Grenfell Tower disaster in London, flammable building materials continue to pose a threat to ... United Airlines orders 200 vertical-takeoff electric airplanes Ars Technica, 10 Feb 2021 22:47Z The success of uncrewed electric drones in the last couple of decades has caused some people to wonder if similar construction techniques to those used in ... DARPA's `Manta Ray' Underwater Drone Could Be a Game Changer The Debrief, 10 Feb 2021 The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) announced three prime contractors' selection to advance the development of a new unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) codenamed: Manta Ray. With Manta Ray, DARPA hopes to field a payload-capable UUV able to operate for long-duration, long-range missions in ocean environments. One of the most critical components of Manta Ray is the development of new undersea energy harvesting techniques that could end up having an immense impact on all sectors of the naval and maritime industry. Why Thousands of Republicans Are Leaving the Party The New York Times, 10 Feb 2021 10:36Z Voting registration data indicates a stronger-than-usual flight from the G.O.P. since the Capitol riot, with an intensely fluid period in American politics now ... Life on Mars? Escaping water vapour offers new clues The Guardian, 10 Feb 2021 23:20Z Researchers detected water emanating high up in thin atmosphere of red planet while Tianwen-1 probe entered orbit on Wednesday. Conch shell in French museum found to be 17,000-year-old wind instrument The Guardian, 10 Feb 2021 19:20Z A 17,000-year-old conch shell that lay forgotten for more than 80 years in a museum collection has been discovered to be the oldest known wind instrument of its ... How US Grid Operators Plan To Tackle Energy Storage at Gigawatt Scale Greentech Media News, 10 Feb 2021 18:18Z Batteries and hybrid renewables-plus-storage projects will be a massive grid resource. Transmission grids and energy markets will need to adapt. Mini Nuclear Reactor at Government Lab Shut Down After Radiation Leak Gizmodo, 10 Feb 2021 21:17Z A small-scale nuclear reactor at a government neutron research facility was shut down last week after it began to spew elevated amounts of ionizing radiation. [Field Of Dreams:] NASA Awards Contract to Launch Initial Elements for Lunar Outpost NASA, 09 Feb 2021 21:55Z NASA has selected Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) of Hawthorne, California, to provide launch services for the agency's Power and Propulsion ... Santa Cruz is seeing more great white sharks. Now researchers know why San Francisco Chronicle, 10 Feb 2021 04:04Z Santa Cruz County didn't used to be a place where you'd see a lot of sharks. The cool but inviting waters of the Monterey Bay have long been the cherished turf ... Nearly 175K in Wisconsin complete COVID-19 vaccine series; 7-day average of new cases per day drops below 1K Channel3000.com - WISC-TV3, 09 Feb 2021 21:05Z Madison, Wis. Nearly 175,000 people across Wisconsin have received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, according to data from the state Department of ... Face masks to be scrapped in NSW in all but one setting from Friday ABC News, 10 Feb 2021 0:51Z Face masks will no longer be mandatory in hair and beauty salons, places of worship and gaming rooms in Greater Sydney, the Central Coast, Wollongong and the Blue Mountains from 12:01am this Friday. Holiday Inn quarantine hotel closes as COVID-19 transmission investigated ABC News, 9 Feb 2021 at 11:02pm Victoria's Chief Health Officer says mist from a medical device used in a Melbourne quarantine hotel could be the source of an "exposure event" that led to three people getting infected with coronavirus. [Poly Vertix!] Snow, ice, bitter cold: Winter to hit hard this week as polar vortex descends across the nation USA TODAY, 09 Feb 2021 21:10Z A full dose of winter is in store for much of the U.S. this week as a polar vortex oozes its way across the nation and a nasty winter storm develops. COVID-19 alert for travellers returning from Melbourne after three cases confirmed ABC Morning Briefing, 09 Feb 2021 20:52Z Anyone who visited the Holiday Inn at Melbourne Airport is urged to seek a COVID-19 test and isolate for 14 days, regardless of the result. Victorian authorities race to investigate two new COVID-19 cases at 'hotbed' quarantine hotel ABC News, 09 Feb 2021 20:53Z An urgent review into cases of suspected transmission of COVID-19 in Victoria's hotel quarantine system is underway, after three people linked to the same floor of a hotel tested positive to the virus. Hope for stroke victims as clinical trial gets 'magic results', enters second phase ABC Southern Qld, 09 Feb 2021 20:52Z After her son received a "profoundly life-changing" medical treatment, scientist Dr Coralie Graham is a step closer to getting the same treatment approved for others. 'Half the volume of Sydney Harbour': Bid for massive desert water permit raises doubts ABC News, 09 Feb 2021 21:50Z An application to use 40,000 megalitres of water a year for a major fruit and vegetable project in Central Australia draws concern from stakeholders, with one urging the NT Government to heed the lessons of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan. Almost one Australian every minute is asking NBN Co for a fibre internet upgrade, but soon some will get it for free ABC News, 09 Feb 2021 21:49Z Eight thousand Australians in the past week alone have sought quotes from NBN Co for a fibre upgrade. But waiting longer could mean getting a fibre upgrade for free. [The NBN we were supposed to have in the first place]. A year into indefinite hotel confinement and sleeping on the floor, detained refugees plea for release ABC News, 09 Feb 2021 22:47Z Reza Golmohammadian says he is succumbing to a sense of hopelessness as he and 14 other refugees remain indefinitely detained in a Darwin hotel. Now, a group of medical professionals concerned at the refugees' "deteriorating health" are calling on the Federal Government for their release. The video played at the Trump impeachment trial that left the US Senate in silence ABC News, 09 Feb 2021 23:06Z After the video of the January 6 riot finished playing in the Senate chamber, the impeachment manager pointed to the screen and said "that's a high crime and misdemeanour". BREAKING (09 Feb): Six Republicans vote against Trump as Senate says impeachment trial can proceed. 'The state era is over': Crown inquiry shows national gambling regulation is needed ABC/The Business, 11 Feb 2021 03:24Z The scathing Bergin Inquiry into Crown casino recommends taking gambling regulation away the states, and experts agree that states are too conflicted and under-resourced to do the job. Two Crown Resorts directors resign after damning report halts opening of Sydney casino ABC News, 09 Feb 2021 23:33Z Crown Resorts announces that directors Guy Jalland and Michael Johnston have resigned after a scathing report was released yesterday, which found Crown was not suitable to hold the licence for Sydney's second casino. Crown Resorts not suitable to operate Sydney casino, inquiry finds ABC News, 09 Feb 2021 04:47Z The Commissioner presiding over the inquiry into Crown Resorts finds the company is currently not suitable to hold the licence for the new Sydney casino at Barangaroo. Crown inquiry goes beyond humiliation to be a complete disaster for James Packer ABC News, 09 Feb 2021 08:39Z After years of trying to engineer an exit from Crown Resorts, James Packer helped spark an inquiry which has forever tarnished his credibility and forced him to decide between dumping stock or completely remaking his casino group, writes Ian Verrender. Huge Fish, Once Believed Extinct, Isn't the `Living Fossil' Scientists Thought Gizmodo, 09 Feb 2021 21:41Z An analysis of coelacanth DNA suggests its genome has experienced some significant changes in recent evolutionary history, potentially dispelling the popular ... Experts growing more concerned about COVID-19 variants WISHTV.com, 09 Feb 2021 01:17Z Indianapolis. Two new coronavirus variants are raising concern among experts across the globe as increasing researchers show they are more ... Nine-year-old girl dies in her sleep after testing positive for Covid The Independent, 09 Feb 2021 11:17Z Robinhood faces class-action lawsuit over trading platform that's `designed to go down' Fox Business, 09 Feb 2021 15:35Z Robinhood is facing a class-action lawsuit after restricting trades on several stocks, including GameStop and AMC, two weeks ago. Europe to stop hiding secrets from US now Biden is in charge: sources Business Insider, 08 Feb 2021 European spy sources said Biden's reluctance to give Trump intelligence briefings was making it easier to share key information with the US again. 28 garment workers killed in flooded factory in Morocco The Associated Press, 09 Feb 2021 01:34Z Rabat, Morocco. Heavy rains flooded an illegal garment factory in the northern Moroccan city of Tangier, killing at least 28 workers Monday, state ... Study Finds People With Dementia Are Twice as Likely to Get Covid The New York Times, 09 Feb 2021 14:46Z People with dementia had significantly greater risk of contracting the coronavirus, and they were much more likely to be hospitalized and die from it, than people ... WHO team: Coronavirus unlikely to have leaked from Chinese lab POLITICO, 09 Feb 2021 12:43Z Wuhan, China. The coronavirus is unlikely to have leaked from a Chinese lab and is more likely to have jumped to humans from an animal, a World Health ... Scary 22% vaccine efficacy in South Africa comes with heaps of caveats Dismal preliminary data on AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine in South Africa- where the B.1.351/ 501Y.V2 coronavirus variant is spreading widely-lead the ... Ars Technica, 09 Feb 2021 0:12Z [This is more like the number I was modelling back in Mar 2020]. [Sityashun Normul: we dunno]. WHO says 'most likely' pathway of virus was from animals to humans, but investigation still a 'work in progress' CNBC, 09 Feb 2021 11:21Z Liang Wannian, head of the expert Covid-19 panel at China's National Health Commission, said ongoing research into the origins of the virus must focus on how ... [A live UN press conf from China I saw on the local 24/7 news channel seemed to be a lot of introductory med school material followed by "we learned nothing new"]. Mystery of gamma radiation solved: Hidden cannibal star is just having dinner Livescience.com, 08 Feb 2021 19:08Z The mystery at the heart of an unexplained, bright point of gamma-ray light in the sky has been solved: There's a deadly spider star flaying a second, wimpier ... The role of midsized phytoplankton in Earth's biological pump Phys.org, 08 Feb 2021 19:08Z Every spring, phytoplankton blooms flourish across the ocean. The single- celled, photosynthetic organisms pull carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and ... Chief Medical Officer says the South African COVID strain is becoming dominant. What does this mean? ABC News, 09 Feb 2021 09:24Z With early data from an Oxford University study suggesting the AstraZeneca vaccine offers only "minimal protection" against mild disease caused by the South African variant, here's what this could mean for Australia's vaccine rollout. Victoria reports first coronavirus patient in ICU in months ABC News, 8 Feb 2021 at 10:32pm For the first time since October, Victorian health authorities report a person with COVID-19 is being treated in the intensive care unit of a hospital. Weekend cold snap blamed for mass deaths of a small native bird in WA ABC South West WA, 09 Feb 2021 04:38Z Unseasonal cold temperatures are believed to have led to widespread deaths of tree martin birds across WA's South West region. `Dangerous Stuff': Hackers Tried to Poison Water Supply of Florida Town The New York Times, 09 Feb 2021 02:40Z Hackers remotely accessed the water treatment plant of a small Florida city last week and briefly changed the levels of lye in the drinking water, in the kind of ... Powering up: UK hills could be used as energy 'batteries' The Guardian, 08 Feb 2021 13:40Z Hundreds of hills across the UK could be transformed into renewable energy " batteries" through a pioneering hydropower system embedded underground. A Surprise in Africa: Air Pollution Falls as Economies Rise The New York Times, 08 Feb 2021 20:39Z Lagos, Nigeria. Rapidly growing countries generally see sharp increases in air pollution as their populations and economies expand. But a new study of air ... Georgia secretary of state's office investigates Trump phone call asking to 'find' more votes POLITICO, 09 Feb 2021 01:38Z The Georgia secretary of state's office is investigating former President Donald Trump for pressuring the state's elections officials to overturn the results of the ... WHO warns of potential for more Ebola cases after woman dies in DRC CNBC, 08 Feb 2021 18:27Z "It's possible there will be further cases because the woman had contact with many people after she became symptomatic," WHO Director-General Tedros ... New variants raise worry about COVID-19 virus reinfections: `Previous infection does not give you a free pass' Chicago Tribune, 08 Feb 2021 18:04Z Evidence is mounting that having COVID-19 may not protect against getting infected again with some of the new variants. Despite dip in COVID-19 cases, expert says US is in the 'eye of the hurricane' as variants spread WCVB Boston, 08 Feb 2021 17:03Z While a recent dip in COVID-19 infections may seem encouraging, experts warn now is not the time for Americans to let their guard down. 'Under A White Sky' Examines What It Might Take For Humans To Continue To Exist NPR, 08 Feb 2021 16:02Z Elizabeth Kolbert makes clear how far we already are from a world of undisturbed, balanced nature - and how far we must go to find a new balance for the ... Coal-Fired Power Took a Beating During the Pandemic, Study Finds The New York Times, 08 Feb 2021 17:58Z The share of energy generated from coal has dropped more sharply during the coronavirus pandemic than that of any other power source, according to a new ... [Leadership!] Rep. Ron Wright of Arlington dies after 18-day battle with COVID-19 The Dallas Morning News, 08 Feb 2021 18:32Z This is a developing story and will be updated throughout the day. Rep. Ron Wright of Arlington died Sunday night less than three weeks after contracting... [It will be gone by April!] Businesses add COVID-19 fees to bills ABC News, 08 Feb 2021 03:59Z Starlink satellites light up Cape Town skies CapeTown ETC, 06 Feb 2021 Several Capetonians across the city and further afield spotted a string of mysterious lights streaking across the night sky before disappearing into the darkness ... Liz Cheney raises possibility of criminal investigation of Trump for provoking violence The Guardian, 08 Feb 2021 05:56Z Republican pointed to former president's tweet attacking vice-president Mike Pence after Capitol insurrection began. 'Superspreader' Sunday? LA County officials warn against Super Bowl gatherings ABC7, 07 Feb 2021 20:56Z [Only marginally worse than my area of Vic]. Search for answers after three people infected at Holiday Inn quarantine hotel ABC News, 09 Feb 2021 05:43Z Victorian health authorities investigate suspected coronavirus transmission within the state's hotel quarantine system, after three cases emerged from the Holiday Inn at Melbourne Airport. [Nuttin to do wid meltin ice!] Rescuers in India digging for 37 trapped in glacier flood The Associated Press, 08 Feb 2021 08:55Z Rudraprayag, India. Rescuers in northern India were working Monday to rescue more than three dozen power plant workers trapped in a tunnel after ... Scores Feared Dead In India Dam Break Near Himalayan Glacier NPR, 07 Feb 2021 17:33Z At least 140 people are missing after a hydroelectric dam near the glacier was swept away in a deluge of water, rock and debris. "It came very fast. There was no ... Uttarakhand glacier disaster: Fourteen dead after India glacier bursts dam BBC News, 08 Feb 2021 04:50Z A piece of a Himalayan glacier had fallen into a river, bursting open a dam in northern India. Why some scientists believe life may have started on Mars Salon, 08 Feb 2021 0:50Z Prominent scientists in different fields say that there are clues that life could have started on the red planet. Get ready for Perseverance's landing on Mars February 18 EarthSky, 07 Feb 2021 13:55Z Some call attempts to land on Mars "7 minutes of terror." The Perseverance mission will provide the most detailed video and photos of a landing yet. We' ll watch ... Krakatoa Is Still Active, and We Are Not Ready for the Tsunamis Another Eruption Would Generate Discover Magazine, 07 Feb 2021 18:53Z At some point in the future, Anak Krakatoa will erupt again, generating more tsunamis. Has Israel just found the cure for Covid? ISRAEL21c, 07 Feb 2021 12:53Z Experimental Covid drug cures 30 out of 30 moderate to severe cases in Phase I clinical trial at Israeli hospital. Second new drug also shows promise. By Abigail ... NSW Deputy Premier to face grilling over alleged pork-barrelling of bushfire grants ABC News, 07 Feb 2021 21:38Z The Blue Mountains, Ballina and parts of the Central Coast suffered millions in damage from the Black Summer bushfires but didn't receive any funding through the State Government's bushfire grant program. Victorian quarantine hotel workers to also be tested on days off after new positive COVID case ABC News, 07 Feb 2021 21:36Z Workers at quarantine hotels in Victoria will now need to get tested for coronavirus on their days off after a Holiday Inn worker returned to work COVID-positive. [Another case in NSW announced overnight involved someone out of hotel quarantine in Vic that tested -ve a couple days before being released but then in a follow-up was found to be +ve a couple days after arriving home]. Some neighbours want Donald Trump out of Mar-a-Lago, but he has a powerful ally ABC News, 07 Feb 2021 22:35Z Donald Trump has been living at his Mar-a-Lago club since leaving office. But a 1993 agreement with the town of Palm Beach could see him evicted. No soap, no detergent, no technology -- how did one Indonesian tribal group stay COVID-free? ABC News, 07 Feb 2021 22:34Z Indonesia's national coronavirus caseload continues to rise past 1 million, but one mountain tribe which protects their reclusive neighbours from the outside world have so far helped keep COVID out of their communities. South Africa to suspend rollout of AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine ABC News, 07 Feb 2021 22:31Z South Africa will suspend the rollout of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine after trial data shows the jab offers limited protection against mild disease caused by the country's B.1.351 strain of coronavirus. [The AUS govt has made some mumbling noises about moving away from reliance on the Oxford vaccine. Reports say it has bought enough doses from at least 3 makers to vaccine all citizens 3 times over by the end of the y]. [React!] Could barn owls be the solution to tackling the world's mouse-plague problem? ABC North and West SA, 07 Feb 2021 22:40Z As mouse plagues continue to ravage NSW and Queensland, researchers on SA's Yorke Peninsula are turning to barn owls to help predict and control outbreaks. Coronavirus cases are falling in the US but experts say it's not from the COVID vaccine, yet Yahoo! Voices, 05 Feb 2021 New coronavirus cases are on the decline in the United States following staggering post-holiday peaks last month, but experts say it's too early for new ... Fauci rejects suggestion to delay second dose of COVID-19 vaccine New York Post, 07 Feb 2021 15:50Z Dr. Anthony Fauci on Sunday rejected suggestions that the US delay second COVID-19 vaccine doses so more Americans can get their first shot -- saying the ... Virus Variant First Found in Britain Now Spreading Rapidly in U.S. The New York Times, 07 Feb 2021 16:49Z A more contagious variant of the coronavirus first found in Britain is spreading rapidly in the United States, doubling roughly every 10 days, according to a new ... Lawsuits Take the Lead in Fight Against Disinformation The New York Times, 06 Feb 2021 22:46Z In just a few weeks, lawsuits and legal threats from a pair of obscure election technology companies have achieved what years of advertising boycotts, public ... Myanmar coup: Tens of thousands join largest protests since 2007 BBC News, 07 Feb 2021 13:00Z Myanmar has seen its largest protests in more than a decade, as tens of thousands of people rallied against the military coup and demanded the release of ... Where Did Covid Come From? Investigator Foreshadows Fresh Clues Bloomberg, 07 Feb 2021 04:23Z Scientists probing the origins of the coronavirus are wrapping up a lengthy investigation in China and have found "important clues" about a Wuhan seafood ... Zookeeper, monkey, ostrich and cassowary dead after tigers escape ABC News, 06 Feb 2021 20:58Z Authorities are searching for one of the critically endangered tigers that escaped Sinka Zoo on Borneo island after days of torrential rain caused a landslide and opened a tunnel allowing two of the animals to exit. At 100 years old, John is the last surviving member of Australia's first Antarctic station team ABC Radio Brisbane, 06 Feb 2021 21:57Z Nearly 70 years ago John Russell boarded a ship to Antarctica to build Australia's first permanent base on the frozen continent. Profit reporting season will reveal how much companies banked from the COVID lockdowns ABC News, 06 Feb 2021 21:56Z This week some of the biggest companies on Australia's stock exchange will release their profit results, while the Auditor-General investigates whether companies receiving JobKeeper payments had paid executive bonuses and dividends, Gareth Hutchens writes. Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine may be less effective against South African variant ABC News, 06 Feb 2021 21:55Z The AstraZeneca vaccine appears to offer only limited protection against mild disease caused by the South African variant of COVID-19, based on early data from a trial. Climate change "may have played a key role" in coronavirus pandemic, study says CBS News, 05 Feb 2021 The study looked at changes in the forests of Southeast Asia - "a global hotspot" for bat species. Physicists Have Developed A 'Quantum' Hologram Using Entanglement IFLScience, 05 Feb 2021 Researchers have used a quantum mechanical property to overcome some of the limitations of conventional holograms. The new approach, detailed in Nature ... How Steel Might Finally Kick Its Coal Habit WIRED, 06 Feb 2021 13:00Z Coal's grip on the global electricity sector is loosening as more utilities and ... The pandemic could continue for seven years under current vaccination rate New York Post, 06 Feb 2021 0:56Z It'll be a long, seven years before the COVID-19 pandemic is over worldwide, if vaccine distribution continues at its current rate, a calculation from Bloomberg ... 'I'm willing to do anything': Would-be fruit picker rejected from jobs as industry faces 26,000 worker shortage ABC Southern Qld, 5 Feb 2021 at 11:00pm An unemployed man who says he'd be "willing to live out of his car" to get a fruit-picking job is calling for the industry to be more open-minded as it seeks to solve its ongoing labour shortage. Paul lost his wallet in Antarctica in the 60s. It was just returned to him ABC News, 06 Feb 2021 04:04Z The 91-year-old former Navy meteorologist, who was sent to Antarctica five decades ago, says his wallet was missing for so long at the bottom of the world he forgot all about it. Floodwaters rising in Carnarvon after Gascoyne River bursts banks ABC Pilbara, 06 Feb 2021 04:03Z WA's battles with the elements continue as emergency services work to fortify levees protecting midwest hub Carnarvon after intense rain across large parts of the state. NASA approves $93 million mission to study the Moon ahead of Artemis Engadget, 05 Feb 2021 18:30Z NASA has awarded Firefly Aerospace a $93.3 million contract to carry out a mission to conduct experiments and test new technologies on the Moon. Walgreens, CVS beef up protections against threat of 'bot' attacks on vaccine program Yahoo Finance, 05 Feb 2021 16:29Z U.S. retailers and pharmacies like Walgreens and CVS Health are preparing for a fresh round of "bot" attacks by scalpers hoping to snap up Covid-19 vaccine ... Yankee Stadium Transformed Into Mega Vaccination Site For Bronx Residents CBS New York, 05 Feb 2021 17:29Z Buy coal-fired power plants, shut them down and reap cost-plus profits Financial Times, 05 Feb 2021 10:26Z Utilities love the Biden administration's green energy plan. Biden says Trump should no longer get intelligence briefings because of 'erratic behavior' USA TODAY, 06 Feb 2021 0:26Z Washington. President Joe Biden said Friday that former President Donald Trump should no longer receive classified intelligence briefings because of his ... Fox News cancels longtime host Lou Dobbs' show Los Angeles Times, 05 Feb 2021 23:25Z Fox News Media has canceled "Lou Dobbs Tonight," the program hosted by television's staunchest supporter of Donald Trump and of his assertions of voter ... Army Research Develops `Living Material' that Interacts with its Environment Syn-SCOBY is a new living material developed by Army Research backing. Inspired by the trendy Kombucha tea, "Syn-SCOBY" is a living material capable of detecting and defending itself from threats in its environment. Tim McMillan The Debrief, 5 Feb 2021 Backed by the U.S. Army Research Laboratory, engineers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Imperial College London have developed a durable, "living material" capable of detecting and protecting itself from threats and interacting with its environment. According to Army Research Labs, the unusual source of inspiration behind this breakthrough living material was a mixture of bacteria and yeast similar to what is used to make a trendy fermented beverage called Kombucha tea. Combining a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast, also called SCOBY, engineers created cellulose embedded enzymes that could sense its surroundings and function like a living material. Love or hate them, flying foxes help 'make forests' -- but should they stay in suburbia? ABC Gold Coast, 05 Feb 2021 22:01Z If you like koalas, you should like flying foxes, says one conservationist, but debate around the protected species continues, as councils juggle residential amenity with environmental laws. COVID-19 is harder to stop in hotel quarantine because of ventilation systems, says AMA Victoria pesident ABC News, 05 Feb 2021 22:00Z The Australian Medical Association says ventilation systems in inner-city quarantine hotels are not to the same standard as hospitals and other health facilities. Face shields and ventilation review for Victorian hotel quarantine after recent coronavirus cases ABC News, 05 Feb 2021 23:00Z Victoria has not recorded any locally acquired COVID-19 cases for the second day in a row, as investigations continue into how an Australian Open quarantine hotel worker acquired the virus. [Dum Luk:] WA passed its first real COVID test with flying colours, but did the state just get lucky? ABC News, 05 Feb 2021 23:00Z Experts say sheer good luck contributed to Western Australia successfully clamping down on community outbreak of the highly transmissible UK coronavirus variant, as the state moves out of hard lockdown. Expert questions findings of Brisbane hotel quarantine cluster investigation ABC News, 05 Feb 2021 22:59Z Occupational hygienist Kate Cole says Queensland Health's report into the coronavirus cluster in Brisbane's Hotel Grand Chancellor is lacking a critical level of expertise in its review process. [Jackass III:] Teenager severs artery punching windscreen, police say ABC News, 05 Feb 2021 22:58Z A 19-year-old man is "lucky to be alive" after allegedly punching a car windscreen in Adelaide's southern suburbs and then being rushed to hospital. Swimmer drowns on Gold Coast, third death in treacherous surf in 36 hours ABC News, 05 Feb 2021 23:07Z A swimmer drowns this morning at Mermaid Beach after getting into trouble in rough surf, the third drowning death on the Gold Coast since Thursday. How a day at the beach became a desperate fight for survival ABC Ballarat, 05 Feb 2021 21:02Z King Fue and three of her siblings almost became statistics in the nation's shocking toll of summer drownings. Here, King and her rescuers reveal what it took to fend off tragedy. What Went Wrong With The U.S. Coronavirus Vaccine Rollout? CNBC, 05 Feb 2021 17:31Z [Mixmaster!] The Coronavirus Is a Master of Mixing Its Genome, Worrying Scientists The New York Times, 05 Feb 2021 17:30Z In recent weeks, scientists have sounded the alarm about new variants of the coronavirus that carry a handful of tiny mutations, some of which seem to make ... Venus flytraps produce magnetic fields when they eat Livescience.com, 05 Feb 2021 18:30Z These carnivorous plants generate tiny magnetic signals when they clamp down on insects. ICC clears way for war crimes probe of Israeli actions The Associated Press, 05 Feb 2021 22:49Z Jerusalem. The International Criminal Court said Friday that its jurisdiction extends to territories occupied by Israel in the 1967 Mideast war, clearing ... 144 Constitutional Lawyers Call Trump's First Amendment Defense `Legally Frivolous' The New York Times, 05 Feb 2021 22:27Z Washington. Claims by former President Donald J. Trump's lawyers that his conduct around the Jan. 6 Capitol riot is shielded by the First Amendment are ... All New Orleans bars closed for Mardi Gras, access restricted to major streets under new rules NOLA.com, 05 Feb 2021 18:26Z Bars will be closed, people will have to pass through checkpoints to get to major streets like Bourbon and Frenchmen streets and a heavy police presence will ... China shares first photo of Mars from its Tianwen-1 spacecraft [#unreliablesource] Daily Mail, 05 Feb 2021 17:25Z The uncrewed Tianwen-1 took the picture at a distance of around 1.4 million miles from Mars, according to the China National Space Administration (CNSA). [Uncrewed! Daily Mail!]. [BUSTED!] Powder River Basin coal mine ceases operations, asks court to reject pension and health care obligations Casper Star-Tribune Online, 05 Feb 2021 16:24Z A Powder River Basin coal mine has closed down for the first time in modern history. At the end of January, mining ceased at the Decker coal mine in Montana ... Denmark wants to build a renewable energy island in the North Sea, the largest construction project in its history CNBC, 05 Feb 2021 16:23Z The country is a pioneer when it comes to offshore wind projects. Russia Expels Diplomats From 3 Countries, Saying They Attended Pro-Navalny Protests NPR, 05 Feb 2021 17:22Z Russia's Foreign Ministry says it is expelling diplomats from Sweden, Poland and Germany, alleging they participated in illegal Jan. 23 protests. More than 600 variant cases of COVID-19 identified in US: CDC New York Post, 05 Feb 2021 12:25Z The US has reported at least 618 cases of COVID-19 variants from the UK, Brazil and South Africa across 33 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control ... [Big Fist!] China takes aim again at BBC as dispute with Britain intensifies Yahoo News, 05 Feb 2021 09:22Z The BBC came under fire from Chinese officials and social media on Friday in an escalating diplomatic dispute, a day after Britain's media regulator revoked the ... Hong Kong Imposes Sweeping Pro-China Curriculum on Schools Bloomberg, 05 Feb 2021 11:22Z Hong Kong ordered schools to adopt a more patriotic curriculum and advised teachers to report any breaches of the city's national security law, the government's ... Google opens paid-for Australia news platform aimed at undercutting content payment law ABC News, 05 Feb 2021 10:06Z Google launches a platform in Australia offering news it pays for after striking its own content deals with publishers. It's part of a drive to show that legislation to enforce payment for content is unnecessary. NASA Will Build Artemis Base on the Moon's South Pole Location, Location, Location... The Debrief, 5 Feb 2021 As NASA prepares to put American astronauts on the Moon in 2024, the organization must decide where it will place the Artemis base camp that will eventually house astronauts, rovers, scientific equipment and serve as a permanent settlement for future lunar missions. Though several locations are being considered, they are all near the lunar south pole. Signs that SARS-CoV-2 is evolving to avoid immune responses Ars Technica, 05 Feb 2021 11:57Z Over the summer, you could almost hear a sigh of relief rising from the portion of the research community that was tracking the evolution of the SARS-CoV-2 ... U.S. Senate passes budget plan to advance Biden's $1.9 trillion COVID aid package Yahoo News, 05 Feb 2021 11:53Z President Joe Biden's drive to enact a $1.9 trillion coronavirus aid bill gained momentum early on Friday as the U.S. Senate narrowly approved a budget ... Plans unveiled for world's biggest battery in the Hunter Valley ABC Newcastle, 05 Feb 2021 04:33Z A former NSW premier is behind a bid to set up a massive battery in a Hunter Valley town that could use an economic pick-me-up. 'Creating tension': China accuses US of 'manipulation' after warship sails near Taiwan ABC News, 05 Feb 2021 05:32Z China's military says the United States is deliberately "creating tensions" and disrupting peace and stability, after a US warship sailed through the sensitive Taiwan Strait, the first such mission under the new Biden administration. Communities warned as tropical low develops in Gulf of Carpentaria ABC News, 05 Feb 2021 07:30Z The Bureau of Meteorology said the low will likely form in the south of the Gulf before moving towards the Northern Territory coast over the next few days. Helicopters sent in to rescue dozens trapped in WA floodwaters ABC Pilbara, 05 Feb 2021 08:29Z Parts of Western Australia's north have been inundated with flooding rain, sending choppers into action to pull dozens of motorists from floodwaters. China claims PNG thanked them for providing COVID-19 vaccines, but PNG officials say it's not true ABC News, 05 Feb 2021 08:54Z The Papua New Guinea Government disputes a claim by China that it is assisting the nation with a supply of COVID-19 vaccines, despite a contradicting statement from a Beijing Government official. SpaceX filing reveals Starlink internet service has over 10,000 users Engadget, 05 Feb 2021 05:44Z SpaceX's Starlink internet service is still in beta, but is already used by over 10000 people. Canada bans cruise vessels until Feb. 28, 2022 KOMO News, 04 Feb 2021 23:42Z Toronto (AP). Canada is banning all cruise vessels in Canadian waters until Feb. 28, 2022. Transport Minister Omar Alghabra announced Thursday cruise ... Wayward right whales now on correct course, scientists say Miami Herald, 04 Feb 2021 23:41Z A mother and newborn North Atlantic right whale pair who were heading south, are now swimming north, hopefully toward New England, NOAA Fisheries says. [Wideband!] New quantum receiver the first to detect entire radio frequency spectrum Phys.org, 04 Feb 2021 17:40Z A new quantum sensor can analyze the full spectrum of radio frequency and real-world signals, unleashing new potentials for soldier communications, spectrum ... GOP senator warns his party must decide between 'conservatism and madness' The Hill, 05 Feb 2021 01:39Z Sen. Ben Sasse (R-Neb.), who's said he may vote this month to convict former President Trump on an article of impeachment, is pushing back against possible ... BREAKING (5 Feb): Google and the AUS govt to discuss new laws regulating access to Australian news content. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg says the discussions were useful and Google is now willing to pay for content. He says the company also admits its threat to bar Google search in Australia was "misplaced". The noisy ocean: Humans have made the world's seas a very loud place to live USA TODAY, 04 Feb 2021 20:28Z The ocean has become a very noisy place. The world's seas are much louder than they were in pre-industrial times, "becoming more and more a raucous ... "Home Alone 2" Actor Donald Trump Resigned From The Screen Actors Guild In The Pettiest Letter BuzzFeed News, 04 Feb 2021 21:26Z Donald Trump, the Home Alone 2: Lost in New York actor and former president of the United States, resigned from the Screen Actors Guild on Thursday in a ... IBM quantum computers now finish some tasks in hours, not months Engadget, 04 Feb 2021 06:25Z IBM has found a way to speed up some quantum computing tasks by 100 times, finishing them in hours rather than months. Election Tech Company Sues Fox News, Giuliani And Others For $2.7 Billion NPR, 04 Feb 2021 23:24Z The suit names Fox stars Lou Dobbs and Maria Bartiromo and Jeanine Pirro, as well as Trump allies Rudy Giuliani and Sidney Powell. UK COVID variant like a 'Category 5 hurricane,' epidemiologist says New York Post, 04 Feb 2021 17:33Z An epidemiologist on Thursday compared the highly contagious UK variant of the coronavirus to a "Category 5 hurricane" churning off the coast - as the strain ... Giant radio telescope reaches milestone en route to construction start Science Magazine, 04 Feb 2021 14:32Z The Square Kilometre Array has been a dream of radio astronomers for nearly 3 decades. Today, the project officially becomes the Square Kilometre Array ... New study shows young adults were main drivers of COVID pandemic KRON4, 04 Feb 2021 03:39Z A new study shows that in 2020, young adults were the main drivers of the pandemic. Whale that stranded off Florida is completely new species (and already endangered) Livescience.com, 04 Feb 2021 13:39Z A 38-foot-long (11.5 meters) whale that washed ashore in the Florida Everglades in January 2019 turns out to be a completely new species. And it's already ... WHO team in Wuhan says discussions open, meetings frank The Associated Press, 04 Feb 2021 10:36Z Wuhan, China. World Health Organization investigators looking for clues into the origin of the coronavirus in the central Chinese city of Wuhan said that ... UK launches 'world first' trial mixing different Covid vaccines for first and second doses CNBC, 04 Feb 2021 14:56Z A trial is being launched in the U.K. to explore whether using different Covid-19 vaccines for the first and second doses works. White House offers 'full support' for Trump-era Space Force ABC News, 03 Feb 2021 21:34Z Washington. The White House on Wednesday offered "full support" for Space Force, a day after the president's chief spokesperson provoked a backlash ... U.S. Navy Warship Transits Taiwan Strait for First Time under Joe Biden Newsweek, 04 Feb 2021 13:34Z A U.S. Navy warship sailed through the narrow waterway between China and Taiwan on Thursday local time, the first such operation since Democratic President ... The Earth's Magnetosphere Might be Creating Water on the Moon Universe Today, 03 Feb 2021 22:30Z There's no doubt that the Moon has water on its surface. Orbiters have spotted deposits of ice persisting in the perpetual shadows of polar craters. And recent ... Elevated Radiation Levels Detected in Neutron Reactor Containment Building at NIST in Maryland NBC4 Washington, 04 Feb 2021 04:28Z Elevated radiation levels were detected in the containment building of the research neutron reactor at the National Institute of Standards and Technology in... Renewables expected to replace coal by 2033, says Morgan Stanley The Hill, 03 Feb 2021 23:28Z The forecast comes as the Biden administration is aiming to make the U.S. carbon neutral by 2050. Number of homes lost in devastating Perth Hills bushfire revised up to 81 ABC News, 04 Feb 2021 04:04Z An emergency warning remains in place for the massive blaze burning in Perth's north-east, with damage assessment teams confirming the number of properties lost is greater than first thought. Marmoset monkeys eavesdrop and understand conversations between other marmosets Phys.org, 03 Feb 2021 19:41Z Humans continuously observe and evaluate interactions between third parties to decide with whom to interact in the future. But it is difficult to measure what ... Martian landslides caused by underground salts and melting ice? Phys.org, 03 Feb 2021 20:41Z A team of researchers led by SETI Institute Senior Research Scientist Janice Bishop, a member of the SETI Institute NASA Astrobiology Institute (NAI) team, has ... [Payback!] Could We Pay Back The Earth For What It Provides? A New Report Offers A Roadmap NPR, 04 Feb 2021 0:39Z The landmark report commissioned by the British government calls on countries to quantify the cost of environmental degradation. It frames nature as a financial ... COVID-19 also attacks the pancreas; one vaccine dose may be enough for those previously infected Yahoo News, 03 Feb 2021 21:39Z The following is a roundup of some of the latest scientific studies on the novel coronavirus and efforts to find treatments and vaccines for COVID-19, the illness ... McKinsey Settles for $573 Million Over Role in Opioid Crisis The New York Times, 04 Feb 2021 02:54Z McKinsey & Company, the consultant to blue-chip corporations and governments around the world, has agreed to pay $573 million to settle investigations into its ... [Conspirisee!] House to Vote Thursday on Removing Marjorie Taylor Greene From Committees The New York Times, 04 Feb 2021 03:21Z The vote comes as the top House Republican leader declined on Wednesday to take any action against Ms. Greene over her past comments. President Biden ... Homes saved from raging Perth Hills blaze overnight but threat far from over ABC News, 3 Feb 2021 at 8:06pm Firefighters entering day four of the massive bushfire threatening homes in Perth's north-east say they are anticipating another difficult day and preparing to battle the blaze into the weekend. [Officials say the official losses remain at 71 homes with no fatalities so far]. 'Like an episode of Utopia': Darwin's $2.7m shade structure reduces heat by less than 1C ABC News, 3 Feb 2021 at 8:50pm It was supposed to help transform Darwin into "a cool, tropical, world- renowned destination". But almost two years after being built, documents show a much-maligned shade structure has done little to cool things down. Council spends $25,000 to rescue controversial tree it wanted to chop ABC Radio Darwinm 3 Feb 2021 at 11:12pm People protested and chained themselves to this scraggly tree on a Darwin roundabout when the council wanted to tear it down and install traffic lights. Now, the council says it's worth $400,000 to the community. BREAKING (4 Feb): After calls from Prem Andrews for people with covid symptoms to get tested following a community +ve test last night, people are lining up at test stations. With wait times reportedly at 4 hrs now some sites have told people to go home and come back later. Prem Andrews will be holding and update conf in 25 mins. [Priorities!] No singing and no chanting? Here's how Tokyo will pull off a coronavirus- safe Olympics ABC News, 03 Feb 2021 12:50Z The Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games will be like no other, with athletes required to wear a mask at all times unless they are eating or sleeping, and organisers wanting people to show their support by only clapping, not by chanting or singing. Australian Open lead-up events suspended as 600 players, staff isolate after positive COVID test ABC News, 03 Feb 2021 17:49Z It's already been a chaotic start to 2021 for tennis stars who have come to play the Australian Open and now a positive COVID test from a quarantine hotel worker has placed lead-up tournaments on hold. [Govt plans for workers to go back to offices have been put on hold]. Has Australia done enough to access all the leading COVID-19 vaccines? Some experts say no ABC/7.30, 03 Feb 2021 19:45Z Australia is relying on Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines to protect its citizens from COVID-19 but some believe it was a mistake to bypass other leading candidates such as Moderna and they want to know why, write Marty McCarthy and Nadia Daly Fiji has been smashed by cyclones -- and now the government wants you to go there ABC News, 03 Feb 2021 18:47Z Fiji says it's "desperate" for Australia to "fast track" a proposed Bula Bubble to allow back tourists as the island nation comes to grips with an unfolding crisis caused by a second devastating cyclone. Fix to banking industry's problems delayed, as memories of Hayne pain fade ABC News, 03 Feb 2021 19:47Z It's two-years since the final report of the Hayne Royal Commission into misconduct in the banking and finance industries. But a majority of the 76 recommendations haven't been made into law and some never will. Residents in immediate danger as bushfire threatens homes in Perth's north-east ABC News, 03 Feb 2021 20:05Z Authorities in Western Australia say people in Shady Hills Estate and east Bullsbrook are in immediate danger, as a bushfire continues to threaten lives and homes. Mandatory masks, gathering restrictions reinstated in Melbourne overnight ABC News, 03 Feb 2021 20:16Z A late night press conference from Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews sees restrictions reimposed in Melbourne after an Australian Open hotel quarantine worker contracted the virus. Chemists create and capture einsteinium, the elusive 99th element Livescience.com, 03 Feb 2021 17:33Z Scientists have successfully studied einsteinium - one of the most elusive and heaviest elements on the periodic table - for the first time in decades. Covid: New Oxford vaccine 'ready by the autumn' to tackle mutations BBC News, 03 Feb 2021 15:32Z An improved jab that will be more effective against variants can be made quickly, says Oxford-AstraZeneca. In Iraq's 'Dire' Economy, Poverty Is Rising - And So Are Fears Of Instability NPR, 03 Feb 2021 17:31Z With the gold domes of the famed Kadhimiya shrine as a backdrop, nearby streets full of shops, markets and tea-sellers in Baghdad look bustling and vibrant, ... Researchers discover an immense hydrocarbon cycle in the world's ocean Phys.org, 02 Feb 2021 Hydrocarbons and petroleum are almost synonymous in environmental science. After all, oil reserves account for nearly all the hydrocarbons we encounter. Canada Formally Declares Proud Boys a Terrorist Group The New York Times, 03 Feb 2021 20:07Z Ottawa. Canada formally designated the Proud Boys as a terrorist group under its criminal law on Wednesday, a move that could lead to financial seizures ... Trump's Lawyers Mocked for Misspelling 'United States' in Impeachment Trial Filing Newsweek, 03 Feb 2021 15:29Z Lawyers representing Donald Trump are facing fierce ridicule over a slew of mistakes made in their initial filings in defense of the former president for his ... Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin purges advisory boards stocked by former President Trump USA TODAY, 02 Feb 2021 19:33Z Washington. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin demanded the resignation of hundreds of volunteer advisers to the Pentagon after former President Donald ... Vladimir Putin Has Become America's Ex-Boyfriend From Hell The New York Times/Opinion, 03 Feb 2021 01:32Z The recent discovery of a massive, highly sophisticated hack, almost certainly by Russia, of key U.S. technology companies and government agencies puts the ... Simultaneous Drought and Heat Wave Events Are Becoming More Common Eos, 02 Feb 2021 As the world heats up, the number and duration of combined stress events are increasing, causing harmful environmental and human impacts. One age group is responsible for nearly half of new cases of COVID-19, study shows Yahoo Lifestyle, 02 Feb 2021 20:13Z New research suggests there's an age group that may be fueling new cases of the virus. BREAKING (3 Feb): Vic Prem Andrews has announced a case of community covid has been detected in a quarantine worker. In a late night press conf he announced a long list of sites the man has visited in the past few days and called on people that have symptoms or were at any of the shopping centers or clubs at the times given to go for testing. It's not known if the virus is one of the new more dangerous variants. Victorian authorities investigating possible transmission of UK COVID strain in hotel quarantine ABC News, 03 Feb 2021 05:46Z Victorian authorities investigate the possible transmission of COVID-19 within the state's hotel quarantine system after two groups of travellers on the same floor test positive for the same UK variant of the virus. Westpac faces tens of millions of dollars in fines after High Court ruling ABC News, 03 Feb 2021 05:45Z Westpac is facing millions of dollars in fines after the High Court ruled it overstepped financial advice laws in promoting superannuation services to its customers. Morrison publicly reprimands Kelly over coronavirus vaccine misinformation ABC News, 03 Feb 2021 05:44Z Prime Minister Scott Morrison offers his first public rebuke of Liberal backbencher Craig Kelly for spreading misinformation about COVID-19. 'Not scientifically possible': Victoria accused of overinflating kangaroo numbers to increase harvest ABC Goulburn Murray, 03 Feb 2021 06:44Z The Victorian Government is accused of "massively overinflating" kangaroo numbers in order to support a 65 per cent increase in the state's commercial harvest quota. Study challenges ecology's 'Field of Dreams' hypothesis Phys.org, 02 Feb 2021 18:45Z If you build it, they might not come. That's the key finding of a new study on habitat restoration practices that challenges a commonly accepted principle in ... Antarctica Is Melting in a Way Our Climate Models Never Predicted, Scientists Say ScienceAlert, 03 Feb 2021 04:44Z The Antarctic ice sheet is not melting in the linear way our climate models predicted it would. Instead, a more detailed model shows that while the rate of ice loss ... The Wisconsin pharmacist who sabotaged 500 vaccine doses believes the Earth is flat and that the sky is a shield to stop us seeing God, according to FBI documents msnNOW, 02 Feb 2021 11:05Z Steven Brandenburg, the Wisconsin pharmacist who destroyed COVID-19 vaccines, told law enforcement he reads lots of conspiracy-theory books. Study: Pandemic's cleaner air added heat to warming planet Yahoo News, 02 Feb 2021 21:04Z Earth spiked a bit of a fever in 2020, partly because of cleaner air from the pandemic lockdown, a new study found. For a short time, temperatures in some places ... Chickens were the first species to be diagnosed with coronavirus more than 90 years ago ABC/Vic Country Hour, 02 Feb 2021 19:51Z After nearly a century of battling infectious bronchitis virus, chickens could be the key to teaching the world about the future of coronavirus infection control. Major concern as cyber attacks increase 50 per cent, NSW Government accused of ignoring warnings ABC Morning Briefing, 02 Feb 2021 20:51Z The number of cyber security incidents reported to Cyber Security NSW increases 50 per cent on the previous year and the NSW Opposition says residents should not trust the Government to protect their personal information. How do the at-home COVID-19 tests work and are they as accurate as the ' brain tickler'? ABC News, 02 Feb 2021 20:50Z Brisbane-based bio-tech firm Ellume landed a $302 million deal to provide at- home COVID tests for the US, but are they as accurate as the "brain tickler"? Here's how they work. US formally declares Myanmar has been subject to military coup ABC News, 02 Feb 2021 20:49Z After an assessment of the situation in Myanmar, the US State Department formally concludes that the country's military deposed the duly elected government in a coup d'état, triggering consequences for coup leaders. New Caledonia's Government collapses as pro-independence members resign ABC News, 02 Feb 2021 20:49Z Disagreements over the French territory's budget and sale of a nickel smelter lead to the collapse of the coalition government, marking an increase in tensions between pro-French and pro-independence blocs. [La Nina!] Number of homes lost in Perth Hills bushfire revised up to 71 ABC News, 02 Feb 2021 21:47Z The fire to the east of Perth is still threatening lives and homes, with fears conditions could worsen as winds strengthen later today. [Exhibit A:] Travellers at Perth's COVID outbreak hotel say guards not wearing masks ABC News, 02 Feb 2021 22:01Z Returned travellers who have had their quarantine period at a Perth hotel extended raise concerns over security guards not wearing masks and say they have been kept in the dark about changes to their stay. [Exhibit B:] Australia's on high alert for new COVID-19 variants. Here's what we know about them ABC Health & Wellbeing, 02 Feb 2021 22:28Z The recent emergence of several new coronavirus variants has triggered a fresh wave of concerns over how quickly the virus is changing, and new questions about whether COVID-19 vaccines will be able to keep up. [Data Science!] Scientists Can Predict Breakups From Unrelated Internet Posts 3 Months Before It Occurs IFLScience, 02 Feb 2021 15:30Z A study looking at the language people use when they are going through breakups has found that markers of an impending breakup can be seen three months ... Exxon-Mobil forming business unit to focus exclusively on lowering carbon emissions: WSJ Fox Business, 02 Feb 2021 04:27Z Exxon Mobil Corp. is forming a business unit that will focus exclusively on technologies to lower carbon emissions, as the oil giant faces increasing pressure to ... New mutation in COVID variant from UK, scientist fear vaccine evasion - Business Insider Business Insider, 02 Feb 2021 14:26Z Scientists believe the E488K mutation helps coronavirus variants escape antibodies, which might mean vaccines work less well. Russian court orders 3½-year jail sentence for opposition leader Alexei Navalny CNBC, 02 Feb 2021 19:32Z A Russian court on Tuesday handed opposition politician Alexei Navalny a three-and-a-half year jail sentence. USDA Research Agencies 'Decimated' By Forced Move. Undoing The Damage Won't Be Easy NPR, 02 Feb 2021 17:24Z When the Trump administration moved two of the Agriculture Department's research agencies to Kansas City, many of the experienced employees left. [Perfectly safe!] Iowa State reports spring semester first week COVID-19 cases Iowa State Daily, 02 Feb 2021 01:24Z Iowa State has reported 42 COVID-19 cases for the spring semester's first week of classes. Biden administration to begin shipping vaccine doses directly to pharmacies POLITICO, 02 Feb 2021 19:23Z The Biden administration said Tuesday it will begin distributing a limited number of Covid-19 vaccine doses directly to retail pharmacies across the nation. 9-year-old boy dies hours after becoming sick with COVID-19 CNN KETV Omaha, 02 Feb 2021 03:52Z Discovery of stars sheds new light on dark matter and galactic cannibalism The Guardian, 01 Feb 2021 18:52Z The discovery of a handful of stars at the edge of a fossil galaxy has shed new light on dark matter and provided clues of a possible early instance of galactic ... Japan expected to extend COVID-19 state of emergency - sources Yahoo News, 01 Feb 2021 Japan is expected to extend a state of emergency on Tuesday to fight the spread of COVID-19 for Tokyo and other areas, three sources with knowledge of the ... Mysterious magnetic fossils offer past climate clues Phys.org, 01 Feb 2021 20:37Z There are fossils, found in ancient marine sediments and made up of no more than a few magnetic nanoparticles, that can tell us a whole lot about the climate of ... SpaceX to launch first-ever private astronaut mission in late 2021 - Business Insider Business Insider, 02 Feb 2021 02:37Z For SpaceX's Inspiration4 mission, Jared Isaacman is giving seats on the Crew Dragon spaceship to a healthcare worker, an entrepreneur, and a donor. Trump pollster's campaign autopsy paints damning picture of defeat POLITICO, 02 Feb 2021 02:35Z Former President Donald Trump has blamed the election results on unfounded claims of fraud and malfeasance. But at the top levels of his campaign, a detailed ... Newly transcribed chronicle describes extreme weather events that hit Bristol 400 years ago Phys.org, 01 Feb 2021 15:34Z Historians from the University of Bristol have discovered contemporary accounts of numerous weird weather events that happened in the Bristol area around the ... BREAKING (2 Feb): Up to 30 homes have reportedly been lost in a bushfire burning nr Perth. About 200 firefighters have been fighting the fire along a 90 km front that's been burning since yest. Around 7000 ha have been burned out. Some residents have been told to ignore the covid lockdown and leave their homes and goto evac centers. Woman who gave birth while in a coma and battling COVID-19 meets newborn for first time Channel3000.com - WISC-TV3, 01 Feb 2021 15:09Z Madison, Wis. Nearly 3 months after she gave birth while in a coma and battling COVID-19, a UW Health patient was finally reunited with her family, ... Moderna And Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine Shipments Falling Short NPR/Shots - Health News, 01 Feb 2021 23:07Z President Biden said last Tuesday that his administration is already working on ordering more COVID-19 vaccine doses to increase the U.S. supply through this ... Dow Jones Futures Fall As Biden Meets With Republicans; GME Stock Dives 30% Dow Jones futures were lower late Monday amid President Biden's stimulus talks with Republicans. GME stock plunged 30% and dived another 23% late. Investor's Business Daily, 02 Feb 2021 0:56Z Robinhood is facing dozens of lawsuits over GameStop stock freeze The Verge, 01 Feb 2021 23:04Z Stock trading app Robinhood is facing dozens of lawsuits after the company restricted several stocks popular on the r/WallStreetBets subreddit. At least 30 ... Biden begins term with 49 percent approval, new Marist poll finds The Hill, 01 Feb 2021 19:04Z President Biden is beginning his term in the White House with the approval of roughly half of Americans, according to a new Marist poll released on Monday. Rochester police officers suspended over pepper spraying of 9-year-old girl CBS News, 02 Feb 2021 0:19Z Police officers involved in the pepper-spraying of a 9-year-old girl in Rochester, New York, have been suspended, the city announced Monday. The suspensions ... Greenland is careening toward a critical tipping point for ice loss Livescience.com, 01 Feb 2021 18:04Z Frozen Greenland is on track to become significantly less frozen before the 21st century is over. By 2055, winter snowfall on the Greenland Ice Sheet will no ... Biden wants to free up Puerto Rico hurricane relief withheld under Trump The Hill, 01 Feb 2021 20:00Z The Biden administration is working on freeing up funding for Puerto Rico intended for recovery efforts from Hurricane Maria, White House press secretary Jen ... New COVID variants 'spreading as fast as planes can fly' WLTX.com, 01 Feb 2021 03:27Z While these new strains are not more deadly, doctors say they are more contagious. Here's how we can prevent them from taking over. Elon Musk Turns Tough Interviewer For Robinhood CEO, Demands Answers On GameStop Events Yahoo Finance, 01 Feb 2021 10:25Z Robinhood Co-founder and CEO Vladimir Tenev made a surprise appearance on Clubhouse early Monday with Tesla Inc (NASDAQ: TSLA) counterpart Elon ... Two million Australians in lockdown after one coronavirus case found Yahoo News, 01 Feb 2021 06:11Z About 2 million Australians begun their first full day of a strict coronavirus lockdown on Monday following the discovery of one case in the community in Perth, ... Chilling trend: A longer, deadlier pandemic ampAxios, 01 Feb 2021 11:14Z Mutated versions of the coronavirus threaten to prolong the pandemic, perhaps for years - killing more people and deepening the global economic crisis in the ... Qld super rubbish system sitting idle because noone can switch it on ABC News, 1 Feb 2021 A Qld council has spend $21 mn to install a new hi-tech rubbish collection system that sucks garbage through pipes at 70 mph, avoiding the need for rubbish trucks. With the system completed it now sits idle because noone is qualified to switch it on. The S Korean builders are stuck at home unable to get flights to Australia due to the pandemic. Reps for the Qld council say they understand a team will be dispatched to do the final checkout and startup sometime in Feb. Hotel guard who triggered WA lockdown has the mutant UK strain, authorities confirm ABC News, 01 Feb 2021 04:51Z A hotel quarantine security guard whose movements are being tracked after he contracted COVID-19 has the highly contagious UK variant of the virus, authorities reveal. Shipping container shortage puts the squeeze on Australian exporters amid supply chain crunch ABC Rural, 01 Feb 2021 05:49Z Fresh food exporters are struggling to get their produce to market as a shortage of food-grade shipping containers and lengthy delays at international ports take a toll. At least one house on fire as Perth Hills bushfire reaches emergency level ABC News, 01 Feb 2021 05:49Z Fire crews battle an out of control bushfire in the Perth Hills suburb of Wooroloo which is unpredictable, as helicopter vision shows at least one house apparently ablaze and residents in Chidlow and Wundowie also at risk. [Last reports say 3 homes lost. Conditions worsening overnight]. Chinese businesswoman Sally Zou tops list of SA political donors ABC News, 01 Feb 2021 05:48Z Newly published records reveal Chinese businesswoman Sally Zou was the single highest donor to the SA Liberal Party during the 2019-20 financial year. [Redux!] 'Going backwards': Australia's Burmese community fears return of military rule after Aung San Suu Kyi's arrest ABC News, 01 Feb 2021 06:47Z Members of Australia's Burmese community are in a state of shock and disbelief after the military detained Myanmar's de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi. How did WA's hotel quarantine system fail? Police and the Government hunt for answers ABC News, 01 Feb 2021 07:46Z An investigation is underway to find the weak link in WA's hotel quarantine system after a security guard tested positive to COVID-19, plunging most of the State's population into a five day lockdown. MDBA says a 'sand slug' caused by early gold miners is impacting crucial stretch of river ABC Riverina, 01 Feb 2021 08:05Z The Murray Darling Basin Authority says the accumulation of sediment in the Barmah Choke is the result of historic mining practices rather than poor management, but a local leader says the agency is "clutching at straws". [Of Course They Are!] Hollywood already eyeing movie about r/WallStreetBets, GameStop New York Post, 01 Feb 2021 05:26Z Hollywood already has its sights set on last week's GameStop trading frenzy. Trump stocks new PAC with tens of millions as he bids to retain control of GOP POLITICO, 01 Feb 2021 02:07Z Former President Donald Trump amassed $31.2 million in his new political operation by the end of 2020, giving him a powerful tool to keep the Republican Party ... Victorian Government bans high-risk cladding for new multi-storey buildings in 'world first' ABC News, 31 Jan 2021 19:51Z Penalties of up to $80,000 for individuals and $400,000 for building companies will be slapped on those that breach the combustible cladding ban. Gottlieb says vaccination "should be a backstop" to protect against virus variant CBS News, 31 Jan 2021 16:44Z Dr. Scott Gottlieb, the former FDA commissioner, says inoculations may stem the spread of a new coronavirus variant in the coming months. [The bad news keeps on commin!] An electric race car has lapped Daytona for the first time Ars Technica, 31 Jan 2021 16:42Z The annual 24-hour race at Daytona International Speedway in Florida got underway on Saturday afternoon. And this year's race has been a pretty good one so ... [It's a generational thang!] GameStop mayhem hits close to home for co-founder's son, who's active on WallStreetBets CNBC, 31 Jan 2021 13:41Z Ben Kusin, whose dad co-founded the predecessor to GameStop in the 1980s, is an avid follower of the WallStreetBets forum on Reddit. Thousands join in Jerusalem funeral, flout pandemic rules New York Post, 31 Jan 2021 20:38Z Jerusalem. Thousands of ultra-Orthodox Israelis on Sunday thronged the funeral of a prominent rabbi in Jerusalem, flouting the country's ban on large ... [New cases in Israel last 14d: Jday #new cases 382 8450 16 Jan 383 8190 384 6560 385 7380 386 10213 387 7027 388 6159 389 4933 390 3442 391 15937 392 3828 393 4422 394 7305 395 5096 29 Jan ]. [Tracking Error!] On the Trail: GOP divided over growing anti-democratic drift in party The Hill, 31 Jan 2021 20:37Z President Trump's unprecedented efforts to undermine the clear and conclusive results of the presidential election have provoked a startling reaction in his ... 'Don't Be A Lab Rat': Dozens Of Protesters Block LA Mass Vaccination Site NPR, 31 Jan 2021 22:46Z Dozens of protesters temporarily blocked the entrance to one of the nation's largest mass-vaccination sites. People in hundreds of cars, waiting in line for hours, ... Oil giants Exxon, Chevron held merger talks, according to report USA TODAY, 31 Jan 2021 22:30Z The CEOs of Exxon and Chevron discussed a potential merger of the oil giants, according to the Wall Street Journal. Peter Navarro Predicts Trump 'Gets Elected in a Landslide in 2024' Newsweek, 31 Jan 2021 14:29Z During his final speech as president, Trump promised he'd "be back in some form." U.K. to Launch Formal Bid to Join Transpacific Trading Bloc Bloomberg, 30 Jan 2021 23:10Z The U.K. will formally request to join an 11-member transpacific trading bloc Monday, with negotiations expected to start later this year. Politicians ordered into quarantine after learning of new WA COVID case while flying to Canberra ABC News, 31 Jan 2021 11:47Z The first federal parliamentary sitting days are thrown into confusion by the new case of coronavirus in Perth, with West Australian politicians arriving in Canberra instructed to immediately quarantine and get tested. Russia arrests more than 3,000 during second weekend of protests calling for Alexei Navalny's release ABC News, 31 Jan 2021 12:46Z Russian police arrest more than 3,000 people as protesters across the nation take to the streets to demand the release of jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny. Here's How a 635 Million-Year-Old Microfossil May Have Helped Thaw 'Snowball Earth' ScienceAlert, 31 Jan 2021 16:43Z An international team of scientists in South China accidentally discovered the oldest terrestrial fossil ever found, about three times more ancient than the oldest ... This Ammonite Was Fossilized Outside Its Shell The New York Times, 31 Jan 2021 10:42Z The bizarre fossil is one of very few records of soft tissue in a creature better known as a whorled shell. Carbon capture technology has been around for decades - here's why it hasn't taken off CNBC, 31 Jan 2021 15:41Z Economics is one reason we aren't further along with carbon capture technology. One professor suggests it's "useless" if the world won't put a price on carbon. Reddit WallStreetBets Founder Calls GameStop Stock Frenzy A 'Symbolic Movement' NPR, 31 Jan 2021 16:40Z Jaime Rogozinski, a former moderator of the now-famous Reddit forum that sent GameStop stock soaring, saw the chaos coming. For too long, Wall Street has ... Melvin Capital, which bet against GameStop, lost more than 50% in January, report says CNBC, 31 Jan 2021 16:39Z Hedge fund Melvin Capital Management lost 53% in January amid a record rally in GameStop, according to The Wall Street Journal. Vietnam retains top leader, shuts Hanoi schools in COVID-19 battle Yahoo News, 31 Jan 2021 09:39Z Vietnam's ruling Communist Party re-elected its 76-year-old chief Nguyen Phu Trong for a rare third five-year term on Sunday, as the Southeast Asian country ... [UPDATE] NWS Issues Winter Storm Warning, 17 Inches Of Snow Expected In NYC Gothamist, 31 Jan 2021 16:32Z The latest forecast says over a foot of snow is likely. How much snow did we get in 1979? January 1979 was a record breaking month in terms of both snowfall and arctic cold temperatures. From January 12th to the 14th, a winter storm dumped an estimated 18.4 inches of snow. This was a record amount for a single snowstorm. -- weather.gov Much of WA sent into snap lockdown after security guard infected at quarantine hotel ABC News, 31 Jan 2021 04:42Z Western Australia's 10-month coronavirus-free streak ends, with a hotel quarantine security guard testing positive to COVID-19, sending much of the state into a five-day lockdown. Panic buying begins despite Premier's plea as Perth enters snap lockdown ABC News, 31 Jan 2021 07:30Z Long queues form outside supermarkets across the Perth metropolitan area despite the WA Premier urging people not to panic buy as the state heads into a snap five-day lockdown. BREAKING (31 Jan): WA has announced all schools will be closed immediately following the detection of a community case of covid. Previously the govt had announced the new worrying UK variant of the disease had been detected in hotel quarantine and subsequently it was believed people with the variant had arrived in WA from interstate. At a press conf still ongoing police have directed people to stay at home for the next 5 days and for essential workers to wear masks in public. They have also appealed to the community to act with consideration and not start a round of panic buying. Thousands flee Hong Kong for UK, fearing China crackdown New York Post, 31 Jan 2021 03:26Z Thousands of Hong Kongers have fled their hometowns since Beijing imposed a draconian national security law on the territory last summer. A68a iceberg in Antarctica suffers another major split Daily Mail, 29 Jan 2021 The ill-fated Atlantic iceberg A68 that broke off from Antarctica in 2017 has suffered another major spilt, creating a smaller berg called A68g. [Yor Fired!] Trump parts with impeachment lawyers a week before trial The Associated Press, 31 Jan 2021 04:30Z Washington. Former President Donald Trump has parted ways with his lead impeachment lawyers just over a week before his Senate trial is set to ... Tropical low across Kimberley, Pilbara coasts forecast to develop into category two cyclone ABC News, 31 Jan 2021 02:54Z A tropical low tracking across the Kimberley and towards the Pilbara coast is now forecast to develop into a category two cyclone according to the Bureau of Meteorology. Is there life on Mars? Not if we destroy it with poor space hygiene The Guardian, 30 Jan 2021 22:34Z Next month, three new spacecraft arrive at Mars. Two represent firsts for their countries of origin, while the third opens a new era of Mars exploration. The first is ... Defiant Redditors buy Times Square billboard as GameStop stock saga rages Fox Business, 31 Jan 2021 01:32Z Defiant amateur investors on Reddit say they are not backing down on their investments in GameStop - and even took out billboards in Times Square and ... Robinhood CEO refutes 'conspiracy theory' that hedge funds prompted GameStop trading halt Fox Business, 31 Jan 2021 01:33Z Embattled Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev denied Friday that pressure from Wall Street hedge funds prompted the mobile brokerage firm's decision to restrict trades ... Russian anti-corruption group founded by Navalny calls for Biden to sanction Putin allies in letter CNBC, 30 Jan 2021 23:30Z The call for sanctions comes after tens of thousands of demonstrators protested the poisoning and arrest of Navalny by Russian officials. A Vast Web of Vengeance The New York Times, 31 Jan 2021 0:29Z Outrageous lies destroyed Guy Babcock's online reputation. When he went hunting for their source, what he discovered was worse than he could have ... 2 dead in massive California storms that took out portion of Highway 1 CBS News, 30 Jan 2021 23:28Z Massive storms walloped California on Friday, leaving at least two people dead. In Northern California, drone footage captured the extent of the damage on ... WHO team visits second Wuhan hospital as coronavirus probe continues ABC News, 30 Jan 2021 at 8:55pm A World Health Organization team investigating the origins of the coronavirus pandemic visit another Wuhan hospital that treated early COVID-19 patients on its second full day of work. 60 years ago today, Ham the chimp made history. But his story didn't end there ABC/The Conversation, 30 JanJanuary at 10:00pm On January 31, 1961, an intrepid chimpanzee called Ham was launched on a rocket from Cape Canaveral in the United States, and returned to Earth alive, writes Alice Gorman. Europe wants COVID-19 'vaccine certificates' as soon as possible. But how will they work? ABC News, 30 Jan 2021 at 10:12pm The European Union is pushing to introduce 'vaccine certificates' as soon as possible, allowing its citizens to freely travel within the 27-nation bloc again. But how exactly will it work? Biden has hit the accelerator, but Australia's leaders remain stuck in climate change paralysis ABC News, 30 Jan 2021 18:53Z As Joe Biden hits the accelerator on climate action, Australia remains stuck in climate policy paralysis, with both major parties treading nervously, writes David Speers. Corporate executives reap millions from Reddit stock frenzy CBS News, 30 Jan 2021 12:25Z Stock sales by GameStop and BlackBerry insiders raise questions about their comp. "It's pay for luck," one expert said. Even Karl Marx used his stimulus payment to bet against professional traders ABC News, 30 Jan 2021 19:17Z When Karl Marx received a large bequeath from a friend who had died, he used some of the money to gamble on the stock exchange. [Elsewhere, Nigel Farage (who's still apparently paying road tax that was abolished for everyone else in 1937) has claimed the Reddit kids are a logical consequence of his BREXIT idea]. E.U. Makes a Sudden and Embarrassing U-Turn on Vaccines The New York Times, 30 Jan 2021 17:18Z Already criticized for a slow rollout for its 27 members, Brussels retreated on export controls linked to Ireland and Brexit. Maine Voices: Why I'm quitting the Republican Party after more than 40 years Press Herald/Opinion, 30 Jan 2021 09:17Z The party's nearly universal support of Donald Trump is a betrayal of every principle of truth, honor, decency and morality I believe in. [Immunity!] Rep. Stephen Lynch Tests Positive for COVID-19 Despite Receiving Both Vaccine Doses Newsweek, 30 Jan 2021 04:24Z Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.) announced Friday that he had tested positive for COVID-19 over a week after completing a full course of Pfizer/BioNTech's ... CDC says travelers must wear masks on all forms of public transportation CNN, 30 Jan 2021 12:23Z To slow the spread of Covid-19, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued late Friday an order that will require people to wear a face mask ... `It's a mess': Biden's first 10 days dominated by vaccine mysteries POLITICO, 30 Jan 2021 12:23Z Joe Biden promised he'd bring in a competent, tested team to run the pandemic response, set ambitious vaccination targets and impose strict public health ... US cemetery removes 'white human beings' clause in contract after black deputy denied burial ABC News, 29 Jan 2021 at 10:58pm The board of a small Louisiana cemetery that denied burial to a black sheriff's deputy holds an emergency meeting to remove a whites-only provision from its sales contracts. Remote school blindsided by $300k power bill from miner Rio Tinto ABC News, 29 Jan 2021 at 11:09pm Nhulunbuy Primary School, on the Gove Peninsula in Arnhem Land, is now in the process of paying back the hefty bill, which Rio Tinto said was the fault of an "electricity invoicing discrepancy". Players celebrate freedom from quarantine as Aus Open crowd caps revealed ABC News, 29 Jan 2021 at 11:27pm International players take to social media as Victoria's Chief Health Officer gives approval for between 25,000 to 30,000 people a day to attend the Australian Open in Melbourne next month -- about half the average attendance in recent years. EU gives itself power to block vaccine shipments to Australia ABC News, 30 Jan 2021 01:14Z The European Union introduces tighter rules on exports of COVID-19 vaccines that could hit shipments to nations including Australia, amid a deepening dispute with drug manufacturers Pfizer and AstraZeneca. Are you being invaded by huntsman spiders like these families? It could be the weather ABC Weather, 30 Jan 2021 02:13Z An invasion of tiny spiders -- soon to become really big ones -- in Sydney homes this week could be driven by changes in air pressure, according to a renowned spider expert. France stops short of third coronavirus lockdown, but experts warn it's likely to come ABC News, 30 Jan 2021 05:11Z The country's Prime Minister says they have a chance to avoid going into a third lockdown, but doctors and scientists think it seems certain and say the only question is when it will come in. The 'last' Holden car manufactured in Australia sells for $750,000 -- but was it the last one? ABC News, 30 Jan 2021 08:09Z An auction bidder pays $750,000 for "the last car ever produced at Holden Australia" -- even though General Motors says "absolutely the last Holden" is sitting in the National Motor Museum, not for sale. [Change Of Heart:] Citron Research, short seller caught up in GameStop squeeze, pivoting to finding long opportunities CNBC, 30 Jan 2021 02:23Z Citron Research, which was forced to close out its short position in GameStop amid a frenzy in retail buying, said it will no longer publish short reports. Palm Beach reviewing Trump's residency at Mar-a-Lago The Hill, 30 Jan 2021 03:22Z The town of Palm Beach, Fla. confirmed to The Hill Friday that it's performing a legal review of former President Trump's residency at Mar-a-Lago after ... This AI optical technology cuts wind turbine eagle deaths by 82% Electrek.co, 29 Jan 2021 21:21Z IdentiFlight's smart cameras, which spot such birds of prey as eagles and then halt wind turbines, result in a reduction of bird deaths. SEC reviewing volatility amid GameStop frenzy, vows to protect retail investors CNBC, 29 Jan 2021 18:38Z The SEC said it will work to protect investors by reviewing the recent volatility that has fueled a meteoric rise in stocks like GameStop and AMC Entertainment. AMC backer Silver Lake sells shares for $113 million profit amid surge Business Insider, 30 Jan 2021 02:39Z After Reddit traders sent AMC shares skyrocketing this week, Silver Lake converted $600 million in debt to equity before selling it for $713 million. Vanuatu detains Chinese fishing boats, Russian yacht Yahoo News, 30 Jan 2021 01:37Z The Pacific island nation of Vanuatu has detained two Chinese fishing boats and a Russian yacht due to concerns the vessels were operating illegally in its ... Republican lawmakers looking to declare June 14 as `President Donald J. Trump Day' in Ohio WJW FOX 8 News Cleveland, 29 Jan 2021 22:37Z Two Ohio representatives are looking to declare June 14th as "President Donald J. Trump Day." On Friday, Republican Reps. Jon Cross and Reggie Stoltzfus ... UK consortium launches InCEPTion project to develop integrated electric aircraft propulsion module Green Car Congress, 29 Jan 2021 11:36Z Unmanned aerial systems (UAS) specialist Blue Bear Systems Research, a UK Small to Medium Enterprise, has formed a seven-strong consortium to develop a ... G.M. Announcement Shakes Up U.S. Automakers' Transition to Electric Cars The New York Times, 30 Jan 2021 01:38Z A new president took office this month determined to fight climate change. Wall Street investors think Tesla is worth more than General Motors, Toyota, ... Steve Bannon Cuts Off Rudy Giuliani's Claim That Lincoln Project Helped Capitol Rioters Newsweek, 29 Jan 2021 21:37Z "You can't throw a charge out there like that," Bannon told Giuliani after the attorney claimed an unnamed individual from the Lincoln Project helped plan the ... Gov. Gavin Newsom signs bill to extend COVID-19 eviction protections through June Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan 2021 21:35Z Rocket Report: FAA grounds Starship, Biden's big rocket dilemma Ars Technica, 29 Jan 2021 12:10Z Most of the news this week has happened with bigger rockets, with an especially interesting bit concerning the ... Job Seekers With Trump White House on Their Résumés Face a Cold Reality The New York Times, 29 Jan 2021 19:06Z Working at the White House has traditionally been a ticket to a lucrative future. But that hasn't been the case so far for Trump alumni. China executes finance official for taking 'especially enormous' bribes ABC News, 29 Jan 2021 14:39Z The former head of a Chinese state-owned asset management company is executed on charges of taking bribes in an unusually severe penalty for a recent corruption case. Alabama's coronavirus positivity rate now highest in the nation AL.com, 29 Jan 2021 13:57Z 35 percent of reported virus tests in Alabama are coming back positive. But it depends on which numbers you look at. EU places export controls on coronavirus vaccines CNBC, 29 Jan 2021 16:53Z The EU's vaccination program has been sluggish at best, and looking vulnerable to supply shortages. [Doom Loop:] GOP Looked Set to Divorce Donald Trump Over Capitol Riot. Now, it's Renewing Vows Newsweek, 29 Jan 2021 09:53Z After the deadly violence of January 6, the Republican Party looked set to sever ties with Donald Trump but just a few weeks on signs point towards a renewed ... The G.O.P. Is in a Doom Loop of Bizarro The New York Times/Opinion, 29 Jan 2021 15:51Z Here's what we know about American politics: The Republican Party is stuck, probably irreversibly, in a doom loop of bizarro. If the Trump-incited Capitol ... McCarthy Seeks Thaw With Trump as G.O.P. Rallies Behind Former President The New York Times, 28 Jan 2021 23:52Z The top House Republican met with former President Donald J. Trump, working to mend fences after saying that Mr. Trump bore responsibility for the Jan. Where is the Republican Party of Barry Goldwater when we need it? The Hill/Opinion, 29 Jan 2021 14:52Z There's no question that Donald Trump committed impeachable acts that exceed those that prompted the GOP to abandon Richard Nixon. Mexico's COVID-19 death toll surpasses India, becomes world's third highest Yahoo News, 29 Jan 2021 03:21Z Mexico on Thursday surpassed India in confirmed COVID-19 deaths, giving the Latin American country the third-highest toll worldwide, according to a Reuters ... San Francisco will rename 42 schools to end racist associations Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan 2021 23:21Z The San Francisco Unified Board of Education voted 6-1 to change a third of its school names for their associations with racism, oppression and colonization. What writers who imagined drowned worlds tell us about the future of sea-level rise Phys.org, 28 Jan 2021 17:20Z Water was traded on Wall Street alongside oil and gold for the first time in early December 2020. That might seem bizarre, but there is a grim logic at play. Record-Breaking Source for Single Photons Developed That Can Produce Billions of Quantum Particles per Second SciTechDaily, 28 Jan 2021 16:20Z Researchers at the University of Basel and Ruhr University Bochum have developed a source of single photons that can produce billions of these quantum ... Growing concern COVID-19 could be in South-East Queensland community after more wastewater testing ABC News, 29 Jan 2021 07:37Z Acting Chief Health Officer Sonya Bennett says positive coronavirus fragments in two sewage catchments not fed by hotel quarantine raises the potential there is an undetected case in the South-East Queensland community. Coronavirus fragments found in wastewater at three Victorian towns ABC News, 29 Jan 2021 06:38Z Residents of three regional Victorian towns are urged to get tested for coronavirus after viral fragments were detected in wastewater samples. [Close Encounter:] Woman in NZ quarantine and hotel worker caught in 'inappropriate encounter' ABC News, 29 Jan 2021 08:46Z Authorities in New Zealand breathe a sigh of relief as a female returning traveller in quarantine and a worker at her hotel both return negative COVID tests, despite being caught in a "20-minute inappropriate encounter". Residents brace as tropical low builds for biggest WA wet season event 'in three years' ABC Kimberley, 29 Jan 2021 02:55Z Meteorologists are keeping a close eye on a tropical low making its way over the north west of Western Australia. New Trade Minister snubbed by Chinese counterpart as diplomatic freeze continues ABC Rural, 29 Jan 2021 04:54Z With relations between Australia and China at an historic low, Trade Minister Dan Tehan says he will wait "patiently" for Chinese counterpart Wang Wentao to engage in discussions on a series of trade disputes. [Trapped in Pommie Land!] Major blow for Australians attempting to return home after UK bans flights from popular stopover ABC News, 29 Jan 2021 04:53Z The travel plans of many Australians attempting to flee the coronavirus-stricken United Kingdom are in disarray after the British Government banned flights from the UAE, effectively barring major carriers Etihad and Emirates. America's biggest cemetery is struggling to cope with funeral services as COVID deaths keep rising ABC News, 29 Jan 2021 05:42Z There is about a month's delay before families can receive funeral services for their loved ones at California's Rose Hills Memorial Park and Mortuary. Xiaomi says its `Air Charge' technology works over several meters The Verge, 29 Jan 2021 04:50Z Xiaomi has announced Mi Air Charge Technology, a truly wireless charging solution that is said to be able to charge multiple devices at 5W over several meters. Experts In Edinburgh Suggest Another Global 'Disease X' Could Be 'Around The Corner' Yahoo Entertainment, 28 Jan 2021 A leading scientist in Edinburgh has called for authorities to be aware of a whole range of other viruses after saying that 'Disease X' is inevitable. All Quiet Under the Algal Bloom Hakai Magazine, 27 Jan 2021 A network of listening stations in Sarasota Bay, Florida, is letting scientists hear how red tides affect marine life. CCAs accelerate California's clean energy transition, providing a model for other states: report Utility Dive, 28 Jan 2021 15:47Z California's community choice aggregators (CCAs) have sped up the state's progress toward its clean energy goals by opting to purchase more carbon-free ... Liquid nitrogen leak at Georgia poultry plant kills 6 The Associated Press, 28 Jan 2021 23:42Z Gainesville, Ga. A liquid nitrogen leak at a northeast Georgia poultry plant killed six people Thursday and sent 11 others to the hospital, officials said. The Atlantic Ocean is getting wider every year, pushing the Americas away from Europe and Africa. We may finally know why. Yahoo News, 28 Jan 2021 19:43Z The Atlantic Ocean is widening every year because a mountain range under the water is a hotspot of geologic activity, according to a new study. Goodbye to our space junk mini-moon. See you around # the sun Seattle Times, 28 Jan 2021 15:43Z Get ready to say goodbye to our fugitive mini-moon, a junk relic of our former space age, as it prepares to orbit Earth for the last two times before catapulting... [Messin Widda Systum!] GameStop: How day trader Reddit bros burned a Wall Street pro The day trader attack on Gabe Plotkin's six-year-old Melvin Capital has shifted the balance of power in equity markets in ways that would have seemed unimaginable only months ago. Al Jazeera, 27 Jan 2021 The first sign of trouble for hedge fund wunderkind Gabe Plotkin came in late October: A poster on Reddit's popular wallstreetbets forum was taking aim at his wildly successful investment firm. [Reports say shorters have lost $5 bn so far to the kids. SAD!] Robinhood, in Need of Cash, Raises $1 Billion From Its Investors The New York Times, 29 Jan 2021 10:12Z Facing an onslaught of demands on its cash amid a stock market frenzy, Robinhood, the online trading app, said on Thursday that it was raising an infusion of ... Congress plans hearings after GameStop stock frenzy and Robinhood trading freeze CBS News, 29 Jan 2021 03:47Z A partisan Congress was unified by outrage after the app Robinhood and other retail stock trading companies froze some individual trading in response to a ... Stonks! A guide to understanding that GameStop Reddit lingo ABC News, 29 Jan 2021 02:54Z When Reddit broke the stock market this week, lots of people were introduced to a bunch of new slang words. Here's your quick guide to talking like a newly paper-rich Redditor. Robinhood CEO says it limited buying in GameStop to 'protect the firm and protect our customers' CNBC, 29 Jan 2021 01:48Z Robinhood on Thursday restricted trading in thirteen equities, including GameStop and AMC Entertainment. [They didn't interfere in the market! They were just protecting the investments of their pals!] Google salvaged Robinhood's one-star rating by deleting nearly 100,000 negative reviews The Verge, 29 Jan 2021 01:23Z Google is actively removing negative reviews of the Robinhood app from the Google Play Store, the company confirmed to The Verge. After some disgruntled ... Lawmakers from AOC to Ted Cruz are bashing Robinhood over its GameStop trading freeze CNBC, 28 Jan 2021 22:38Z AOC, Ted Cruz, Ro Khanna and other lawmakers criticized Robinhood after it restricted trading in GameStop and other companies targeted by the irreverent ... What the GameStop Rally Has Revealed About Financial Media The New Republic, 28 Jan 2021 20:48Z Networks like CNBC and Fox Business are in league with the hedge funds they supposedly cover. [UKEXIT!] UK PM Johnson heads to Scotland amid fears of break up of UK Yahoo News, 27 Jan 2021 22:38Z Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the experience of the COVID-19 pandemic underlined the benefits of being part of the United Kingdom as he prepares to visit ... British Pound (GBP USD) at Risk With Independent Scotland, Boris Johnson Says Bloomberg, 28 Jan 2021 15:40Z Boris Johnson went to Scotland to try to demonstrate the benefits of the U.K. he leads, as a powerful alliance of four nations working together to defeat the ... The WHO team in Wuhan is out of quarantine. Can it discover the origins of COVID-19? ABC News, 28 Jan 2021 09:00Z A World Health Organization team emerges from quarantine in Wuhan to start field work trying to find the origins of the virus that caused the COVID-19 pandemic. [Not tested!] Germany questions efficacy of AstraZeneca vaccine in the elderly ABC News, 28 Jan 2021 17:59Z Germany's vaccine committee tells the nation's health ministry the AstraZeneca vaccine should not be given to the elderly due to "insufficient data" a claim that British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has since contested. IOC President says COVID-19 is not going to stop the Olympic Games, with money and opportunity at the heart of his optimism ABC News, 28 Jan 2021 17:58Z The IOC is trying to move heaven and earth to ensure the Tokyo Olympic Games go ahead this year, driving by a fear of lost revenue, and opportunity, writes Tracey Holmes. Human Thumbs Got a Major Upgrade 2 Million Years Ago, Sparking a Cultural Revolution, Study Finds Gizmodo, 28 Jan 2021 17:55Z The human thumb is a marvel of evolution, allowing our ancestors to craft stone tools and radically expand their food choices. New research suggests our agile, ... To Avoid a Covid Surge, China Cracks Down on Lunar New Year Travel The New York Times, 28 Jan 2021 12:50Z China has added restrictions, offered incentives and appealed to a sense of filial and national responsibility, in an effort to prevent about 300 million migrant ... NextEra to add up to 30 GW new renewables in next 4 years, target more C&I customers Utility Dive, 27 Jan 2021 NextEra expects to build about 23-30 GW of new renewables between 2021 and 2024, including 12.15 to 17.3 GW in 2023 to 2024, "by far the largest expected ... Onshore Wind Closes In On Solar in Spanish Auction Greentech Media News, 27 Jan 2021 Solar has won the bulk of capacity on offer in Spain's latest renewable energy auction. But onshore wind bids have surprised analysts by coming to within a ... [Undercount:] New York underreported COVID-19 nursing home deaths by as much as 50%, AG report says Times Union, 28 Jan 2021 18:34Z Albany. New York Attorney General Letitia James on Thursday released a searing report that found the state Department of Health underreported nursing ... Why Vaccines Might Not Be Able to Eliminate Covid-19 Bloomberg, 28 Jan 2021 06:53Z The road to eliminating Covid-19 is long and paved with uncertainty. Many countries are counting on vaccines to build sufficient immunity in their populations so ... Over 30,000 Republican Voters Change Party Affiliation After Pro-Trump Capitol Riot Newsweek, 28 Jan 2021 02:48Z The number of Republican voters who left represent a very small portion of the party's base, but even a tiny shift in places like Pennsylvania and Arizona could ... [Waving A Big Fist:] China tells Taiwan that 'independence means war' ABC News, 28 Jan 2021 10:37Z China believes that Taiwan's democratically elected government is moving the island towards a declaration of formal independence, though President Tsai Ing-wen has repeatedly said they are already an independent country. Mike Pence is 'homeless' and 'couch surfing' after being booted from the Vice President's residence Daily Mail, 28 Jan 2021 01:37Z The ex-VP and his wife, Karen, returned to their home state of Indiana last Wednesday but no longer own property there. Largest Gravity Changes Ever Recorded: 2018 K#lauea Eruption USGS, 27 Jan 2021 Australian Open participants to start leaving hotel quarantine tonight ABC News, 28 Jan 2021 03:29Z More than 900 people who travelled to Victoria for the Australian Open will be released from hotel quarantine over the coming days, COVID-19 Quarantine Victoria confirms. [Cancelled!] 'Dangerous conspiracy theories': Candidate withdraws from WA election over 5G post ABC News, 28 Jan 2021 04:28Z A Liberal candidate for the up-coming WA election withdraws after an opinion piece she wrote linking 5G technology to the global coronavirus pandemic is revealed. Sun Cable signs development agreement with NT Government to build giant solar farm, but Singapore yet to commit ABC News, 28 Jan 2021 04:27Z The Sun Cable project, on track to be built in the Northern Territory, aims to supply up to 15 per cent of Singapore's energy by 2027, but the city- state has concerns about reliability and has not yet signed any agreements. Vietnam reports first two locally transmitted COVID-19 cases in 55 days ABC News, 28 Jan 2021 05:26Z Vietnam's health ministry confirms its first two locally transmitted COVID-19 cases in nearly two months, just weeks before the country's Lunar New Year holiday period. Calls for Victorian Government to set interim emissions reduction targets ahead of 2050 ABC News, 28 Jan 2021 06:29Z Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews is being urged to set emissions reduction targets for 2025 and 2030 to boost business confidence and prevent Victoria falling behind the rest of the world on climate action. ACCC vows to pursue Google's ad dominance, as tech giants push back on news code ABC/7.30, 28 Jan 2021 06:32Z The consumer watchdog raises fresh concerns about tech giant Google's digital advertising dominance, vowing to pursue its potential misuse of market power. Second police officer died by suicide following Capitol attack POLITICO, 27 Jan 2021 18:38Z A second police officer who responded to the violent insurrection that rocked the Capitol Building on Jan. 6 has died by suicide, according to testimony obtained ... Ocean health under threat as research shows shark, ray numbers down 70pc ABC Far North, 27 Jan 2021 at 10:00pm Researchers say an elevated extinction risk to sharks jeopardises the health of oceans as well as food security in many poorer, developing nations. Biden pauses oil and gas leases, cuts subsidies in 'bold' climate steps ABC News, 27 Jan 2021 at 10:16pm US President Joe Biden signs a raft of executive actions to combat climate change as he pursues green policies he billed as a boon to the economy. [10y and 74 court hearings later:] Malka Leifer faces first court hearing in Australia over child sex abuse charges after extradition ABC News, 28 Jan 2021 0:36Z Malka Leifer's lawyer says his client has "significant mental health issues" and needs "special arrangements" in custody, as the former school principal has faced an Australian court for the first time on child sex abuse charges. Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio was an FBI informant The Guardian, 28 Jan 2021 0:20Z Extremist leader repeatedly worked undercover for investigators after his arrest in 2012, former prosecutor and court files reveal. Atmospheric River Hits Northern California, Bringing Snow, Winds and Mudslides San Francisco Chronicle, 27 Jan 2021 23:20Z Doomsday Clock remains at 100 seconds to midnight - perilously close to catastrophe NBC News, 27 Jan 2021 17:40Z The Bulletin of Atomic Scientists announced on Wednesday that its symbolic Doomsday Clock remains at 100 seconds to midnight, the same ... [For 2y in a row the clock remains at 100 sec to doom -- the closest it's been to the end of civilization in its 70y history]. On nights before a full moon, people go to bed later and sleep less, study shows Phys.org, 27 Jan 2021 19:33Z For centuries, humans have blamed the moon for our moods, accidents and even natural disasters. But new research indicates that our planet's celestial ... Navalny Allies and Offices Targeted in Raids as Kremlin Turns Up Pressure The New York Times, 27 Jan 2021 21:30Z Moscow. Police officers raided the apartments and offices of the opposition leader Aleksei A. Navalny and of his allies on Wednesday, increasing pressure ... Mystery of Greenland's expanding 'dark zone' finally solved Livescience.com, 27 Jan 2021 13:29Z Scientists have discovered what causes the algal blooms that are responsible for the 'dark zone' in Greenland's melting ice sheet. The Race Is On for Commercial Deployment of Solar in Open Seas Greentech Media News, 27 Jan 2021 22:05Z Commercial-scale ocean solar projects are expected within the next two years as Equinor joins the fray. President Biden to Sign Executive Order, Pausing Oil and Gas Leasing The New York Times, 27 Jan 2021 20:28Z Washington. President Biden on Wednesday signed a sweeping series of executive orders that aim to "confront the existential threat of climate change" ... NASA's asteroid-sampling OSIRIS-REx probe will head back to Earth in May Engadget, 27 Jan 2021 10:25Z The OSIRIS-REx spacecraft will soon bid asteroid Bennu farewell. NASA has announced that OSIRIS-REx will start its journey back to our planet on May 10th, ... 2020 Was The Worst Year Ever For U.S. Hotels. Here's What's Next NPR, 27 Jan 2021 10:24Z After a tough 2020, the U.S. hotel industry is bracing for a difficult first half this year, followed by improved leisure travel in the second half. [BREXIT!] E.U. and U.K. Fight Over Coronavirus Vaccines: 'Solidarity Is Failing' The New York Times, 27 Jan 2021 12:23Z As vaccine production falls behind schedule, and the European Union lags in inoculating people, Brussels and London are lobbing threats and accusations at ... France: Vaccines shortage leaves Strasbourg anti-COVID clinic at standstill WION, 27 Jan 2021 04:26Z Indonesia's Most Active Volcano Erupts NPR, 27 Jan 2021 11:23Z Indonesia, an archipelago of 270 million people, sits along the Pacific "Ring of Fire," which leaves the country prone to earthquakes, tsunamis, and eruptions. How Biden's Climate Ambitions Could Shift America's Global Footprint The New York Times, 27 Jan 2021 10:21Z Serious efforts to address global warming might mean big changes for America's trade, foreign relations and even defense strategy. Woman awarded $280k for defamation by Australian Financial Review columnist ABC News, 27 Jan 2021 05:21Z Journalist Joe Aston engaged in a campaign of "offensive mockery" against businesswoman Elaine Stead while writing for the Nine Entertainment Co newspaper, a judge found, leaving Ms Stead feeling "humiliated". NSW walks away from Norfolk Island services, Queensland poised to take control ABC News, 27 Jan 2021 05:20Z NSW's association with Norfolk Island appears likely to end, after Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk confirmed her Government was in talks about taking over a service contract on the tiny external territory. 'Endless shame': Chinese social media responds to anal swab testing for COVID-19 ABC News, 27 Jan 2021 06:19Z China enforces strict new measures, including anal swab testing, as COVID-19 cases surge ahead of Lunar New Year, usually the country's busiest time for travel. Australian activist detained over a tweet in Tanzania seeks help to return home ABC/RN Breakfast, 27 Jan 2021 06:17Z Activist Zara Kay is on bail in Tanzania and unable to leave the country, but says she hasn't been charged with a crime. Meanwhile, she has been receiving death threats and does not feel safe, and wants help to return home to Australia. Goldman Sachs chief executive David Solomon pays $12.9m price for 1MDB scandal ABC News, 27 Jan 2021 07:17Z The chief executive's pay is cut by 36 per cent over the bank's role in a scandal that saw Goldman Sachs agree to pay $3.74 billion in settlements. Axiom Space names first private crew to launch to space station collectSPACE.com, 26 Jan 2021 14:29Z The crew of the first entirely-private orbital space mission will include the second oldest person to launch into space, the second Israeli in space, the 11th ... Space tourists paying $71m each to be first all-private International Space Station crew ABC News, 27 Jan 2021 08:15Z Space tourism will resume in January 2022 with three men joining an eight- day mission to the ISS, using a SpaceX Dragon capsule for the first fully private flight to the station. BREAKING (27 Jan): The AUS govt has lost a class action involving breach of privacy. The govt had released the names and personal details of around 10,000 asylum seekers and in the first case of its type in AUS the court has found they are entitled to compensation between $100 and $20k each, depending on circumstances. Often asylum seekers or their families are under threat from the govt in their home country. [Monsoon Season:] Queensland's Cape York braces for falls of up to 180mm every six hours, but low is unlikely to form into cyclone ABC News, 27 Jan 2021 03:11Z The Bureau of Meteorology says a low off Queensland's Cape York Peninsula is now unlikely to form into a cyclone but is still predicted to bring heavy rainfall to the region. [What Rules?] Group of people from Sydney COVID-19 hotspot allegedly visited Parliament House ABC News, 27 Jan 2021 03:10Z ACT authorities are investigating a possible COVID-19 breach after receiving reports that a group of people from Sydney's Cumberland local government area visited Parliament House yesterday. Companies are powering ahead with big battery projects, but a 'lack of certainty' by governments could deter good investment ABC/7.30, 27 Jan 2021 03:08Z New projects are being announced all the time in the grid-scale battery arms race but concerns are being raised over a patchwork approach which has seen some states go at it alone in their pursuit of more aggressive emissions targets. Former NAB employee jailed for stealing $5.5m in 'staggering' invoice scam ABC News, 27 Jan 2021 03:51Z Former NAB employee Rosemary Rogers, who conspired to defraud the bank of more than $5 million out of "greed, personal gain and self-gratification", is jailed for eight years. Pennsylvania GOP pledges full allegiance to Trump Politico, 26 Jan 2021 23:59Z Philadelphia. Pennsylvania once stocked D.C. with a steady stream of establishment Republicans. Now, in the wake of Donald Trump's reelection defeat, ... [Anniversary:] COVID-19 origins remain 'big black box' as global infections reach 100 million ABC News, 26 Jan 2021 at 7:59pm More than 100 million people around the world have now been infected with COVID-19, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. Health scare for senator presiding over Trump's impeachment trial ABC News, 26 Jan 2021 at 8:52pm US senator Patrick Leahy, who is presiding over the Senate impeachment trial of Donald Trump, has been taken to hospital for observation after not feeling well. Joe Biden signs private prison order to 'stop corporations from profiting off of incarceration' ABC News, 27 Jan 2021 0:34Z US President Joe Biden orders the Department of Justice to end its reliance on private prisons in a return to Obama-era policy, as well as signing a bill to address housing inequality. Canadian gambling CEO resigns amid outrage over jumping COVID vaccine queue ABC News, 27 Jan 2021 01:19Z Rod Baker and his wife have been charged after they allegedly travelled to a remove community in northern Canada, misled authorities and broke quarantine restrictions in order to receive the coronavirus vaccine. Some European Countries Move To Require Medical-Grade Masks In Public NPR, 27 Jan 2021 01:07Z Germany, Austria and France have announced new measures that push fabric masks aside. European leaders have tied the policy changes to efforts to fend off ... YouTube extends Trump suspension, slaps new restrictions on Giuliani POLITICO, 27 Jan 2021 0:29Z Video sharing giant YouTube extended its suspension of former President Donald Trump's channel indefinitely on Tuesday and restricted Trump adviser Rudy ... Do quantum effects play a role in consciousness? physicsworld.com, 26 Jan 2021 11:29Z The role of biophotons in the brain is a growing area of research in neurobiology - and where there are photons there might be quantum mechanics. Betony ... Shipping carriers rejected tons of U.S. agricultural exports, opting to send empty containers to China CNBC, 26 Jan 2021 23:28Z Shipping carriers rejected U.S. agricultural exports in October and November, instead sending containers to be filled with more profitable Chinese exports. Five Republican senators vote against motion that impeachment against Trump is unconstitutional USA TODAY, 26 Jan 2021 23:26Z Washington. Five Republican Senators sided with their Democratic colleagues on Tuesday to reject the idea that former President Donald Trump's historic ... Most G.O.P. Senators Vote Against Trump Impeachment Trial: Live Updates The New York Times, 27 Jan 2021 01:02Z In a 55-to-45 vote that strongly suggested that the Senate would not be able to convict the former president, lawmakers narrowly killed a Republican effort to ... SpaceX adds laser links to Starlink satellites to serve Earth's polar areas Ars Technica, 26 Jan 2021 21:08Z Laser links connect Starlink satellites, reducing need for ground stations. America's investor-owned utilities: We can achieve a 100% clean energy future Utility Dive, 26 Jan 2021 15:06Z The following is a contributed article by Tom Kuhn, president of the Edison Electric Institute, the association that represents all U.S. investor-owned electric ... After Putin's initial snub, Biden talks nukes, cyberattack and poisoning with Russian leader USA TODAY, 26 Jan 2021 22:06Z During the campaign, Biden promised to take a tougher line with Putin than ex-President Donald Trump did. Trump often seemed to reluctant to confront Putin on ... 'It was a horrible scene': Capitol Police have a $500M budget. Why were they unprepared at the Jan. 6 riot? USA TODAY, 26 Jan 2021 19:05Z A year ago, the U.S. Capitol was the kind of place where a suspicious flicker on a radar screen was all it took for police to lock doors and stop traffic on ... The Netherlands is under serious rising sea-level threat Al Jazeera English, 25 Jan 2021 Biden to order DOJ to end private prison contracts as part of racial equity push CNBC, 26 Jan 2021 19:37Z Biden will deliver remarks on racial equity and sign the actions at 2 p.m. ET, and will be joined by Vice President Kamala Harris. Biden plans to replace US government's fleet with electric vehicles Business Insider, 26 Jan 2021 12:26Z Replacing the government's "enormous fleet of vehicles" with electric models will help create one million jobs in the auto industry, Biden said. Biden Launches Climate Change Efforts The New York Times, 26 Jan 2021 16:26Z The president will announce a suite of executive actions on Wednesday to combat climate change, two people familiar with his plans said, including a ban on ... Boris Johnson says he is 'deeply sorry' as UK passes 100,000 coronavirus deaths ABC News, 26 Jan 2021 17:56Z British Prime Minister Boris Johnson apologises after the UK becomes the first country in Europe to pass 100,000 coronavirus-related deaths. Sri Lanka's cremation of COVID-19 deceased, including Muslims, a human rights violation, UN says ABC News, 26 Jan 2021 02:01Z The United Nations condemns the Sri Lankan Government's policy of forced cremation of deceased COVID-19 patients, especially in the case of Muslims and other minorities in the country, as it goes against their religious beliefs. Adelaide has wettest January day in 44 years as fireground damping down continues ABC News, 26 Jan 2021 03:01Z Country Fire Service crews in the Adelaide Hills are being helped by favourable weather conditions including rain and cooler temperatures, as they assess the damage from the Cherry Gardens bushfire. Queensland Cabinet to discuss COVID-19 vaccine rollout as fragments detected at 13 wastewater sites in 48 hours ABC News, 26 Jan 2021 03:59Z Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young will brief Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk about the vaccine's distribution in Townsville on Wednesday, as coronavirus fragments are found at 13 wastewater sites across the state in the past 48 hours. [In other news, the govt has announced a $24 mn campaign across print and electronic media to convince Australians the Pfizer vaccine set to roll out in Feb is safe]. 'Proud Boy' detained as thousands attend Melbourne Invasion Day rally ABC News, 26 Jan 2021 05:58Z Police briefly detain two apparent counter-protesters during Melbourne's largely peaceful Invasion Day march, which drew thousands of people into the CBD. New Zealand investigating how new virus strain could have spread inside hotel quarantine ABC/RN Breakfast, 26 Jan 2021 05:57Z A returned traveller testing positive for COVID-19 10 days after leaving hotel quarantine is a wake-up call for Australia and New Zealand, according to a data modelling expert. UN chief urges global alliance to counter rise of neo-Nazis during COVID ABC News, 26 Jan 2021 08:57Z Antonio Guterres says international action is needed to "fight propaganda and disinformation" amid a global resurgence of xenophobia, anti-Semitism and hate speech sparked partly by coronavirus. Indonesia hits 1 million coronavirus cases as health experts criticise Government's response ABC News, 26 Jan 2021 09:56Z Indonesia has recorded more than 1 million official COVID-19 cases, according to the country's health ministry, just a day after President Joko Widodo said the country had "successfully" handled the pandemic. [Lockdown Riots!] 'Criminal violence must stop': Dutch police arrest 184 on third night of violence ABC News, 26 Jan 2021 16:55Z Roaming groups of rioters set fires, throw rocks and loot stores in clashes triggered by a curfew aimed at curbing the spread of COVID-19. [No 1!] UK becomes first European country to reach 100,000 COVID-19 deaths ABC News, 26 Jan 2021 17:12Z The UK becomes the first European nation to pass 100,000 coronavirus-related deaths, after the Government's official death toll rose by more than 1,600 in the last 24 hours. [Just Words:] Fears of another Juukan Gorge incident as Rio Tinto seeks to mine Apache sacred site with BHP ABC News, 26 Jan 2021 17:35Z Rio Tinto promised "never again" after the destruction of ancient Aboriginal rock shelters at Juukan Gorge, but now it wants to mine sacred Apache land in the US and investors are concerned little has changed within the company since it appointed an insider as its new boss. Trump opens 'Office of the Former President' in Palm Beach Business Insider, 26 Jan 2021 12:27Z President Donald Trump left the White House stripped of many of his social-media accounts, including his Twitter account. Over 300 Entities Sign Declaration to Help Resolve the Crew Change Crisis at Sea gcaptain.com, 26 Jan 2021 01:52Z More than 300 companies and organizations from around the world are throwing their support behind efforts to resolve the ongoing crew change crisis by ... Rubbish-covered lake brings to light Balkans waste problem Associated Press, 26 Jan 2021 07:51Z Priboj, Serbia. Trucks and building machines are parked on a river dam in southwest Serbia but not for construction work. Instead, huge cranes are ... Angry Indian farmers prepare for massive Republic Day rally ABC News, 25 Jan 2021 14:51Z Thousands of tractors are lining up on the outskirts of New Delhi, ready to swarm the Indian capital in a protest against new agriculture reform laws that have ... [Waving A Big Fist:] China flies nuclear-capable bombers, fighter jets over Taiwanese waters ABC News, 23 Jan 2021 12:41Z Eight Chinese bomber planes and four fighter jets enter the south-western corner of Taiwan's air defence identification zone, leading Taiwan's air force to deploy missiles to "monitor" the incursion. [Winter Tornadies!] Possible tornado damage in northern Birmingham metro area; new tornado watch issued for parts of Alabama AL.com, 26 Jan 2021 07:44Z A possible tornado has caused damage north of the city of Birmingham late Monday. And the possibility of severe weather isn't quite over for Alabama. Target drops Chaokoh coconut milk after PETA's allegations of forced monkey labor, follows Costco USA TODAY, 26 Jan 2021 0:41Z Target is the latest retailer to drop Chaokoh coconut milk following a PETA investigation accusing Thai suppliers of using monkeys as forced labor. Covid: Curfew riots hit Netherlands for third night BBC News, 25 Jan 2021 23:04Z Police in several cities in the Netherlands clash again with protesters defying a 21:00 curfew. DOJ inspector general investigating whether officials tried to overturn election results CBS News, 25 Jan 2021 19:03Z Washington. The Justice Department's inspector general announced Monday that his office is investigating whether any former or current department officials ... [Turns out it was illegal. Who knew?] New York approves $854M transmission line, outlines path to reach storage, renewables goals Utility Dive, 25 Jan 2021 16:03Z The New York Public *Service* Commission (PSC) on Thursday approved a 93-mile, $854 million transmission project that includes a new line planned to run ... Moderna says it's working on Covid booster shot for variant in South Africa, says current vaccine provides some protection CNBC, 25 Jan 2021 16:01Z Moderna said it's accelerating work on a Covid-19 booster shot to guard against the recently discovered variant in South Africa. Baby tyrannosaurs dinosaurs were the 'size of a Border Collie' BBC News, 25 Jan 2021 12:40Z Scans of fossilised dinosaur remains reveal they were about 3ft long when they took their first steps. France welcomes U.S. pivot on Big Tech taxes, sees potential for a deal this spring CNBC, 25 Jan 2021 18:39Z Last week, Biden's nominee for Treasury Secretary, Janet Yellen, voiced her support over calls for tech companies to pay a larger share of their revenues in the ... ALS And Algae Blooms? Scientists Say A State Registry Is Needed To Study Possible Link Vermont Public Radio, 25 Jan 2021 12:37Z In the midst of a global pandemic, it's easy to forget that there are other terrible diseases in the world, ones that we know very little about. Consider. Probe begins into thwarted Justice Department 'coup' to keep Trump in power Yahoo News, 25 Jan 2021 20:36Z The Justice Department's inspector general announced Monday that he had started an investigation into whether current or former officials in the department ... Poll: Majority of Americans support Trump impeachment and conviction POLITICO, 25 Jan 2021 19:35Z A majority of Americans support the second impeachment of former President Donald Trump and want to see him convicted in the Senate and barred from ... 'A minor face-off': Indian and Chinese troops clash in disputed area of border ABC News, 25 Jan 2021 15:15Z Two Indian security officials say 18 Chinese soldiers tried to cross into Indian-claimed territory and were blocked by Indian soldiers, leading to clashes with sticks and stones. [Doublespeak:] 'Take down barriers to trade': Xi Jinping calls for open world economy ABC News, 25 Jan 2021 17:13Z At a virtual World Economic Forum, Mr Xi urges nations to remove all barriers to trade while working together on coronavirus vaccine research and distribution. Australia's trade spat with China not only hasn't hurt us, but the export industry is in a better position ABC News, 25 Jan 2021 19:14Z There were fears for Australia's economy when our relationship with China started to sour last year, but 2021 could actually be a big year in terms of trade with the superpower, writes David Taylor. 'They lost the plot and minced their words': PNG politician hits out at Australia over Chinese proposal ABC/7.30, 25 Jan 2021 19:12Z A Papua New Guinean governor accuses Australia of wanting the "status quo" of poverty in the region to remain after a proposal for a Chinese fisheries park in the region raised national security and overfishing fears in Canberra. Drone footage captures devastation of Cyclone Eloise in Mozambique ABC News, 25 Jan 2021 20:31Z Aerial footage shows swathes of land in eastern Mozambique submerged and residents and houses stranded in flood water in the devastating aftermath of Cyclone Eloise. 'I feel abandoned': COVID-positive tennis player lashes Australian Open organisers ABC News, 25 Jan 2021 21:04Z Discontent among tennis players in quarantine ahead of the Australian Open reaches a new level as Spanish player Paula Badosa accuses tournament officials of abandoning her and delivering "the worst experience" of her career. Global ice loss accelerating at record rate, study finds The Guardian, 25 Jan 2021 10:36Z Rate of loss now in line with worst-case scenarios of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. [Now 60% faster than 20th cent]. Scotland is heading towards independence from the UK thanks to Boris Johnson and Brexit Business Insider, 25 Jan 2021 11:34Z Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has pledged to push ahead with another Scottish independence referendum. Officials hail 'encouraging' number of north Atlantic right whale births The Guardian, 25 Jan 2021 06:33Z Wildlife officials in Florida have reported an "encouraging" number of sightings of critically endangered North Atlantic right whales off the south- eastern US, ... Rudy Giuliani Sued by Dominion Voting Systems Over False Election Claims The New York Times, 25 Jan 2021 13:32Z Dominion Voting Systems filed a defamation lawsuit on Monday against Rudolph W. Giuliani, the lawyer for Donald J. Trump and former mayor of New York City ... Giuliani facing $1.3 billion defamation lawsuit over Dominion 'big lie' ABC News, 25 Jan 2021 20:24Z Former president Donald Trump's lawyer Rudy Giuliani is facing a $US1.3 billion ($1.68 billion) lawsuit from Dominion Voting Systems, alleging he spread a "big lie" about the company's voting machines at the US election. Merck ends COVID vaccine program, cites inferior immune responses Yahoo Finance, 25 Jan 2021 11:46Z Drugmaker Merck & Co on Monday said it will end development of its two COVID-19 vaccines, and will focus pandemic research on treatments, with initial ... Capitol Riot Puts Spotlight on `Apocalyptically Minded' Global Far Right The New York Times, 25 Jan 2021 0:40Z Leaderless but united by racist ideology that has been supercharged by social media, extremists have built a web of real and online connections that worry ... Australian billionaires' fortunes increase amid pandemic as poor get poorer ABC News, 25 Jan 2021 04:40Z With unprecedented support from global governments, the stock market has boomed, driving up billionaire's wealth even while the real economy has faced the deepest recession in a century and the poor have gotten poorer. A harsh lockdown in China's north-east is stopping people from getting food and medicine ABC News, 25 Jan 2021 06:39Z Authorities in a north-eastern Chinese city come under fire for their poor handling of a recent spike in COVID-19 cases, as anger mounts over a shortage of food and medication amid lockdown measures. Wombats bundled into cars and evacuated during Adelaide Hills bushfire ABC Radio Adelaide, 25 Jan 2021 06:36Z As a bushfire threatened an Adelaide Hills wildlife sanctuary, Brigitte Stevens bundled 15 wombats into three cars and fled, but she held grave fears for the 72 she had to leave behind. Adelaide Hills residents tell of 'roaring firestorm' that threatened their lives and homes ABC News, 25 Jan 2021 01:42Z As residents in the area of the Cherry Gardens bushfire begin to count the cost of the blaze, one local describes how her family was forced to take refuge in a cellar amid the "firestorm". BREAKING (25 Jan): The first case of community transmission in NZ in months has proved to be the more dangerous S African variant. The woman was in quarantine before returning to her home town visiting many people along the way. She tested negative before leaving quarantine but has now tested +ve. In AUS a 72 hr freeze on passengers arriving from NZ has gone into effect. Navalny protests: EU to consider `next steps' after Russia carries out mass arrests The Guardian, 25 Jan 2021 04:38Z Poland and senior German leader call for more sanctions as bloc's foreign ministers meet to discuss detention of Kremlin critic. How many early human species existed on Earth? Livescience.com, 24 Jan 2021 12:09Z There used to be a greater diversity of human species, and paleoarchaeologists are still discovering more extinct relatives. [Leadership!] Mexican President López Obrador tests positive for COVID-19 ABC News, 25 Jan 2021 01:46Z Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador says he has tested positive for COVID-19, but his symptoms are mild and that he is "optimistic". New focus on climate change adaptation but no sign of 2050 emissions commitment ABC News, 25 Jan 2021 02:21Z Australia is joining international efforts to prepare for a changing climate ahead of the UN climate change conference in Glasgow later this year, but critics are still demanding that it make new commitments to actually reduce emissions. Adelaide Hills residents tell of 'roaring firestorm' that threatened their lives and homes ABC News, 25 Jan 2021 01:45Z As residents in the area of the Cherry Gardens bushfire begin to count the cost of the blaze, one local describes how her family was forced to take refuge in a cellar amid the "firestorm". Heatwave conditions spark most significant fire risk in Victoria this season ABC News, 24 Jan 2021 at 7:08pm Emergency officials say today will present the most challenging conditions in Victoria's fire season so far, as heatwave conditions continue to build across south-eastern Victoria. Total fire ban issued in parts of state as mercury forecast to reach 40C ABC Morning Briefing, 24 Jan 2021 at 7:51pm NSW is set to swelter again with the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting no reprieve from the weekend's heatwave until late tomorrow. Emergency warning downgraded but Cherry Gardens bushfire still uncontrolled ABC News, 24 Jan 2021 at 8:08pm An emergency warning for a fire that has burned more than 2,500 hectares in the Adelaide Hills is downgraded, but the blaze is continuing to burn uncontrolled. [Parallel Universe:] Birx: Someone was delivering a 'parallel set of data' on coronavirus to Trump The Hill, 24 Jan 2021 21:41Z Deborah Birx, the former White House coronavirus response coordinator, said Sunday that her efforts to advise then-President Trump about the pandemic were ... COVID-19 deniers and death threats -- Trump medical advisers Birx and Fauci reveal obstacles to coronavirus response ABC News, 24 Jan 2021 at 8:41pm US coronavirus response task force coordinator Deborah Birx says she was forced to deal with people in the White House who thought COVID-19 was a "hoax", while infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci says he received powder in a letter sent to his office. SpaceX launches record 143 satellites from a single rocket as part of its cosmic rideshare ABC News, 24 Jan 2021 at 8:51pm The Falcon 9 launches 143 satellites into space, in what SpaceX says is a new record for the most spaceships deployed on a single mission. Scientists Produce Metals With Four Times the Hardness Interesting Engineering, 24 Jan 2021 12:46Z Their metal coins had virtually the same electrical conduction and light reflectance properties as standard ones, but their optical properties were dramatically ... Dutch COVID-19 testing facility torched during ongoing riots over curfew New York Post, 24 Jan 2021 18:43Z A COVID-19 testing facility was torched in the Netherlands during riots on the first night of a strict new curfew -- with police later using water cannons against ... Kremlin: US statements about pro-Navalny protests show 'direct support for the violation of the law' The Hill, 24 Jan 2021 20:43Z Kremlin officials blasted the U.S. government for expressing support for protests that swept Russia in support of arrested opposition leader Alexei Navalny, ... Biden to impose travel restrictions on South Africa, U.K. and Brazil to mitigate new Covid strains CNBC, 24 Jan 2021 23:03Z President Joe Biden will sign a travel ban Monday on most non-U.S. citizens entering the country who were recently in South Africa, where a new strain of ... Climate refugees: The quest for a haven from extreme weather events CBS News, 24 Jan 2021 14:40Z People who are driven from their homes by wildfires, floods and hurricanes are seeking areas less ravaged by our worsening climate and rising sea levels, and ... Rand Paul Refuses to Say Election Wasn't Stolen, Blames Media for Saying 'We're All Liars' Newsweek, 24 Jan 2021 19:39Z Kentucky Senator Rand Paul repeatedly refused during an interview to acknowledge that the U.S. presidential election wasn't "stolen" from Donald Trump-and ... "Perfect storm" this week of wind, rain and King tides creates ... Yachats News, 13 Jan 2021 "It all combined in a perfect storm - a storm surge and a King tide," said Jay ... to the beach, and swept away similar steps at the north end of the popular 804 Trail. ... Quinton Smith Although most homes were spared, these houses and cars ... New Zealand reports first community coronavirus case in months ABC News, 24 Jan 2021 06:53Z A woman who had travelled to Spain and the Netherlands tests positive for COVID-19, the first case in the community in New Zealand for more than two months. NASA's Upcoming Roman Space Telescope Could Image 100 Hubble Ultra Deep Fields at Once SciTechDaily, 24 Jan 2021 06:50Z This composite image illustrates the possibility of a Roman Space Telescope "ultra deep field" observation. In a deep field, astronomers collect light from a patch ... Why the Covid Vaccine Rollout Is Not Enough to Curb Infections The New York Times, 24 Jan 2021 10:51Z New estimates suggest the vaccine rollout is no match for the severity of the U.S. outbreak, and stricter social distancing measures are needed to reduce ... [Fake Science:] Two former Trump officials to be investigated for posting papers denying climate change CNN, 24 Jan 2021 01:06Z The Commerce Department's Office of Inspector General said it will investigate how two former Trump ... Andrew Freedman @afreedma 12 Jan 2021 BREAKING: @WHOSTP has fired climate contrarians David Legates and @RyanMaue days before their last scheduled day of service, due to their role in the unauthorized writing and publishing of controversial climate papers w/ White House markings. https://t.co/3aMhpZJ65w [The Plot Thins!] Flyer tipping Gavin at Realclimate.org, 12 January 2021 You would be forgiven for not paying attention to the usual suspects of climate denial right now, but they are trying to keep busy anyway. Last week (January 8), Roy Spencer [Update Jan 13: now deleted] posted a series of Climate Change "flyers" on his personal blog that purported to be organised by David Legates (NOAA, detailed to Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), nominally on leave from (and soon to return to) U. Delaware). Each was a rather garishly colored rehash of standard climate denial talking points, but featuring the OSTP official logo, and claiming to be copyrighted by OSTP (a legal impossibility). Note that if this was an official US Govt. work, they could not copyright them, but if it wasn't, they could not legally use the OSTP logo to indicate that it was. [image] Dubious use of an official government logo. The reaction to this definitive refutation of mainstream science (ha!) was... silence. Spencer's post was reblogged at WUWT but again, nothing happened [Update Jan 13: Also now deleted]. . Many of the authors of the pieces themselves - many of whom are active on social media - didn't bother to tweet or post about them. Odd. The whole thing seems to be Legates trying to get a pet project out into the world before the new administration comes in, but without bothering with all that messy peer-review, official permission, proper channels or, you know, actual science. Almost certainly this is also a violation of the Data Quality Act, something Patrick Michaels (one of the flyer authors) was quite exercised about in his effort. Consistency is also apparently optional. Anyway, a couple of days ago (Jan 10), they were also posted on Willie Soon's new website where they were noticed on twitter, and today there have been some media eyebrows raised. Trump officials reassigned by White House after publishing controversial climate papers without approval Washington Post, 10 Jan 2021 David Legates and Ryan Maue were dismissed from White House positions due to unauthorized involvement in producing papers bearing ... NZ faces COVID-19 scare after returned traveller displays symptoms following release from 14-day quarantine ABC News, 23 Jan 2021 at 9:39pm New Zealand health officials are investigating a probable community coronavirus case, which if confirmed would be the country's first since November. Victoria Police reducing some services due to COVID-19 work ABC News, 23 Jan 2021 at 9:45pm With up to 1,500 police officers working in quarantine hotels and at the Victoria/New South Wales border, Victoria Police said some services will have to be reduced. Officials insist the Tokyo Olympics will go ahead in July. Here's the current state of play ABC News, 24 Jan 2021 01:58Z Officials rebuked claims that the 2021 Tokyo Olympics were set to be cancelled this week, but with spiralling costs and diminishing public support on top of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, there are questions about what the games will look like? Sri Lanka's health minister who drank 'magic potion' to fight COVID-19 tests positive ABC News, 24 Jan 2021 02:57Z Pavithra Wanniarachchi, who promoted an unscientific 'COVID syrup' as a life-long inoculation against the virus, tests positive for coronavirus. Drowning numbers soar, prompting plea for water safety ABC News, 24 Jan 2021 03:56Z Authorities are urging people to be careful on the water after a spate of drownings in Victoria and New South Wales. Seven people have died in Victorian waterways in the past 10 days alone, while several others have drowned in NSW. Chile apologises for erroneous tsunami warning following earthquake in Antarctica ABC News, 24 Jan 2021 03:56Z Authorities in Chile blame a technical error for mistaken messages warning people to evacuate coastal areas following an earthquake in Antarctica. Russian police arrest over 350 protesters demanding release of Alexei Navalny New York Post, 23 Jan 2021 14:44Z Across Russia, upwards of 369 people were arrested during marches demanding the release of jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny. [Bolthole!] Australia has become a bolthole for Hollywood movies -- and for celebrities ABC News, 23 Jan 2021 19:06Z As the coronavirus situation worsened in the US, it made it difficult not just to screen movies but to shoot them. That has put Australia in a competitive position. Parts of Sydney may be too hot for people to live in 'within decades' ABC Science, 23 Jan 2021 19:12Z With Australia's largest city facing 50-degree-plus summers, experts say its suburbs must be radically redesigned and rebuilt in order to remain liveable. [Expecting 45C in parts of Vic today]. Climate change will cause a shift in Earth's tropical rain belt - threatening water and food supply for billions, study says CBS News, 23 Jan 2021 16:37Z By 2100, billions of people are at risk of facing more flooding, higher temperatures and less food and water. A new study published in "Nature Climate Change" ... [Immunity!] The South African coronavirus mutation can infect multiple times, could hamper vaccine Salon, 23 Jan 2021 16:00Z A new study reveals that a large number of people with COVID-19 antibodies may not be protected from the new strain. Asymptomatic infection blunder let Covid-19 spin out of control STAT, 23 Jan 2021 12:59Z Resistance to acknowledging asymptomatic infection led to ineffective testing practices that allowed Covid-19 to spin out of control. Why do dogs bury bones? Livescience.com, 23 Jan 2021 12:58Z The science of why dogs bury bones is explained by the food-caching behavior of their wild, canine ancestors, gray wolves. Larry King, CNN talk-show legend, dies at 87 after being hospitalized with COVID-19 USA TODAY, 23 Jan 2021 13:57Z Larry King, the Brooklyn-bred man who became cable TV's most well-known talk-show host, died Saturday after being hospitalized for COVID-19 He was 87. Saudi Arabia says it intercepted 'hostile target' over Riyadh New York Post, 23 Jan 2021 13:56Z Saudi Arabia intercepted what they described as a "hostile target" over the capital of Riyadh, state media revealed. Dead whale in the Mediterranean probably 'one of the largest' ever found Livescience.com, 23 Jan 2021 12:54Z Italian divers discovered the corpse of a large finback whale near Naples. Authorities say it could be one of the largest whales ever found in the Mediterranean. Calf leads Italian coastguard to body of massive dead whale ABC News, 21 Jan 2021 at 9:49pm Italian coastguard discover the body of a fin whale near the southern coast of Naples after they followed a young whale calf in distress at sea. Coronavirus updates: 17% of US has been infected, model estimates; Capitol Police, National Guard outbreaks reported USA TODAY, 23 Jan 2021 16:20Z A model estimates 168000 more U.S. COVID-19 deaths before May. Meanwhile, about 5% of Americans have received a vaccine dose. Latest COVID-19 news. Mars once had a climate similar to Iceland Houston Chronicle, 22 Jan 2021 Mudstones analyzed by NASA's Curiosity rover were compared to rocks and sediment found in locations such as Idaho, Hawaii, Antarctica and Iceland. BREAKING (23 Jan): Vic officials say 3 people connected with the Australian Open have been confirmed with the UK variant of covid. There is growing evidence the new strain not only is significantly more contagious, but is also deadlier. Officials say vaccines appear to work against the new strain. (But only a couple weeks ago they said the UK strain was more contagious but wasn't deadlier). Hong Kong coronavirus lockdown: 10000 people confined as police cordon off part of Yau Tsim Mong South China Morning Post, 23 Jan 2021 08:56Z Antarctica bombshell: NASA baffled after snapping `something rising above ice' [#unreliablesource] Daily Express, 23 Jan 2021 08:55Z ANTARCTICA scientists were left baffled after NASA snapped 'something rising above the ice' during a satellite flyby, leading the space agency to send ... Experts say COVID-19 measures likely behind unseasonably low flu activity FOX 13 Tampa Bay, 22 Jan 2021 18:13Z New light shed on Charles Darwin's 'abominable mystery' BBC News, 23 Jan 2021 01:13Z Historical documents are uncovered that provide clues to a puzzle that haunted Charles Darwin. Thousands of Hong Kongers locked down to contain coronavirus The Associated Press, 23 Jan 2021 03:11Z Hong Kong. Thousands of Hong Kong residents were locked down Saturday in an unprecedented move to contain a worsening outbreak in the city, ... [Wuhan caught Trump virus!] Wuhan marks its anniversary with triumph and denial BBC News, 23 Jan 2021 01:10Z Wuhan has long since recovered from the world's first outbreak of Covid-19. It is now being remembered not as a disaster but as a victory, and with an insistence ... Olympics decision's multi-billion-dollar fallout reaches beyond Japan ABC News, 22 Jan 2021 at 10:24pm President of World Athletics, Lord Sebastian Coe, says the financial cost of a cancelled Olympics would be devastating, but that is not the main reason the Olympics has to go ahead. US National Guard in Washington DC forced to sleep in underground car park, sparking outcry ABC News, 23 Jan 2021 03:24Z President Joe Biden expresses his "dismay" at members of the National Guard sleeping in an underground car park while in Washington DC as extra security for his inauguration following the US Capitol riot. [Teacup!] 'Sextuply-eclipsing sextuple star system' discovered whirling through the Milky Way Livescience.com, 22 Jan 2021 20:36Z Ever ridden a teacup ride at a state fair? If so, you might have a small taste of life in a whirling, twirling sextuply-eclipsing sextuple star system. SpaceX to set record for most satellites launched on a single mission Ars Technica, 22 Jan 2021 21:35Z As early as Saturday morning, SpaceX will launch the first dedicated mission of a rideshare program it announced in late 2019. As part of this plan, the company ... [Fallout!] Capitol insurrectionists' lawyers make case for Trump impeachment Business Insider, 22 Jan 2021 21:31Z Defense attorneys for some insurrections said their clients were acting on the orders of Trump in storming the Capitol. SARS-CoV-2 needs cholesterol to invade cells and form mega cells Phys.org, 22 Jan 2021 14:40Z People taking cholesterol-lowering drugs may fare better than others if they catch the novel coronavirus. A new study hints at why: the virus relies on the fatty ... COVID-19 will likely be with us forever. Here's how we'll live with it. National Geographic, 22 Jan 2021 20:39Z As COVID-19 continues to run its course, the likeliest long-term outcome is that the virus SARS-CoV-2 becomes endemic in large swaths of the world, constantly ... New strains of COVID swiftly moving through the US need careful watch, scientists say USA TODAY, 22 Jan 2021 15:40Z Each COVID-19 infection increases the risk of a mutation that could make it more infectious, deadlier, or different enough to make vaccines not work. United Airlines CEO wants to make Covid vaccines mandatory for employees - and encourages other companies to do the same CNBC, 22 Jan 2021 22:37Z United's CEO wants to mandate Covid-19 vaccines for the company's more than 60,000 employees. CEO Scott Kirby said other companies should adopt a ... Video of girl removing Putin portrait from classroom goes viral New York Post, 22 Jan 2021 18:36Z Video of a Russian student removing a portrait of President Vladimir Putin from her classroom wall has gone viral - a day before planned protests against the ... Double-Masking: Why Two Masks Are the New Masks The New York Times, 22 Jan 2021 01:35Z Double-masking is a sensible and easy way to lower your risk when you have to spend more time around others - in a taxi, on a train or plane, or at an ... White House orders intelligence agencies to look at violent extremism in the U.S. The New York Times, 22 Jan 2021 20:34Z The White House has ordered the Office of the Director of National Intelligence to work with the F.B.I. and the Department of Homeland Security to conduct a ... With London a 'ghost town', this field of broken dreams is the last stop for the iconic black cab ABC News, 22 Jan 2021 17:27Z [image] An aerial view of a field of disused taxis outside of London. As London endures its third national lockdown and the UK's economy declines due to the coronavirus pandemic, the city's iconic black cabs and their drivers face an uncertain future. Mexican authorities issue warnings as families turn to makeshift oxygen devices amid soaring COVID numbers ABC News, 22 Jan 2021 06:17Z Mexican authorities issue public warnings against people using home-made oxygen concentrators, as coronavirus deaths and case numbers climb to new record highs. NSW Premier's office breached rules when documents were shredded, report says ABC News, 22 Jan 2021 11:15Z The State Archives and Records Authority says the breach could incur a fine but they would not be pursuing legal action over the shredding of documents relating to government grants in the lead up to the 2019 election. China authorises coast guard to fire on foreign vessels in disputed waters ABC News, 22 Jan 2021 15:21Z Chinese territorial claims in the East and South China Seas remain a source of tensions with its neighbours and now the Chinese coast guard has been given the legal power to fire on foreign vessels in those waters. [Immunity!] Dr. Fauci says new data shows Covid vaccines appear to be less effective against some new strains CNBC, 21 Jan 2021 23:56Z Early data shows that the Covid-19 vaccines on the market may not be as effective in guarding against more contagious strains of the coronavirus, Dr. Anthony ... Vaccines may not work as well against the coronavirus variant detected in Yahoo! Voices, 22 Jan 2021 12:00Z South Africa, research shows. People may also face a risk of reinfection. COVID-19 vaccines may be less effective against a more infectious version of the coronavirus first found in South Africa. New research shows the mutated strain ... New numbers show spike in child COVID cases in Oregon KATU, 22 Jan 2021 08:01Z The Oregon Health Authority released new numbers Thursday that show a spike in children testing positive for COVID-19 in October and November of 2020. Space station detectors found the source of weird `blue jet' lightning Science News Magazine, 21 Jan 2021 18:55Z Scientists have finally gotten a clear view of the spark that sets off an exotic type of lightning called a blue jet. Blue jets zip upward from thunderclouds into the ... Not so quiet takeoff: A big month for electric aviation ZDNet, 20 Jan 2021 As airlines struggle during pandemic, electric aviation development is booming. At Least 20 Capitol Police Officers Have COVID-19 After Riot NBC4 Washington, 22 Jan 2021 03:39Z Some U.S. Capitol Police officers say they're worried the violent Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol was a COVID-19 superspreader event. At least 20 officers have... Shell Says Hydrogen Is Heavy Transport's Future. What Now for Biofuels? Greentech Media News, 21 Jan 2021 16:50Z A Deloitte report commissioned by Shell finds that the heavy-freight sector is increasingly planning for a switch to hydrogen. UFO sightings at all time high in Devon Free Radio, 22 Jan 2021 07:02Z From claims that a UFO is hovering over a flat in Torquay, to a man reporting himself missing in Cullompton due to aliens - it seems extra-terrestrial sightings in ... Victoria to receive 1,500 seasonal workers after striking quarantine deal with Tasmania ABC News, 22 Jan 2021 02:21Z About 1,500 seasonal workers from the Pacific Islands will be allowed into Victoria under a deal that will see them quarantine in Tasmania, but there are calls for more to be done to incentivise Australians to take up farm work. IOC dismisses reports Tokyo Olympics will be cancelled because of COVID-19 pandemic ABC News, 22 Jan 2021 03:20Z International Olympic Committee vice-president John Coates rejects media reports that discussions have been held about cancelling the Tokyo Games because of coronavirus. Recipients testing positive in Israel sparks concern over Pfizer vaccine efficacy Global Times, 21 Jan 2021 14:18Z More than 12400 in Israel were reportedly infected after accepting Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine, which led to doubts over the vaccine's efficacy, despite the ... 6 Things to Know About NASA's Mars Helicopter on Its Way to Mars Jet Propulsion Laboratory, 21 Jan 2021 21:18Z Ingenuity, a technology experiment, is preparing to attempt the first powered, controlled flight on the Red Planet. When NASA's Perseverance rover lands on ... Energy Transition's Half-Trillion-Dollar Year Is Even Better Than It Looks Bloomberg, 21 Jan 2021 12:15Z The topline from BloombergNEF's latest analysis of energy transition investment obscures some key trends. Squeezing a rock-star material could make it stable enough for solar cells Phys.org, 21 Jan 2021 21:58Z Among the materials known as perovskites, one of the most exciting is a material that can convert sunlight to electricity as efficiently as today's commercial silicon ... Biden requires international travelers to quarantine upon arrival to US The Hill, 22 Jan 2021 01:57Z President Biden on Thursday signed an executive order to back up Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines recommending that ... South-east set to swelter in heatwave fuelled by cyclone brewing off WA ABC Weather, 21 Jan 2021 at 9:49pm It might have been a relatively mild summer so far, but a hot air mass strengthened by the potential cyclone off WA is set to bring extreme conditions to the south-east over the weekend. Footage shows fiery engine test for Queensland-built rocket set to launch next year ABC Tropical North, 21 Jan 2021 at 10:28pm Gilmour Space Technologies is on track to launch a locally-built rocket next year, but will it get off the ground? NSW residents issued COVID testing warning as state records fifth day without a local case ABC News, 22 Jan 2021 01:04Z New South Wales records its fifth day straight day with no locally acquired coronavirus cases but health authorities say they "need everyone's help to come forward" to increase testing numbers. Australia is about to see a rabbit 'surge' thanks to La Niña rainfall ABC North and West SA, 22 Jan 2021 01:03Z More rain means more vegetation and an explosion in rabbit numbers, described by some experts as the "most costly feral pest in the country". [DIY No Waiting:] Tired of waiting for surgery, Stephen grabbed a Stanley knife ABC News, 22 Jan 2021 01:03Z An electrician says he grew so sick of waiting for elective surgery at Canberra Hospital that he took matters into his own hands, using a utility knife to excise a painful grape-sized cyst that was affecting his work. 'We don't respond to threats': PM hits back at Google threat to pull search engine if new government rules go ahead ABC News, 22 Jan 2021 01:02Z Scott Morrison pushes back against a threat by Google to stop making its search engine available in Australia if it is forced to pay news outlets for showing links to their websites and stories under a new media code. [Bee Ebil:] Google threatens to switch off search in Australia ABC News, 22 Jan 2021 Reps from Google have told a Senate inquiry if the govt pushes ahead with a mandatory code to make Google and Facebook pay for Aus News content they may not be able to continue to make their search engine available in Australia. Lawyers also said Google got very little revenue from linking to Aus newspapers and further Aus publishers made money from having their links available under Google search. [In other news Google said it was "experimenting" with hiding Aus news content from searches]. Brazilian state refuses miner's offer of 'crumbs' over dam disaster that killed hundreds ABC News, 22 Jan 2021 01:01Z The Brazilian state of Minas Gerais issues a 10-day ultimatum for a better Vale SA settlement offer over the 2019 Brumadinho dam disaster that killed around 270 people. 'In the middle of a mob': Melbourne police investigate 'hoon meet' attended by hundreds ABC News, 22 Jan 2021 02:01Z Police look to speak to witnesses to a so-called "hoon meet" involving hundreds of people in St Kilda, where rocks were thrown at police. Tennis players with COVID face longer isolation periods, Victoria's health chief says ABC News, 22 Jan 2021 02:00Z Spanish player Paula Badosa could be in isolation for at least 14 days from the date of her positive test if it's found she has the UK strain of the virus. Stranded Australians' hopes all but dashed as National Cabinet maintains arrival caps ABC News, 22 Jan 2021 01:59Z National Cabinet all but dashes the hopes of lifting international arrival caps for Australians struggling to return home for almost another month. [About 40k still trapped O/S]. The nuclear weapons ban treaty is groundbreaking, even if the nuclear powers haven't signed The Conversation AU, 22 Jan 2021 0:21Z [The UN Treaty comes into effect today for the 50 countries that signed on. The nuclear powers and their allies, incl Australia, have refused to sign citing the danger from Iran and N Korea. Even Japan, the only country to have experienced a nuclear attack, has refused to sign]. 'We feel incredibly betrayed': Thousands of Guardsmen forced to vacate Capitol POLITICO, 22 Jan 2021 01:16Z Thousands of National Guardsmen were forced to vacate congressional grounds on Thursday and are now taking their rest breaks outside and in nearby ... He Thought it was a Kitten Lost in the Snow - But it was One of The Most Endangered Mammals in Europe Good News Network, 21 Jan 2021 17:16Z A man who found a tiny kitten buried in snow thought it was a lost cat-only to find it was one of the most endangered mammals in Europe. Near collision with UFO captured on camera by Singapore Airlines ... Yahoo Lifestyle UK, 21 Jan 2021 18:35Z Bellevue School District takes teachers to court in attempt to return to the classroom KOMO News, 21 Jan 2021 22:05Z Bellevue, Wash. The Bellevue School District is taking its teachers to court in an attempt to provide in-person schooling to the district's students. On Tuesday ... 'Worse Than We Imagined': Team Trump Left Biden a COVID-19 Nightmare The Daily Beast, 21 Jan 2021 10:03Z The systems to manufacture, distribute, and track vaccine doses set up by the Trump administration are even more broken than Biden's COVID team feared. [Lockdown Fail:] England's third lockdown shows 'no evidence of decline' in Covid rates, study says CNBC, 21 Jan 2021 23:33Z The findings of the preprint report come shortly after the U.K. recorded another all-time high of coronavirus deaths. [The bargaining phase of the pandemic is not working]. Giant worm's undersea lair discovered by fossil hunters in Taiwan The Guardian, 21 Jan 2021 16:49Z Scientists believe 2-metre-long burrow once housed predator that ambushed passing sea creatures. [According to sightings not necessarily extinct]. [Not Everything That Smells Sweet Is A Rose:] Spitting Cobra venom reveals how evolution often finds the same answer to a common problem Phys.org, 21 Jan 2021 19:48Z A study of spitting cobras, published in Science reveals how a combination of venom components have evolved to create an instantly painful venom, not once, ... [A New Day For Science:] President Joe Biden puts a moon rock in the Oval Office, names acting NASA administrator Houston Chronicle, 21 Jan 2021 21:47Z President Joe Biden made a decorating choice that has the space community abuzz: There's a moon rock in the Oval Office. The Washington Post got a look ... Judge Refuses To Reinstate Parler After Amazon Shut It Down NPR, 21 Jan 2021 22:53Z A federal judge has refused to restore the social media site Parler after Amazon kicked the company off of its Web-hosting services over ... Biden suspends federal oil and gas leasing for 60 days Houston Chronicle, 21 Jan 2021 22:45Z The new Biden administration has suspended leasing for fossil fuel production on federal lands and waters, as well as the issuance of new drilling permits, for ... A Frankenstein of Order and Chaos: Researchers Discover a Hybrid Quantum System SciTechDaily, 21 Jan 2021 17:44Z Normally the word "chaos" evokes a lack of order: a hectic day, a teenager's bedroom, tax season. And the physical understanding of chaos is not far off. Portland police arrest 8 after rioters damage Democratic Party office, ICE facility following Biden's inauguration ABC News, 21 Jan 2021 14:43Z At least eight people were arrested in Portland on Wednesday after rioters damaged both federal and private property, police said. Dozens of protesters took to ... [Dont worry; they were all Canadian!] [Rudy Fired!] Trump hires South Carolina lawyer Butch Bowers to defend him in Capitol riot impeachment trial, reports say CNBC, 21 Jan 2021 22:46Z The Senate impeachment trial for Donald Trump could begin next week. He is accused of sparking an attack on the Capitol that left five people dead. [A New Week In Public Health:] `Nobody is telling you what to say': Fauci regains the spotlight under Biden Politico, 21 Jan 2021 22:42Z Anthony Fauci isn't hiding his relief that he's serving in a new administration. One day into the Biden presidency, the longtime infectious disease expert and ... Scientists find black holes could reach 'stupendously large' sizes Phys.org, 21 Jan 2021 14:41Z A recent study suggests the possible existence of 'stupendously large black holes' or SLABS, even larger than the supermassive black holes already observed ... 'I am deeply sorry': Men fined for illegally lighting campfire that sparked major Fraser Island bushfires ABC News, 21 Jan 2021 03:19Z Two men are fined for illegally lighting a campfire on Fraser Island (K'gar) which led to a major blaze that burnt through half of the World Heritage-listed island within two months. As hydraulic fracturing gears up in the outback, scientists are monitoring potential earthquakes ABC/NT Country Hour, 21 Jan 2021 04:19Z The cause of tremors near fracking sites remains a mystery in Australia due to a lack of data. Now, as the Federal Government and gas companies target the NT's Beetaloo Basin for fracking, scientists are preparing to answer some seismic questions. 'One rule for the rich': Experts argue hotel quarantine exemptions expose a 'double standard' ABC/7.30, 21 Jan 2021 06:33Z As those entering Australia from overseas face a fortnight of quarantine in designated hotels, exemptions granted to diplomats, air crew and even Hollywood celebrities are criticised by an eminent epidemiologist. Defence ditches troubled US submarine rescue contract after bitter stand-off with company ABC News, 21 Jan 2021 06:56Z The Defence Department will tear up a contract with an American company for crucial submarine search and rescue equipment, in a move expected to cost the Commonwealth tens of millions of dollars. China Barricades Part of Capital as Outbreak Escalates Bloomberg, 21 Jan 2021 02:04Z Beijing has imposed a lockdown of 1.7 million people in part of the Chinese capital as officials race to prevent a Covid-19 resurgence in the country's northern ... [Switch!] Automakers Switching To An EV Future Must Deal With Stranded Assets InsideEVs, 20 Jan 2021 15:45Z One reason legacy automakers are resisting electrification is they fear, with good reason, that the transition will take a big bite out of their profits. Senate Confirms Avril Haines As Director Of National Intelligence NPR, 21 Jan 2021 0:44Z The Senate has voted to confirm Avril Haines to be director of national intelligence, making her President Biden's first Cabinet-level official to receive Senate ... Broke and desperate, Lebanon opened up for the holidays. Now a coronavirus catastrophe is unfolding ABC News, 20 Jan 2021 19:23Z The Lebanese government is enforcing its toughest lockdown yet -- a 24-hour curfew for 11 days. But hospitals are still buckling under the weight of patients. Defence images taken seconds after the Namadgi fire was sparked show small size of the blaze ABC News, 20 Jan 2021 21:20Z Newly obtained images taken by Defence personnel show the start of the firestorm accidentally ignited by a Defence helicopter, raising questions about why the crew had time to take a picture, but did not report the fire's location to emergency services for 45 minutes. Joe Biden ends funds diverted to Mexico border wall as he signs his first executive orders ABC News, 20 Jan 2021 22:44Z US President Joe Biden issues his first executive orders, ending emergency funds to build a wall on the Mexican border, and requiring face masks to be worn on federal land. China imposes sanctions on 'lying and cheating' Mike Pompeo, other Trump officials ABC News, 20 Jan 2021 23:05Z China says it wants to cooperate with President Joe Biden's new US administration, while announcing sanctions against "lying and cheating" outgoing secretary of state Mike Pompeo and 27 other top officials under Donald Trump. Moderna Investigating Reports of Allergic Reactions to Its Coronavirus Vaccine Motley Fool, 20 Jan 2021 15:16Z A small number of people at one location in California experienced such effects after being inoculated with mRNA-1273. The persistence of memory in B cells: Hints of stability in COVID immunity Ars Technica, 20 Jan 2021 15:16Z There's still a lot of uncertainty about how exactly the immune system responds to the SARS-CoV-2 virus. But what's become clear is that re-infections are still ... With passion and fashion, Lady Gaga delivers powerful anthem Associated Press, 20 Jan 2021 17:14Z A full-throated, supremely confident Lady Gaga belted out the national anthem at President Joe Biden's inauguration in a very Gaga way - with flamboyance, ... New COVID-19 variant defeats plasma treatment, may reduce vaccine efficacy Yahoo News, 20 Jan 2021 18:12Z Johannesburg (Reuters). The new COVID-19 variant identified in South Africa can evade the antibodies that attack it in treatments using blood plasma from ... Mayor: Madrid blast kills 2; apparently linked to gas leak The Associated Press, 20 Jan 2021 20:12Z Madrid. A powerful explosion apparently caused by a gas leak ripped the facade off a residential building in central Madrid on Wednesday, killing two ... Biden plans to block drilling in ANWR among his first acts as president Anchorage Daily News, 20 Jan 2021 17:09Z President Joe Biden plans to place a moratorium on drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge after his inauguration on Wednesday, a day after the Trump ... ["I Am Wid You":] Inauguration Day: The pro-Trump protests at state capitols were duds Vox.com, 20 Jan 2021 22:51Z In the days following the violent Trump-inspired insurrection at the US Capitol on January 6, the FBI warned all 50 states that similar "armed protests" were being ... [Like looking in a mirror:] `A Total Failure': The Proud Boys Now Mock Trump The New York Times, 20 Jan 2021 22:58Z Members of the far-right group, who were among Donald Trump's staunchest fans, are calling him "weak," in a sign of fraying support. Proud Boys organizer Joseph Biggs charged in deadly Capitol riots USA TODAY, 20 Jan 2021 21:11Z A self-described organizer for the Proud Boys, an extremist group with ties to white nationalism, was charged Wednesday in connection with the deadly Capitol ... 'I'm About to Puke': QAnon in Chaos as Biden Takes Office The Daily Beast, 20 Jan 2021 22:36Z As it became clear that Trump was not, in fact, going to suddenly appear and order the arrest of all the Democrats, QAnon believers began to wonder if they had ... Severe heatwave and high bushfire danger forecast ahead of Australia Day The Guardian, 20 Jan 2021 05:18Z A burst of heat is set to sear much of Australia ahead of the Australia Day long weekend, sending temperatures soaring and sparking bushfire concerns. Trump frees former aides from ethics pledge, lobbying ban Yahoo News, 20 Jan 2021 10:18Z President Donald Trump, in one of his final acts of office, released current and former members of his administration from the terms of their ethics pledge, which ... SA to become first state to launch its own 'cereal box-sized' satellite into orbit ABC News, 20 Jan 2021 05:08Z SA will become the first state to build and send its own satellite into low-Earth orbit, the SA Government says, when an object "the size of a cereal box" launches early next year. Banks pressure customers to make unrealistic lump sums as loan deferrals end ABC News, 20 Jan 2021 06:07Z As a pause on home loan repayments begins to lift, banks are asking customers to make large lump sums or add $1,000 a month to their repayments to clear up what they owe in arrears. 47,000 Queenslanders join class action against firms accused of pushing up power prices ABC News, 20 Jan 2021 06:06Z The law firm leading a major class action involving more than 47,000 people is looking for more people to register for reimbursement as it alleges two of the state's biggest power players artificially created a lack of supply to drive up prices. Cattle and buffalo shot with arrows and mutilated in spate of NT killings ABC/NT Country Hour, 20 Jan 2021 08:04Z Prized cattle and breeding buffalo have been found shot with arrows - and in one case beheaded and partially butchered - along the Arnhem Highway, sparking calls for a dedicated investigation unit. Make plans to leave: Tourists urged to leave WA's north-west as cyclone brews off Pilbara coast ABC News, 20 Jan 2021 08:03Z Residents in Western Australia's north-west are urged to prepare for heavy rain and destructive winds from Friday, as the state's first cyclone of the season approaches. Locust Swarms Threaten Parts Of East Africa NPR, 20 Jan 2021 05:37Z Swarms of locusts have reached dangerous levels in parts of Ethiopia, Somalia and Kenya. They're reproducing rapidly in part because of unusual rainfall ... Cuomo proposal would raise top tax rate for New York City to 14.7%, highest combined rate in nation CNBC, 19 Jan 2021 22:37Z Gov. Andrew Cuomo proposed raising taxes to a combined 14.7% for the wealthiest New Yorkers, to help reduce the state's historic budget deficit due to Covid. DOJ Drops Insider Trading Investigation Into Sen. Richard Burr NPR, 20 Jan 2021 02:35Z The months-long investigation into allegations that Republican Sen. Richard Burr of North Carolina engaged in insider trading has been closed by the Justice ... Two tennis players in hotel quarantine return positive COVID tests as player complaints continue ABC News, 19 Jan 2021 at 11:41pm Health authorities are assessing whether the players are active cases, or are shedding the virus. US Senate Republican leader blames Donald Trump for attack on Capitol ABC News, 20 Jan 2021 0:49Z US Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell explicitly blames Donald Trump for the deadly violence at the Capitol, saying the President "provoked" those intent on overturning Joe Biden's election. Twelve National Guard troops pulled from inauguration, with officials citing extremist views ABC News, 20 Jan 2021 01:48Z US officials speaking on condition of anonymity say all 12 removed members were found to have ties to right-wing militia groups or to have posted extremist views online. Pink seesaws installed on US-Mexico border wall win design prize ABC News, 20 Jan 2021 01:47Z A collection of seesaws that briefly allowed children on both sides of the US-Mexico border wall to play together wins the 2020 Beazley Design of the Year prize from London's Design Museum. Australian barley finds a new home in Mexico after China ban ABC Rural, 20 Jan 2021 01:50Z Despite the trade tensions with China and the massive tariff imposed on barley exports there, there are some good signs for grain growers on international markets. [Damn Foreigners!] Beijing to probe international arrivals amid new COVID-19 outbreak ABC News, 20 Jan 2021 02:37Z China's capital Beijing says it will investigate all individuals who entered the city from abroad from December 10 and shut down a subway station after reporting the biggest daily jump in new COVID-19 cases in more than three weeks. 65+ LA County Residents Can Now Sign Up For Vaccine Appointments, If They Can Get The Website To Work LAist, 20 Jan 2021 01:41Z Starting today, L.A. County residents 65 and older can book an appointment to get a COVID-19 vaccine, with slots open as early as Wednesday. Appointments ... SAT Discontinues Subject Tests And Optional Essay NPR, 19 Jan 2021 17:39Z The College Board, citing the pandemic for the changes, will shift focus to a new digital version of the college entrance exam. New California Variant May Be Driving Virus Surge There, Study Suggests The New York Times, 19 Jan 2021 23:38Z In late December, scientists in California began searching coronavirus samples for a fast-spreading new variant that had just been identified in Britain. 1st preserved dinosaur butthole is 'perfect' and 'unique,' paleontologist says Livescience.com, 19 Jan 2021 21:37Z The first dinosaur butthole ever discovered is shedding light where the sun don't shine. The discovery reveals how dinosaurs used this multipurpose opening ... IRS may have paid $57 million in error for Trump tax break, report finds CNBC, 19 Jan 2021 21:36Z Federal officials may have granted a 20% QBI - or "pass through" - tax deduction in error to nearly 13000 business owners, according to an IRS watchdog ... Wind-Whipped Fires Burn In Santa Cruz County; Evacuations Ordered In Aptos Hills-Larkin Valley, Boul KPIX CBS SF Bay Area, 19 Jan 2021 20:35Z Warning for Pilbara residents as Cyclone Lucas forms off WA coast ABC News, 19 Jan 2021 22:19Z Residents along Pilbara's coast are being warned to prepare for heavy rain and destructive winds from Friday, as Western Australia's first cyclone of the season bears down. [Expected to be a severe cat3 when it crosses coast ~Sat]. Harris, Biden hold pre-inauguration memorial for 400,000 Americans lost to COVID-19 ABC News, 19 Jan 2021 19:25Z After landing in Washington DC ahead of inauguration, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris hold a memorial marking the 400,000 American lives lost to the coronavirus pandemic. If Daniel Andrews double-faults with Australian Open quarantine, it could be his downfall ABC News, 19 Jan 2021 19:25Z Right now, hotel quarantine for tennis players in Melbourne is doing its job. But we know the system isn't perfect, and the Andrews Government is taking a big political gamble with hosting the event, writes Richard Willingham. [If It Moves!] Calls for Victorian duck hunting ban after survey finds most hunters can't identify birds ABC News, 19 Jan 2021 19:24Z Campaigners say the survey shows hunters cannot be trusted to kill the right birds, as pressure builds on the Government -- including from senior Labor MPs -- to ban the practice. 'Half a dozen facemasks on our doorstep': Neighbours say Australian Open quarantine putting their health at risk ABC News, 19 Jan 2021 19:24Z Victorian residents living next to an Australian Open quarantine hotel say overflowing biohazard bins have caused used PPE to be blown into their apartment foyer. [Covid Congestion!] Melbourne headed for increased congestion as public transport use falls ABC News, 19 Jan 2021 20:23Z Melbourne's roads could soon be clogged by an extra 100,000 cars every day as workers returning to the city choose cars over public transport, according to a report released today by Infrastructure Victoria. [Millstone!] US COVID death toll tops 400,000 in Trump's final hours ABC News, 19 Jan 2021 20:22Z The US death toll from COVID-19 eclipses 400,000 in the waning hours of Donald Trump's presidency. [Extreme!] Scientists still reeling from 'catastrophic' hailstorm one year on ABC News, 19 Jan 2021 20:22Z Projects to secure Australia's food supply and prepare crops for global warming were lost in a devastating hailstorm that swept through Canberra last year. A year on, nothing has been repaired and research has been further compromised. 'Dangerous new phase': Trump supporters rush to join new 'free speech' apps ABC News, 19 Jan 2021 21:21Z The popularity of encrypted messaging and "free speech" apps soars following the deadly violence at the US Capitol and mainstream social media platforms' purge of Donald Trump and his prominent followers. 'It's a slam Dunk': Katter wants cyclone-hit island turned into COVID quarantine resort ABC Far North, 19 Jan 2021 21:20Z MP Bob Katter says turning a derelict "resort in paradise" into a facility for international arrivals is a better idea than mining camps or COVID "breeding ground" hotels. 'No east coast whipping boy': Fresh WA secession push as election nears ABC News, 19 Jan 2021 22:19Z Western Australia spent much of 2020 separated from the rest of the country as part of its COVID strategy -- now a newly-formed political party is behind a fresh push to make that separation permanent. [Seconded!] Teacher, tour company charged over drownings of two Japanese students on Fraser Island ABC News, 19 Jan 2021 22:52Z A school teacher and tour company are charged with workplace health and safety offences almost two years after two Japanese teenagers drowned at a lake on Fraser Island (K'gari). BREAKING (20 Jan): The UK recorded 1610 covid19 deaths in the past 24hrs -- a new daily record. The Decades-Long UFO Taboo the Biden Administration Will Have to Face The Debrief/Opinion, 19 Jan 2021 [image] Will the Biden Administration Confront the UFO Taboo? Sailors aboard the guided-missile destroyer the USS Roosevelt. Since 2017, the DoD has acknowledged that military service members have had encounters with strange, "unidentified aerial phenomena" or UAP. Not long ago, The Debrief offered exclusive insight into the growing awareness by the highest levels of the U.S. military and intelligence communities that apparently intelligently controlled devices are seemingly traversing our skies and oceans with impunity. Relatedly, a bipartisan handful of political leaders -- some retired, some not -- have begun making increasingly explicit public statements that "someone," or "something," appears to possess technologies we fail to understand and to be pursuing purposes we cannot fathom. Biden's incoming CDC director says Trump administration has 'muzzled' scientists: `I have to fix that' CNBC, 19 Jan 2021 20:05Z Dr. Rochelle Walensky, Biden's incoming CDC director, said she intends to revamp the agency's public communications strategy. This may be the largest [land] creature in history Boing Boing, 19 Jan 2021 17:42Z Paleontologists working in Argentina's Neuquén Province have uncovered the fossilized remains of one of the largest creatures ever to have lived on Earth. Romney calls for Senate to pass sanctions on Putin over Navalny poisoning The Hill, 19 Jan 2021 15:40Z Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) on Tuesday called for the imposition of sanctions on Russia following the arrest of political opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who ... Dubai, party haven amid pandemic, faces its biggest surge Associated Press, 19 Jan 2021 18:39Z Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Masks off the minute you step inside. Bars packed and pulsing like it's 2019. Social media stars waving bottles of ... [Woodworm!] 12 National Guard members removed from Biden inauguration for extremist ties Atlanta Journal Constitution, 19 Jan 2021 16:38Z Twelve U.S. Army National Guard members have been removed from the presidential inauguration security mission after they were found to have ties with. Biden's pick for intel chief commits to public assessment of QAnon threat ampAxios, 19 Jan 2021 17:37Z Avril Haines, President-elect Biden's nominee for director of national intelligence, pledged at her Senate confirmation hearing Tuesday to conduct a public ... The Stretch of River Holding Spain's Pumped Hydro Future Greentech Media News, 19 Jan 2021 08:52Z Two projects are vying to make Spain a European pumped hydro leader by 2030. [43y for dissing the king:] Record Thai criminal sentence sends 'spine-chilling signal' to dissenters ABC News, 19 Jan 2021 11:43Z The Bangkok Criminal Court found the woman guilty on 29 counts of violating the country's lese majeste law for posting audio clips to Facebook and YouTube with comments deemed critical of the monarchy. California Urges Stop to 300K Vaccines after Some Fall Ill Snopes.com, 18 Jan 2021 23:42Z California's state epidemiologist is urging a halt to more than 300000 coronavirus vaccinations using a Moderna vaccine version because some people received ... L.A. Suspends Air Quality Rules to Cremate Backlog of Covid-19 Victims Gizmodo, 19 Jan 2021 05:41Z Los Angeles County has temporarily suspended air quality rules in order to allow covid-19 victims to be cremated, according to an executive order passed by the ... This Extremely Fluffy Exoplanet Is Changing Our Understanding of Planetary Formation ScienceAlert, 19 Jan 2021 06:40Z One of the fluffiest exoplanets we've ever found in the Milky Way galaxy is challenging our understanding of how giant planets form. [Size of Jupiter by 1/10 density]. CDC warns COVID-19 variants could worsen the pandemic, as Florida leads in new cases WFTV Orlando, 19 Jan 2021 04:59Z Florida is leading the nation in reported cases of COVID-19 caused by variant strains of the virus. All 468 Stars in Milky Way Stellar Stream Theia 456 Are Related - "It's Like Finding a Needle in a Haystack" SciTechDaily, 18 Jan 2021 22:58Z Examination of Theia 456 finds its nearly 500 stars were born at same time. The Milky Way houses 8,292 recently discovered stellar streams - all named Theia. Janet Yellen asks Congress to do more to fight pandemic-induced recession Fox Business, 19 Jan 2021 03:56Z Washington. Treasury Secretary nominee Janet Yellen is calling on Congress to do more to fight a deep pandemic-induced recession, saying the threats of ... [Superspreader!] Over 100 COVID-19 cases linked to 'superspreader' salesman in China New York Post, 18 Jan 2021 16:55Z A "superspreader" salesman has been linked to more than 100 COVID-19 cases after he went around northeastern China promoting products to elderly people, ... Police arrest woman FBI alleges stole Pelosi laptop to sell to Russia The Guardian, 19 Jan 2021 06:54Z Riley June Williams was arrested on Monday over Capitol breach after FBI received a tipoff from woman's former partner. Democrats Condemn ICE After Agency Shares MLK Day Message About 'Justice and Equality' Newsweek, 18 Jan 2021 21:54Z Some Democratic lawmakers and other immigrant advocates condemned U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Monday after the federal agency ... [Last Chance To Make A Buck!] Wealthy felons paying Utah Trump advisor tens of thousands seeking pardons KUTV 2News, 19 Jan 2021 0:53Z Wealthy individuals seeking pardons, either for themselves or family members, are paying a former federal U. S. attorney for Utah tens of thousands of dollars to ... FBI vetting Guard troops in DC amid fears of insider attack The Associated Press, 18 Jan 2021 03:55Z Washington. U.S. defense officials say they are worried about an insider attack or other threat from service members involved in securing ... Abbott Says He Finds Vetting of Texas National Guard Ahead of Inauguration `Offensive' NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth, 19 Jan 2021 04:52Z Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) says he finds it "offensive" that the FBI is vetting National Guard members, including those from Texas, in Washington ahead of ... Applause for 10 Republicans who stood up to Trump: Reader views USA TODAY/Opinion, 19 Jan 2021 0:51Z President Donald Trump has become 'an existential threat to the party' Biden to unveil immigration bill with 8-year citizenship path for immigrants KTLA, 19 Jan 2021 02:50Z President-elect Joe Biden plans to unveil a sweeping immigration bill on Day One of his administration, hoping to provide an eight-year path to citizenship for an ... US pressures Australia to scrap proposed laws to make Facebook, Google pay for news ABC News, 19 Jan 2021 01:48Z A letter from the US Government asks Australian Treasurer Josh Frydenberg to back down on plans to legislate a bargaining code that would force tech giants Google and Facebook to pay for Australian news. John Alexander says Australian Open a 'compromised event' despite 'Herculean effort' to get players here ABC News, 19 Jan 2021 02:47Z In the haste to keep the Australian Open as close to its January timeslot as possible better alternatives may have been overlooked, according to John Alexander, the former Australian Open doubles champion, now the federal Member for Bennelong. Will Donald Trump lose all his perks as a former president if he's convicted at his impeachment trial? ABC News, 19 Jan 2021 05:46Z Being convicted wouldn't be the tipping point that removes Donald Trump from office -- but what about all the benefits former US presidents get after retiring from the top job? Dozens of vessels, planes search for tuna to save fishing season ABC South East SA, 19 Jan 2021 06:45Z A massive fleet of commercial southern bluefin tuna boats has migrated to the south-east coastline of SA as the industry battles the worst fishing season weather conditions in 10 years. Who is responsible for quarantine in Australia? ABC/7.30, 19 Jan 2021 06:44Z The states and territories agreed to run hotel quarantine as part of their broader responsibility for public health, despite it being a federal role under the constitution. Why? Backlog of dead bodies in Los Angeles has led to limits on cremations being lifted to free up space ABC News, 19 Jan 2021 06:59Z There are currently more dead bodies lying in hospitals in Los Angeles than are allowed to be cremated per month. All 4 nurses in a Kansas county's health department refused to give out COVID-19 vaccines Business Insider, 18 Jan 2021 21:47Z The health department administrator shared debunked vaccine misinformation as part of their reasoning. Another New Covid-19 Variant Discovered In L.A. May Be Vaccine Resistant; Strain First Identified In Denmark Deadline, 18 Jan 2021 23:46Z Two days after the Los Angeles Public Health Department announced that the much-talked-about UK variant of Covid-19, known as B.1.1.7, had been identified ... Trump moves to lift coronavirus travel restrictions on Europe, Brazil The Hill, 18 Jan 2021 23:57Z President Trump on Monday moved to lift restrictions imposed on travelers from much of Europe and Brazil that were implemented last year to slow the spread of ... Former Florida data scientist Rebekah Jones says she tested positive for COVID-19 in jail WFLA, 18 Jan 2021 21:44Z Tampa. Florida's former data scientist who turned herself in to authorities after a warrant was issued for her arrest says she tested positive for ... [Warp Fraud:] Gov. Cuomo slams federal vaccine rollout, says catching up could take 6 months: `It's a fraud' syracuse.com, 18 Jan 2021 21:23Z Albany, NY. New York's governor on Monday slammed the federal rollout of a coronavirus vaccine as a "fraud," saying that it will take at least six months to ... New York to build miles of new power lines in renewables push Financial Times, 18 Jan 2021 11:11Z New York state is forging ahead with hundreds of miles of new high-voltage power lines, the kind of push that clean-energy advocates would like to see copied ... [Leadership!] In Minnesota, a G.O.P. Lawmaker's Death Brings Home the Reality of Covid The New York Times, 18 Jan 2021 21:11Z Minnesota Republicans celebrated election victories with a gala party. A state senator's death from Covid-19 underlined the consequences of the G.O.P.'s ... Census Bureau director stepping down after outcry over immigrant count POLITICO, 18 Jan 2021 20:10Z Steven Dillingham, the director of the Census Bureau, is stepping down from his post on Wednesday following calls for his resignation from key Democratic ... Pro-gun demonstration set for Virginia capital in wake of Capitol siege Yahoo News, 18 Jan 2021 11:42Z Gun rights activists will converge on the Virginia state capital on Monday for an annual demonstration that falls at an especially tense time this year, after the Jan. `The science is real': Coastal experts hope Biden will partner to combat sea level rise USA TODAY, 18 Jan 2021 11:42Z Coastal officials hope Biden administration will partner to address the impacts of sea level rise. The UK closed its borders to South America due to the new Brazil variant. How worried should we be? ABC News, 18 Jan 2021 12:21Z Here's what we know about the Brazilian strain and what the emergence of new coronavirus variants tells us about COVID-19 in general. Museum of London acquires Trump baby blimp for protests collection ABC News, 18 Jan 2021 14:21Z A blimp depicting US President Donald Trump as a snarling, nappy-wearing orange baby finds a home in one of London's most popular museums. 'Catastrophic moral failure': WHO chief unhappy with vaccine access for poor ABC News, 18 Jan 2021 18:20Z The head of the World Health Organization criticises inequalities in the global coronavirus vaccine rollout and accuses drug companies of chasing profits. What happens to Trump's US-Mexico border wall now? ABC News, 18 Jan 2021 18:34Z A centrepiece of Donald Trump's hardline immigration policy was the construction of a wall on the US-Mexico border. How far did construction get and what are Joe Biden's plans for what Trump called his "big, beautiful wall"? [Gouge!] Hotel quarantine guests charged up to $1,400 extra for access to a balcony ABC/7.30, 18 Jan 2021 18:59Z Some quarantine hotels are charging a premium for rooms with balconies, with returned Australians revealing they have paid hundreds of dollars extra for access to fresh air. Disturbing Study Says Facial Recognition Can Determine Political Affiliation The Debrief, 18 Jan 2021 A Stanford University researcher claims facial recognition software can reasonably predict a person's political affiliation based solely on facial features. A Stanford University researcher claims facial recognition software can reasonably predict a person's political affiliation based solely on facial features. California pauses use of large batch of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine KRON, 16 Jan 2021 20:51Z After several people had apparent allergic reactions at one California clinic, state health officials on Sunday told providers across the state to pause ... WHO chief lambasts vaccine profits, demands elderly go first The Associated Press, 18 Jan 2021 17:43Z Geneva. The World Health Organization chief on Monday lambasted drugmakers' profits and vaccine inequalities, saying it's "not right" that younger, ... Businesses Aim to Pull Greenhouse Gases From the Air. It's a Gamble. The New York Times, 18 Jan 2021 10:49Z A surge of corporate money could soon transform carbon removal from science fiction to reality. But there are risks: The very idea could offer industry an excuse ... 'We're not leaving here': Guatemalan forces clash with migrant caravan bound for US ABC News, 18 Jan 2021 06:19Z Guatemalan security forces use sticks and tear gas to beat back a large caravan of migrants bound for the United States. Victoria says 'rogue operators' are gone from recycling industry as state unveils 'gamechanger' plan ABC News, 18 Jan 2021 08:18Z More than $8 million is being spent on new glass and plastic recycling facilities in Victoria -- and some of it could end up in new roads. 'Worrying risk': Foreign military personnel to be released from Darwin CBD quarantine ABC Radio Darwin, 18 Jan 2021 08:19Z Despite ongoing concerns from health groups, dozens of foreign military personnel and their family members have been given the all-clear to leave a quarantine hotel in Darwin's CBD over the next two days. Phil Spector dead at 81 Daily Telegraph, 17 Jan 2021 20:24Z Phil Spector, the disgraced music producer who worked with The Beatles, has died in prison at the age of 81. [Spector died after contracting covid]. 'Don't hate me': French tennis player apologises for 'tactless' quarantine tweet ABC News, 17 Jan 2021 at 11:25pm French tennis player Alize Cornet pleads for forgiveness from the Australian people after branding quarantine measures "insane" in a Twitter post she has since deleted. [Virus denier Novak Djokovic has issued a list of demands from hotel quarantine, including the "right" of elite players to be housed in the community at premises with tennis courts. PM Morrison told reporters everyone has the right to submit a list of demands but the govt is not likely to listening to any of them. The players are entertainers and will be treated like employees, argued the PM, if they sit down and shut up they will be well paid for the show they put on]. 9News Melbourne @9NewsMelb 18 Jan 2021 07:14Z Media posted by 9News Melbourne The Premier has returned serve to Novak Djokovic, dismissing the world number one's demand for better food and training facilities for locked down tennis players. @andrew_lund #COVIDVic #9News ["Justice Is Coming":] The Donald Trump allies who played key roles in the rally that ignited the Capitol riot ABC News, 18 Jan 2021 01:09Z Members of US President Donald Trump's failed presidential campaign are said to have played key roles in orchestrating the Washington rally that spawned a deadly assault on the US Capitol. China reports 109 new COVID-19 cases as Government claims virus is found in ice cream ABC News, 18 Jan 2021 02:08Z More than 100 new COVID-19 cases are reported in China for the sixth consecutive day as local authorities claim to have detected coronavirus on ice cream. [China only records symptomatic cases, unlike others]. 'Cowboys for Trump' founder and elected official arrested over links to US Capitol attack ABC News, 18 Jan 2021 03:07Z An elected official from New Mexico who vowed to travel to Washington with firearms to protest president-elect Joe Biden's inauguration is arrested by the US Justice Department. Tropical Cyclone Kimi intensifies to category two with emergency alert issued for Palm Island ABC News, 18 Jan 2021 05:06Z An Emergency Alert has been issued for Palm Island residents, with the now category two Tropical Cyclone Kimi expected to pass near there within 24 hours. Biden to yank Keystone XL permit on first day of presidency POLITICO, 18 Jan 2021 04:02Z President-elect Joe Biden will rescind the cross-border permit for TC Energy's Keystone XL pipeline on his first day in office, three sources confirm to POLITICO. 8 Minutes Of The Craziest Tow Action From Jaws On Super Sized Saturday Big Wave World Surf League 18 Jan 2021 01:02Z N.J. naval contractor charged in Capitol riot after allegedly bragging to informant NJ.com, 18 Jan 2021 0:01Z A New Jersey naval contractor accused of being a white supremacist and nazi sympathizer is facing multiple charges after he told an informant he participated in ... Lindsey Graham asks Chuck Schumer to dismiss Trump impeachment trial Business Insider, 18 Jan 2021 05:00Z Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham asked Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer in a letter on Sunday to hold a vote in the Senate to dismiss the impeachment trial of ... Angus King warns of 'grave danger' of Trump revealing classified information The Hill, 17 Jan 2021 21:50Z Sen. Angus King (I-Maine) described the possibility of President Trump divulging classified information after leaving office as a "grave danger." Trump planning to raise $2 billion for a presidential library, likely in Florida: report Business Insider, 18 Jan 2021 0:48Z After the Jan. 6 US Capitol riots, some former Trump advisors are skeptical of the president's expensive proposal. Poison squad stalked Alexei Navalny on 40 flights, says Bellingcat investigator The Guardian, 17 Jan 2021 10:12Z [In latest news Navalny has been arrested after his return to Moscow. Although authorities initially said he was free to return to Russia after fleeing to Germany following his poisoning, in the past few days the tone had changed and prison officials said he would be arrested for violating the conditions of a suspended sentence]. Russia sanctions EU over response to poisoning of Alexey Navalny CBS News, 22 Dec 2020 16:22Z Russia on Tuesday slapped sanctions on European Union officials over their response to the poisoning of Alexey Navalny, saying the opposition leader had a ... [Despite lab reports from 3 countries confirming Navalny was poisoned with a Russian military nerve agent Pres Putin has denied it. He said if the Russian military wanted someone dead they would be dead. Essentially confirming the Russian military has lost control of the distribution of the toxic agent and it may be in "everyday use" in Russia and elsewhere]. QAnon's 'Meme Queen' Marches On The New York Times, 17 Jan 2021 10:20Z Valerie Gilbert posts dozens of times a day in support of an unhinged conspiracy theory. The story of this "meme queen" hints at how hard it will be to bring ... Unknown Quantum Effect Makes Insulator Oscillate Hackaday, 17 Jan 2021 21:20Z If there are two classes of matter that electronics people can agree on, its conductors and insulators. Electrically, conductors and insulators don't have much in ... Positive coronavirus test result on third Australian Open charter flight sends more players into quarantine ABC News, 16 Jan 2021 23:27Z In a further blow to the Australian Open preparations on Sunday night, tennis players who arrived in Melbourne on a charter flight from Qatar... 'This is insane': Tennis players unhappy in hotel quarantine The Age, 17 Jan 2021 07:28Z Tennis players have reacted angrily to the news that they are facing 14 days stuck in their hotel rooms with no practice, after people on their... Top Biden Official Warns US Covid Deaths Will Pass 500,000 in Weeks The New York Times, 17 Jan 2021 18:21Z Ron Klain, who coordinated the Obama administration's Ebola response, warns, "The virus is going to get worse before it gets better." Giuliani associate told ex-CIA officer a Trump pardon would 'cost $2m' - report The Guardian, 17 Jan 2021 18:42Z John Kiriakou, who was jailed in 2012 for identity leak, said his pursuit of a pardon came up in a meeting with Giuliani last year. How Ireland's second wave of Covid got so bad, so fast ... The Guardian, 15 Jan 2021 Christmas socialising is being blamed for the country's shocking rise in infection rates, says immunologist Luke O'Neill. Ireland's covid curve skyrockets to highest coronavirus rate in ... Washington Post, 11 Jan 2021 Ireland had one of the lowest coronavirus rates in Europe. It's now highest in the world. What we've learned in 12 million COVID tests ABC News, 17 Jan 2021 18:01Z As Australia looks to the Northern Hemisphere for a COVID-19 vaccine, the world is looking at us for the best ways to perform pathology testing, writes Debra Graves and Lawrie Bott. Thai Caves Attract Millions of Bats - and Now Scientists Too The New York Times, 17 Jan 2021 08:40Z A cave complex at a temple in Thailand has long drawn tourists, pilgrims and guano collectors. Now, scientists have arrived, looking for any potential links to the ... The crash landing of 'Operation Warp Speed' POLITICO, 17 Jan 2021 12:39Z As the nation's Covid-19 response was careening off the rails in March and April 2020, about a dozen top health and defense department officials huddled in ... [Father Of Lies:] Election Misinformation Drops Over 70 Percent After Social Media Platforms Suspend Trump: Study Newsweek, 17 Jan 2021 14:37Z The study by San Francisco-based analytics firm Zignal Labs found that conversations about election fraud decreased by 2.5 million mentions to 688000 ... Southern California braces for mini heat wave during winter KABC-TV, 16 Jan 2021 21:35Z A mini heat wave in Southern California has caught many by surprise, bringing warm temperatures and elevating fire danger. Cyclone Kimi forms off Queensland, due to make landfall tomorrow ABC News, 17 Jan 2021 03:35Z A category one tropical cyclone forms off Cooktown and is expected to make landfall between Port Douglas and Cairns in Far North Queensland. Spanish climber dies as Nepali Sherpas become first to climb K2 in winter ABC News, 17 Jan 2021 04:34Z A team of climbers from Nepal have become the first mountaineers to successfully complete a winter attempt on the summit of K2. San Diego sees record-breaking temps during January heat wave FOX 5 San Diego, 16 Jan 2021 How are you feeling about this January heat wave? See which areas saw record-breaking heat today. Giuliani says he's working on Trump's impeachment defense, would argue voter fraud claims ABC News, 17 Jan 2021 02:48Z President Donald Trump's personal attorney Rudy Giuliani tells ABC News he's working as part of the president's defense team in his upcoming second ... Trump Is on the Verge of Losing Everything New York Magazine, 16 Jan 2021 President Donald Trump is leaving the White House twice impeached. Beyond that looming defeat, he is undergoing a cascading sequence of political, financial, ... Biden to elevate top White House science post to Cabinet level ampAxios, 16 Jan 2021 Biden will nominate geneticist Eric Lander to the top White House science post. NRA files for bankruptcy, says it will reincorporate in Texas CNBC, 15 Jan 2021 22:43Z The National Rifle Association said Friday that it has filed for bankruptcy in U.S. court as part of a larger restructuring plan aimed at moving to Texas. [Lost their Kremlin backing?] Major NRA donor to challenge gun group's bankruptcy over alleged fraud The Guardian, 16 Jan 2021 21:54Z Complaint could stop top NRA executives from discharging a substantial portion of the organisation's debts. 'The dog population is exploding': How COVID has led to a puppy boom in Tonga ABC/Pacific Beat, 16 Jan 2021 19:09Z People in Australia have had to wait months for a dog due to a surge in demand during the COVID-19 pandemic, but Tonga's main island of Tongatapu has the opposite problem. Arizona ranks highest in US for weekly COVID-19 case rate as state reports 8,715 new cases, 208 deaths The Arizona Republic, 16 Jan 2021 17:32Z Arizona's new-case rate again ranked highest in the country as the state reported about 8,700 new COVID-19 cases and 208 new known deaths from the ... Nasa's Boeing deep space rocket set for `once-in-a-generation' test The Guardian, 16 Jan 2021 15:32Z Test is step before first unmanned launch later this year, in push to land humans on the moon again by 2024. Fiat Chrysler, PSA Group merge to create new auto-making behemoth Fox Business, 16 Jan 2021 12:29Z The newly formed auto maker, called Stellantis, to start trading Monday in Europe and Tuesday in New York. India starts world's largest Covid-19 vaccination drive CNBC, 16 Jan 2021 08:29Z The country is home to the world's largest vaccine makers and has one of the biggest immunization programs. But there is no playbook for the enormity of the ... Can The Forces Unleashed By Trump's Big Election Lie Be Undone? NPR, 16 Jan 2021 17:28Z President-elect Joe Biden and Democrats in Congress have called Trump's insistence that the election was rigged the "big lie." The term has roots in Nazi ... China says latest COVID-19 outbreak caused by imported cases Yahoo News, 16 Jan 2021 11:27Z China's recent COVID-19 outbreaks in the northeast have come from travelers entering the country or contaminated frozen food imports, the National Health ... Russia's Sputnik Vaccine: It's Not What Argentina Wanted But It's What They Got NPR/Goats and Soda, 16 Jan 2021 04:26Z The nation has been hard hit by the pandemic. The president vowed to start a vaccination campaign by the end of 2020. That did happen - but not exactly as ... Despite promise from Trump Administration, COVID-19 vaccine reserve appears to be 'exhausted' ABC Action News, 16 Jan 2021 02:24Z United States Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar submits letter of resignation, cites US Capitol riot as reason Health And Human Services Secretary Alex Azar cited the riot at the U.S. Capitol as a reason for his resignation letter. WPVI-TV, 16 Jan 2021 13:24Z [Genius Plan!] Second planeload of Australian Open players forced into quarantine after COVID-19 case detected on flight ABC News, 16 Jan 2021 02:23Z A second plane of tennis players flown into Melbourne for the Australian Open will be confined to their rooms and unable to train for 14 days after a person on the charter flight tested positive for COVID-19. Properties in Perth's south under threat from bushfire ABC News, 16 Jan 2021 05:22Z The emergency warning applies to a wide area -- bounded by a number of roads including Rowley Road, Kwinana Freeway, and Thomas Road -- with the out-of- control and unpredictable blaze moving quickly in a westerly direction. Mother wakes from coma to find baby was stillborn after being given 10 times prescribed morphine dose ABC News, 16 Jan 2021 09:21Z Sarah Hassan says she woke up to news that "broke my whole life", having fallen into a coma due to being given 100 milligrams of morphine to ease labour pains, rather than 10mg, at a Bunbury private hospital last month. The planet is dying faster than we thought Livescience.com, 15 Jan 2021 13:48Z Humanity is barreling toward a "ghastly future" of mass extinctions, health crises and constant climate-induced disruptions to society - one that can only be ... FAA approves fully automated commercial drone flights WKOW, 16 Jan 2021 01:29Z Washington (AP). A Massachusetts company has just won government approval to make fully automated commercial drone flights without a human ... [Cult!] Former GOP congressman says he's leaving party: 'This has become a cult' The Hill, 15 Jan 2021 18:27Z Former Oklahoma GOP Congressman Mickey Edwards said that he is leaving his party because it has become a "cult" led by President Trump. [New Record!] Trump leaves White House with his lowest-ever approval rating after Capitol riot, impeachment USA TODAY, 15 Jan 2021 17:26Z Washington. As he prepares to leave office, President Donald Trump's job approval marks are on a downward spiral, led by sinking support among his ... Thousands of homes could be forced to install sewage systems that cost more to run and use more water ABC News, 15 Jan 2021 at 10:10pm There are 1.4 million Australian homes using wastewater treatment systems and new regulations could force thousands of them to install an electrical system that is more expensive to run and uses more water than some environmentally friendly alternatives. [Miniflu!] Global death toll from COVID-19 tops 2 million amid vaccine rollout ABC News, 15 Jan 2021 at 11:51pm The global death toll from COVID-19 tops 2 million as vaccines developed at breakneck speed are being rolled out around the world in an all-out campaign to vanquish the threat. Two coronavirus cases reportedly confirmed on Australian Open chartered flight ABC News, 16 Jan 2021 02:19Z Two people onboard a specially chartered flight into Melbourne for the Australian Open test positive for coronavirus, forcing players into strict quarantine, according to a letter posted by a player on social media. Covid: UK to close all travel corridors from Monday BBC News, 15 Jan 2021 20:31Z Prime Minister Boris Johnson says the action is needed to protect against the risk of new Covid strains. Why was Texas unable to stop a second COVID surge months in the making? Houston Chronicle, 15 Jan 2021 23:20Z For a second time, a surge in COVID-19 cases has pushed Texas hospitals beyond their base capacity, thwarted the state's plan to reopen businesses and ... North Korea shows off new submarine-launched missiles after rare party congress ABC News, 15 Jan 2021 08:54Z A new submarine-launched ballistic missile appears to be have been displayed at a military parade in North Korea, an event which was timed to take place before US president-elect Joe Biden takes office, experts say. The NBN rollout is complete but one couple looking to upgrade found better internet via a garden shed ABC News, 15 Jan 2021 19:52Z The Government declared the rollout was complete late last year. But some Australians remain unhappy and confused about what happens next. [You got the rat's nest you voted for!] Despite the coronavirus pandemic, the number of 'excess' deaths in Australia went down last year ABC News, 15 Jan 2021 19:51Z Australia recorded fewer deaths than expected from medical conditions in 2020, despite being in the midst of a global pandemic. So what's behind the numbers? Corporate donors flee Republican Party, and it's only the beginning ABC News, 15 Jan 2021 19:50Z As corporate donors flee Republicans after the Capitol insurrection, shareholder activists are turning their attention to boardrooms that supported Donald Trump. 23 die in Norway after receiving Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine: officials New York Post, 15 Jan 2021 17:39Z Twenty-three people died in Norway within days of receiving their first dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, with 13 of those deaths - all nursing home patients ... [Well we didn't test it on *old* people!] [Immunity!] If You Have These Conditions, Your COVID Vaccine May Be Less Effective Yahoo Lifestyle, 14 Jan 2021 If you're eagerly awaiting your chance to get a COVID vaccine, you're not alone. However, a new study suggests that getting vaccinated may not confer the level ... C.D.C. Warns New Virus Variant Could Fuel Huge Spikes in Covid Cases The New York Times, 15 Jan 2021 19:44Z The more contagious version, first identified in Britain, is expected to spread widely and lead to further strains on an already overburded health care system. NASA's Orion spacecraft is ready to fly to the Moon Yahoo Tech, 15 Jan 2021 16:48Z NASA's Orion spacecraft is complete and ready for its Artemis I test mission to the Moon later in 2021. Science journals to offer select authors open-access publishing for free Science Magazine, 15 Jan 2021 14:47Z AAAS, which publishes the Science family of journals, announced today it will offer its authors a free way to comply with a mandate issued by some funders that ... France's Total quits powerful US oil lobby over climate policy Financial Times, 15 Jan 2021 18:45Z French energy company Total has become the first oil major to end its membership of the American Petroleum Institute, Big Oil's powerful Washington lobby ... Many scientists citing two scandalous COVID-19 papers ignore their retractions Science Magazine, 15 Jan 2021 13:44Z Globally discredited hospital data from the company Surgisphere continues to live as reliable evidence-even in leading journals. Turning Dodger Stadium into mass COVID-19 vaccine site Los Angeles Times, 15 Jan 2021 13:43Z Dodger Stadium and other mass vaccination sites will be key in California's effort to accelerate its COVID-19 vaccination rate. [Domestic Terrorism:] FBI tracking "extensive amount of concerning online chatter" before inauguration of Joe Biden, says director CBS News, 15 Jan 2021 19:26Z FBI Director Chris Wray said Thursday the agency is tracking an "extensive amount of concerning online chatter." That includes calls for armed protests ahead of ... Retired general who led Katrina response tapped for immediate review of Capitol security POLITICO, 15 Jan 2021 18:41Z Retired Lt. Gen. Russel Honoré has been tapped to lead an immediate review of the security of the Capitol complex, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Friday. Strict Security Measures In Place Across The Nation Ahead Of Inauguration Day NPR, 15 Jan 2021 13:03Z The FBI is monitoring "concerning online chatter" about events surrounding Inauguration Day, heightening security concerns ahead of President-elect Joe ... NASA declares Mars lander dead after 2 years on red planet Atlanta Journal Constitution, 15 Jan 2021 0:17Z NASA declared the Mars digger dead Thursday after failing to burrow deep into the red planet to take its temperature. Scientists in Germany spent two years ... China's new Covid outbreak near Beijing still not close to a turning point, hospital director says CNBC, 15 Jan 2021 11:15Z Beijing remains on alert for a resurgence of Covid-19 infections as the neighboring province of Hebei continues to report new cases every day. Fund manager bets on new source of renewable power: old river dams Financial Times, 14 Jan 2021 Dams built long ago to control floods or ease river transport are gaining attention as a potential zero-carbon electricity source in the US, as environmentalists ... For The First Time, a New State of Matter Has Been Observed in a Thread of Quantum Gas ScienceAlert, 15 Jan 2021 05:13Z Physicists have observed a new state of matter at work inside an elusive thread of quantum gas. The gossamer-thin strings of gas capable of binding giants ... [It's only felony homicide!] Lawyer for 'QAnon Shaman' Argues Donald Trump Should Pardon 'Peaceful' Capitol Rioters Newsweek, 15 Jan 2021 05:12Z A lawyer for Jacob Anthony Chansley, the "QAnon Shaman" also known as Jake Angeli, has urged President Donald Trump to pardon his client and others who ... Jimmy Kimmel Roasts Rudy Giuliani for Getting Stiffed by Trump The Daily Beast, 15 Jan 2021 09:11Z Noting that Giuliani's day rate was $20000, the late-night host joked that Trump "could've hired Gary Busey for a hundred bucks to do the same thing." Late Night: Shocker. Trump Stiffs Giuliani and Won't Take His Calls. The New York Times, 15 Jan 2021 08:04Z "Guy spent all that time flying to state capitals, rounding up witnesses from the bars at TGI Fridays and Buffalo Wild Wings, and now Trump won't even reimburse ... How officials are managing player arrivals ahead of Australian Open ABC News, 15 Jan 2021 03:22Z Tennis players have started to arrive in Australia ahead of the Australian Open, but how are officials ensuring people are COVID-free? [History:] Eastern Freeway Porsche driver to fight allegations he put noose around woman's neck ABC News, 15 Jan 2021 04:21Z Richard Pusey, the Porsche driver at the centre of the Melbourne freeway crash which left four police officers dead, will fight charges of false imprisonment, making threats to kill, and placing a noose around a woman's neck while he was on bail. Fake US leg band may get Joe the pigeon euthanasia reprieve in Australia ABC News, 15 Jan 2021 04:20Z A pigeon declared a biosecurity risk after flying to Melbourne from the United States may get a reprieve after an American bird organisation declared its identifying leg band was fake. 'I'll just have some Australian, thanks': Coal exports remain strong despite China ban ABC Newcastle, 15 Jan 2021 04:19Z Despite China's ban on Australian coal, exports from Australia's busiest port of Newcastle have seen only a slight dip with a cold northern winter driving up global demand. China begins building massive quarantine site as COVID cases surge ABC News, 15 Jan 2021 04:18Z As a COVID-19 outbreak continues to grow in China's north-eastern Hebei province, workers begin building an isolation centre expected to house 3,000 wards and have room for several thousand people. Emergency bushfire warnings in place for High Wycombe in Perth's east and Daliak in Shire of York ABC News, 15 Jan 2021 04:18Z Two emergency warnings for bushfires have been issued in WA this afternoon-- the first was issued for High Wycombe east of Perth followed by a second fire which has broken out in Daliak in the Shire of York. 1 in 3 in L.A. have been infected by coronavirus, estimates show Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan 2021 17:52Z One in three Los Angeles County residents have been infected with the coronavirus since the beginning of the pandemic, according to new estimates by county ... MIT Unveils Design for Hybrid-Electric Airliner Futurism, 14 Jan 2021 21:51Z A team of engineers at MIT have created a concept for a hybrid-electric plane that could reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by 95 percent. Doctors warn of missing piece in Hotel Grand Chancellor investigation ABC News, 14 Jan 2021 at 8:47pm A dozen doctors warn the Queensland Government that airborne transmission of the UK strain of coronavirus is "highly likely" to have occurred at Brisbane's Hotel Grand Chancellor and that experts need to be hired urgently. Nine US officials charged with crimes including manslaughter over Flint water crisis deaths ABC News, 15 Jan 2021 0:50Z A new investigation of the Flint water disaster leads to charges against nine people who are accused of various crimes in a calamitous plan that contaminated the community with lead and left 12 dead. [Penny Drops!] Capitol siege raises questions over extent of white supremacist infiltration of US police Yahoo News, 14 Jan 2021 14:05Z The apparent participation of off-duty officers in the rally that morphed into a siege on the U.S. Capitol building Jan. 6 has revived fears about white supremacists ... Climate crisis: record ocean heat in 2020 supercharged extreme weather The Guardian, 12 Jan 2021 The world's oceans reached their hottest level in recorded history in 2020, supercharging the extreme weather impacts of the climate emergency, scientists have ... [RADIOACTIVE!] Trump impeachment ignites GOP civil war The Hill/Opinion, 14 Jan 2021 15:03Z ... the most divisive president in American history, has now ignited a civil war within the Republican Party. Impeachment now engulfs official Washington. Post-COVID lungs worse than the worst smokers' lungs, surgeon says CBS News, 14 Jan 2021 14:37Z Texas trauma surgeon Dr. Brittany Bankhead-Kendall says that means even survivors could have long-term post-COVID problems. Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover to Capture Sounds From the Red Planet NASA, 13 Jan 2021 20:36Z Audio gathered by the mission may not sound quite the same on Mars as it would to our ears on Earth. A new interactive online experience lets you sample the ... More than 30 lawmakers call for investigation into `suspicious' access to Capitol Complex ahead of breach KTLA Los Angeles, 14 Jan 2021 08:32Z More than 30 Democratic members of Congress are calling for an investigation into what they believe were suspicious tours of the U.S. Capitol, alleging that the ... [Looking for a nym:] Trump Pondered `Person X' Parler Handle Before Site Shut-Down Bloomberg, 14 Jan 2021 03:25Z President Donald Trump considered signing onto the Twitter alternative Parler, using the pseudonym "Person X," before it was shut down, according to the ... WHO arriving in China to investigate the origins of COVID-19 after delays ABC News, 13 Jan 2021 19:39Z While the WHO has publicly praised China's response to the virus, there is growing evidence that Chinese authorities withheld vital information ... [ABC reports the 10 WHO scientists are being forced to Zoom their research from a hotel. They are being "force fed" data gathered by Chinese scientists. Meanwhile, the official China news organs have been pouncing on any article that tends to cast doubt on the virus originating in China. The govt has called on the WHO to send teams to other countries like Italy which they claim could have seen the first cases. Ironically ABC no longer has journalists in China to report on this story after they were banned following the AUS govt backing the formation of the WHO virus investigation]. China dismisses suggestions COVID-19 pandemic originated from bats or pangolins ABC News, 13 Jan 2021 16:43Z WHO experts arriving in China for COVID-19 investigation. People wearing face masks buy vegetables at a street market in Wuhan, Hubei ... [Immunity!] Congressional coronavirus cases show that one vaccine dose does not immediately protect against infection Seattle Times, 13 Jan 2021 21:38Z Washington. Three members of Congress contracted the novel coronavirus after sheltering in a crowded room as a pro-Trump mob stormed the Capitol, ... Earth to reach temperature tipping point in next 20 to 30 years, new study finds Phys.org, 13 Jan 2021 19:36Z Earth's ability to absorb nearly a third of human-caused carbon emissions through plants could be halved within the next two decades at the current rate of ... Tropical rainforests may begin pumping out carbon dioxide by 2050 New Scientist News, 13 Jan 2021 19:36Z Rising temperatures over the next 30 years could cause Earth's tropical and temperate forests to switch from being carbon sinks to carbon sources that release ... Mississippi runs out of COVID-19 vaccine. Timetable now 'impossible,' health dept. says NOLA.com, 13 Jan 2021 23:34Z In an extraordinary news release, the Mississippi State Department of Health acknowledged Wednesday afternoon it has no COVID-19 vaccines to offer and is ... Italy's Government Enters a Crisis in Middle of Pandemic The New York Times, 13 Jan 2021 21:34Z Rome. Italy's history of political instability resurfaced in particularly unstable times on Wednesday as a government crisis began in the midst of a pandemic ... Former Michigan Gov. Snyder charged in Flint water crisis Politico, 14 Jan 2021 03:33Z Lansing, Mich. Former Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder was charged Wednesday with willful neglect of duty after an investigation of ruinous decisions that left ... Wind, solar to make up 70% of new US generation in 2021 while batteries gain momentum: EIA Utility Dive, 13 Jan 2021 15:31Z Wind and solar will represent more than two-thirds of new energy production to come online in 2021, while battery storage capacity is set to quadruple over the ... Cheney Faces GOP Move to Oust Her Over Trump Impeachment Bloomberg, 13 Jan 2021 20:30Z Representative Liz Cheney, the No. 3 House Republican, is facing calls to resign from leadership after she said she would vote to impeach President Donald ... Armed protests anticipated at Louisiana Capitol amid FBI warnings, state leaders say The Advocate, 14 Jan 2021 0:30Z Gov. John Bel Edwards says he's hopeful a surge of protesters expected at the state Capitol in the next week will stay peaceful, even as law enforcement ... California To Vaccinate Residents 65 Or Older Against COVID-19 NPR, 14 Jan 2021 0:30Z California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Wednesday that residents 65 and older are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. He aims to administer an ... [Deep State!] Report: Companies donated $170M to GOP election objectors ABC News, 13 Jan 2021 18:36Z Corporations and industry groups have donated at least $170 million in recent years to Republicans who voted to reject President-elect Joe Biden's victory over ... N.J. Rep. Mikie Sherrill says lawmakers led insurgent groups through Capitol before riot New York Daily News, 13 Jan 2021 16:37Z A New Jersey congresswoman claims she saw fellow lawmakers lead groups through the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 5 as "reconnaissance for the next day" when a ... Capitol Staffer Says Office Panic Buttons Were 'Torn Out' Before Riot Newsweek, 13 Jan 2021 16:35Z A Capitol staffer found that the office panic buttons had been "torn out" while she hid from pro-Trump insurrectionists swarming the building during last week's ... Covid-19: Lockdown measures 'starting to show signs of some effect' - PM BBC News, 13 Jan 2021 16:59Z But Boris Johnson does not rule out tougher restrictions in England, saying they are kept under review. [Let's look: Jday #New cases 360 29539.4 <-- min 361 30484.7 362 31481.3 363 32987.2 364 35466.2 365 37247.6 366 38711.6 367 40490.1 368 42676.1 369 44038.4 370 45853.1 371 47578.6 372 49233.5 373 50207.7 374 52735.5 375 54543.4 376 56152.9 377 56496.8 <-- max 378 55952 ]. Scientists figured out how to stop time using quantum algorithms The Next Web, 13 Jan 2021 20:58Z Everyone's always talking about traveling through time, but if you ask me the ultimate temporal vacation would be just to pause the clock for a bit. Who among us ... The truth is out there ... perhaps: CIA releases thousands of UFO files The Guardian, 13 Jan 2021 20:57Z The truth is out there. Well, maybe. Thousands of documents from the CIA on unidentified flying objects were released this week in a document dump that the ... House impeaches Trump again Yahoo News, 13 Jan 2021 21:54Z The House of Representatives voted Wednesday to impeach President Trump on charges of "incitement of insurrection" for his role in the Jan. 6 siege of the ... The National Guard Slept On The Floor Of The Capitol To Protect Lawmakers Ahead Of Impeachment BuzzFeed News, 13 Jan 2021 17:55Z The high levels of security are meant to keep members of Congress safe after they may have been targeted for assassination by pro-Trump rioters a week ... FBI has opened more than 170 cases tied to Capitol attacks, more than 70 people charged CBS This Morning, 13 Jan 2021 13:56Z BREAKING (14 Jan): IMPEACHED. Donald Trump becomes the first President impeached twice. The House voted to impeach the Pres after his role in instigating the Capitol riot with 10 Reps voting in favor. The vote was 232 yes/197 no. Action now moves to the Senate where key Reps are in favor of finding Mr Trump guilty. US coronavirus deaths hit another one-day high as infections near 23 million ABC News, 13 Jan 2021 19:46Z Coronavirus deaths in the United States hit another one-day high at over 4,300 while the country's attention was focused largely on the fallout from the deadly uprising at the Capitol. UK to deploy 24-hour vaccination centres as 1,564 deaths sets new daily record ABC News, 13 Jan 2021 19:42Z The new measures are part of an ambitious target to vaccinate 14 million people by mid-February, coming as the United Kingdom sets yet another grim milestone for COVID-19 deaths. Trump impeachment vote: Live coverage from the House of ... CNN, 13 Jan 2021 20:09Z House Democrats will debate and hold a vote Wednesday to impeach President Trump for his role in inciting the deadly Capitol attack as ... [Several procedural votes were won comfortably by Dems earlier in the day. The vote to impeach Trump for the 2nd time is expected to pass by an even wider margin after several Reps announced they would back the resolution]. Secret emails expose Government's role in approving uranium mine a month before 2019 election ABC News, 13 Jan 2021 18:12Z Secret documents accessed by the ABC show a massive uranium mine planned for a remote part of WA -- which experts say will cause the extinction of a species -- was approved just days before the 2019 election after relentless pressure from the foreign mining company. How 'heat refuges' could help people like Ian escape sweltering days in Western Sydney ABC News, 13 Jan 2021 19:11Z Last summer, Western Sydney residents endured 37 days of over 35 degrees Celsius. As the mercury in the region continues to climb, a Sydney council is trying to convince organisations to create "heat refuges". Malaysia, once praised by the WHO as 'united' against COVID, is in a state of emergency ABC News, 13 Jan 2021 19:11Z The Malaysian Government announces a renewed lockdown across much of the country, banning interstate travel, as daily case numbers hit a new record. The 2020 lockdown saw us create our worst fatbergs in three years ABC News, 13 Jan 2021 19:10Z In a year when people spent more time at home than ever before, massive "fatbergs" full of sopping wet junk were pulled from household pipes. Scientists say this warty pig is the oldest-known animal painting on the planet ABC Science, 13 Jan 2021 19:09Z More than 45,500 years ago, perched on a ledge at the back of a cave on the island of Sulawesi, an artist painted what is thought to be the oldest-known depictions of real, recognisable objects in the world. BREAKING (14 Jan): Australian officials fear the UK strain of covid has broken out of quarantine in Qld. Several states have directed 100s of returned citizens that quarantined in a Bris hotel since 30 Dec to get tested again and self-isolate. People that were still at the hotel have been moved to a new hotel and begun a new 14-day isolation. WHO team investigating COVID-19 origins facing scientific and political challenges in China ABC News, 13 Jan 2021 19:31Z The WHO will touch down in China to conduct their much-anticipated investigation into the origins of the pandemic -- facing not only a complex scientific task, but a daunting political challenge as well. Worker shortage kicks off bidding war for shearing crews ABC/SA Country Hour, 13 Jan 2021 19:42Z Wool industry insiders say the marketplace for labour has burst in recent months, with some producers paying shearers premiums of up to 50 per cent per sheep in an "unofficial auction system". Shocking Documents Show Government Paid Millions to Chase UFOs and Werewolves The Debrief, 13 Jan 2021 In 2008, the United States Defense Intelligence Agency gave $22 million to the exotic science division of Las Vegas billionaire Robert Bigelow's space startup -- Bigelow Aerospace Advanced Space Studies, or BAASS -- to study "breakthrough technologies" and UFOs. ... "The people putting out the bid thought it would be better that it didn't say flying saucers or unidentified flying objects," former Sen. Reid told The Debrief in an interview. "It was thought by many that it would just draw too much attention, and by it being phrased the way it was, we had somebody from the Defense Intelligence Agency draw out the specs of it. It covered that anyway." ... Among other tasks, BAASS sent its investigators to Utah to investigate sightings of strange phenomena at the infamous Skinwalker Ranch and in the greater Uinta Basin that surrounds it. Skinwalker Ranch is currently owned by real estate mogul Brandon Fugal; prior to his purchase of the property in 2016, the 512-acre ranch was owned by Robert Bigelow himself. Rising sea levels are visibly changing some parts of the Top End ABC/7.30, 13 Jan 2021 05:28Z Freshwater floodplains around Australia's largest national park are being visibly transformed as rising sea levels push further from the coast into their river systems. Woman dead, five people in hospital after ocean rescue on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula ABC News, 13 Jan 2021 07:26Z A woman has died and five people have been taken to hospital after emergency helicopters were sent to Bushrangers Bay on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula to rescue multiple swimmers in trouble. Court hears former Australian soldier stormed animal shelter like a 'SWAT team in the movies' searching for his lost cat ABC News, 13 Jan 2021 07:25Z Tony Wittmann, 44, today appears in a Melbourne court accused of tying up a Melbourne animal shelter worker and pointing an assault rifle at her. Japan has expanded its COVID state of emergency to more than half the country. But is it too late? ABC News, 13 Jan 2021 10:24Z The threat of Japan's hospital system collapsing amid surging coronavirus cases forces Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga to expand a state of emergency so it covers about 55 per cent of the country. As House meets several Republicans agree to impeach President Donald Trump ABC News, 13 Jan 2021 10:23Z Democrats receive a boost in the House as several Republicans including third-ranking House GOP leader Liz Cheney vow they will vote to impeach Donald Trump. 'Groundless speculation': China refutes Boris Johnson's talk of COVID originating from bats ABC News, 13 Jan 2021 16:22Z China dismissed suggestions by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson that the coronavirus pandemic could have originated from bats or pangolins, calling it "groundless speculation". [Mutant!] Ohio researchers say they've identified two new Covid strains likely originating in the U.S. CNBC, 13 Jan 2021 16:34Z Ohio researchers said Wednesday that they've discovered two new variants of the coronavirus, one of which has become the dominant strain in Columbus, Ohio ... 'Bumblebee gravity' could explain why the universe is expanding so quickly Livescience.com, 13 Jan 2021 15:02Z Bumblebee gravity could explain dark energy - if it's proven true. Brexit Deal May Mean Less British Cod for Fish & Chips Bloomberg, 13 Jan 2021 12:00Z Scottish fisherman Peter Bruce hoped Brexit would allow him to catch more cod, one of Britain's favorite fish dishes. Instead, he's worried he'll end up with less. 'Unforgivable': NYC mayor seeks to end city contracts with Donald Trump Guardian News, 13 Jan 2021 14:58Z Top scientists warn of 'ghastly future of mass extinction' and climate disruption The Guardian, 13 Jan 2021 06:03Z Sobering new report says world is failing to grasp the extent of threats posed by biodiversity loss and the climate crisis. YouTube suspends Trump's account, barring uploads and comments CNBC, 13 Jan 2021 05:21Z The Google-owned company took down the account following similar actions by Facebook and Twitter. Baby shark 'kryptonite' found in latest reef research ABC Tropical North, 12 Jan 2021 at 9:16pm New research reveals the impact climate change is having on a shark species found only on the Great Barrier Reef and raises concerns for all sharks in our oceans. Top Republican blames Trump for attack, backs impeachment ABC News, 12 Jan 2021 at 9:18pm Top House Republican Liz Cheney issues a scathing statement blaming Donald Trump for the attacks on the US Capitol and announcing her support for his impeachment. World Solar Challenge charges ahead amid fear COVID speedbump could reroute overseas teams ABC Radio Darwin, 12 Jan 2021 at 10:52pm Teams from 15 countries are tuning their cars for this year's race through the Australian outback -- but there's concern not all contenders will make it to the start grid in October. Third US House Democrat tests positive for COVID-19, blames 'arrogance of the anti-maskers' ABC News, 12 Jan 2021 at 11:06pm Congressman Brad Schneider, a House Democratic forced into lockdown during last week's violent siege at the US Capitol, says on Twitter that he has tested positive for COVID-19. 129 people to move to other hotels in quarantine 'reset' for guests at Brisbane's Grand Chancellor ABC News, 12 Jan 2021 at 11:46pm People who have already spent two weeks in hotel quarantine at Brisbane's Grand Chancellor -- where a cleaner tested positive to the UK variant of the virus -- are told they will have their quarantine extended with 129 guests being moved to other hotels. [A cluster seems to have formed at the hotel with 8 now testing +ve to the UK strain]. [Crybully:] China slams Australia for blocking Chinese company's bid for Australian builder ABC News, 13 Jan 2021 0:17Z China's government slams Australia's decision to block a Chinese company's $300 million bid for the Australian construction firm Probuild, accusing the Federal Government of further undermining trust between the two countries. Wuhan: Over 75% of hospitalised patients still suffer from Covid symptoms WION, 12 Jan 2021 18:58Z Far out: Astronomers discover the oldest, most distant 'supermassive' black hole and quasar in the universe USA TODAY, 12 Jan 2021 21:58Z The oldest, most distant "supermassive" black hole and quasar in the universe have both been discovered, astronomers announced Tuesday. New Horizons spacecraft answers the question: How dark is space? Phys.org, 12 Jan 2021 21:57Z How dark is the sky, and what does that tell us about the number of galaxies in the visible universe? Astronomers can estimate the total number of galaxies by ... Dog food recall expands: More than 70 dogs have died and 80 pets sick after eating Sportsmix pet food USA TODAY, 12 Jan 2021 22:56Z Midwestern Pet Foods has expanded its recall after reports that the food may be linked to more than 70 dog deaths and 80 pet illnesses. CDC Requires COVID-19 Test From Air Passengers Entering the U.S. NPR, 13 Jan 2021 00:21Z The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Tuesday that all air passengers entering the United States will need to provide a negative ... 6 rangers killed in "devastating" attack on Congo gorilla sanctuary CBS News, 12 Jan 2021 19:55Z Deadly ambush marks the latest attack in the part of eastern Congo home to some of the world's last mountain gorillas. [Bad Math!] New Brazil data shows disappointing 50.4% efficacy for China's CoronaVac vaccine Yahoo News, 12 Jan 2021 16:55Z A coronavirus vaccine developed by China's Sinovac Biotech was just 50.4% effective at preventing symptomatic infections in a Brazilian trial, researchers said ... Children apologize to their elders for COVID-19 spread Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan 2021 19:53Z Children who spread coronavirus to their parents and grandparents are apologizing to them on their deathbeds as L.A. County reels. McConnell is said to be pleased about impeachment, believing it will make it easier to purge Trump from the Republican Party. The New York Times, 12 Jan 2021 21:53Z Senator Mitch McConnell, the Republican leader, has told associates he believes President Trump committed impeachable offenses and that he is pleased that ... [Fine Grind!] DOJ probing sedition in connection with Capitol riot POLITICO, 12 Jan 2021 22:51Z A Justice Department "strike force" is seeking to assemble a sedition case against some of those involved in last week's riot at the Capitol, which is now being ... Joint Chiefs of Staff call Capitol riot 'sedition and insurrection,' remind troops of oath USA TODAY, 12 Jan 2021 22:52Z The Joint Chiefs of Staff branded last week's riot sedition and called on troops to defend the Constitution. [Miniflu!] Covid: 2020 saw most excess deaths since World War Two ... BBC, 12 Jan 2021 12:32Z Australian man arrested and accused of running world's largest Darknet site ABC News, 12 Jan 2021 16:00Z An Australian is allegedly at the centre of what German authorities believe was the biggest illegal marketplace on the darknet where more than $220 million was transacted over sales of drugs, forged money, SIM cards and bogus credit cards. ["Causing Tremendous Anger"!] Donald Trump calls move to impeach 'absolutely ridiculous' ABC News, 12 Jan 2021 17:26Z US President Donald Trump ridicules the movement to impeach him just as he did the first by proclaiming it a "witch hunt" by the Democrats. Scientists warn the world's insects are undergoing "death by a thousand cuts" CBS News, 12 Jan 2021 16:55Z The world's vital insect kingdom is undergoing "death by a thousand cuts," the world's top bug experts said. Climate change, insecticides, herbicides, light ... [Oh, no!] GM launching BrightDrop electric van and delivery system brand Fox Business, 12 Jan 2021 16:54Z GM announced the creation of the BrightDrop electric delivery van and ecosystem, which is launching this year with the EV600 van and EP1 electric pallet. More parts of China lock down as virus cases spike ahead of WHO visit CNBC, 12 Jan 2021 10:53Z Langfang city, located about 1.5-hours south of downtown Beijing, told its nearly 5 million residents on Tuesday to stay home for the next seven days. Indian Court Suspends New Farm Laws, in Blow to Modi The New York Times, 12 Jan 2021 17:51Z New Delhi. The decision by India's highest court on Tuesday to temporarily suspend the implementation of new farming laws at the center of massive ... Trump fan, 53, is found dead just days after he was arrested at the Capitol Hill riot Daily Mail, 12 Jan 2021 16:51Z Christopher Stanton Georgia, 53, was found dead at his home in Alpharetta on Saturday. His cause of death is unconfirmed with the matter 'under investigation' ... This New Self-Flying Electric Aircraft Is So Nimble It Can Land on Your Office Roof Yahoo Lifestyle, 12 Jan 2021 14:50Z This new pilotless aircraft's electric short takeoff and landing design (eSTOL) will move passengers in a 125-mile radius at a 250-mph cruising speed. [Superspreaderevent!] Third lawmaker tests positive for Covid after Capitol lockdown Yahoo News, 12 Jan 2021 16:50Z Three lawmakers have now tested positive for Covid-19 after sheltering in place with lawmakers who refused to wear masks during the violent rioting at the U.S. ... Chinese company withdraws bid for Australian builder after Government flags security risk ABC News, 12 Jan 2021 04:15Z A $300 million offer by a Chinese company to buy an Australian builder is withdrawn on the back of advice that Treasurer Josh Frydenberg and the Foreign Investment Review Board will declare the transaction a risk to national security and contrary to Australia's interest. Largest battery in Australia to be built on site of ageing coal-fired power plant ABC News, 12 Jan 2021 05:14Z Origin Energy unveils plans to build a 700-megawatt battery, which will be the largest in Australia and four times bigger than Tesla's battery in South Australia, in a bid to move the company away from fossil fuel power over the next 10 years. Second bushfire emergency flares in Perth's south with residents urged to evacuate ABC News, 12 Jan 2021 06:13Z A second bushfire emergency is declared in Perth just over an hour after another nearby blaze was contained, with the new fire threatening lives and homes in the City of Cockburn, in Perth's south. Malaysia's king declares state of emergency, giving the Prime Minister extraordinary powers ABC News, 12 Jan 2021 06:13Z Malaysia's King declares a state of emergency to curb the spread of COVID-19. The declaration gives the Prime Minister and his Cabinet the power to introduce laws without the approval of Parliament. [Minitrump!] McCormack, Hunt refuse to condemn Liberal MP for spreading unofficial COVID-19 information online ABC News, 12 Jan 2021 09:11Z Senior government figures resist calls to condemn Liberal MP Craig Kelly for declaring compulsory mask wearing in schools would be "a crime" and a "form of child abuse". NASA mission extension enables first flybys of Jupiter's moons in 20 years Spaceflight Now, 11 Jan 2021 22:09Z If you would like to see more articles like this please support our coverage of the space program by becoming a Spaceflight Now Member. If everyone who ... Leading human rights group calls Israel an 'apartheid' state Associated Press, 12 Jan 2021 08:07Z Jerusalem. A leading Israeli human rights group has begun describing both Israel and its control of the Palestinian territories as a single "apartheid" ... Gravitational Wave Search Finds Tantalizing New Clue Jet Propulsion Laboratory, 12 Jan 2021 03:54Z An international team of scientists may be close to detecting faint ripples in space-time that fill the universe. Samsung's robot dog is an intriguing faceless smart pet for your surveillance needs Yanko Design, 12 Jan 2021 0:53Z We are in 2021 and so far it has been one crisis after another. What truly gives me hope is the time I spend with my dog. It is a moment away from the chaos and I ... Texas lawmakers weigh in ahead of President Trump's trip to border wall Tuesday KXAN.com, 12 Jan 2021 05:51Z Harlingen, Texas (Nexstar). Lawmakers are weighing in ahead of President Donald Trump's planned visit to the Rio Grande Valley on Tuesday. Trump is ... Bush files resolution to expel Republican lawmakers who objected to election results STLtoday.com, 12 Jan 2021 02:49Z St. Louis. U.S. Rep. Cori Bush on Monday filed a resolution calling for the possible expulsion of more than 100 Republican members of the U.S. House of ... Gorillas at San Diego park catch COVID-19 Live Science, 11 Jan 2021 22:51Z Multiple gorillas at a San Diego zoo have tested positive for COVID-19, in what appears to be the first cases of captive great apes contracting ... [8 apes at last report caught the disease from a keeper]. Freediver Stig Severinsen swims 662 feet underwater CNN, 11 Jan 2021 Danish freediver Stig Severinsen has broken the world distance record for swimming with fins on just one breath -- making it 202 meters (662 ft ... [TV news claiming he held his breath for "20 minutes" but saner reporting says 2m45s]. Record low flu cases show how COVID-19 is more contagious and 'less forgiving,' experts say USA TODAY, 11 Jan 2021 18:28Z Experts say that high vaccination rates combined with social distancing, mask-wearing and handwashing have played a role in preventing spread. Juno spacecraft discovers FM radio signal coming from Jupiter moon KTLA, 11 Jan 2021 21:27Z The Juno spacecraft orbiting Jupiter has discovered an FM radio signal coming from the moon Ganymede, a finding that marks a first-time detection from the ... The internet crackdown on Trump and his supporters is spreading from AWS to Twilio, Stripe and others San Francisco Chronicle, 12 Jan 2021 00:25Z The online banishment of President Trump and his supporters has spread from Facebook and Twitter to lesser-known companies that operate the infrastructure ... Parler sues Amazon for suspending app from cloud service, claims antitrust violation and breach of contract Fox Business, 11 Jan 2021 20:25Z Alternative social media platform Parler filed a lawsuit against Amazon on Monday following Amazon Web Services' decision to suspend Parler from its cloud ... Paris mayor pushes ahead with plan to give Champs-Élysées a $305 million green makeover CBS News, 11 Jan 2021 17:25Z Paris. Mayor Anne Hidalgo has confirmed that ambitious plans to transform Paris' Champs-Élysées, the iconic avenue in the heart of the French capital, are ... Michigan bans open carry of guns inside state Capitol Associated Press, 11 Jan 2021 23:43Z Lansing, Mich. A state panel on Monday banned the open carry of guns in Michigan's Capitol, a week after an armed mob rioted in the U.S. Capitol and ... House Democrat tests positive for COVID-19 after Capitol riots Yahoo News, 11 Jan 2021 20:22Z Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, D-N.J., announced that she has contracted COVID-19 and believes it occurred during the lockdown in the Capitol during last ... FBI warns of pro-Trump 'armed protests' before Inauguration Day Business Insider, 11 Jan 2021 23:21Z An FBI bulletin obtained by ABC News reporter Aaron Katersky warned that "armed protests" are expected to take place at the US Capitol and state capitols ... Poll: Americans narrowly back Trump's impeachment, resignation POLITICO, 11 Jan 2021 22:19Z A plurality of Americans support the effort gaining steam in Congress to impeach President Donald Trump following last Wednesday's deadly attack on the U.S. ... A Disgruntled Employee Changed The State Department's Website To Say That Trump's Term Ends Today, Sources Say BuzzFeed News, 11 Jan 2021 21:20Z A disgruntled employee at the State Department changed the biographies of President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence to say their term was ... You Can Now Easily Download All CIA UFO Documents to Date VICE, 11 Jan 2021 14:32Z In anticipation of the government's official UFO report coming in less than six months thanks to the COVID-19 omnibus bill, you can now download all of the publicly available CIA documentation on UFOs. The Black Vault, a clearinghouse for declassified documents, has released a downloadable document archive filled with PDFs containing CIA files on Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP), the government's preferred term. . Some of the reports date all the way back to the 1980s, and according to the site's founder, John Greenewald Jr., the spy agency claims this is all of its documents on UAPs. World Health Organization experts set to arrive in China for coronavirus origin probe ABC News, 11 Jan 2021 09:58Z Following delays, experts from the World Health Organization are due to arrive in China for a long-anticipated investigation into the origins of the coronavirus pandemic. UK steps up vaccinations as it faces 'worst weeks' of pandemic ABC News, 11 Jan 2021 11:58Z The United Kingdom is facing its worst weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic, its Chief Medical Officer says, with deaths and cases in the country hitting record highs ahead of the rollout of a mass vaccination program. 'Face up to reality': China tells Australia and other nations Hong Kong belongs to them ABC News, 11 Jan 2021 15:57Z The Chinese Foreign Ministry says other countries including Australia and the United Kingdom must accept that Hong Kong has returned to China and stop meddling in 'internal affairs'. New Study Shows Robots May Be Able to Have `Empathy' The Debrief, 11 Jan 2021 A new study from the Columbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science has proven that a robot can anticipate another robot's actions based solely upon visual cues. This means that robots may one day be able to use empathy to make predictions in a very basic way. Using a cognitive framework called "Theory of Mind," the scientists believe that they've come across one of the very first stepping stones for artificial intelligence to understand how to anticipate actions purely through visualization. Populist, Prisoner, President: A Convicted Kidnapper Wins Kyrgyzstan Election The New York Times, 10 Jan 2021 21:44Z Moscow. A populist politician and convicted kidnapper won a landslide victory on Sunday in a snap presidential election in Kyrgyzstan triggered by a ... Democrats Introduce Impeachment Article, Urge Pence to Act Bloomberg, 11 Jan 2021 16:41Z House Democrats Monday introduced a resolution to impeach President Donald Trump for a second time, setting up a vote this week unless Vice President Mike ... Twitter shares drop in first trading day after Trump ban CNBC, 11 Jan 2021 17:58Z Twitter made the decision to remove President Trump "due to the risk of further incitement of violence," after the deadly riot at the U.S. Capitol. Ex-Capitol Police Chief Says Requests For National Guard Denied 6 Times In Riots NPR, 11 Jan 2021 14:39Z The former chief of U.S. Capitol Police says security officials at the House and Senate rebuffed his early requests to call in the National Guard ahead of a ... The ISS is Going to Have a Space Hotel Headed by a Former NASA Manager, Axiom is eyeing a 2024 Launch The Debrief, 11 Jan 2021 Hotels in space are a staple of science fiction, but they have remained out of reach in the real world until now. NASA's former manager of the International Space Station, Michael Suffrendini, plans to change that as soon as 2024, with his first client already signed up to take an inaugural space "cruise." [Conman's Progress:] Clive Palmer still suing WA Premier after all, apologetic spokesman says ABC News, 11 Jan 2021 06:06Z Mining mogul Clive Palmer is still suing Western Australia's Premier for alleged defamation, despite his office issuing a statement yesterday stating the action had been withdrawn. Travellers will now need a permit to enter Victoria. Here's how the system will work ABC News, 11 Jan 2021 06:05Z Practically everyone who wants to go to Victoria will need to apply for a permit, and fines of nearly $5,000 apply if you don't get one. Here's how the new system will work. Grassfire burns near houses in Melbourne's north-west ABC News, 11 Jan 2021 07:04Z Residents have been told they are allowed to return to their homes after a grassfire that was burning out of control in Melbourne's north-west was contained by firefighters. [Didnt smell anything. Must have been the other NW]. SA bushfire threat downgraded but blaze still burning uncontrolled ABC News, 11 Jan 2021 05:06Z The Country Fire Service says the threat posed by a huge grass fire which ripped through part of South Australia's south-east has reduced -- but the blaze remains uncontrolled and the danger has not passed. Partner of Brisbane hotel cleaner with UK variant of coronavirus tests positive to COVID-19 ABC News, 11 Jan 2021 08:04Z The partner of the hotel cleaner who tested positive to the UK variant of coronavirus has also tested positive for COVID-19, but Queensland Health says it will not impact the easing of lockdown restrictions in Greater Brisbane. Trump labelled a 'domestic terrorist' by former deputy secretary of state Armitage ABC/7.30 11 Jan 2021 08:03Z Former US deputy secretary of state Richard Armitage says he believes President Donald Trump is a "domestic terrorist" following last week's attack on the Capitol building. Baby Megalodons Were 6-Foot-Long Womb Cannibals, Study Suggests The New York Times, 11 Jan 2021 0:43Z In many ways, megalodons - the long-gone, leviathan predecessors of today's sharks - had it made. Stretching up to 50 feet in length and weighing perhaps ... San Francisco braces for possible pro-Trump demonstration at Twitter headquarters on Monday San Francisco Chronicle, 11 Jan 2021 06:34Z San Francisco police were preparing for a possible pro-Trump demonstration at Twitter's headquarters on Monday, days after the social media company banned ... DC Mayor Asks Feds to Cancel Demonstration Permits, Plan Inauguration Security NBC4 Washington, 11 Jan 2021 01:35Z The mayor of Washington, D.C., asked federal officials to cancel permits for demonstrations and plan to protect federal property around Inauguration Day... Nick Pope @nickpopemod 10 Jan 2021 Here's a new media article where I'm quoted talking about the UAP Task Force, the UFO report going to the Senate Intelligence Committee, what the UK has been told (and might be doing), etc. I also touch on MASINT and the role of future systems like HBTSS. metro.co.uk/2021/01/08/# In boost for renewables, grid-scale battery storage is on the rise Grist, 09 Jan 2021 Facilities are being built with storage systems that can hold enough renewable energy, addressing concerns over the intermittency of wind and solar. Ransomware attack causes three-week NT Government system shutdown ABC News, 10 Jan 2021 21:25Z The Northern Territory Government has revealed the supplier of one its cloud-based IT systems was targeted in a ransomware attack, forcing the system offline for three weeks. But it insists the integrity and confidentiality of government data was never compromised. Family jumps into Murray River to escape boat fire near Blanchetown ABC News, 10 Jan 2021 21:24Z South Australian fire services are kept busy overnight with several incidents amid extreme fire danger warnings for much of the state. Democrats may wait 100 days into Joe Biden's presidency to impeach Donald Trump ABC News, 10 Jan 2021 22:24Z Several senior Republicans say Donald Trump has committed impeachable offences as Democrats gear up to introduce new articles of impeachment, while considering when is the best time to launch a hearing. Brisbane lockdown to be lifted after zero new cases reported ABC News, 10 Jan 2021 23:05Z The Brisbane lockdown will be lifted at 6:00pm after no new cases were reported for three days, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says. Victoria's streak of no new community COVID-19 cases extends to five days ABC News, 10 Jan 2021 22:28Z The Department of Health and Human Services says no locally acquired coronavirus cases were reported in the previous 24 hours from 18,660 test results. Scarce doses and empty vaccination centres: Germany's vaccine rollout headache Yahoo News, 10 Jan 2021 13:18Z Proud of their national reputation for efficiency, Germans are growing increasingly frustrated by the slow rollout of a COVID-19 vaccine its scientists helped ... FCC grants permission for polar launch of Starlink satellites SpaceNews, 09 Jan 2021 The FCC will allow SpaceX to launch 10 Starlink satellites into polar orbit on an upcoming mission, but deferred a decision on its overall license change. Florida has nearly half of known US cases of COVID variant WEAR, 09 Jan 2021 23:58Z Fort Lauderdale, Fla (AP). New data from the Centers for Disease Control shows Florida has nearly half the known cases in the United States of a ... Why was Stonehenge built? Livescience.com, 09 Jan 2021 13:05Z Stonehenge is just one of many henges built in Stone Age Britain, but why? Nobody actually knows. Much of Pakistan Loses Power in Massive Blackout The New York Times, 10 Jan 2021 06:50Z Pakistani news sites said almost the entire country of more than 200 million was without power. At Least 12 Dead in 2 Landslides in Indonesia The New York Times, 10 Jan 2021 06:10Z Jakarta, Indonesia. Two landslides set off by heavy rainfall and unstable soil killed at least 12 people on Java, Indonesia's most populous island, and left ... Sherrod Brown calls for Hawley, Cruz to resign from Senate The Hill, 10 Jan 2021 0:02Z Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) joined calls on Saturday for Republican Sens. Josh Hawley (Mo.) and Ted Cruz (Texas) to resign after they supported objections ... Trump pressured Georgia election investigator to 'find the fraud' in December phone call USA TODAY, 09 Jan 2021 23:02Z Former prosecutors said the call appeared to open yet another potential legal challenge for the president, who has less than two weeks left in office. [Deep State!] Apple, Amazon, Google ban social media platform Parler in wake of US Capitol riots ABC News, 10 Jan 2021 03:11Z Apple and Amazon join Google in suspending Parler, an online platform described as a "free speech" Twitter clone, from their App Store and web hosting service in the wake of deadly riots at the US Capitol. Australia joins US, UK and Canada in criticising Hong Kong arrest of pro-democracy activists ABC News, 10 Jan 2021 04:11Z The arrest of 55 people last week is by far the largest such action taken under a national security law China has imposed on the semi-autonomous territory. UN report on Tigray conflict warns millions need aid and COVID crisis is looming ABC News, 10 Jan 2021 05:10Z Fighting is still going on in several parts of Ethiopia's northern Tigray region and almost 2.3 million people -- nearly half of the population -- need aid, according to a UN report. Greater Brisbane stays in lockdown as investigation into cleaner case is launched ABC News, 9 Jan 2021 at 11:07pm Greater Brisbane locals will remain in lockdown until 6pm tomorrow, despite zero cases of coronavirus being recorded overnight. NSW still 'mopping up' after recent COVID outbreaks, as three local cases recorded ABC News, 10 Jan 2021 0:15Z As NSW records three new locally acquired coronavirus cases, health authorities warn the next fortnight is critical to containing the state's latest outbreaks and urge residents to continue high levels of testing. UK campaign urges people to obey lockdown rules as COVID deaths surpass 80,000 ABC News, 10 Jan 2021 01:14Z The UK Government launches a public information campaign in an effort to improve adherence to COVID lockdown restrictions. [Worst since 1970!] Rare Blizzard Buries Spain in Snow Newser, 09 Jan 2021 12:31Z An unusual and persistent blizzard that Madrid's mayor is calling "the worst storm in 80 years" has blanketed large parts of Spain with snow, freezing traffic and ... 11 million locked down in China's Hebei province to prevent spread of new coronavirus outbreak Yahoo News, 09 Jan 2021 17:49Z Beijing. It took just 39 new coronavirus cases for health authorities in China to put almost 11 million people into lockdown in the city of Shijiazhuang. L.A. County's Christmas coronavirus surge is worsening Los Angeles Times, 09 Jan 2021 22:48Z The post-Christmas surge of coronavirus cases is worsening considerably in Los Angeles County, a much-feared scenario that officials say will result in more ... Parler Nixes 'Firing Squad' Post by Pro-Trump Lawyer Lin Wood After His Twitter Suspension Newsweek, 09 Jan 2021 21:47Z Parler has nixed posts shared by controversial lawyer Lin Wood-a staunch supporter of President Donald Trump and the QAnon conspiracy theory-after he ... [Spreading!] Coronavirus rules tighten over case who was cleared to leave hotel quarantine ABC News, 09 Jan 2021 04:57Z A woman who contracted the mutant UK strain of COVID-19 and flew into Brisbane from Melbourne after clearing hotel quarantine has since tested positive to the virus again. The rules have since been strengthened -- here's what's changed. 'Find an alternative': Expert calls for technology overhaul following Tasmanian ambulance data breach ABC News, 09 Jan 2021 05:55Z A cybersecurity expert called on the Tasmanian Government to replace its ambulance communication technology to prevent future breaches of confidential patient information. [Tas officials officially find out after some time that ambulance calls incl lots of personal patient information has been stored on a public web site and geeks have been mining it for various purposes]. Bat warning issued after officials detect three cases of lyssavirus in Queensland in one month ABC News, 09 Jan 2021 09:01Z Health officials urge Queenslanders to stay away from bats to avoid contracting the potentially deadly disease. A farewell to @realDonaldTrump, gone after 57,000 tweets The Associated Press, 09 Jan 2021 08:29Z Washington. @realDonaldTrump, the Twitter feed that grew from the random musings of a reality TV star into the cudgel of an American president, has ... Donald Trump Subverts Twitter Ban via @POTUS Account and Gets Deleted Again Newsweek, 09 Jan 2021 03:09Z "Twitter employees have coordinated with Democrats and the Radical Left in removing my account from their platform, to silence me," President Donald Trump ... [Apparently Trump is LIVID he's been banned from social media. And a new Parler account is not making up for it]! Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine 'effective' against new COVID-19 strains Yahoo Tech, 08 Jan 2021 09:29Z Coronavirus vaccines which use synthetic messenger RNA technology, can be quickly tweaked to address new mutations of a virus if necessary, scientist have ... Google removes Parler, popular with Trump supporters, from app store for Android CNBC, 09 Jan 2021 02:28Z Google has removed Parler, a social media app popular with Trump supporters, from the Google Play Store, making it much harder for Android users to ... [Apple has threatened same]. Huge sinkhole in parking lot of Italian hospital forces relocation of COVID- 19 patients New York Post, 08 Jan 2021 19:27Z A giant sinkhole opened Friday in the parking lot of a hospital in Naples, Italy, forcing the temporary closure of a nearby residence for recovering COVID-19 ... Biden says Cruz, other Republicans responsible for 'big lie' that fueled Capitol mob The Hill, 09 Jan 2021 01:27Z President-elect Joe Biden on Friday blamed Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and other GOP lawmakers who led efforts to challenge election results ahead of ... Trump went 'ballistic' after being tossed off Twitter POLITICO, 09 Jan 2021 04:26Z President Donald Trump has many prized possessions. But few seemed to inspire as much personal joy as his Twitter feed. Trump routinely boasted of the ... Extreme 14th Century Droughts May Provide Insight Into Our Climate Change Crisis ScienceAlert, 09 Jan 2021 02:25Z Scientists are studying a major, once-in-a-century drought from Medieval Europe to better understand how extreme weather events indicate rapid climate ... Republican politician faces 1.5 years jail over Capitol riots, man who invaded Pelosi's office charged ABC News, 8 Jan 2021 at 10:52pm A Republican politician who livestreamed himself rushing into the US Capitol building with a crowd of President Donald Trump's supporters is among those facing federal charges stemming from the incident. NSW to handle overseas quarantine cases differently as new virus strain spreads worldwide ABC News, 09 Jan 2021 0:23Z NSW records one locally acquired coronavirus case linked to the Berala cluster in Western Sydney, and health authorities say they will now handle overseas quarantine cases differently due to the new COVID variation. Victoria records zero local coronavirus cases from more than 28k tests ABC News, 8 Jan 2021 at 9:42pm Victoria records no locally acquired COVID-19 cases for the third day running, with one infection in hotel quarantine. 'Remarkable' rare drone footage captures dugongs mating ABC Radio Brisbane, 09 Jan 2021 01:22Z A beachgoer's sighting of two dugongs close to the shore may be a sign that the population of the usually solitary marine mammals, considered vulnerable in Queensland, may be recovering. North Korea's Kim Jong-un calls US 'our biggest enemy', threatens to build more nukes ABC News, 09 Jan 2021 01:21Z North Korean leader Kim Jong-un threatens to expand his nuclear arsenal and develop more sophisticated atomic weapons systems, saying the fate of relations with the United States, "our biggest enemy", depends on whether it abandons its hostile policy, state media reports. 6-month consequences of COVID-19 in patients discharged from hospital: a cohort study The Lancet, 09 Jan 2021 0:16Z The long-term health consequences of COVID-19 remain largely unclear. The aim of this study was to describe the long-term health consequences of patients ... Nasa's Curiosity rover: 3,000 days on Mars BBC News, 09 Jan 2021 03:15Z Three thousand days and counting: Nasa's Curiosity rover continues its extraordinary exploration of Mars. Kauai to Hit 80% Renewable Power With Solar-Charged Hydro Storage Greentech Media News, 08 Jan 2021 17:12Z A pathbreaking project from AES will combine solar generation, batteries and multiple reservoirs and hydro generators. Birds Have a Mysterious 'Quantum Sense'. For The First Time, Scientists Saw It in Action ScienceAlert, 08 Jan 2021 07:12Z Seeing our world through the eyes of a migratory bird would be a rather spooky experience. Something about their visual system allows them to 'see' our ... Resign or Be Impeached, Nancy Pelosi Tells Donald Trump, as First GOP Senator Defects Newsweek, 09 Jan 2021 0:10Z "It is the hope of Members that the President will immediately resign," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a Friday statement. [Trump Virus!] White House Covid task force warns of possible new 'USA variant' driving spread CNBC, 08 Jan 2021 22:50Z The White House coronavirus task force said there could be a new variant of the virus that evolved in the U.S. and is driving spread, according to a document ... [According to JHU data the UK, US and Germany have all recorded new record daily covid deaths in the past 24 hrs]. False Reports of a New `U.S. Variant' Came from White House Task Force The New York Times, 09 Jan 2021 02:13Z Reports of a highly contagious new variant in the United States, published on Friday by multiple news outlets, are based on speculative statements made by Dr. ... BREAKING (9 Jan): Qld health has announced they are worried about the new UK variant of covid that has been detected in several in-coming passengers to Perth, Sydney and Melbourne. In addition to being significantly more transmissible than the original disease, officials say a patient with the UK strain is continuing to emit virus even 10 days after initial infection. In most cases the virus is cleared in 7 days and is no longer present in test samples. [In other reports it's said the UK variant can give "false negative" test results. But this is consistent with other viruses that can hide, sometimes for extended periods, inside parts of the body blood testing can't usually see -- e.g. the immune system, the spinal cord or brain]. Concern UK strain of COVID-19 may have broken through normal infection control protocols ABC News, 07 Jan 2021 19:01Z There is real concern that current infection control protocols may not be enough to protect against the mutated strain of COVID-19 from the UK, following the positive test of a Brisbane quarantine hotel cleaner. U.S. tops 4,000 coronavirus deaths in one day for the first time CBS News, 08 Jan 2021 15:49Z The U.S. has topped 4,000 daily deaths from the coronavirus for the first time, breaking a record set just one day earlier. The tally from Johns Hopkins University ... Dr Fauci Wants Americans to Wear Masks for 'At Least' 100 Days into Joe Biden Presidency Newsweek, 08 Jan 2021 11:49Z Dr. Anthony Fauci, the U.S. government's top infectious disease specialist, has suggested that Americans could wear masks for "at least" 100 days after Joe ... After Riot, Business Leaders Reckon With Their Support for Trump The New York Times, 08 Jan 2021 Many in corporate America endorsed the president's economic policies, which were good for them and gave Mr. Trump mainstream business credibility. Twitter Bans President Trump, Citing 'Risk Of Further Incitement Of Violence' NPR, 09 Jan 2021 00:27Z Twitter has permanently blocked the @realDonaldTrump account after Trump posted a message that violated the company's rules. Twitter bans Michael Flynn, Sidney Powell and other QAnon accounts CNBC, 08 Jan 2021 23:48Z Twitter on Friday announced that it would permanently suspend accounts dedicated to sharing content related to the far-right QAnon conspiracy theory. Air Force Spacecraft Will Beam Solar Power to Earth Named Arachne, this new satellite will transfer solar energy wirelessly back to any location on the planet. The Debrief, 8 Jan 2021 The Arachne spacecraft is scheduled for launch in 2024. It is built to capture solar energy, convert it and then transmit that power to Earth. London Mayor Says City 'At Crisis Point,' Declares 'Major Incident' NPR, 08 Jan 2021 16:54Z "The stark reality is that we will run out of beds for patients in the next couple of weeks unless the spread of the virus slows down drastically," London Mayor ... [Despite a lockdown the measured R rate is going up. In the past 24 hrs the number of new daily cases as well as related deaths have hit new highs. Hospital admissions are up 30% since Jan 1. The worsening situation is put down to the new strain]. London could run out of hospital beds in two weeks, leaked projections show ABC News, 07 Jan 2021 16:19Z Leaked official documents suggest London is at risk of running out of hospital beds within two weeks as the city strains under the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Brazil's pandemic deaths top 200000 amid a return to fun Associated Press, 08 Jan 2021 06:32Z Sao Paulo. The night before New Year's Eve in Rio de Janeiro, thousands of revelers clad in their bathing suits crowded onto the iconic Ipanema ... Bolsonaro Mistrusts Covid Vaccines and Brazil Is Falling Behind Bloomberg, 08 Jan 2021 15:32Z Across the globe, presidents and prime ministers are scrambling to score precious vials of Covid vaccine to protect citizens and gain political favor. Not Brazil's ... Donald Trump Has Joined Parler According to Fox News' Sean Hannity Newsweek, 08 Jan 2021 15:31Z Fox News host Sean Hannity said on Thursday that President Donald Trump has an account on Parler, a social media platform pitched as an alternative to ... Pelosi asks top general about curbing Trump's military power The Associated Press, 08 Jan 2021 17:17Z Washington (AP). House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Friday she has spoken to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff about preventing President Donald ... U.S. reports over 4,000 new coronavirus deaths for first time ampAxios, 08 Jan 2021 13:30Z Anthony Fauci warned that "things will get worse as we get into January." Giant sinkhole consumes cars in Naples hospital parking lot ABC News, 08 Jan 2021 14:03Z Firefighters in the Italian city of Naples have been called to the scene of a giant sinkhole which swallowed cars, road signs and trees. [Boot On Other Foot:] Victoria closes border to travellers from Greater Brisbane ABC News, 08 Jan 2021 13:03Z Anyone who has been in the Greater Brisbane region since January 2 cannot enter Victoria without an exemption. [Popcorn Time!] Sidney Powell Sued by Dominion for $1.3 Billion Over Vote-Fraud Claims Bloomberg, 08 Jan 2021 16:27Z Former Trump campaign lawyer Sidney Powell was sued for defamation by the voting-machine company she repeatedly placed at the center of a vast and ... [#2:] House could move to impeach Trump by next week, top Democrat says CNBC, 08 Jan 2021 16:13Z Democrats could quickly vote to impeach President Donald Trump after he helped to incite an attack on the U.S. Capitol. Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick Dies from Injuries in Pro-Trump Riot The New York Times, 08 Jan 2021 14:59Z A United States Capitol Police officer died on Thursday night from injuries sustained "while physically engaging" with pro-Trump rioters who descended on the ... 2020 ties with 2016 as world's hottest year on record ABC News, 08 Jan 2021 12:27Z Scientists say the latest data from the European Union's earth observation program underscores the need for countries and corporations to slash greenhouse gas emissions quickly enough to avoid catastrophic climate change. South Korea 'Comfort Women' Compensation Verdict Angers Japan Bloomberg, 08 Jan 2021 11:30Z A South Korean court ordered Japan to compensate women forced to work in its World War II-era brothels, a landmark decision that angered Tokyo and inflamed ... Aurora australis puts on a sky show off southern WA ABC Great Southern, 7 Jan 2021 at 11:57pm Photos showing a rare appearance of aurora australis off WA's south coast are causing a buzz online -- and they're expected in greater frequency in the coming years. NSW records four local COVID-19 cases, northern beaches lockdown to end on Sunday ABC News, 08 Jan 2021 01:02Z NSW records four new locally acquired coronavirus infections as travellers from Brisbane in NSW are told to self-isolate until Monday evening. The NSW Government also confirms the northern beaches lockdown will end at 12:01am on Sunday. Passenger caps into Australia reduced, masks mandatory on all flights, PM says ABC News, 08 Jan 2021 02:00Z International passenger caps will be halved in three states and all passengers, including on domestic flights, will have to wear masks as part of new protocols agreed to by National Cabinet. Hope for anxious residents waiting to return home as bushfire emergency continues near Perth ABC News, 08 Jan 2021 02:59Z Brand Highway reopens and residents may soon be given restricted access permits to return to their homes, despite an emergency warning remaining in place for a large bushfire north of Perth. Fauci Says He Thinks That January Covid Cases Will Get Worse The New York Times, 07 Jan 2021 23:00Z Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, the top infectious disease expert in the United States, predicted on Thursday that the daily death toll from the coronavirus would continue to ... Head of U.S. Capitol Police to resign on Jan. 16 WGN TV Chicago, 07 Jan 2021 23:55Z BREAKING UPDATE: The head of the U.S. Capitol Police will resign effective Jan. 16 following the breach of the Capitol by a pro-Trump mob. Chief Steven Sund ... BREAKING (8 Jan): National Cabinet meeting today has announced all passengers leaving Australia will have to be tested for covid before boarding. U.S. Now Has More Than 50 Cases of the Faster-Spreading COVID Strain; CDC Expects More to Come PEOPLE, 07 Jan 2021 17:15Z California - and San Diego in particular - has seen the highest number of cases from the COVID-19 strain, with 26. Europe at tipping point with Covid running rampant, says WHO The Guardian, 07 Jan 2021 19:14Z Europe is at a tipping point in the course of the pandemic, the World Health Organization has said, warning that the coronavirus is spreading very fast across the ... [Coming up to day 400, as predicted...] What is sedition? US Capitol breach was 'almost textbook' example, legal expert says Yahoo News, 07 Jan 2021 20:13Z Seditious conspiracy is a federal charge punishable by up to 20 years in prison, and law experts believe the charge fits the rioters at the Capitol. A truck-size shark washed up on a Maine beach. How did it die? Livescience.com, 07 Jan 2021 21:12Z Fishers in Bremen, Maine, discovered a dead shark the size of a pickup truck on their local shore Tuesday (Jan. 5), according to news sources. Tanner Fields ... [Dont ring me if it looks like it was hit by a giant sub moving at 250 kt]. [Por widdul me:] Trump Whines to Advisers: Why Can't I Tweet?! The Daily Beast, 08 Jan 2021 0:25Z Once again, the president focused on what really mattered-Twitter and Facebook locking him out of his accounts. Boeing to pay more than $2.5 billion to settle criminal conspiracy charge over 737 Max CNBC, 08 Jan 2021 0:10Z Boeing agreed to pay a $2.5 billion fine to settle a criminal conspiracy charge, ending a roughly two-year investigation. The Justice Department said Boeing ... Pence expected to attend Biden's inauguration POLITICO, 07 Jan 2021 21:09Z Vice President Mike Pence is expected to attend Joe Biden's presidential inauguration later this month after overseeing Wednesday's chaotic certification of the ... BREAKING (8 Jan): Brisbane has gone into emergency lock-down after a cleaner has been found with the UK variant of covid. Authorities say she has been visiting "a number of locations" infected for the last 5 days. Today the state govt announced the capital will be locked down for 3 days with masks mandatory. The population is in shock and lines are already forming in supermarkets. The govt says there is no need to panic buy because there are "plenty" of supplies in stores. But, you know. [Party In The Kremlin!] 'An armed mob spurred on by a sitting President': World leaders react to US riots ABC News, 07 Jan 2021 15:19Z America's supporters condemned riots which temporarily stopped the certifying of votes declaring Joe Biden the nation's next president, while its enemies commented on the chaos with smug satisfaction. [Belated!] Facebook will block Trump from posting at least for the remainder of his term CNBC, 07 Jan 2021 17:57Z "We believe the risks of allowing the President to continue to use our *service* during this period are simply too great," Zuckerberg wrote in a post on his Facebook ... Facebook and Instagram ban Donald Trump for remainder of his presidency ABC News, 07 Jan 2021 17:18Z Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg accuses Donald Trump of using "our platform to incite violent insurrection against a democratically elected government" as he bans him from the social media platform for the remainder of the Trump presidency. Anxiety, bordering on dread as Canberra watches US drama unfold ABC News, 07 Jan 2021 19:04Z The chaos and violence in Washington DC have transfixed politicians and officials in Canberra and there is a deep uncertainty about what the events of January 6 say about the trajectory of our great friend and ally, writes Stephen Dziedzic. 4,400 adverse events reported in US after receiving Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine Times of India, 07 Jan 2021 09:04Z Nearly 4400 adverse events were reported after people received the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine in the US, with 21 cases determined to be ... A mysterious 'wobble' is moving Mars' poles around Livescience.com, 07 Jan 2021 13:04Z Like a teetering top, Mars refuses to rotate on a straight axis. Jellyfish Build Walls of Water to Swim Around the Ocean The New York Times, 07 Jan 2021 18:03Z One of nature's most simple creatures has an elegant approach to propulsion. [Exceptional!] The 147 Republicans Who Voted To Overturn Election Results The New York Times, 07 Jan 2021 05:58Z Republican lawmakers raised objections to the official certification of electoral votes in a joint session of Congress that went into the wee hours of Thursday ... West Virginia Lawmaker Among Those Who Stormed U.S. Capitol The New York Times, 07 Jan 2021 01:51Z A newly elected lawmaker from West Virginia was among the mob of Trump supporters who stormed the United States Capitol on Wednesday, filming as he ... Attorney withdraws from election challenge lawsuit, saying Trump used him to 'perpetrate a crime' The Hill, 07 Jan 2021 15:59Z An attorney representing President Trump in one of his dozens of lawsuits challenging the 2020 election moved to withdraw from the case on Thursday, Simon & Schuster Cancels Plans for Senator Hawley's Book The New York Times, 08 Jan 2021 01:57Z Simon & Schuster said on Thursday that it would cancel the publication of an upcoming book by Senator Josh Hawley, one of several members of Congress who ... `He screwed the country': Trump loyalty disintegrates POLITICO, 07 Jan 2021 02:56Z It was, for many of President Donald Trump's own allies, the final straw. What began as a rally intended to support Trump became a permanent and irreversible ... Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer Calls For Trump's Removal From Office NPR, 07 Jan 2021 18:29Z Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer has called for President Trump to be removed from office, saying he "should not hold office one day longer.". Top White House officials resign after Capitol Hill riots, including Melania Trump's chief of staff ABC News, 07 Jan 2021 06:31Z First lady Melania Trump's chief of staff resigns, in the wake of violence on Capitol Hill. The White House social secretary and deputy press secretary have also resigned. Joe Biden certified as next US president as Donald Trump acknowledges election defeat for the first time ABC News, 07 Jan 2021 09:28Z US Congress formally validates Joe Biden's presidential election victory on a day that saw a time-honoured ceremony become a nightmare of unprecedented political terror. Miami medical examiners investigate death of doctor who got coronavirus vaccine LocalNews8.com, 07 Jan 2021 0:44Z The Miami-Dade County Medical Examiner is investigating the death of a doctor weeks after he received a Covid-19 vaccine, according to Darren Caprara, ... [Russian Hackers!] DoJ says SolarWinds hackers breached its Office 365 system and read email Ars Technica, 07 Jan 2021 02:43Z The US Justice Department has become the latest federal agency to say its network was breached in a long and wide-ranging hack campaign that's believed to ... Japan to Declare State of Emergency in Tokyo Area After Days of Hesitation The New York Times, 07 Jan 2021 07:42Z Tokyo. After days of record coronavirus counts and a rapidly rising death toll, Japan said it would declare a state of emergency in Tokyo and three ... Capitol Police firings imminent after `attempted coup,' top appropriator warns POLITICO, 07 Jan 2021 02:41Z The top House appropriator charged with funding the Capitol Police vowed Wednesday to investigate the law enforcement response to the violent mob that ... Vietnam rooftop solar records major boom as more than 9GW installed in 2020 PV-Tech, 06 Jan 2021 14:40Z Rooftop solar installations skyrocketed in Vietnam last year prior to a hard installation deadline for feed-in tariffs, with more than 9GWp of rooftop solar installed ... Impeach and Convict. Right Now. The New York Times/Opinion, 07 Jan 2021 03:39Z Trump is too dangerous to leave in office for even another minute. Two weather systems to converge in Queensland with deluge to continue into next week ABC News, 6 Jan 2021 at 9:55pm There's little reprieve in sight for parts of north Queensland with intense rainfall from ex-Tropical Cyclone Imogen hovering near the coast around Ayr and expected to converge with a separate trough. Soaring temperatures will create nightmare conditions for WA bushfire over next three days ABC News, 07 Jan 2021 01:20Z An emergency warning remains in place in the shires of Gingin and Dandaragan, north of Perth, where a bushfire has been contained but not controlled, with very hot and windy weather forecast over the next few days. BREAKING (7 Jan): As confirmation of the vote proceeds an objection to the results from Pennsylvania has succeeded. According to the rules an objection must be in writing and signed by a Senator. An objection to Arizona's result was dismissed because no Senator would sign it. [After several hrs the objection failed 92 votes to 7]. Quarantine hotel worker tests positive to coronavirus in Brisbane ABC News, 07 Jan 2021 01:17Z A cleaner at a quarantine hotel in Brisbane tests positive for coronavirus, sparking a health alert for three of the capital's southern suburbs, with the highly-infectious United Kingdom strain previously reported at the hotel. Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat lock out Trump in wake of ' unprecedented' and 'violent' protests ABC News, 07 Jan 2021 02:17Z Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat temporarily lock the accounts of US President Donald Trump, in the wake of "unprecedented" and "violent" protests in the US Capitol. How an armed mob forced its way into one of Washington DC's [ALLEGEDLY!] most secure buildings ABC News, 07 Jan 2021 03:16Z Trump supporters in Washington DC broke into the Capitol building, attacking police, smashing windows and knocking down doors. Here's how they made it into such a heavily guarded building. COVID mutation fears prompt Andrews to push National Cabinet to adopt Victorian strategy ABC News, 07 Jan 2021 03:15Z Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews says there needs to be a comprehensive national strategy to manage the risk from overseas travellers in light of the mutant strain of coronavirus that has emerged in the UK. 'Flabbergasted' WA Premier worried PPE 'mistakes' could end in outbreak ABC News, 07 Jan 2021 04:15Z An "exasperated" WA Premier issues a stern warning to frontline COVID-19 workers to avoid complacency, saying mistakes are "creeping in" after three PPE protocol breaches were discovered in connection to one patient. Victorian Liberal frontbencher posts Trump conspiracy theories to Facebook ABC News, 07 Jan 2021 04:14Z The private Facebook page of conservative Victorian MP Bernie Finn publishes pro-Trump conspiracy theories, falsely claiming the United States' President has been "improperly" removed from office. Not so swell: 'Gross' wall of rotting seaweed makes life smelly for tourists ABC North Coast, 07 Jan 2021 04:17Z A wall of seaweed may not have been the Christmas present many were wishing for at a popular coastal tourist spot, but the sheer scale of the rotting kelp is the talk of the town. SA Premier repeats push for pre-flight coronavirus testing of returning travellers ABC News, 07 Jan 2021 04:40Z South Australia's Premier will again lobby National Cabinet for the introduction of pre-flight COVID-19 testing for returning overseas travellers, amid concerns about new strains of the virus. BREAKING (7 Jan): Officials says 4 people are dead and 52 under arrest after the storming of the Capitol earlier today. [Coup!] Trump Supporters Storm Capitol, Clash With Police: Congress' Electoral College Tally NPR, 06 Jan 2021 20:05Z Thousands of Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, prompting the House and Senate to abruptly take a recess as ... [The storming happened after Trump's rally where he told people to "stop the steal". He later ass-cover tweeted to make the protests peaceful. At last report 1 woman has been killed]. Pence evacuated, Capitol locked down as protesters push through fence, breach building USA TODAY, 06 Jan 2021 19:50Z Live coverage of the Washington, D.C., rallies where Trump supporters are gathering to protest as Congress counts Electoral College votes. Electoral Vote Congressional Hearing The New York Times, 06 Jan 2021 19:57Z The Capitol building was placed on lockdown, with senators and members of the House locked inside their chambers, as Congress began debating ... Mike Pence rejects Trump's call to overturn Biden election CNBC, 06 Jan 2021 19:46Z Vice President Mike Pence on Wednesday refused President Donald Trump's demand that he try to block the confirmation of Joe Biden's election as the next ... BREAKING (7 Jan): From DE Pres-elect Biden has addressed the nation on the protest in DC. He said the actions of the small minority bordered on insurrection and called on Pres Trump to immediately broadcast a demand for his followers to stand down. In other reports similar protests are occurring at the Georgia and Kansas state houses. The trouble started after a Trump rally where he told his followers to "stop the steal". [In other news Mitch McConnell is reported to have said the election result wasn't even close]. BREAKING (7 Jan): Following a call from Joe Biden Pres Trump has posted a video to Twitter calling on his followers to stand down and not "play into the hands" of "evil people". He continued the delusion that the election was stolen from him and he "won by a landslide and everyone knows it". BREAKING (7 Jan): A large proportion of the crowd around the Capital has dispersed but police incl FBI SWAT teams have started to go room by room inside to remove remaining protesters. DC has imposed a curfew starting in 1hr until 3am tomorrow. The Mayor has warned violent protesters they will be held accountable for their actions. At least one member of the admin has called for the 25th Amendment to be invoked to drum Pres Trump out of office immediately following his latest Twitter vid that repeated baseless claims he won the election by a landslide. New coronavirus strain fuels fears WA health system unprepared as ambulance ramping grows ABC News, 05 Jan 2021 22:30Z [WA's closed border strategy has hit a speed-bump with the UK variant of covid possibly escaping hotel quarantine after 3 hotel workers all failed to follow PPE protocols. Haven't *any* of these people watched a zombie movie before?] Earth is whipping around quicker than it has in a half-century Livescience.com, 06 Jan 2021 14:13Z Thanks to a speed-up of Earth's rotation, the length of the astronomical day and the length of the clock day aren't quite matching up. Eventually, international ... OpenAI's DALL-E app generates images from just a description Engadget, 06 Jan 2021 14:12Z OpenAI has reached a new milestone with DALL-E, an agent that can create an image out of nearly any description. Governor Cuomo Announces Proposal to Legalize and Create an Equitable Adult-use Cannabis Program as Part of the 2021 State of the State ny.gov, 06 Jan 2021 18:11Z Proposal to Create the new Office of Cannabis Management to Regulate State Medical and Adult-use Cannabis and Cannabinoid Hemp Programs. Equitable ... National Cabinet to meet on Friday to discuss mutant UK strain of COVID-19 ABC News, 06 Jan 2021 07:39Z Premiers and chief ministers will hold a special meeting of National Cabinet on Friday to discuss the threat posed by a mutant strain of the COVID-19 virus that has emerged in the United Kingdom. NSW to ramp up testing of hotel quarantine drivers to stop COVID-19 spread ABC News, 06 Jan 2021 13:38Z New South Wales health authorities will ramp up testing on workers transporting Australians returning from overseas, after an infected driver unwittingly put thousands of people in Greater Sydney at risk of contracting COVID-19. Trump uses rally speech to pressure Mike Pence to overturn election result ABC News, 06 Jan 2021 18:16Z US President Donald Trump uses a rally speech to call on Mike Pence to use powers he does not have to overturn the will of voters in the US election as he also repeats unfounded claims of election fraud. South Africa's Hope For Health Worker Vaccines Thwarted, BD Says Bloomberg, 06 Jan 2021 05:21Z South Africa's hope of securing an order of 1.4 million doses of the Covid-19 vaccine designed by AstraZeneca Plc and the University of Oxford from an Indian ... Arizona, California and Rhode Island have world's worst COVID infection rates per capita [#unreliablesource] Daily Mail, 06 Jan 2021 16:19Z The COVID-19 death toll in the United States has hit yet another record high with 3775 fatalities reported in a day, which is the equivalent of 2.6 Americans dying ... Spaceships from China, the US and UAE are more than halfway to Mars [#unreliablesource] Daily Mail, 06 Jan 2021 11:19Z A trio of spaceships from Earth are on their way to Mars in search of life and to better understand the atmosphere and environment of the Red Planet. ["Wartime mode":] China hits city of 11 million with tight restrictions as more than 100 COVID cases discovered CBS News, 06 Jan 2021 14:16Z Highways in and out of Shijiazhuang are shut and schools are closed as millions are tested for the virus, which China has largely beaten with strict control ... Four years later in Georgia, Trump implosion destroys the Republican Party USA TODAY/Opinion, 06 Jan 2021 17:13Z Loeffler and Perdue could have easily coaxed conservative voters to the polls, but Trump rushed in with a blowtorch and demands to reverse his own loss. Will increasing traffic to the Moon contaminate its precious ice? Nature.com, 05 Jan 2021 21:55Z With its lunar sample-return mission last month, China kicked off a new surge in visitors to the Moon. At least eight spacecraft from nations including Russia, ... WHO issues rare rebuke to China for blocking covid investigation ABC News, 06 Jan 2021 WHO officials have declared their disappointment with Chinese authorities after scientists sent to China to investigate the origins of the SARS2 virus have been blocked from entering the country for 2 wks. Chinese officials say details for the visit "have not been finalised". Why are Chinese investors buying up Tasmania's wind farms? ABC/7.30, 06 Jan 2021 02:33Z More and more foreign-backed wind turbines are popping up across Tasmania. But with the majority of the state's power already generated by hydro-electricity and investors banking on an expensive cable proposal to the mainland, some are questioning whether it's worth it. Grammys rescheduled due to COVID-19 cases overwhelming LA ABC News, 06 Jan 2021 03:32Z Citing "the deteriorating COVID situation in Los Angeles", the Recording Academy and CBS announce the 2021 music awards -- in which Beyoncé is a leading contender with nine nominations -- will be postponed. It's a pan-demic: New gold rush at Gympie as fossicking licences boom ABC Sunshine Coast, 06 Jan 2021 04:32Z As Australians reel from COVID-created uncertainty, the number of people trying to make their own luck by panning for gold in one Queensland town has leapt by 40 per cent. Suspected PPE breach with UK patient forces WA ambulance officer into quarantine ABC News, 06 Jan 2021 05:31Z Two West Australians are in hotel quarantine amid concerns over whether personal protective equipment protocols were followed, including an ambulance officer who took a COVID-19 patient to hospital. Call for urgent action to prevent further dieback of Adelaide mangroves ABC Radio Adelaide, 06 Jan 2021 06:30Z Nearby brine ponds are believed to be leaking hypersaline water into the St Kilda mangroves ecosystem -- threatening not only their existence, but that of several fish and migratory bird species. National Cabinet to meet on Friday to discuss mutant UK strain of COVID-19 ABC News, 06 Jan 2021 07:29Z Premiers and chief ministers will hold a special meeting of National Cabinet on Friday to discuss the threat posed by a mutant strain of the COVID-19 virus that has emerged in the United Kingdom. U.S. formally links Russia to massive 'ongoing' cyber attack; scope of hacking unclear USA TODAY, 05 Jan 2021 22:42Z U.S. officials Tuesday formally named Russia as the likely source of a massive, ongoing cyber attack that has compromised key government and private sector ... [As seen post-election on A.G-W]. Raphael Warnock Claims Victory In Georgia Senate Race NPR, 06 Jan 2021 07:24Z The reverend at the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta will become the first Black Democratic senator from the South. [Power Grab!] Pennsylvania G.O.P. refuses to seat Democratic lawmaker in State Legislature. The New York Times, 05 Jan 2021 22:45Z The effort by congressional Republicans to deny the presidential results found an echo in the Pennsylvania legislature on Tuesday, when Republicans voted not ... Dozens of Hong Kong pro-democracy figures arrested in sweeping crackdown The Guardian, 06 Jan 2021 06:48Z More than 50 pro-democracy politicians and campaigners have been arrested in early morning raids in Hong Kong, in an unprecedented crackdown by ... DC Protests: Pro-Trump Protesters Gather Amid Warnings of Violence The New York Times, 06 Jan 2021 05:41Z Washington. Thousands of Trump supporters are expected to gather Wednesday in the nation's capital to hear a defeated president and his allies amplify ... Iran asks Interpol to issue 'red notice' for arrest of President Trump The Hill, 05 Jan 2021 22:46Z Iran requested the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) to issue a "red notice" for the arrest of President Trump and 47 other U.S. officials on ... Trump bars U.S. transactions with eight Chinese apps including Alipay CNBC, 06 Jan 2021 03:47Z President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed an executive order banning transactions with eight Chinese software applications, escalating tensions with Beijing ... [Mutant!] South African Covid variant appears to `obviate' antibody drugs, Dr. Scott Gottlieb says CNBC, 06 Jan 2021 06:44Z Dr. Scott Gottlieb explains why vaccinating Americans against Covid is critical, especially as the South Africa variant appears to inhibit antibody drugs. South Africa's hospitals are on the brink of collapse, and doctors fear the worst is yet to come ABC News, 06 Jan 2021 02:37Z A second wave of COVID-19 infections is threatening to overwhelm understaffed hospitals where patients are already dying due to a lack of equipment. Dozens Of New Cases Of More Infectious Coronavirus Strain ID'd In Southern California Deadline, 06 Jan 2021 02:50Z On Monday, there were four confirmed cases in Southern California of the new, more contagious strain of SARS-CoV2, the virus that causes Covid-19. Donald Trump fans chant "traitor" at Mitt Romney on flight from Salt Lake City to Washington, D.C. CBS News, 06 Jan 2021 06:45Z Senator Mitt Romney of Utah faced chants of "traitor" while on a flight from Salt Lake City to Washington, D.C. A video posted to Twitter appears to show a small ... As the coronavirus rages in California, L.A. medics are told to ration oxygen. The New York Times, 06 Jan 2021 04:40Z Officials in California have painted an increasingly catastrophic picture of the state's Covid-19 crisis over the past several days, precisely what they had warned ... Lawyer who advised President Trump on Saturday call resigns from law firm Atlanta Journal Constitution, 06 Jan 2021 02:40Z Cleta Mitchell, the conservative lawyer that can be heard interjecting in the now infamous call between President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Brad ... Macy's is shuttering 45 more locations this year, as part of its 3-year store closure plan CNBC, 05 Jan 2021 19:27Z Macy's has notified the employees at about 45 of its department stores that they will close by the middle of this year, CNBC has learned. [Catchup!] Polar vortex shifting southward due to spiking temperatures around North Pole The Hill, 05 Jan 2021 17:53Z Rising temperatures in the North Pole are causing parts of the polar vortex to split off and move southward, leading to the possibility of a particularly harsh winter ... Germany set to prolong lockdown measures as Covid-19 ... www.thelocal.de, 05 Jan 2021 08:07Z German Chancellor Angela Merkel and state leaders are set Tuesday to extend a shutdown in Europe's top economy where the coronavirus ... [Dozens of "hot spot" districts with more than 200 infections per 100k have been directed to restrict residents to within 15 km of home]. Coronavirus: French government vows to speed up ... BBC, 04 Jan 2021 The French government has defended its coronavirus vaccination policy against criticism that it is going far too slowly, with [ONLY!] 516 vaccinations ... New fast-spreading UK coronavirus strain found in Perth hotel quarantine system ABC News, 05 Jan 2021 03:26Z Three people in Western Australia's hotel quarantine system test positive for the new COVID-19 variant from the UK, Premier Mark McGowan reveals. 'It boggles my mind': Health groups condemn foreign military quarantining in Darwin's CBD ABC News, 05 Jan 2021 03:25Z Up to 300 foreign military staff and their families are quarantining in the middle of Darwin city, rather than a dedicated facility at Howard Springs, sparking fierce criticism from NT health organisations. [Habitual:] Quarantine breacher arrested again after allegedly giving wrong bail address ABC News, 05 Jan 2021 03:25Z A woman who walked free from prison yesterday after fleeing hotel quarantine in Perth is back behind bars after allegedly providing the wrong address on her bail application. COVID-19 fragments found in Queensland wastewater from Cairns to Loganholme ABC News, 05 Jan 2021 04:24Z Queensland's Chief Health Officer is treating the discovery of viral fragments of COVID-19 in wastewater at Warwick, Stanthorpe, Loganholme and Cairns with "absolute caution", as the state conducts 20,000 tests over two days. Hotel quarantine contract for Australian Open cancelled after resident concerns ABC News, 05 Jan 2021 05:23Z A government contract to quarantine international tennis players in a luxury Melbourne hotel ahead of the Australian Open has been cancelled after residents threaten legal action. Victorian Government orders review of plans to get workers back to the office ABC News, 05 Jan 2021 08:21Z The heightened coronavirus threat prompts the Victorian Government to order its public health team to reconsider plans to start allowing more people back into workplaces next week. The Republican Party was already starting to divide. Trump's Georgia rally might only make things worse ABC News, 05 Jan 2021 14:21Z Georgia's Senate run-off elections are a question of whether Donald Trump's power has become a Republican liability. Vietnam bans flights from countries with COVID-19 variants ABC News, 05 Jan 2021 15:20Z As fears grow about the speed at which the mutation of coronavirus currently occurring in Britain grow, Vietnam places a blanket ban on flights entering from nations with new strains of COVID-19. China giving COVID-19 vaccine to 50 million in a month, Israel vaccinating so fast it's running out of vaccine The Hill1, 05 Jan 2021 04:43Z China is aiming to administer the first dose of the vaccine to 50 million people before Jan. 15 and the second shot by Feb. 5. Lunar New Year festivities begin on ... Covid-19: Virus Hammers California as Deaths and Hospitalizations Surge The New York Times, 05 Jan 2021 06:42Z The number of confirmed cases in U.S. prisons has passed 500000. Britain imposed a strict new national lockdown. South Korea Sending Troops, Contacting Other Nations After Iran Seizes Ship Newsweek, 05 Jan 2021 04:00Z A South Korean Defense Ministry official told Newsweek the country, officially known as the Republic of Korea (ROK), had "sent anti-piracy troops near the Strait ... UK prepares emergency COVID-19 hospitals and closes primary schools ABC News, 02 Jan 2021 05:12Z Britain is reactivating emergency hospitals built at the start of the pandemic in preparation for more COVID-19 patients as the country records 53, 285 new daily cases and 613 new deaths. [Just this morning the PM said kids *must* stay in school. In the evening he announced schools would close]. 'Almost everybody' has the same China problem as Australia -- but we have an unfortunate distinction ABC/The Conversation, 4 Jan 2021 at 7:30pm COVID-19 has turbo-charged the shifts taking place and China has finished 2020 in a significantly stronger position compared with the US than when the year started, writes James Laurenceson. Deluge continues in north Queensland with towns on flood watch ABC News, 4 Jan 2021 at 7:55pm Heavy falls of up to 300mm could lash the north Queensland tropics over the next couple of days as ex-Tropical Cyclone Imogen hovers over the region. Soaring premiums force people like Jodie to go without home insurance, but the ACCC has some solutions ABC News, 4 Jan 2021 at 8:14pm A consumer watchdog inquiry into insurance finds more and more northern Australians are going without proper cover amid rising premiums, and recommends a string of industry regulations. Trump to hold Georgia rally amid fallout from leaked phone call ABC News, 4 Jan 2021 at 9:13pm US President Donald Trump will hold a "Victory Rally" in Georgia as the fallout from his phone call with officials in the state continues. NSW looks to double testing numbers as Victoria issues fresh health alerts ABC News, 4 Jan 2021 at 8:13pm New South Wales looks to double testing numbers in a bid to keep its virus clusters contained and Victorian contact tracers issue fresh health alerts for locations in Melbourne's south-east. [Interestingly the govy is telling people to get tested and self-isolate regardless of test result]. Victoria records three new locally acquired cases of coronavirus ABC News, 4 Jan 2021 at 9:25pm There are now 38 active cases of coronavirus in Victoria, with 32,544 test results received yesterday. More than 1,000 Victorians asked to self-isolate as exposure site list grows ABC News, 4 Jan 2021 at 7:12pm Victorian health authorities ask more than 1,000 people connected to the latest outbreak to self-isolate, as reports emerge that the DHHS may have failed to contact people who have been exposed to positive coronavirus cases. Bushfire north of Perth prompts new emergency warning after flaring up again ABC News, 4 Jan 2021 at 11:03pm A fresh emergency warning is in place for a bushfire burning north of Perth that is threatening a number of communities, including Lancelin and Ledge Point. Saudi Arabia, Qatar to sign U.S.-brokered deal to ease Gulf crisis ampAxios, 04 Jan 2021 19:41Z The diplomatic crisis has been ongoing for 3.5 years. U.S. Attorney for North Georgia abruptly resigns due to `unforeseen circumstances' Atlanta Journal Constitution, 04 Jan 2021 23:11Z U.S. Attorney Byung J. "BJay" Pak resigned his position Monday, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia. In 2017, Pak was ... [Coup Fever!] D.C. National Guard activated to respond to pro-Trump protests POLITICO, 04 Jan 2021 20:38Z The D.C. National Guard has been activated to respond to protests expected this week in the capital when Congress certifies that President-elect Joe Biden has ... [Switch!] McDonald's will launch 3 chicken sandwiches next month as it doubles down on chicken CNBC, 04 Jan 2021 16:40Z McDonald's will launch three chicken sandwiches on Feb. 24 as it tries to reach new customers with more poultry on its menu. [Mutant!] Britain's Mutant Coronavirus Strain Has Swamped the Nation, But a Worse Variant Has Already Arrived The Daily Beast, 04 Jan 2021 16:38Z The daily rate of cases has more than tripled in little over a month and the measures that worked last year are simply not enough this time round. South Africa testing whether vaccines work against variant Associated Press, 04 Jan 2021 14:37Z Johannesburg. Scientists in South Africa are urgently testing to see if the vaccines for COVID-19 will be effective against the country's variant virus. UK Lockdown: Schools, Colleges to Close as Coronavirus Variant Rages The New York Times, 04 Jan 2021 21:18Z London. Prime Minister Boris Johnson imposed a strict new national lockdown on Monday as Britain's desperate race to vaccinate its population risked ... [UK recorded a record 58k new cases in prev 24 hrs]. Tick-Tock: The Tokyo Olympics hit the 200-days-to-go mark The Associated Press, 04 Jan 2021 09:26Z Suga considers new state of emergency for Tokyo amid Covid resurgence The Guardian, 04 Jan 2021 05:27Z Japan's capital is battling a second wave of infections, just 200 days out from hosting the already-delayed Olympic Games. Google workers announce plans to unionize The Verge, 04 Jan 2021 12:25Z The news comes one month after the National Labor Relations Board filed a complaint alleging Google illegally fired two workers in the wake of employee ... Julian Assange Extradition to U.S. Blocked Over Mental Health Concerns The New York Times, 04 Jan 2021 14:35Z London. A British judge ruled on Monday that the WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange cannot be extradited to the United States to face trial on charges of ... [ISS v2.0:] Will Axiom Space provide a commercial space station replacement for NASA's ISS? The Hill, 03 Jan 2021 16:13Z Not waiting for Congress to cough up funding for NASA, Axiom has announced a facility to manufacture space station modules. There's a Human-Made Bubble Surrounding Earth, and It's Keeping Radiation Away IGN, 03 Jan 2021 18:10Z A giant bubble of VLF radio frequencies - entirely created by human activities - is not only surrounding the Earth, but is creating weather-like effects in space. NSW Acting Premier 'sick to death of being lectured to' over coronavirus outbreaks ABC News, 04 Jan 2021 05:42Z Acting New South Wales Premier John Barilaro hits out at the McGowan Government for criticising its response to the Northern Beaches COVID-19 cluster and says WA is "not doing the heavy lifting". Pentagon chiefs warn Trump against involving military in pursuing election fraud claims ABC News, 04 Jan 2021 05:58Z In an extraordinary rebuke of President Donald Trump, all 10 living former secretaries of defence -- Democrats and Republicans -- are warning against any move to involve the military in pursuing claims of election fraud. All 10 living former Defense secretaries declare election is over in forceful public letter AZFamily, 03 Jan 2021 23:09Z All 10 living former US Defense secretaries declared that the US presidential election is over in a forceful public letter published in The Washington Post on ... [Trump was right again!] Could UV light combat the spread of coronavirus inside buildings? ABC News, 04 Jan 2021 06:13Z Exposure to ultraviolet radiation is something Australians generally try to avoid -- but UV light's potential to help combat coronavirus is about to be put to the test. Credence in shearwater revival: Birdwatchers joy as seabird colony defies climate change ABC South West Vic, 04 Jan 2021 06:33Z A bird colony that migrates from Alaska to south-west Victoria to breed appears to have overcome the challenges of climate change -- after thousands of birds died last season, halving the colony. Deadly fumes warning as Perth bushfire emergency enters second day ABC News, 3 Jan 2021 at 11:33pm Residents in Perth's southern suburbs are warned it is too late to leave their homes as a bushfire continues to burn out of control in Kwinana, with deadly fumes from a rubbish tip filling the air. Drone footage shows the extent of the damage caused by Norway's deadly landslide ABC News, 04 Jan 2021 0:37Z Rescue teams searching with dogs, helicopters and drones for survivors of a landslide that carried away homes in a Norwegian village find no signs of life amid the ruined buildings and debris. Hundreds of foreign military staff and families heading to Australia to be placed in NT quarantine ABC News, 04 Jan 2021 02:36Z A cohort of foreign military officials with their families will land in Darwin today and quarantine in a separate facility, the first of a group that will eventually total about 250 people to train with the Australian Defence Force this month. This Is the "Strongest, Most Consistent" Sign You Have COVID, Study Says Yahoo Lifestyle, 03 Jan 2021 12:42Z There are few symptoms more popularly associated with COVID than cough, fever. and shortness of breath. But a new international study suggests that there is ... Norway enacts new restrictions as coronavirus surges The Hill, 03 Jan 2021 23:39Z Norway's Prime Minister Erna Solberg announced new coronavirus restrictions for the country as it attempts to stop a third wave of cases. Trump suing Secretary of State Raffensperger over recorded call, Ga. RNC chairman says 11Alive.com WXIA, 04 Jan 2021 01:36Z A recorded one-hour discussion between Trump and Secretary of State Raffensperger will now be heading to the courts, according to Georgia's RNC chair ... 'I just want to find 11,780 votes': Leaked phone call allegedly captures Trump begging election official to change results ABC News, 3 Jan 2021 at 8:43pm The US President has alternately flattered, begged and threatened the Georgia Secretary of State in an attempt to overturn his election defeat in the state, according to audio of a phone call obtained by the Washington Post. 'I just want to find 11,780 votes': Trump attacks Georgia officials as crucial runoffs approach Yahoo News, 03 Jan 2021 19:37Z Just two days before the Georgia runoffs that will determine the leadership of the Senate and one day before a rally on behalf of the Republican candidates, ... [Activate Plan B!] Australia to trial 'backup' COVID-19 vaccines that can be modified to fight virus mutations ABC News, 03 Jan 2021 04:10Z Researchers behind a clinical trial of two COVID-19 vaccines in Australia say they will be able to modify the vaccinations if mutations of the virus occur. Wait times stretch to five hours at some Melbourne testing sites ABC News, 03 Jan 2021 05:09Z Victorians face lengthy waits at some coronavirus test sites on Sunday, as health authorities call back large numbers of staff from end-of-year leave to meet the surge in demand. Retirement village evacuated as bushfires threatens lives, homes in Perth and Geraldton ABC News, 03 Jan 2021 07:09Z Crews in Western Australia are working through the night against three emergency level fires, two in the greater Perth area and one in Geraldton. Boris Johnson flags tougher restrictions probably on the way to get COVID under control ABC News, 03 Jan 2021 12:08Z British Prime Minister Boris Johnson says that tougher lockdown restrictions are probably on the way as COVID-19 cases keep rising. Shops in Greater Sydney encouraged to hand out free masks as $200 fines kick in ABC News, 03 Jan 2021 19:08Z Police can now hand out $200 fines for anyone not wearing a mask in a public indoor setting and while businesses are doing what they can to help people comply, it seems many will have to change their behaviour on public transport. Former war crimes prosecutor urges investigators to pursue Army 'chain of command' ABC News, 03 Jan 2021 19:07Z A former New South Wales magistrate who once served as a war crimes prosecutor at The Hague says those higher up the Army's "chain of command" must be investigated over alleged unlawful killings in Afghanistan. ASIO red-flags Chinese businessman and Liberal Party donor 'Haha' Liu as security risk ABC Investigations, 03 Jan 2021 19:06Z A Melbourne-based Chinese businessman who has aligned himself to prominent Liberal Party MPs is facing deportation after being assessed by ASIO as a national security risk, an ABC investigation can reveal. Mike Pence has to do an official duty Trump reportedly views as the 'ultimate betrayal' ABC News, 03 Jan 2021 19:06Z US Congress will complete the final step of making Joe Biden's election victory official this week. Donald Trump is urging Republicans to create more chaos but it will not make a lick of difference. [Cyclone!] First cyclone of the season brings 200mm falls to Queensland's Gulf ABC North West Qld, 03 Jan 2021 20:31Z Queensland's Gulf of Carpentaria receives more than 200 millimetres of rain, as the first cyclone of the season travels through the region. Tropical Cyclone Imogen forms over FNQ, crosses coast north of Karumba ABC News, 03 Jan 2021 05:10Z Queensland's first cyclone of the season forms over the south-east Gulf Coast, with people between Burketown to Kowanyama, including Burketown, being warned to shelter inside until the system passes. UK Study Shows New COVID-19 Variant Spreads Faster, Affects Younger People Interesting Engineering, 03 Jan 2021 10:27Z A new study released in the UK by Imperial College is revealing that the new variant of COVID-19 spreads faster and affects younger people. Boris Johnson 'reconciled' to prospect of UK coronavirus restrictions tightening Guardian News, 03 Jan 2021 11:25Z `A Slap in the Face': The Pandemic Disrupts Young Oil Careers The New York Times, 03 Jan 2021 16:21Z Houston. Sabrina Burns, a senior at the University of Texas at Austin, had thought she would be launching a lucrative career in the oil and gas industry ... Many Scientists Now Say Global Warming Could Stop Relatively Quickly After Emissions Go to Zero InsideClimate News, 03 Jan 2021 10:21Z Parts of the world economy may have been on pause during 2020, dampening greenhouse gas emissions for a while. But that didn't slow the overall buildup of ... [By "stop" they mean the temp will stop rising but we'll be left with whatever levels of storms and wildfires. SLR will likely continue to play catchup for centuries]. Surgeon general defends official Covid-19 numbers POLITICO, 03 Jan 2021 15:18Z Surgeon General Jerome Adams declined to condemn President Donald Trump on Sunday for calling Covid-19 death figures "far exaggerated," but he did ... [If anything the official numbers are an under-count e.g. according to the excess death statistics]. Former talk show host Larry King is hospitalized with COVID-19 Los Angeles Times, 02 Jan 2021 23:54Z The 87-year-old former broadcaster, who became a household name as the host of CNN's `"Larry King Live" for decades, is in isolation and is not permitted to ... A teacher whose class video made her a national sensation dies from Covid-19 at 35. ampThe New York Times, 03 Jan 2021 11:15Z Anyone who had worked with Zelene Blancas in El Paso knew her as a teacher whose goal was to spread compassion above all else. Ms. Blancas, who was ... Artificial Intelligence Solves Schrödinger's Equation, a Fundamental Problem in Quantum Chemistry SciTechDaily, 02 Jan 2021 19:01Z Scientists at Freie Universität Berlin develop a deep learning method to solve a fundamental problem in quantum chemistry. A team of scientists at Freie ... UK hits daily virus record, is urged to keep schools closed The Associated Press, 02 Jan 2021 20:19Z London. With daily coronavirus infections surging as a result of a new virus variant, the British government faced mounting pressure Saturday from ... Fleeing lockdown, Americans are flock to Mexico City - where the coronavirus is surging The New York Times, 02 Jan 2021 13:18Z Hospitals are at capacity and coronavirus cases are surging, but many foreigners, especially Americans, are heading to the Mexican capital - some intending to ... 'Morale is down': Sydney businesses struggling as new coronavirus rules come into force ABC News, 02 Jan 2021 21:01Z While many people in Sydney's northern beaches are "absolutely thrilled" about the easing of lockdown, others are dealing with increased restrictions, and some restaurant owners say they have already lost months of revenue. Some Covid Survivors Haunted by Loss of Smell and Taste The New York Times, 02 Jan 2021 15:55Z As the coronavirus claims more victims, a once-rare diagnosis is receiving new attention from scientists, who fear it may affect nutrition and mental health. [A few years back I totally lost my sense of smell. Came on real sudden. In flu or hayfever season I always have slight sniffles and that may have masked virus. One day I thought the OJ was off and was a bit acid but no sweetness. The 2nd day I realized smell and taste had gone. Took a worrying couple weeks to come back. No idea what virus was responsible]. Harvard professor says `discarded alien tech' known as `Oumuamua' flew past Earth in 2017 The Sun, 02 Jan 2021 20:54Z A HARVARD professor claims an odd space object to enter the solar system is not another rock formation but rather, evidence of intelligent life outside the earth. U.S. officials are reportedly privately worried Russia stole blueprints for U.S. blackout restoration Yahoo News, 02 Jan 2021 19:51Z In public. American officials have said they do not believe Russia's SVR intelligence agency "pierced" classified systems and stole sensitive communications ... Christmas coronavirus surge appears to begin in L.A. County Los Angeles Times, 02 Jan 2021 20:50Z The dreaded post-Christmas spike in coronavirus cases appears to be materializing in Los Angeles County, with a new rise in cases as hospitals are already in ... Shrinking Margins of Greenland nasa.gov, 01 Jan 2021 23:50Z A recent study of Greenland's ice sheet found that glaciers are retreating in nearly every sector of the island, while also undergoing other physical changes. Pro-Trump Lawyer Lin Wood's Claims Against Mike Pence Prompt Calls for FBI, Secret Service Scrutiny Newsweek, 02 Jan 2021 21:05Z Lin Wood, an attorney fighting for President Donald Trump's victory in the 2020 election, raised alarms after he called for Vice President Mike Pence to be at the ... More Republicans Announce Plans To Object To Electoral College Results NPR, 02 Jan 2021 20:48Z A group of Republicans has announced plans to reject electors from states they consider disputed if Congress doesn't create a commission to investigate their ... Police, FAA Notified After Sightings of Unidentified Aerial Object Over Hawaii The Debrief, 2 Jan 2021 On Tue, Dec 29 at around 8:30 local time, several Honolulu residents reported observing a glowing blue object or aircraft in the evening sky. Videos appearing online following the incident showed an elongated blue object or aircraft moving above Leeward Oahu, which appeared to descend in altitude. The unidentified aerial object also appeared to enter the ocean according to some observers, and was later followed by the appearance of a similar white light, one witness said. China to take 'necessary measures' after US delists three companies from stock exchange The Hill, 02 Jan 2021 13:30Z China on Saturday vowed to take "necessary measures" in order to protect its companies following the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) delisting three ... As Understanding of Russian Hacking Grows, So Does Alarm The New York Times, 02 Jan 2021 14:34Z Those behind the widespread intrusion into government and corporate networks exploited seams in U.S. defenses and gave away nothing to American ... Melbourne CBD restaurants added to exposure sites as Victoria records 10 new local COVID-19 cases ABC News, 1 Jan 2021 at 10:26pm Restaurants in Melbourne's CBD are among the latest coronavirus exposure sites listed by Victorian health authorities as they battle to contain a cluster "directly linked" to the outbreak in New South Wales. Pair who allegedly absconded from Melbourne Airport report to police in NSW ABC News, 02 Jan 2021 01:14Z A 24-year-old woman and 26-year-old man presented themselves at Goulburn Police Station at 10:00am today, a NSW Police spokesperson says. US passes 20 million confirmed coronavirus cases, as vaccine rollout lags ABC News, 02 Jan 2021 02:14Z Cases in the United States account for nearly one-quarter of the more than 83 million coronavirus cases confirmed globally, according to data from Johns Hopkins University, as the rate of vaccinations in the country is criticised. Lives and homes threatened by bushfires north and east of Perth ABC News, 02 Jan 2021 04:13Z Bushfire emergency warnings are issued for part of Red Gully to the north of Perth and parts of Wundowie to the east as fast-moving and erratic blazes take hold. [The Old Pattern:] Donald Trump Sent Record 12,200 Tweets in 2020, Ends Year With Stock Market Boast Newsweek, 01 Jan 2021 11:36Z President Donald Trump ended his Twitter year the way he started it-by issuing a boast. He also set a new personal record with over 12,200 tweets, smashing ... [Anobba Trump Triump!] Iran to enrich uranium to up to 20% purity, UN nuclear watchdog says The Guardian, 02 Jan 2021 03:25Z Latest move was flagged in law passed last month after the assassination of country's top nuclear scientist. US Surpasses 20 Million Confirmed Coronavirus Cases : Coronavirus Updates NPR, 02 Jan 2021 01:24Z In less than two months, the country doubled its total number of infections, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. COVID-19: Visibly ill people aren't being kept off planes Los Angeles Times, 01 Jan 2021 14:23Z The COVID-19 death of an airline passenger, and pilots' and flight attendants' complaints about other incidents, illustrate deficiencies in the systems meant to ... Trump Calls Georgia Senate Races `Illegal and Invalid' The New York Times, 02 Jan 2021 02:22Z Atlanta. President Trump took to Twitter Friday evening to make the unfounded assertion that Georgia's two Senate races are "illegal and invalid," an ... [Suppressing his own vote ahain...]. Thailand ramping up restrictions as new coronavirus outbreak spreads to Bangkok ABC News, 01 Jan 2021 20:31Z The Thai capital of Bangkok is closing all schools and entertainment venues for two weeks after the New Year holiday as it tightens measures to control a new wave of the coronavirus pandemic. Victoria records 10 locally acquired coronavirus cases as authorities confirm link to NSW outbreak ABC News, 01 Jan 2021 22:29Z Victoria records 10 locally acquired coronavirus infections in the past 24 hours as the state works to get on top of a growing cluster linked to a Melbourne restaurant. [Here we go again...]. Victoria boosts testing staff and expands hours as sites hit capacity ABC News, 01 Jan 2021 22:30Z The list of high-risk exposure sites increases for metropolitan Melbourne to include another restaurant in Brighton, an Aldi store at Cheltenham and a Bunnings shop in Mentone. Victoria closes border to NSW as testing sites swamped by returned travellers ABC News, 01 Jan 2021 19:33Z Victorian health authorities ramp up coronavirus testing capacity this weekend after sites were overwhelmed yesterday by returned travellers who raced to beat the midnight border closure. Northern beaches businesses beg for help after 'devastating' lockdown hits during summer peak ABC News, 01 Jan 2021 20:32Z Northern beaches business owners say they desperately need financial support from the Government after the region's lockdown during their usual peak summer trade has left them struggling to survive. Covid-19: New variant 'raises R number by up to 0.7' BBC News, 01 Jan 2021 16:28Z A study finds the new coronavirus variant is responsible for pushing the R rate above the crucial 1.0 mark. How electric lighting changed our sleep, and other stories in materials science Ars Technica, 01 Jan 2021 22:49Z Britain Opts for Mix-and-Match Vaccinations, Confounding Experts The New York Times, 01 Jan 2021 23:23Z Amid a sputtering vaccine rollout and fears of a new and potentially more transmissible variant of the coronavirus, Britain has quietly updated its vaccination ... [UK daily new cases 7d smoothed: 350 19789.3 15 Dec 351 21027.3 352 23093.9 353 24061.9 354 24875.4 355 27381.6 356 29258.7 357 31881.9 358 33894.3 359 34410.9 360 35017 25 Dec 361 36094 362 35581 363 36715.7 ]. Israel delivers 1M COVID-19 vaccines to 10 percent of population New York Post, 01 Jan 2021 15:21Z Israel delivered its 1 millionth COVID-19 vaccination on Friday -- and is the first in the world to immunize 10 percent of its population. [Israel daily new cases 7d smoothed: 350 1763.57 15 Dec 351 2110.14 352 2225.43 353 2411.86 354 2442.86 355 2512 356 2679 357 3122.43 358 2854.29 359 3100.43 360 3462.71 25 Dec 361 3682.57 362 3815.71 363 4146.57 ]. 26 Belgian retirees die after visit by volunteer Santa Claus who tested positive for COVID CBS News, 01 Jan 2021 22:20Z At least 26 residents of a Belgian retirement home have died since a visit by a volunteer dressed as Santa Claus who has since tested positive for COVID-19. Biden set to supercharge clean energy push with $40B stash POLITICO, 01 Jan 2021 11:19Z Twelve years ago, the Department of Energy was so central to the incoming Obama administration's stimulus plans that DOE staffers were among the first ... Senate overrides Trump's NDAA veto - the first such rebuke of his presidency USA TODAY, 01 Jan 2021 20:17Z Washington. The Senate on Friday overrode President Donald Trump's veto of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) - the first congressional ... Caribbean island residents told to evacuate as dormant volcanoes come back to life The Independent, 01 Jan 2021 14:27Z Residents on several eastern Caribbean islands have been advised to evacuate their homes after volcanoes that have remained quiet for decades rumbled into ... Spiraling COVID-19 deaths leave morgues overflowing and funeral homes turning away grieving families Los Angeles Times, 01 Jan 2021 13:26Z A months-long surge of coronavirus cases in Los Angeles County is reaching its grim if inevitable zenith as deaths reach once-unthinkable levels, medical ... Live politics updates: Over 100 House Republicans reportedly may object to election results USA TODAY, 01 Jan 2021 16:29Z This week, USA TODAY Politics focuses on the run-up to President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration, his remaining Cabinet picks, the Senate runoff in Georgia, ... A Monster Wind Turbine Is Upending an Industry The New York Times, 01 Jan 2021 11:04Z Twirling above a strip of land at the mouth of Rotterdam's harbor is a wind turbine so large it is difficult to photograph. The turning diameter of its rotor is longer ... Fewer NT crocs captured as poor wet seasons restrict movement ABC News, 31 Dec 2020 at 11:38pm As far as crocodile wrangling goes, this year has been a relatively quiet one for ranger Tom Nichols. He's been catching crocodiles for four decades but has never seen a year like this, with experts saying drier-than-normal weather has affected the animals' movements. Link found between Croydon and Wollongong cases as NSW records three new COVID cases ABC News, 01 Jan 2021 0:27Z NSW records three new cases of COVID-19 in Western Sydney, while health authorities identify possible links between the Croydon cluster and a case from Wollongong. What we know about Victoria's coronavirus outbreak ABC News, 01 Jan 2021 03:27Z There are 10 cases now linked to Victoria's outbreak, which has seen its border with New South Wales slam shut. Here's what we know. [Warm Australia:] BOM's preliminary 2020 data is in and it was the fourth hottest year on record ABC Weather, 01 Jan 2021 05:26Z The BOM's preliminary data is in and 2020 was Australia's fourth hottest year on record for mean and minimum temperatures. Rainfall was above average but not one to note in the record books... yet. Desalination breakthrough could lead to cheaper water filtration Science Daily, 31 Dec 2020 21:17Z Producing clean water at a lower cost could be on the horizon after researchers solved a complex problem that has baffled scientists for decades, until now. In midst of third wave, Tokyo reports record new coronavirus cases on New Year's Eve ABC News, 31 Dec 2020 13:13Z New coronavirus infections in Japan's capital hit a record high of 1,337 on New Year's Eve, with celebrations curtailed as the country battles a third wave of the pandemic. Saudis retaliate with airstrikes after attack on airport in Yemen ABC News, 31 Dec 2020 20:11Z Saudi-led coalition warplanes strike targets in Yemen's Houthi-held capital Sanaa in retaliation for attacks that killed at least 22 people in the southern port city of Aden on Wednesday. [Leadership!] Georgia senator David Perdue in coronavirus quarantine ahead of runoff ABC News, 31 Dec 2020 23:01Z Georgia Republican senator David Perdue is in quarantine just days before the state's Senate runoff elections, after announcing he was exposed to a coronavirus case. Boris Johnson's father Stanley says he is applying for French citizenship after Brexit Business Insider, 31 Dec 2020 13:29Z Boris Johnson's father Stanley is applying for French citizenship in order to maintain his rights as a European after Brexit, he said on Thursday. "I will always be ... [They Will Remember Me!] Trump boasts about his Covid response after largely ignoring crisis during deadliest month yet CNBC, 31 Dec 2020 22:27Z December was the deadliest month for America during the pandemic. Yet President Donald Trump barely uttered a word about Covid-19's tragic toll. West Virginia health officials mistakenly gave 42 people Regeneron IV Covid treatment instead of vaccine shot CNBC, 31 Dec 2020 21:27Z 42 people in West Virginia received Regeron's Covid-19 monoclonal antibody treatment instead of the Moderna vaccine on Wednesday, the West Virginia ... Sale of Arctic Drilling Leases Draws an Unusual Taker. It May Be the Only One. The New York Times, 30 Dec 2020 After a three-year push by the Trump administration to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska to oil drilling - an effort that culminated in a rush to sell ... Adani Green Energy share rises 4% after firm commissions 100 MW solar plant in Gujarat Business Today, 31 Dec 2020 06:58Z Adani Green Energy share rose nearly 4% in early trade after the firm commissioned a 100 megawatt (MW) solar power project at Khirsara in Gujarat. US consumes more green energy than coal for first time since 1885 Electrek, 31 Dec 2020 18:15Z US annual energy consumption from green energy sources exceeded coal consumption for the first time in 134 years, according to the EIA. COVID-19 bill started a 180-day countdown for UFO disclosures New York Post, 30 Dec 2020 The report must address "observed airborne objects that have not been identified" and should include a "detailed analysis of unidentified phenomena data ... Secret Service making changes to presidential detail amid concerns current members are aligned with Trump: report The Hill, 31 Dec 2020 03:19Z The Secret Service is planning to add a number of agents that previously worked with President-elect Joe Biden when he served as vice president to his ... UFOs Are Still a Mystery, and 2020 Showed Us the DoD is Paying Attention The Debrief, 31 Dec 2020 [...] The Pentagon's officially authorized release of Navy videos depicting aerial phenomena on April 27, 2020 ranks among the most noteworthy stories of the year, and arguably, in the broader history of UFOs. The Department of Defense "authorized the release of three unclassified Navy videos, one taken in November 2004 and the other two in January 2015, which have been circulating in the public domain after unauthorized releases in 2007 and 2017," according to an official Pentagon statement. [...] "The aerial phenomena observed in the videos remain characterized as `unidentified'," the statement concluded, adding a link to the Naval Air Systems Command FOIA Reading Room where the files could be downloaded and viewed. If the objects in these videos were anything known to our military--either from its own inventory or suspected of belonging to that of an adversary--it seems unlikely that the DoD's "thorough review" would have cleared them for release. This, in addition to characterizing the aerial phenomena in question as "unidentified," which explicitly conveys that the objects appear to be of unknown origin. In midst of third wave, Tokyo reports record new coronavirus cases on New Year's Eve ABC News, 31 Dec 2020 12:45Z New coronavirus infections in Japan's capital hit a record high of 1,337 on New Year's Eve, with celebrations curtailed as the country battles a third wave of the pandemic. [La Nina!] Towns watch rainfall records tumble as deluge brings joy to drought-scarred farmers ABC New England, 31 Dec 2020 06:34Z Heavy rainfall around the towns of Gunnedah and Tamworth is swelling rivers and waterfalls and delighting farmers celebrating an "unbelievable" end to a drought many of them thought would never be over. Wuhan's official COVID case numbers could be way off ABC News, 31 Dec 2020 08:33Z More than 4 per cent of 11 million residents in Wuhan -- where COVID-19 was first detected -- may have been infected with the virus, a new study by China's top disease control agency shows. Hospital worker fired for deliberately leaving hundreds of COVID vaccine doses out of refrigerator CBS News, 31 Dec 2020 10:25Z A Wisconsin hospital worker has been fired for intentionally removing COVID-19 vaccine from a refrigerator - forcing the hospital to throw out more than 500 ... Georgia Senate Runoffs Shatter Record With Over 2.56 Million Early Votes Cast Newsweek, 31 Dec 2020 05:22Z Georgia's Senate runoff elections for two seats have already seen more than 2.56 million early voters, breaking the previous record for the number of voters in a ... Floods, fires and typhoons: extreme weather in 2020 South China Morning Post, 31 Dec 2020 08:09Z White House releases planetary protection strategy SpaceNews, 30 Dec 2020 22:54Z The White House released a national strategy for planetary protection Dec. 30, outlining new assessments to prevent contamination of other worlds. California sets new record for COVID-19 deaths as it faces meteoric rise in hospitalizations CBS News, 31 Dec 2020 01:51Z California set a new record for COVID-19 deaths on Wednesday, reporting more than 400 new fatalities. Hospitalizations are also spiking, prompting doctors like ... Victoria's locally acquired cases grow to six as three further cases detected ABC News, 30 Dec 2020 at 9:04pm Three cases that were identified yesterday have all been linked, directly or through close contacts, to a Thai restaurant at Black Rock, in Melbourne's south-east. Remains of Ice Age woolly rhino found in Siberia ABC News, 30 Dec 2020 at 9:15pm A well-preserved Ice Age woolly rhino thought up to 50,000 years old, with many of its internal organs still intact, is recovered from permafrost in Russia's extreme north. Unhappy new year for more than 1 million Aussies on JobSeeker as COVID assistance winds back ABC News, 30 Dec 2020 at 10:37pm More than 1 million Australians will have their welfare payments shaved from tomorrow as the Government continues to wind back coronavirus assistance. Sydney's inner-west COVID-19 cluster grows, calls for a lockdown rejected ABC News, 31 Dec 2020 0:24Z The Croydon cluster in Sydney's inner west has risen by three but the source of the outbreak still remains unknown, police clear former prime minister Tony Abbott of breaching public health orders after he rode his bike through the northern beaches. Brexit to strip opportunities from Australian-British dual passport holders ABC News, 31 Dec 2020 01:23Z As the final Brexit deadline arrives at midnight tonight, Australians who hold a British passport will see their right to work across Europe disappear. 'It's quite a big catastrophe': Second fruit fly outbreak declared in South Australia ABC Riverland, 31 Dec 2020 02:23Z Fruit producers in South Australia's Riverland region scramble to meet strict product quarantine rules, with a second outbreak of Queensland fruit fly declared in the region inside eight days. A 'job done, let's move on' attitude overlooks Brexit practicalities ABC/The Conversation, 31 Dec 2020 03:22Z Plenty of political spin has been applied to the post-Brexit UK-EU trade and cooperation agreement. This not only glosses over much of the detail, but it can also be misleading, writes David Phinnemore. Wave-battered Byron Bay fears 'perfect storm' of rubbish, revellers and bungled COVID testing ABC North Coast, 31 Dec 2020 04:21Z Byron Bay locals fear a deadly cocktail is brewing as visitors flock to the town for New Year's Eve celebrations, amid news that authorities have bungled local COVID sewerage testing results. Nervous travellers reconsider Melbourne flights as uncertainty swirls around WA border ABC News, 31 Dec 2020 04:20Z Worried families are rethinking their travel plans to Victoria as the WA Government reassesses its controlled border arrangements amid more new community cases of COVID-19 in Melbourne. Uber settles out of court with delivery driver who 'was 10 minutes late' ABC News, 30 Dec 2020 07:07Z Food delivery giant Uber reaches an out-of-court settlement with a driver who alleged unfair dismissal, after Federal Court judges questioned the company's claim that delivery drivers are not necessarily employees. Victoria records three locally acquired COVID-19 cases, believed to be linked to Sydney outbreak ABC News, 30 Dec 2020 08:07Z A spokeswoman for the State Government says the cases are being treated as locally acquired and are not in hotel quarantine, bringing an end to Victoria's two-month clean streak. WA's open border with Victoria at risk after COVID-19 transmission in Melbourne ABC News, 30 Dec 2020 09:06Z The status of Western Australia's open border with Victoria is thrown into doubt following the discovery of COVID-19 cases in the Melbourne community. Suspected Chinese submarine drone found by fishermen off Indonesia ABC News, 30 Dec 2020 19:05Z Images published in local media show Indonesian military officers posing with the unmanned underwater vehicle that was found just before Christmas near Selayar Island in South Sulawesi. US rivers are changing from blue to yellow and green, satellite images show Livescience.com, 30 Dec 2020 13:25Z A third of U.S. rivers have significantly changed color over the last 36 years, turning from blue to yellow and green, striking new images reveal. Researchers ... Scores Missing, Hundreds Evacuated After Clay Landslide Strikes Village in Norway The Daily Beast, 30 Dec 2020 18:23Z At least 26 people are unaccounted for, and hundreds have been evacuated after a sheet of clay caused a devastating landslide in a picturesque village outside ... 'It is a catastrophe': Huge crater forms in Norway as houses swept away by landslide ABC News, 30 Dec 2020 19:25Z Ten people were injured, one of them critically, and 21 people remained unaccounted for after a landslide in southern Norway swept away more than a dozen buildings. [Trump Legacy!] Europe and China Approve Landmark Investment Treaty, Snubbing U.S. NPR, 30 Dec 2020 18:56Z China's president and European leaders met Wednesday to mark their agreement on an investment deal between the European Union and China, despite a ... He Was Hospitalized for Covid-19. Then Hospitalized Again. And Again. The New York Times, 30 Dec 2020 13:05Z Significant numbers of coronavirus patients experience long-term symptoms that send them back to the hospital, taxing an already overburdened health system. China clamps down in hidden hunt for coronavirus origins Associated Press, 30 Dec 2020 07:04Z Mojiang, China. Deep in the lush mountain valleys of southern China lies the entrance to a mine shaft that once harbored bats with the closest known ... California ER nurse tests positive for COVID-19 a week after getting vaccine New York Post, 30 Dec 2020 07:13Z ER nurse Matthew W., who works at two different hospitals in San Diego, received the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine on Dec. 18, and initially reported arm soreness ... U.S. Diet Guidelines Sidestep Scientific Advice to Cut Sugar and Alcohol The New York Times, 30 Dec 2020 0:12Z Rejecting the advice of its scientific advisers, the federal government has released new dietary recommendations that sound a familiar nutritional refrain, ... Luke Letlow, Congressman-elect From Louisiana, Dies From COVID-19 NPR, 30 Dec 2020 07:11Z Congressman-elect Luke Letlow, who won a runoff earlier this month to represent Louisiana's Baton Rouge area, died Tuesday from complications of COVID-19. BREAKING (30 Dec): After more than 2 months without a new case 3 cases of covid have been detected outside quarantine late today. The state govt will soon release a list of locations where the infected people may have passed on the disease. UAP Task Force to Provide Report to Senate Intelligence Committee The recent passing of the Intelligence Authorization Act for 2021 may help shed light on the Pentagon's current investigations into UFOs. The Debrief, 29 Dec 2020 Since it was first presented by the Senate Select Intelligence Committee in June, this year's Intelligence Authorization Act has been of unusual interest thanks to an included provision titled "Advanced Aerial Threats." In this inclusion, the committee offered intriguing support for the "efforts of the Unidentified Aerial Phenomenon Task Force at the Office of Naval Intelligence" and requested the production of an unclassified report detailing the analysis of UFOs, or as The Pentagon now terms them, Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) or "Anomalous Aerial Vehicles." Is the US facing a cyberwar? Here are 5 things we know about the Sunburst hack ABC/The Conversation, 30 Dec 2020 01:36Z An act of cyberwar is usually not like a bomb, it's more like a cancer -- it's slow to detect, difficult to eradicate, and it causes ongoing and significant damage over a long period of time. This is what we know about the Sunburst hack on the US, writes Paulo Shakarian. Super release slows but almost 3 million Australians have sucked billions from retirement savings ABC News, 30 Dec 2020 01:50Z The controversial coronavirus measure allowing Australians affected by the pandemic to tap into their retirement savings will close tomorrow. Hospitals near capacity as record 53,000 new COVID cases put UK 'back in the eye of the storm' ABC News, 29 Dec 2020 at 7:54pm England's health services chief says the United Kingdom is "back in the eye of the storm" of the coronavirus pandemic, with the UK registering a new daily record of 53,135 COVID-19 cases. Biden says it will take years to vaccinate US at the current rate, as Harris gets the jab ABC News, 29 Dec 2020 at 10:51pm President-elect Joe Biden says roughly 2 million people have been vaccinated, well short of the 20 million US President Donald Trump had promised would be inoculated by the end of the year. BREAKING (30 Dec): NSW officials are alarmed that 18 new cases of covid have been detected in only 17k tests in the past 24 hrs. 3 families are involved in Sydney's inner W. The Prem announced new restrictions for NYE. 724km extension for wild-dog fence to almost double its length ABC Newcastle, 29 Dec 2020 05:08Z It is hoped a multi-million-dollar extension to a predator-proof fence will help regional New South Wales recover from the trifecta of drought, bushfires and COVID-19. Bangladesh moves second group of Rohingya refugees to remote island despite flood concerns ABC News, 29 Dec 2020 08:07Z A second group of Rohingya Muslim refugees relocate to a low-lying island in the Bay of Bengal, despite opposition from rights groups worried about the new site's vulnerability to floods. Port Pirie smelter to narrowly exceed new annual lead emissions limit, Nyrstar says ABC News, 29 Dec 2020 10:07Z Port Pirie's smelter will exceed its lowered annual lead emissions limit, Nyrstar admits, but the region's mayor says he is comfortable the company is "tracking well" towards achieving the lower figure. Holiday travel increases fear of coronavirus surge CBS News, 29 Dec 2020 13:02Z Even with all the warnings, more passengers jammed airports on Sunday than any day since the coronavirus pandemic began. Millions of people traveled ... Wuhan's COVID-19 cases may have been ten times higher, China's CDC says New York Post, 29 Dec 2020 13:00Z Almost 500000 residents in Wuhan, where the coronavirus pandemic originated, may have been infected with the deadly bug - nearly 10 times the recorded ... [Shock!] Video Taken By Pilots Of What Could Be The Elusive Los Angeles Jet Pack Guy Emerges Flight school pilots were on a training flight off the coast when they were surprised to see what appeared to be a guy in a jet pack whizzing by. The War Zone, 23 Dec 2020 When it comes to weird stories that keep getting weirder, the elusive "Jet Pack Guy" of Los Angeles pretty much takes the cake. After multiple reported sightings from airline pilots on more than one occasion of a guy in a jet pack flying around at thousands of feet near Los Angeles International Airport--some of the most congested airspace on earth--as well as ongoing FAA and FBI investigations into the matter, we now have credible video of what seems to be the flying object in question. Fact check: Viral posts show fake COVID 'survival rates' from the CDC WRAL.com, 28 Dec 2020 21:15Z As the U.S. continues to distribute the first COVID-19 vaccines, a viral tweet shared what it said were "COVID-19 survival rates" from the Centers for Disease ... Japan developing wooden satellites to cut space junk BBC News, 29 Dec 2020 02:14Z A Japanese forestry firm has partnered with Kyoto University in what would be a world first. More than 190,000 ceiling fans sold at Home Depot recalled after blades fly off KTLA, 28 Dec 2020 22:12Z More than 190000 ceiling fans sold at Home Depot are being recalled after reports that the blades fell off while spinning, hitting people and causing property ... 'I feel like a lesser citizen': Welfare recipients unable to buy groceries in system outage ABC News, 28 Dec 2020 at 9:16pm Some welfare recipients in the Northern Territory are left unable to pay for essential goods and services after a widespread outage disrupted the Federal Government's income management system. Push for radical shift in hotel quarantine system from city hotels to country areas ABC News, 28 Dec 2020 at 9:35pm Professor Patrick McGorry, a leading psychiatrist in youth mental health, is among those calling for more support to be offered to travellers in hotel quarantine following a breach in Perth over the weekend. [Coming Clean!] Russia admits its COVID-19 death toll is three times higher than reported, making it world's third-worst outbreak ABC News, 28 Dec 2020 at 11:25pm New figures show Russia's death toll is three times higher than previously reported, making it the country with the third-largest number of fatalities. Backpackers partying in breach of COVID restrictions face deportation ABC News, 29 Dec 2020 01:28Z Immigration Minister Alex Hawke says backpackers involved in a crowded Christmas gathering at Sydney's Bronte Beach may have their visas cancelled. Australian doctor in US fears COVID-19 surge will push medical care to the 'edge of collapse' ABC News, 29 Dec 2020 01:28Z An Australian doctor working in Los Angeles fears medical care will not be provided to sick Americans if the coronavirus modelling is accurate. Little food, no power and no communications -- hundreds cut off by outback deluge ABC Alice Springs, 29 Dec 2020 02:27Z Hundreds are left isolated in the central Australian desert following heavy rainfall in the region, with many having little or no access to adequate food or emergency services. Australia records first case of South African strain of coronavirus in Queensland ABC News, 29 Dec 2020 03:26Z Queensland records a case of the new South African variant of coronavirus -- the first positive case of that kind in Australia. The strain is thought to be a more contagious and has been described by the Chief Health Officer as "very concerning". Why is Earth still habitable after billions of years? In part, we're just lucky. SYFY WIRE, 28 Dec 2020 14:34Z When you look around you, almost anywhere on Earth, you see life. Earth seems exquisitely supportive of life: We see it in the air, in the water, in the land, and ... Primordial black holes and the search for dark matter from the multiverse Phys.org, 28 Dec 2020 18:34Z The Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe (Kavli IPMU) is home to many interdisciplinary projects which benefit from the synergy of a ... FAA outlines new rules for drones and their operators The Associated Press, 29 Dec 2020 01:33Z Washington. Federal officials say they will allow operators to fly small drones over people and at night, potentially giving a boost to commercial use of ... [Antivaxer!] Spain will register those who choose not to get vaccinated, and will share the information with the E.U. The New York Times, 29 Dec 2020 0:32Z Spain plans to collect and share with other European Union nations information about residents who decide not to get vaccinated for Covid-19, the country's ... Trump supporters turn to Pence in latest far-fetched bid to overturn election Yahoo News, 28 Dec 2020 21:31Z Some of President Trump's most ardent supporters are hoping that Vice President Pence will help overturn the results of the 2020 election. [Time To Move Da Goalposts!] First certified electric plane ready for takeoff Deutsche Welle, 28 Dec 2020 10:30Z Slovenian company Pipistrel has got their Velis electric aircraft into the air and on the market. It costs no more than traditional planes. But so far it can only fly for ... New York lawmakers approve sweeping eviction moratorium POLITICO, 28 Dec 2020 22:30Z Albany, NY. A sweeping eviction ban that advanced in the New York State Legislature on Monday has led to pushback from landlord groups asserting that ... Heart medication among 4,000 chemicals detected in Great Barrier Reef's endangered turtles ABC Far North, 29 Dec 2020 0:29Z Marine toxicologists call for expanded testing of pharmaceuticals, as well as thousands of mystery chemicals, after a report cites "staggering" levels of contamination on the Great Barrier Reef. 4000 chemicals found in Great Barrier Reef turtles raises ... Griffith News, 07 Dec 2020 "We found heart medication, gout or kidney stone medication, industrial adhesive, sealant and lubricant, metals including cobalt, herbicides and ... [Sea turtles that live further from the Qld coast are healthier than those living inside the GBR]. Coronavirus live updates: December now deadliest month for COVID, hitting dark milestone on Christmas Day; virus ripping through California Yahoo News, 28 Dec 2020 13:09Z Stay-home orders likely to be extended in California. Britain COVID strain looks to respond to vaccine but is being studied, Fauci says. Latest news. Discovery boosts theory that life on Earth arose from RNA-DNA mix Phys.org, 28 Dec 2020 15:09Z Chemists at Scripps Research have made a discovery that supports a surprising new view of how life originated on our planet. Saudi Activist Who Urged Women's Driving Rights Gets Nearly 6-Year Prison Term NPR, 28 Dec 2020 16:05Z Saudi Arabia's terrorism court has sentenced Loujain al-Hathloul, the activist who led the push to allow Saudi women to drive, to nearly six years in prison. Weather disasters cost $150bn in 2020, revealing impact of climate change - report The Guardian, 28 Dec 2020 01:44Z From Australian bushfires to Atlantic hurricanes, insurance damages were the highest annual total ever, says Christian Aid study. Year of extreme weather creates confusion for Britain's flora and fauna The Guardian, 28 Dec 2020 06:19Z National Trust review has warned that the climate emergency is clearly leading to more erratic conditions. Chinese Citizen Journalist Sentenced to 4 Years for Covid Reporting The New York Times, 28 Dec 2020 09:19Z A Chinese court on Monday sentenced a citizen journalist who documented the early days of the coronavirus outbreak to four years in prison, sending a stark ... Parts of regional Queensland expecting more rain after heavy Christmas period falls ABC News, 27 Dec 2020 at 11:07pm Parts of Queensland enjoy heavy rainfalls over Christmas and Boxing Day, with one town recording nearly 193 millimetres of rain. It's been 10 years since this town became Queensland's first to be totally evacuated ABC Capricornia, 28 Dec 2020 01:48Z Major flooding prompted the emptying of Theodore, a task accomplished thanks to a fleet of privately owned helicopters. While the trauma took its toll over the ensuing decade, residents say the community is now stronger than ever. Australia's Joint Strike Fighters declared ready for deployment ABC News, 28 Dec 2020 03:47Z The Defence Department says the controversial stealth fighters have reached " initial operating capability" after being "rigorously tested" since being delivered from the United States two years ago. New $160k per year cancer drug will now cost patients $480 ABC News, 28 Dec 2020 03:47Z More than 1,000 patients with an incurable type of blood cancer are expected to benefit from a "completely new" treatment to be subsidised by the Federal Government start of the new year. What am I allowed to do for NYE if I live in NSW? ABC News, 28 Dec 2020 04:47Z The NSW Government says it has tried to be as generous as possible when it comes to COVID-19 restrictions for New Year's Eve but warns "stupidity" will be punished and the midnight kiss should be saved for another time. 'Kicked the crap out of me': Greg Norman back in hospital with COVID-19 ABC News, 28 Dec 2020 04:46Z Australian golfing great Greg Norman returns to hospital shortly after leaving, having tested positive to coronavirus in Florida. UK quietly shifts away from promise of 'deep' foreign and security links with EU The Guardian, 28 Dec 2020 04:30Z Plans for the UK to re-establish formal foreign and security policy links with the European Union, frozen during negotiations over a trade deal, may never be ... Renewable energy stocks had a record year - here's what Wall Street sees for 2021 CNBC, 28 Dec 2020 0:10Z After a record-setting year for clean energy stocks, analysts give their top picks heading into 2021. Trump signs COVID relief bill granting stimulus checks, jobless benefits FOX 6 Milwaukee, 28 Dec 2020 01:08Z President Donald Trump has signed a $900 billion pandemic relief package that will deliver long-sought cash to businesses and individuals. BREAKING (28 Dec): SA has recorded its first case of the new infectious UK covid strain. The patient is in hospital in a stable condition. 2 other people from the UK are also covid +ve and in quarantine. Australia's weather is shifting. This is how it will affect our summers ABC News, 27 Dec 2020 18:05Z With the latest biannual report on the climate observing "a more tangible shift in the extremes", questions are emerging about what the summers of the future may hold. Beneath the UAE's glittering facade lies a dark reality. Now it's trying to lure back rich foreigners ABC News, 27 Dec 2020 20:04Z The United Arab Emirates has long sold itself to the world as a progressive outpost in the conservative Middle East. But as foreigners keep getting caught out by its "antiquated" legal system, this Gulf state is promising dramatic changes. [They're ba-ack!] Model Train Company Makes Comeback In Quarantine NPR, 27 Dec 2020 14:58Z The model train company Hornby has seen a big increase of sales because families are spending more time at home. Prior to the pandemic, it was described as ... Battered Turkish Economy Puts a Powerful Erdogan to the Test The New York Times, 27 Dec 2020 17:57Z Turkey's veteran leader played an aggressive hand abroad, but as the country's economy plummets, he is feeling ire at home as many Turks struggle to buy ... 'A tremendous honor': Raphael Warnock looks to make history as Georgia's first Black senator Yahoo News, 27 Dec 2020 19:56Z If Georgia Democratic Senate candidate Rev. Raphael Warnock wins his race, he would make history as Georgia's first Black U.S. senator and just the 11th ... Marco Rubio Rails Against Fauci, Says He 'Lied About Masks' and 'Distorted' Herd Immunity Newsweek, 27 Dec 2020 20:11Z In a Sunday tweet, the GOP lawmaker said the infectious disease expert is part of a conspiracy trying to deceive Americans. [US covid deaths passing 330K -- about 1 in 1000 of the population]. Rendlesham Forest UFO: Are we any closer to the truth 40 years on? BBC News, 26 Dec 2020 Where the UK coronavirus strain has spread to around the world ABC News, 27 Dec 2020 04:52Z The mutation known as the B117 lineage, which may be up to 70 per cent more infectious and has sown chaos throughout south-east England, has been detected in several countries. COVID-19 virus fragments in sewage plants a reminder to get tested, says NSW's top doctor ABC News, 27 Dec 2020 13:51Z The New South Wales Government says COVID-19 virus fragments have been discovered in new sewage treatment plants in Sydney's north. Temperature logs delay COVID-19 vaccinations in Germany ABC News, 27 Dec 2020 14:51Z Germany's coronavirus vaccination campaign faces delays in several cities after medical staff found potential irregularities in the cooling of the inoculation produced by BioNTech and Pfizer. Millions face eviction, poverty as unemployment benefits expire with COVID- 19 relief bill in limbo USA TODAY, 27 Dec 2020 05:14Z Millions of jobless Americans lost a vital economic lifeline after two unemployment programs lapsed with the COVID-19 relief bill in limbo. ["Immunity":] Studies find having COVID-19 may protect against reinfection Japan Today, 26 Dec 2020 20:49Z Two new studies give encouraging evidence that having COVID-19 may offer some protection against future infections. Researchers found that people who ... It's been a year since bushfire smoke engulfed Canberra. Are we any better prepared? ABC News, 26 Dec 2020 at 9:19pm Covid-19 derailed many plans in 2020 -- among them, responding better to bushfire smoke the next time it rolls in. A year on from Canberra being the most polluted city in the world due to smoke, how ready is it for the next disaster? US unemployment benefits for millions in limbo as midnight deadline for Trump to sign relief bill approaches ABC News, 27 Dec 2020 0:31Z Unemployment benefits for millions of Americans struggling to make ends meet are set to lapse at midnight Saturday night unless President Donald Trump signs an end-of-year COVID relief and spending bill. Alert for woman who fled Perth hotel quarantine not issued for hours ABC News, 27 Dec 2020 01:34Z A woman recaptured and charged with breaching quarantine restrictions after fleeing a Perth hotel, sparking an intensive police search. Seven new NSW local COVID-19 cases, as authorities appeal for people to keep testing numbers up ABC News, 27 Dec 2020 0:32Z NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian urges people to continue to come forward for testing after numbers dropped to 24,000 in the latest reporting period. Coronavirus false positive at Melbourne hospital as Victoria continues streak of no local cases ABC News, 26 Dec 2020 at 10:22pm Victoria records its 58th day in a row without community transmission of COVID-19, with one further case detected in a returned traveller in hotel quarantine. Canada records 1st cases of new virus variant WOODTV.com, 26 Dec 2020 23:28Z Officials in Canada's most populous province have confirmed the first two known Canadian cases of of a more contagious variant of COVID-19 that was first ... GOP Lawmaker Accuses Trump and 'Grifters' of Pushing Electoral Challenge to Raise Funds Newsweek, 26 Dec 2020 21:27Z Illinois Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger accused President Donald Trump and fellow GOP representatives who seek to challenge the Electoral ... [Shock!] The Age Of Earth's Oldest Ice Is a Mystery NPR, 26 Dec 2020 14:32Z Ice is usually emphemeral; it doesn't last that long before melting. But some ice on our planet has stayed frozen for millions of years, according to scientists are ... Japan Will Ban Entry to Most Foreigners to Fight Virus Bloomberg, 26 Dec 2020 18:01Z The Japanese government will ban entry to most foreigners through the end of January as coronavirus cases reach record highs there and the nation confirmed ... COVID Live Updates: France, Japan report cases of new virus strain WABC-TV, 26 Dec 2020 12:29Z France and Japan are reporting cases of a coronavirus strain that was first reported in the U.K.. State Republicans seek to reign in voting reforms after Biden's victory ampAxios, 26 Dec 2020 16:28Z Republican lawmakers in key states that President-elect Biden won have vowed to crack down on voting reforms implemented amid the coronavirus pandemic ... A New Species Dubbed the Prehistoric 'Sea Dragon' Discovered in English Channel IGN, 25 Dec 2020 21:27Z A new, mysterious small marine reptile from 150 million years ago, known as the Thalassodraco etchesi or Etches sea dragon, was recently discovered in a Late ... These birds are just larking about, but what does it reveal about their smarts? ABC Mid North Coast, 26 Dec 2020 01:52Z Birds that play are more intelligent than those that don't, according to new research, which shows a link between birds having fun and their brain size. Those that play together are the brightest of all. NSW has again capped indoor gatherings across Greater Sydney -- with some exceptions ABC News, 26 Dec 2020 02:52Z The NSW Government says at the end of Boxing Day, the state will revert back to pre-Christmas coronavirus restrictions and indoor gatherings will no longer be permitted for Sydney's northern beaches residents. Backlog begins to clear as trucks cross the English Channel to France ABC News, 26 Dec 2020 02:51Z More than 4,500 trucks, among a huge backlog of vehicles stranded for days in the port of Dover, cross the English Channel after extra British soldiers were deployed to step up coronavirus testing. Vet shortage putting pressure on clinics and pets at risk ABC Central Victoria, 26 Dec 2020 03:51Z Vets in regional and rural areas are struggling to keep up with demand, as more people take up companion animals in the COVID-19 pandemic. [Immunity!] New studies indicate immunity to virus lasts at least 6-8 months after recovery The Times of Israel, 25 Dec 2020 10:59Z One paper shows body retains high level of memory B cells for lengthy period, two others indicate reinfection chances very low for at least half a year. After early success, S. Korea sleepwalks into virus crisis Associated Press, 26 Dec 2020 01:57Z Seoul, South Korea. South Korea had seemed to be winning the fight against the coronavirus: Quickly ramping up its testing, contact-tracing and ... French Officials Announce First Confirmed Case Of New Coronavirus Variant NPR, 26 Dec 2020 03:57Z The coronavirus variant is sweeping through the United Kingdom and prompting travel restrictions in other countries. France's first confirmed case is in a citizen ... [Plenty Of Fish Inna Sea!] Germany Laments 'Painful Cuts' for Fishing Sector in Brexit Deal Bloomberg, 26 Dec 2020 01:56Z German Agriculture Minister Julia Kloeckner warned of "painful cuts" for the European Union's fishing industry due to the trade deal the bloc has reached with ... China to overtake US as world's biggest economy by 2028, report predicts The Guardian, 26 Dec 2020 0:20Z Centre for Economics and Business Research says it expects this to happen half a decade sooner than it forecast a year ago. 'Absolutely appalling' gathering on Bronte Beach lashed by NSW Health Minister ABC News, 25 Dec 2020 at 10:13pm Brad Hazzard hits out at a "large gathering of people who didn't give a damn about the rest of Sydney" for heading to Bronte Beach on Christmas Day, saying he hopes it doesn't become a COVID-19 super-spreader event, but there's "every chance it could be". NSW records nine new local COVID-19 cases, northern beaches restrictions to revert to pre-Christmas levels ABC News, 26 Dec 2020 0:08Z NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian announces the restrictions across the northern beaches which had been relaxed slightly across Christmas would from tomorrow revert to the previous stay-at-home provisions. [Apparently 40k people came forward to be tested on Xmas Day]. Massive downtown Nashville explosion: Curfew issued for area around blast, $10,000 reward offered for info Tennessean, 25 Dec 2020 22:19Z Nashville authorities believe an explosion that occurred in downtown Nashville early Christmas morning was an "intentional act" sparked by a vehicle blast. [Looks like RV exploded. Human remains reportedly found at the site]. AT&T reporting widespread outage due to Nashville explosion WSMV Nashville, 25 Dec 2020 20:19Z Nashville, TN (WSMV). AT&T is reporting a widespread outage to the Nashville and Midstate service areas due to damage to their building from the ... Facetime, crafts and tricks: Here's how people are spending Christmas in hotel quarantine ABC News, 25 Dec 2020 10:21Z Thousands of people are spending this Christmas period in mandatory hotel quarantine and many of them are alone. But here are some creative ways people have been making the most of it. Dark days: Experts fear the holidays will fuel the U.S. crisis TribLIVE, 24 Dec 2020 21:15Z Los Angeles. Hard-hit California eclipsed 2 million coronavirus cases on Christmas Eve as the U.S. headed into a holiday season of travel and family ... Korean artificial sun sets the new world record of 20-sec-long operation at 100 million degrees Phys.org, 24 Dec 2020 The Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research(KSTAR), a superconducting fusion device also known as the Korean artificial sun, set the new world ... Brexit deal leaves fishing and services sectors in the dark: experts Business Insider, 25 Dec 2020 13:11Z Leaders from the fishing sector are left questioning the new Brexit deal, with many questions still left answered and the UK having to make concessions. Aid Holdup Threatens Another Blow for Already-Shaky U.S. Economy Bloomberg, 25 Dec 2020 17:49Z President Donald Trump's decision to hold up pandemic relief just before Christmas threatens to cause hardship for millions waiting on unemployment benefits ... New South Wales issues COVID-19 alert for flight passengers and multiple Sydney bus routes ABC News, 25 Dec 2020 10:16Z New South Wales Health issues warnings to passengers of a regional flight out of Sydney and multiple bus routes going into the Sydney CBD over the past week. The coal industry comes tumbling down in the American West Los Angeles Times, 24 Dec 2020 The demolition of three smokestacks at Navajo Generation Station capped off another tumultuous year for coal power. Asia Today: S. Korea reports record surge, ramps up testing The Associated Press, 25 Dec 2020 06:16Z Seoul, South Korea. South Korea has reported its largest daily increase in coronavirus infections on Christmas Day, as the prime minister pleaded for ... Hospital Workers Start to `Turn Against Each Other' to Get Covid-19 Vaccine The New York Times, 24 Dec 2020 21:29Z I am so disappointed and saddened that this happened," a New York hospital executive wrote to his staff after workers who did not have priority cut the line for ... U.S. to require people flying from the UK to test negative for Covid, CDC says CNBC, 25 Dec 2020 05:09Z Pfizer COVID Vaccine Causing More Allergies Than Expected Says White House's Moncef Slaoui msnNOW, 24 Dec 2020 14:33Z The Pfizer COVID vaccine has triggered more allergic reactions than would be expected, according to Operation Warp Speed chief scientific adviser Moncef ... Trump Warns Republicans Who Didn't Back Election Fraud Claims: 'I Will NEVER FORGET!' Newsweek, 25 Dec 2020 01:34Z President Donald Trump lashed out at some Republican lawmakers Thursday on social media for not embracing his baseless allegations of election fraud. Military on alert over Trump's martial law threat: `The craziness is unprecedented' Yahoo News, 24 Dec 2020 23:34Z According to a new report, ranking officers have discussed what they would do if the president declared martial law. President Donald Trump has filed lawsuits ... Google reportedly tightens grip on research into `sensitive topics' Google is currently under fire for apparently pushing out a researcher whose work warned of bias in AI, and now a report from Reuters says others doing such ... TechCrunchYesterday How fish and fruit became the classic Aussie Christmas dinner ABC/The Conversation, 24 Dec 2020 at 7:30pm When British colonials came to Australia, they stuck to their winter Christmas traditions of roast meats and plum puddings. But over the centuries, Australians found their own ways to celebrate. NSW Premier urges people to avoid Sydney CBD for Boxing Day sales ABC News, 24 Dec 2020 at 9:22pm Gladys Berejiklian says there are still concerns about COVID-19 spreading to Sydney's CBD and has asked for people to avoid the area tomorrow, adding that anyone who does shop should wear a mask. Three COVID-19 cases have now spread to Sydney's CBD from the northern beaches. Here's what we know ABC News, 24 Dec 2020 19:57Z Bondi Icebergs and a busy food court in Sydney's CBD are the latest venues added to the list of coronavirus exposure sites in New South Wales after a third CBD case was confirmed. Christmas could lead to 'worst-case scenario' for New Year's Eve, experts fear ABC News, 24 Dec 2020 18:58Z With Sydney on a knife-edge as the Avalon cluster continues to grow, experts are concerned that celebrations over the next week, particularly New Year's Eve, could become coronavirus superspreading events. NSW records seven new local COVID-19 cases, as testing figures reach nearly 70,000 ABC News, 25 Dec 2020 0:59Z Seven new local COVID-19 cases are recorded in New South Wales, with four of them linked to the northern beaches cluster, as people continue to come forward in record numbers for testing. Man who suffered broken leg during arrest secures $854,000 compensation ABC News, 24 Dec 2020 at 9:57pm The Supreme Court of South Australia upholds an $854,000 compensation payment for a man whose leg was broken as police arrested him more than seven years ago. Boris Johnson yields to reality, but Brexit will come back to haunt Britain ABC News, 24 Dec 2020 at 11:52pm Just as the British Prime Minister ceded whatever was necessary to steam his way into Number 10, it now seems clear he's done much of the same to get his Brexit trade deal and his tabloid applause, writes Europe correspondent Linton Besser. Why I'm spending Christmas in bed -- like thousands of Sydneysiders ABC News, 25 Dec 2020 03:59Z If you'd asked me a few weeks ago what my Christmas looked like, I wouldn't have said eating an entire panettone in bed on my own, writes Annika Blau. [Deepfake!] 'Disgraceful': UK's Channel 4 criticised for airing deepfake of Queen's Christmas message ABC News, 25 Dec 2020 04:19Z The UK television station is under fire for a digitally altered video of the Queen giving her annual Christmas message, but it says the segment is "a stark warning" about the "proliferation of misinformation" in the digital age. Singapore and Denmark find cases of new COVID-19 strain spreading rapidly through the UK ABC News, 24 Dec 2020 13:58Z As countries around the world close borders with the UK to stop the spread of a new coronavirus strain, Singapore and Denmark identify infections of the variant within their borders. Coronavirus updates: CDC says up to 420K deaths by mid-January; California first state to 2M cases; 40M Americans face eviction USA TODAY, 24 Dec 2020 16:55Z USA TODAY is keeping track of the news surrounding COVID-19 as a pair of vaccines join the U.S. fight against a virus that has killed more than 325,000 ... Atomic-scale nanowires can now be produced at scale Phys.org, 24 Dec 2020 12:54Z Researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University have discovered a way to make self-assembled nanowires of transition metal chalcogenides at scale using ... Prosecutors have "mounting amount of evidence" against Trump, Michael Cohen says CBS News, 24 Dec 2020 18:52Z President Trump's former personal attorney, Michael Cohen, says he is "not interested" in a presidential pardon - and claims Mr. Trump is going to face legal ... Creek Fire in Fallbrook spreads into Camp Pendleton, 750 acres burned, evacuations ordered CBS 8 San Diego, 24 Dec 2020 14:51Z Congress finally wants to give a boost to this no-brainer clean energy technology Grist, 24 Dec 2020 11:51Z Congress made history on Monday, passing the first significant legislation to address climate change in more than a decade. As part of the almost 5,600-page ... California becomes 1st state to record 2 million coronavirus cases KTLA Los Angeles, 24 Dec 2020 20:49Z California became the first state to record 2 million confirmed coronavirus cases, reaching the milestone on Christmas Eve as close to the entire state was under ... Brexit Trade Deal Reached Between U.K. and E.U. The New York Times, 24 Dec 2020 20:49Z London. Britain and the European Union struck a hard-fought trade agreement on Thursday, settling a bitter divorce that stretched over more than four years ... GOP blocks House Democrats' attempt to pass $2,000 stimulus checks CNBC, 24 Dec 2020 16:49Z House Democrats tried to pass $2000 direct payments by unanimous consent Thursday, but Republicans blocked the move. Operation Christmas Drop 2020 The Intelligence Brief, 23 Dec 2020 Everyone has their holiday traditions, and the United States Air Force is no exception. This year's Operation Christmas Drop marks the 69th consecutive year of festive cargo being delivered to remote corners of the world, according to a statement at the DoD's website. 2020's haul included more than 3,200 pounds of cargo, mostly delivered to out of the way islands and other inaccessible areas. Bushfire warning for Bullsbrook in Perth's north east downgraded to watch and act ABC News, 24 Dec 2020 08:56Z The warning for a bushfire that had been deemed a threat to lives and homes in Bullsbrook has been downgraded to a watch and act alert level. Royal Caribbean launches legal action against families of White Island volcano tragedy ABC News, 24 Dec 2020 09:56Z Royal Caribbean Cruises is attempting to stop some victims of the White Island volcano disaster from suing in the United States by filing a proceeding against them in the Australian Federal Court. China suspends Australian timber imports from NSW and Western Australia ABC News, 24 Dec 2020 09:55Z China has suspended imports of timber from New South Wales and Western Australia after local customs officers found pests in cargoes from those states, the General Administration of Customs said. Singapore and Denmark find cases of new COVID-19 strain spreading rapidly through the UK ABC News, 24 Dec 2020 13:47Z As countries around the world close borders with the UK to stop the spread of a new coronavirus strain, Singapore and Denmark identify infections of the variant within their borders. Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine causing more allergic reactions than expected New York Post, 24 Dec 2020 12:49Z The chief adviser for Operation Warp Speed said the frequency of allergic reactions to the Pfizer COVID vaccine is higher than what would be expected. Russia cuts size of COVID-19 vaccine study, stops enrollment Associated Press, 23 Dec 2020 21:48Z Moscow. Russia's Health Ministry agreed Wednesday to cut the size of a study of a domestically developed coronavirus vaccine and to stop the ... Yet another new COVID-19 variant seems to have developed, this one in Nigeria CBS News, 24 Dec 2020 11:48Z Nairobi, Kenya. Another new variant of the coronavirus appears to have emerged in Nigeria, Africa's top public health official said Thursday, but he added that ... Sea-level rise from climate change could exceed the high-end projections, scientists warn CBS News, 23 Dec 2020 21:39Z Of the many threats from climate change, sea-level rise will most certainly be among the most impactful, making hundreds of thousands of square miles of ... The craven corruption of Trump's pardons: Separate justice system for friends and allies USA TODAY, 24 Dec 2020 02:38Z For Trump, whether the crime is corruption, lying to law enforcement or even war crimes, justice does not apply to those who have been loyal to him. 'It only takes one': $1.3b at risk as backyard tree sparks SA fruit fly outbreak ABC Riverland, 24 Dec 2020 01:22Z South Australia - the only mainland state declared free of the pest - is scrambling to control an outbreak in its biggest fruit-producing region. Passenger tells of lax precautions on 'full' Darwin-Sydney flight where Qantas crew member tested positive ABC News, 24 Dec 2020 02:21Z Passengers on board Qantas flight QF841 must self isolate for 14 days and get tested for coronavirus after South Australian authorities announced another man who was on the flight had also tested positive. Only known habitat of one of Australia's most mysterious snakes approved for clearing ABC Kimberley, 24 Dec 2020 03:20Z One of the few shreds of information known about the Broome mangrove snake is where it lives -- but that habitat is now under threat. South Australia records two new coronavirus cases, including one on Qantas flight to Sydney ABC News, 24 Dec 2020 04:19Z South Australia records two new cases of the coronavirus, including a man who travelled from Darwin to Sydney on the same flight as an infected Qantas crew member -- but those cases are not necessarily linked, authorities say. Some US children are battling a rare inflammatory syndrome linked to COVID-19, but a push to wear masks falls flat ABC News, 24 Dec 2020 05:18Z Cooper Wuthrich is one of hundreds of children in the United States diagnosed with a rare COVID-19 complication. Now his parents are urging others to wear masks, often to no avail. [Bread And Fireworks!] Sydney's New Year's Eve fireworks to go ahead 'no matter what' ABC News, 24 Dec 2020 06:23Z NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian guarantees Sydney Harbour's famous fireworks display will see out 2020 despite calls from doctors to call it off. Severe allergic reaction to COVID-19 vaccine reported in Alabama KOMO News, 24 Dec 2020 0:15Z (WBMA). The Alabama Department of Public Health reported that a person who received the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine Tuesday experienced anaphylaxis, ... Covid vaccine distribution has been slower than U.S. officials thought it would be CNBC, 23 Dec 2020 23:12Z Coronavirus vaccine distribution has been slower than officials hoped, U.S. health officials said Wednesday, with 20 million December goal "unlikely to be met." One million Americans have received a COVID-19 vaccine KCTV5 News, 24 Dec 2020 02:15Z Trump Leaves a Mess Behind at NASA Yahoo Finance, 23 Dec 2020 15:14Z (Bloomberg Opinion). Donald Trump badly wanted to be the president who sent Americans back to the moon. Instead, his administration has presided over ... Locked-down California runs out of reasons for surprising surge Politico, 24 Dec 2020 0:12Z Oakland, Calif. California has had some of the toughest restrictions in the country to combat the coronavirus, from a complete ban on restaurant dining to ... [In the future, snow will cause chaos!] 'It's a blizzard, nothing else to say, it's Minnesota': Pre-Christmas storm wreaks havoc on highways, causes headaches for drivers and plow crews KSTP, 24 Dec 2020 04:10Z A pre-Christmas storm hammered Minnesota on Wednesday, dumping rain first, then sleet, then snow. By Wednesday afternoon, temperatures were plummeting ... A New Population of Blue Whales Was Discovered Hiding in the Indian Ocean The New York Times, 23 Dec 2020 18:10Z Weighing up to 380,000 pounds and stretching some 100 feet long, the blue whale - the largest creature to have ever lived on Earth - might at first seem ... Dr. Susan Moore Dies of Covid-19 After Complaining of Racism at Indiana Hospital The New York Times, 24 Dec 2020 02:09Z He made me feel like a drug addict," Dr. Susan Moore said, accusing a white doctor of downplaying her complaints of pain and suggesting she should be ... Trump Calls for Special Counsel on Election on Barr's Last Day Bloomberg, 24 Dec 2020 05:09Z President Donald Trump again called for a special counsel to investigate election fraud -- making the demand on Attorney General William Barr's last day in ... Victoria closes 'loophole' on hotel quarantine for international air crews ABC News, 23 Dec 2020 at 10:41pm International airline crew members arriving in Victoria are now required to enter mandatory hotel quarantine, bringing the state's rules into line with those in New South Wales and Queensland and ending an exemption experts had described as a risky "loophole". Families of Italian COVID victims seek $160m in damages from Government ABC News, 24 Dec 2020 0:25Z More than 500 relatives of people who died of COVID-19 in Italy are initiating legal action against regional and national authorities, seeking $160 million in damages. Police investigating after woman on superyacht arrives in Cairns with COVID-19 ABC News, 24 Dec 2020 01:24Z A female crew member arriving in Cairns on a superyacht chartered for $780,000 a week is one of two people in Queensland testing positive to coronavirus in the past 24 hours, but the superyacht crew are not cooperating with authorities and police have launched an investigation. These countries have restricted travel from the UK amid a new COVID-19 strain ABC News, 24 Dec 2020 01:23Z As fears mount worldwide over a new coronavirus strain in Britain, more than 40 countries in Europe, Asia, South America and the Middle East suspend travel with the United Kingdom. [Meanwhile the UK is blocking travel from S Af where another super-spreader mutant has turned up]. 'Worst is yet to come' - LA County projects worsening surge in COVID-19 deaths, hospitalizations KABC-TV, 23 Dec 2020 23:29Z "We have never seen daily death rates this high during the course of the pandemic and the model predicts the worst is yet to come." New Signs of Economic Distress Emerge as Trump Imperils Aid Deal The New York Times, 23 Dec 2020 23:26Z With the fate of a federal aid package suddenly thrown into doubt by President Trump, economic data on Wednesday showed why the help is so desperately ... [Miniflu!] Antibody Status and Incidence of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Health Care Workers nejm.org, 23 Dec 2020 23:00Z The relationship between the presence of antibodies to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and the risk of ... [Mission Accompished!] The U.S. has vaccinated just 1 million people out of a goal of 20 million for December CNBC, 23 Dec 2020 23:15Z Just over 1 million people in the U.S. have received their first dose of the coronavirus vaccine as of Wednesday morning, a far cry from the federal government's ... Scientists descended into Greenland's perilous ice caverns - and came back with a worrying message Anchorage Daily News, 23 Dec 2020 19:58Z The scientists prepped for their descent into the maw of the Greenland ice sheet by drilling deep into the ice. They created two intersecting holes into the bed of a ... Trump Vetoes Defense Bill, Setting Up Congressional Vote To Potentially Override Him NPR, 23 Dec 2020 22:53Z President Trump has vetoed the annual defense bill, which has won congressional approval 60 years straight. Now, Congress will move to override that veto. 'Very high likelihood' NSW Health compromised in massive hack attack ABC Science, 23 Dec 2020 05:52Z NSW Health has been named a victim of what some are calling one of the largest and most consequential hacks ever. 'Nobody cares about us': Tempers flare as truck drivers wait to leave UK after French border closure ABC News, 23 Dec 2020 12:50Z Truck drivers begin arriving in France after the nation relaxes a two-day blockade which stranded thousands of freight vehicles in the UK, fraying tempers and leading to scuffles with police. Russian Parliament backs bill enabling Moscow to block US social media giants ABC News, 23 Dec 2020 12:50Z Proposed laws could see Moscow gain powers to restrict access to US social media giants if they "discriminate" against Russian media and levy big fines on platforms that do not delete banned content. Mastering Atari, Go, chess and shogi by planning with a learned model Nature.com, 23 Dec 2020 16:45Z Constructing agents with planning capabilities has long been one of the main challenges in the pursuit of artificial intelligence. Tree-based planning methods ... Second "more transmissible" strain of coronavirus detected in UK BBC News, 23 Dec 2020 16:43Z [Miniflu!] Revealed: Guardian/KHN find nearly 3,000 US health workers died of Covid The Guardian, 23 Dec 2020 17:36Z New analysis shows a far higher number of healthcare worker deaths than those reported by the government. Why on Earth Is Someone Stealing Unpublished Book Manuscripts? The New York Times, 22 Dec 2020 A phishing scam with unclear motive or payoff is targeting authors, agents and editors big and small, baffling the publishing industry. Large ecosystems collapse "over `human' timescales", a new paper reports ZME Science, 23 Dec 2020 09:40Z We may take it for granted, but if pushed too far, the inner workings of mother nature will grind to a halt very fast, a new paper reports. Trump White House staffers receive conflicting messages about their departure POLITICO, 23 Dec 2020 16:39Z Conflicting internal memos created confusion inside the White House on Wednesday about when staffers in the Executive Office of the President should begin ... Trump's attack on Covid relief bill could lead to government shutdown, lapse in unemployment aid CNBC, 23 Dec 2020 17:07Z Trump's opposition to a more than $2 trillion coronavirus relief and government funding package raised the prospect of 12 million people losing unemployment ... Spain Tenders 3 Gigawatts of Renewables Under New Pay-as-Bid Model Greentech Media News, 22 Dec 2020 19:53Z Spain has launched a tender for up to 3.18 gigawatts of renewable generation in its first auction under a pay-as-bid model introduced earlier this year. Survey Finds 30% Of L.A. Residents Are Defying Stay-at-Home Order As Covid-19 Hospitalizations Reach All-Time High Deadline, 23 Dec 2020 02:27Z As the number of Covid-19 hospitalizations continued its record ascent in Los Angeles County on Tuesday, 30% of the respondents to a recent survey indicated ... Citing Coal Shortages, China Rations Electricity for Millions The New York Times, 22 Dec 2020 Warning of coal shortages, officials are trying to curb energy usage by telling residents not to use electric stoves and extinguishing lights on building facades and ... Trump Calls Covid Relief Bill a 'Disgrace,' Demands Changes The New York Times, 23 Dec 2020 05:23Z The president sought bigger checks for Americans and a bill that dealt more specifically with pandemic relief. COVID-19 cases linked to Chilean Antarctic operations rise to 58 ABC News, 23 Dec 2020 01:49Z The number of coronavirus infections linked to Chilean Antarctic bases has increased by almost two thirds to 58, health authorities and the country's military say, up from 36 reported yesterday. BREAKING (23 Dec): Another 8 new covid cases have been linked to a growing cluster in Sydney's Northern Beaches LGA. New lockdown rules have divided the region north of Manly into 2 zones with the area N of Narrabeen subject to stricter rules. Why Pfizer And Moderna Can't Be Sued For Covid Vaccine Side Effects CNBC, 22 Dec 2020 17:54Z A Martian Roundtrip NASA, 22 Dec 2020 16:53Z Marvels of engineering, the rover's sample tubes must be tough enough to safely bring Red Planet samples on the long journey back to Earth in immaculate ... Antarctica: Discovery of `unbelievable, otherworldly soundscape' under the ice Daily Express, 22 Dec 2020 18:51Z Researchers on Antarctica have long been puzzled by the presence of mysterious ultrasonic signals originating from beneath the icy depths. But they now know ... Seals are making 'Star Wars' noises at each other underwater, and we have no idea why Livescience.com, 22 Dec 2020 21:52Z Antarctica's Weddell seals communicate with each other in a high-pitched underwater language reminiscent of Star Wars sound effects, a new study finds. Dominion files plans with federal regulators for 2.6 GW offshore wind project, largest in US to date Utility Dive, 22 Dec 2020 16:50Z Dominion Energy has filed the construction and operations plan for its 2.64 GW offshore wind project, with construction expected to start off the coast of Virginia ... Trump pardons 15, including people convicted in Mueller probe CNBC, 23 Dec 2020 00:33Z President Donald Trump on Tuesday issued pardons to 15 people, including those convicted in the Mueller probe. 'World-first' adult cyber abuse crackdown proposed for Australia ABC News, 22 Dec 2020 19:27Z Victims of serious cyber abuse are being promised more protection under planned new laws released by the Federal Government. Travellers stream across the English Channel as French hard border closure ends ABC News, 22 Dec 2020 20:25Z Some travel resumes between France and England after French authorities modify the hard border closure response to the virulent new strain of coronavirus detected in the UK. Crisis talks in Sydney as Victorian contact tracers investigate cross-border case ABC News, 22 Dec 2020 20:24Z Millions of Sydneysiders will learn today whether they'll have a COVID-restricted Christmas as the list of possible exposure sites in the northern beaches cluster continues to grow. Police turn away more than 100 hotspot travellers attempting to illegally enter Queensland ABC News, 22 Dec 2020 20:25Z Queensland police are warning travellers attempting to illegally enter the state from coronavirus hotspots that they will be caught after more than 100 people were turned away since the state's hard border was reimposed. Feral buffalo numbers in the NT 'out of control' and nearing 200,000 head ABC/NT Country Hour, 22 Dec 2020 21:23Z More landowners in the Top End choose to muster buffalo for commercial gain, rather than reducing the population via aerial culling programs and it's leading to a worrying spike in numbers. Perth lakes crawling with hundreds of tiger snakes, researcher confirms ABC Radio Perth, 22 Dec 2020 22:23Z Damian Lettoof tracks tiger snakes in urban Perth wetlands to monitor their health, and he knows just how close they are to local backyards. [Did covid come from the US?] What if COVID actually arrived in the US far earlier than we currently think? Yahoo! Voices, 22 Dec 2020 15:51Z The timeline of COVID-19's arrival in the United States is a murky piece of history, but recent investigations and revelations may provide a crucial piece in the ... [4th election in 2y!] Israel's government collapses, with yet another election due in March ampAxios, 22 Dec 2020 22:05Z Israel's power-sharing government collapsed on Tuesday, only seven months after it was formed, putting Israel on course for its fourth elections in two years. Donald Trump's Approval Rating Slides As Election Fight Winds Down Newsweek, 22 Dec 2020 17:46Z The president has continued to push against Joe Biden's victory, although his avenues to overturn the outcome have narrowed. Trump's Longtime Banker at Deutsche Bank, Rosemary Vrablic, Resigns The New York Times, 22 Dec 2020 20:46Z President Trump's longtime banker at Deutsche Bank, who arranged for the German lender to make hundreds of millions of dollars of loans to his company, ... Joe Biden says he will push for more stimulus checks in next Covid relief bill CNBC, 22 Dec 2020 21:46Z Joe Biden will push for a third round of stimulus checks in the next Covid-19 relief bill. [Glug glug glug:] Britain finds itself isolated and uncertain ahead of Brexit The Associated Press, 22 Dec 2020 19:01Z London. Over 2800 stranded truck drivers hoped to get the green light Tuesday to leave Britain and get back home for Christmas as the country found ... Alberta Rushes To Embrace Coal CleanTechnica, 22 Dec 2020 13:20Z Recently we did a story about two major Japanese banks writing off their investment in the Bluewaters coal fired ... Fears of a COVID-19 Christmas surge are not stopping travel Los Angeles Times, 22 Dec 2020 13:19Z To the alarm of California health officials, Christmas is looking like Thanksgiving, when social gatherings boosted a coronavirus surge. NSW Health updates list of sites visited by positive COVID-19 cases to include Orange, Gundagai ABC News, 22 Dec 2020 09:24Z NSW Health has added more locations to its list of exposure sites impacted by the coronavirus outbreak on the northern beaches. Abuse in aged care homes 'much higher than even the most cynical of us consider possible' ABC News, 22 Dec 2020 10:22Z Nearly two in five residents have experienced some form of abuse, research published by the royal commission into aged care shows. For 40pc of Australians, getting COVID isn't just a two-week ordeal, with symptoms lasting months ABC News, 22 Dec 2020 13:22Z The first Australian study of COVID-19 patients has found up to 40 per cent of people who get the disease go on to experience persistent symptoms months after infection, including fatigue, breathlessness and chest pain. Still stuck: 1,500 France-bound trucks stranded in England WOODTV.com, 22 Dec 2020 12:17Z London (AP). More than 1500 trucks were stranded in England on Tuesday morning amid fears that Britain could face food shortages if travel restrictions put ... Trump emails GOP lawmakers a slide slamming Mitch McConnell, taking credit for his re-election Yahoo News, 22 Dec 2020 06:17Z President Trump's personal assistant, Molly Michael, "at the president's request" emailed Republican lawmakers a slide Monday night giving Trump credit for ... The big, looming questions about the new variant of the coronavirus STAT, 21 Dec 2020 23:16Z A variant of the coronavirus that emerged in the United Kingdom has forced London to shut down, led some countries to ban travel to and from the U.K., and set ... [Retest!] Pfizer, Moderna testing COVID-19 vaccines against new UK strain New York Post, 22 Dec 2020 14:18Z Pfizer and Moderna are testing their COVID-19 vaccines to see if they are effective against the new mutant strain from the UK. [Record!] 2020 Was The Deadliest Year In U.S. History HuffPost, 22 Dec 2020 07:49Z New York (AP). This is the deadliest year in U.S. history, with deaths expected to top 3 million for the first time - due mainly to the coronavirus pandemic. [Besties!] Trump awards Scott Morrison legion of merit for 'leadership in addressing global challenges' The Guardian, 22 Dec 2020 05:47Z The US military decoration was also awarded to Indian prime minister, Narendra Modi and former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe. Like 'third-degree burns': Cause found for 'horrific' skin lesions on endangered dolphins ABC Gippsland, 22 Dec 2020 02:03Z Scientists confirm that extreme rainfall due to climate change is the leading cause of a deadly skin disease responsible for the deaths of the endangered Burrunan dolphin. Asbestos victim beats James Hardie appeal, but has compensation cut by $850,000 ABC News, 22 Dec 2020 03:02Z An Adelaide court rejects James Hardie's appeal against liability in the case of a home renovator suffering terminal cancer -- but he will receive substantially less than in the original judgement after judges ruled some of the initial payout was "manifestly excessive". US Congress passes $US892 billion coronavirus relief package ABC News, 22 Dec 2020 05:01Z The aid package is the second largest in US history and is aimed at throwing a lifeline to the nation's pandemic-battered economy. Coronavirus cases recorded in Antarctica at Chilean research station ABC News, 22 Dec 2020 07:00Z Antarctica can no longer lay claim to being the only continent free of coronavirus after up to 36 Chileans reportedly tested positive for COVID-19. NSW green-lights coal mine despite protests from renowned horse breeders ABC Upper Hunter, 22 Dec 2020 06:59Z The proposal is highly contentious among the Upper Hunter community, including intense opposition from horse breeders who believe it will threaten the viability of world-famous stud farms nearby. [BREXIT 2.0!] Concerns About Covid Strain Cut Off U.K. From Europe The New York Times, 22 Dec 2020 05:53Z London. Britain was all but cut off from the rest of Europe on Monday, with flights and trains banned by some 40 countries and freight deliveries halted at ... UK trucks barred from France as new virus strain spreads in England The Hill, 21 Dec 2020 14:54Z France has sealed its border to trucks from the U.K. after the detection of a more infectious coronavirus strain in England. Protesters clash with police, smash glass doors, disrupt lawmakers on 'unnerving' day at Oregon State Capitol in Salem USA TODAY, 22 Dec 2020 04:51Z Police made at least four arrests during the six-hour rally that included more than 100 protesters, including members of the far-right Patriot Prayer. The Trump White House has entered its final stage: complete meltdown Trump has retreated to the proverbial bunker with an 'elite strike force' of wingnuts and lackeys. They're all he's got left. The Guardian, 22 Dec 2020 02:50Z BREAKING (22 Dec): Vic Health has come down hard on visitors from NSW after the border closed. In a press conf still going to air Vic officials say a new case of covid has been detected after almost 8 wks of 0 local cases. The new case is a child. Her parents have been tested and so far have returned -ve results. Officials also say about 300 close contacts of people that have been in the NSW "red zone" since mid Dec have been located and contacted. The Vic Health Min says 17 people from NSW that may have attempted to sneak into Vic for Xmas have been intercepted and put into quarantine. He warmed anyone else trying to get across the border will see Xmas from inside isolation and not with their Vic families. [Fateful decision:] US health officials: No need to ban flights from UK even as it battles new coronavirus variant USA TODAY, 21 Dec 2020 20:23Z Washington. U.S. health officials say they do not yet see a need to halt flights from the United Kingdom, even as a growing number of other countries ban ... [Another fateful decision:] Australian authorities won't be banning flights from the UK, despite new cases of mutated COVID-19 strain ABC News, 22 Dec 2020 06:58Z Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly explains why the country won't be blacklisted despite other nations banning flights. NSW coronavirus cases emerging from hotel quarantine 'inevitable', Berejiklian says ABC News, 22 Dec 2020 07:00Z A healthcare worker involved in hotel quarantine is one of today's reported cases, as authorities scramble to keep tabs on infections emerging from the system. Virginia's Lee statue has been removed from the US Capitol The Associated Press, 21 Dec 2020 18:22Z Washington. A statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee that has represented Virginia in the U.S. Capitol for 111 years has been removed. Virginia ... I'm Haunted by What I Did as a Lawyer in the Trump Justice Department The New York Times/Opinion, 21 Dec 2020 19:20Z I was an attorney at the Justice Department when Donald Trump was elected president. I worked in the Office of Legal Counsel, which is where presidents turn ... California hospitals struggle to cope with Covid-19 surge double July peak The Guardian, 21 Dec 2020 17:33Z Doctors discuss shift in strategy from trying to save every life with hospitalizations projected to hit 75000 by mid-January. [>40k new cases in past 24 hrs]. Scientists find a strange signal coming from our closest neighboring star Engadget, 21 Dec 2020 17:32Z Scientists have detected a strange radio signal coming from Proxima Centauri, although we wouldn't count on aliens being involved. A Wolf Pup Mummy From the Ancient Arctic The New York Times, 21 Dec 2020 17:32Z Melting permafrost yields secrets of how a 6-week-old wolf puppy lived and died. Geothermal is the electricity combating climate change Quartz, 19 Dec 2020 To power a climate constrained world, solar and wind energy won't be enough. Geothermal energy is finally getting a second chance. Steven Mnuchin Says Second Stimulus Check Will Be Deposited Within Days Newsweek, 21 Dec 2020 15:28Z Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said stimulus checks would be sent out at the beginning of next week after Congress reached a deal on the outline of the ... California governor reentering quarantine The Hill, 21 Dec 2020 14:28Z California Gov. Gavin Newsom's (D) office said Sunday that he will reenter quarantine after exposure to a person who tested positive for the coronavirus. Italy has patient with new strain of virus found in Britain Yahoo News, 20 Dec 2020 Italy has detected a patient infected with the new strain of the coronavirus also found in Britain, the health ministry said on Sunday. The patient and his partner ... [NSW officials say the UK strain has also been detected in AUS. But so far only in people coming from the UK and in quarantine. However, only a matter of time before it gets out...] [Tricky Bastard!] Alexey Navalny tricked Russian spy into admitting poisoning ... [#unreliablesource] NY Post, 21 Dec 2020 16:22Z The 44-year-old opposition leader posed as a senior official from Russia's National Security Council demanding an urgent debriefing about why ... What the COVID-19 experts say we should do different this Christmas ABC News, 21 Dec 2020 19:19Z As Australians prepare to spend Christmas Day with loved ones, experts fear the mass movement of people is a super-spreading event waiting to happen. They reveal how they'll be spending Christmas this year and how to make the day as safe as possible. 'Completely dry sponge': Inland rivers may never recover from drought, expert warns ABC New England, 21 Dec 2020 19:21Z Despite much of New South Wales receiving above-average rainfall in 2020, inland river levels are already dropping, renewing fears for all future water supply. Sydney residents shut out of Queensland, while hotspot travellers face Christmas, New Year's in quarantine ABC News, 21 Dec 2020 19:34Z Queensland responds to NSW's growing coronavirus cluster with strict new border restrictions barring Greater Sydney residents from entering the state and forcing travellers who have been in a hotspot to spend the festive period in hotel quarantine. Record-breaking November ECMWF, 22 Dec 2020 Copernicus Climate Change Service scientists reported that, globally, November 2020 was the warmest November since records began. Europe experienced its warmest autumn on record. Meanwhile, the Arctic region and sub-Arctic Siberia continued to be significantly warmer than average and sea ice in the region saw its second lowest November extent. Sidney Powell pushes for executive order to seize voting machines: NYT Business Insider, 21 Dec 2020 04:38Z On Friday, President Trump discussed naming Powell as a special counsel to investigate conspiracy theories about voter fraud. The `Red Slime' Lawsuit That Could Sink Right-Wing Media The New York Times, 21 Dec 2020 11:07Z Voting machine companies threaten "highly dangerous" cases against Fox, Newsmax and OAN, says Floyd Abrams. Radiation warning issued to building site thief who stole nuclear moisture gauge ABC News, 21 Dec 2020 07:17Z South Australian police issue a warning after a construction industry device known as an "enhanced nuclear moisture density gauge" was stolen from a building site in Adelaide's inner south. Space Force troops now called Guardians Mystery Wire, 18 Dec 2020 06:25 PM MST The Trump administration celebrated the first birthday of the U.S. Space Force on Friday by announcing that its members will be known as "guardians." Vice President Mike Pence made the announcement at a celebratory event tracing the development of the newest branch of the military over the past year. Victorian quarantine inquiry finds hotel security was an 'orphan' with nobody taking responsibility ABC News, 21 Dec 2020 0:44Z The final report from the inquiry into Victoria's botched hotel quarantine program is unable to determine who commissioned the use of private security and slams the Andrews Government for failing to do "proper analysis" of the plan. Victorians in NSW 'red zone' given midnight deadline to get home, or face being denied entry ABC Goulburn Murray, 21 Dec 2020 0:44Z Communities on both sides of the Murray River are dealing with yet another shutdown, as Victorians rushing to get home from a NSW "red zone" by road are given a midnight deadline or face the prospect of being refused entry. [Mutant!] Cases of UK's highly contagious mutant COVID strain detected in returned travellers in Australia ABC News, 21 Dec 2020 01:42Z New South Wales authorities say a mutated form of the COVID-19 virus has been detected in returned travellers, however the new strain has not featured in the northern beaches outbreak. Lorna Jane taken to court over 'anti-virus' activewear as ACCC focuses on dodgy pandemic claims ABC News, 21 Dec 2020 02:42Z The consumer watchdog is taking Australian activewear brand Lorna Jane to court for trying to sell clothes they said could protect against coronavirus. Tyler Wright wins historic first women's event at Hawaii's Banzai Pipeline ABC News, 21 Dec 2020 03:41Z The two-time world champion won a tactical battle against local favourite Carissa Moore to make a perfect start to her 2021 championship campaign. 'Good signs': Little penguin burrows found for first time in seven years on West Island ABC Radio Adelaide, 21 Dec 2020 04:40Z Authorities hope new active burrows on the island near Victor Harbor can become an insurance population for nearby Granite Island where just 16 of the birds are thought to remain. Canberra lawyers and accountant set to fight money laundering charges ABC News, 21 Dec 2020 04:40Z One of Canberra's most senior criminal lawyers, Ben Aulich, his legal partner Bridie Harders and accountant Michael Papandrea indicate they will fight charges over alleged money laundering. 'Trauma and grief': Damning findings on Victoria's two deadliest aged care outbreaks ABC News, 21 Dec 2020 05:39Z Frontline workers hired to fill the gap left by furloughed staff at two Victorian nursing homes which were ravaged by the state's coronavirus pandemic had little experience in aged care and spoke just basic English, an independent review finds. Gas expansion plan for region with 47,000-year-old rock art challenged in court ABC News, 21 Dec 2020 05:39Z Conservationists are seeking to overturn approvals for Woodside's proposed Burrup Hub LNG expansion in WA, warning it could unleash billions of tonnes of carbon pollution and endanger ancient rock art. Apple Car to Debut Next Year in September, Claims Sketchy Report Wccftech, 21 Dec 2020 03:37Z A fresh report talks about the arrival of the Apple Car, and according to the details, it could be released much sooner than anticipated. Gov. Bill Lee enacts gathering restrictions, refuses mask mandate as Tennessee COVID-19 outbreak surges Tennessean, 21 Dec 2020 03:34Z Grappling with the worst coronavirus outbreak in the nation, Gov. Bill Lee will mandate social gathering restrictions but refuses to require mask-wearing in ... [See the active case curve: . It keeps curving up]. [Expecting diffrunt resul DIS time!] Trump campaign petitions Supreme Court to overturn Pa. election results New York Daily News, 21 Dec 2020 0:33Z The petition seeks to reverse a trio of Pennsylvania Supreme Court cases having to do with mail-in ballots and asks the court to reject voters' will and allow the ... [Yor Fired!] Russian scientist working on COVID-19 vaccine plummets to death in St. Petersburg Fox News, 20 Dec 2020 23:13Z Alexander "Sasha" Kagansky, 45, was in his underwear when he fell to his death from his 14th-floor apartment, according to the Russian newspaper Moskovsky ... EU-UK trade talks floundering over fish as cutoff day nears The Associated Press, 20 Dec 2020 21:25Z Brussels. With yet another Brexit deadline disappearing in the rearview mirror, a breakthrough on fishing rights remained elusive for the European ... [Peak Coal:] Global coal demand peaked seven years ago, says International Energy Agency ABC News, 20 Dec 2020 19:14Z As China restricts imports of Australian coal, the International Energy Agency says global coal demand peaked seven years ago. [Experts:] These experts say 'science was silenced' in the US and Europe. But in Australia the 'COVID war' is far from over ABC News, 20 Dec 2020 19:13Z These five professors are leaders in Australia's scientific community. They say the population's willingness to listen to the experts has been critical in the fight against COVID-19 -- but, as the Sydney outbreak shows, the war is far from over. NSW Health whistleblowers claim patients 'set up to fail' amid 'toxic' culture ABC News, 20 Dec 2020 20:11Z Two former NSW Health employees are taking action against the department, claiming its "flawed and toxic" work culture destroyed their careers and had deadly consequences in hospitals on the state's Mid-North Coast. Your gut microbiome could change over the festive season -- but here's how you can protect it ABC/The Conversation, 20 Dec 2020 20:10Z It's that time of year again, with Christmas parties and holiday catch-ups on the horizon -- and all that party food and takeaway can have consequences for your gut health, writes Claus T Christophersen. [Hillbilly News!] Electricity prices predicted to fall as renewable supply increases, gas price falls ABC News, 20 Dec 2020 20:08Z A new report by the Australian Energy Market Commission predicts all states in the National Electricity Market will have lower energy prices in 2023, but not the ACT, as more supply enters the market. Land council says permit-free fishing will continue after notice 'blindsided' industry groups ABC News, 20 Dec 2020 21:05Z The Northern Land Council denies it intends to restrict the access commercial and recreational fishers have to significant stretches of the Northern Territory coastline within weeks. [It's Everywhere!] Gyms, bars and cafes across Sydney visited by COVID-19 cases, including Paddington, Neutral Bay ABC News, 20 Dec 2020 21:04Z Confirmed COVID cases went to a number of venues in Paddington, Manly, Newport, Neutral Bay, Crows Nest and Mona Vale. Queensland residents rush to return as new coronavirus border restrictions kick in ABC News, 20 Dec 2020 22:25Z Queenslanders scramble to return home from Greater Sydney after changes to border restrictions in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak in New South Wales. Sydney lockdown, mandatory masks needed to stop superspreading event, Dr Swan says ABC News, 20 Dec 2020 20:05Z Christmas will be a superspreading event in Sydney if the NSW Government does not get the coronavirus outbreak under control, Coronacast host Dr Norman Swan says. [NSW Health Min has refused to mandate masks with an explanation that includes the example of bus drivers having to enforce the rules creating "stress and anxiety"]. Tougher new COVID-19 restrictions come into effect across Greater Sydney ABC News, 20 Dec 2020 20:12Z Sydneysiders wake to tougher new restrictions aimed at stemming the spread of COVID-19 cases from the Northern Beaches outbreak. Fiji cyclone death toll rises to 4 with 1 missing ABC, 20 Dec 2020 12:09Z The death toll from a powerful cyclone that battered the Pacific island nation of Fiji last week has risen to four with one ... [Yasa was expected to hit Tonga around 13z as a cat2]. Recall effort against California governor an attempt to 'destabilize the political system,' analysts say NBC News, 20 Dec 2020 11:29Z California Gov. Gavin Newsom faces a recall effort amid coronavirus closures and the fallout from his dining at the famed French Laundry restaurant. Flights from UK canceled as health minister says new coronavirus variant is 'out of control' CNN, 20 Dec 2020 14:43Z London. A growing number of European countries on Sunday halted flights from the UK in the wake of the discovery of a new variant of Covid-19, said by ... Dutch ban UK flights, fearing the new coronavirus variant The Associated Press, 20 Dec 2020 09:33Z The Hague. The Netherlands is banning flights from the U.K. for at least the rest of the year in an attempt to make sure that a new strain of coronavirus ... California hospitals contemplate rationing care as they get more overwhelmed Fox News, 20 Dec 2020 02:40Z California hospitals are battling to find beds to house patients amid fears that the exploding coronavirus infection rate will exhaust resources and health care ... Hospital halts COVID vaccinations after 4 workers have reaction msnNOW, 19 Dec 2020 22:41Z Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville stopped the vaccinations on Friday and will resume them on Sunday after 4 employees hasd reactions. Biden rolls out diverse climate and energy team to enact 'ambitious' plan The Hill, 19 Dec 2020 21:41Z President-elect Joe Biden on Saturday rolled out his nominees for key climate and energy posts, touting his diverse team as the right group to wage the ... One year on from SA's bushfire crisis, is the state more prepared? ABC News, 20 Dec 2020 03:33Z The first anniversary of the deadly bushfire crisis that engulfed the Adelaide Hills and then Kangaroo Island is, for the communities involved, a time for reflection but also for reckoning. Cat group livid over Newcastle's botched 'Rambo-style' cull ABC Newcastle, 20 Dec 2020 04:32Z Animals rights advocates are furious and the Port of Newcastle is contrite over an attempt to eradicate a stray cat colony at Stockton that went horribly wrong. [Yasa:] 'No idea how I can cope': Fijians reckon with loss in aftermath of deadly cyclone ABC News, 20 Dec 2020 05:31Z Emergency teams work to restore services to parts of Fiji left devastated by Tropical Cyclone Yasa as residents deal with losing their homes and belongings in the category five storm. Super cyclone hits Fiji bringing floods, landslides MSN, 17 Dec 2020 11:05Z Super cyclone Yasa slammed into Fiji's second-largest island Thursday, tearing roofs off buildings as it triggered flash ... Trump floats conspiracy theorist as special counsel to investigate voter fraud allegations ABC News, 20 Dec 2020 06:29Z President Donald Trump floats naming lawyer Sidney Powell, who was booted from his campaign's legal team after pushing unfounded conspiracy theories, as a special counsel investigating allegations of voter fraud. [The Divine Plan!] Heated Oval Office meeting included talk of special counsel, martial law as Trump advisers clash CNN, 20 Dec 2020 0:38Z President Donald Trump convened a heated meeting in the Oval Office on Friday, including lawyer Sidney Powell and her client, former national security adviser ... Close to 200 organizations allegedly hacked by Russia: cybersecurity firm The Hill, 20 Dec 2020 02:18Z Close to 200 organizations were hacked by Russia as part of the cybersecurity attack on SolarWinds, a third party software contractor, that has compromised ... BREAKING (20 Dec): COVID restrictions introduced across Greater Sydney, 30 new Northern Beaches cases. [So total must be up to 58 new cases but no-one seems to want to say that]. Trump Encourages 'Wild' Protests in D.C. on Date of Electoral College Vote Count Newsweek, 19 Dec 2020 22:17Z President Donald Trump is calling for "wild" protests to occur in the nation's capital on January 6, the final date on which he and his most hard-line Republican ... [Record!] Thailand reports record surge in daily coronavirus cases to over 500 Reuters, 20 Dec 2020 0:16Z Thailand reported more than 500 cases of coronavirus among migrant workers at the centre of its seafood industry on Saturday, ... CDC confirms COVID-19 vaccine allergic reactions, issues new guidance Fox News, 19 Dec 2020 23:22Z The CDC said Saturday that it has learned of severe allergic reactions to the COVID-19 vaccine, and now recommends if a person has "ever had a severe ... China is opening the world's largest radio telescope up to international scientists Livescience.com, 19 Dec 2020 17:22Z Following the collapse of the historic Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico, China has opened the biggest radio telescope in the world up to international ... [Gouger!] A politician tweeted a list showing how much the EU has agreed to pay for the leading vaccines, confirming rumors of Moderna's sky-high price Yahoo News, 19 Dec 2020 10:20Z At the top end, the EU agrees to pay Moderna $22.06 per dose while paying $2.18 per dose for AstraZeneca's. Fire in Turkish ICU unit treating COVID-19 patients kills 9 CBS News, 19 Dec 2020 22:19Z A fire broke out Saturday at an intensive care unit treating COVID-19 patients in southern Turkey after an oxygen cylinder exploded, killing nine people, the ... [Backtrack!] U.K. Imposes Harsher Lockdown on London, Citing New Version of Virus The New York Times, 20 Dec 2020 0:18Z LONDON. Alarmed by a fast-spreading variant of the coronavirus, Prime Minister Boris Johnson abruptly reversed course on Saturday and imposed a ... Trump contradicts Pompeo, plays down alleged Russian role in cyberattack CNBC, 19 Dec 2020 21:17Z The company at the center of the attack, SolarWinds, has not assigned blame to any country thus far. Trump campaign told to preserve all documents related to Sidney Powell and Dominion Voting Systems CNN, 20 Dec 2020 0:52Z President Donald Trump's campaign legal team sent a memo to dozens of staffers Saturday instructing them to preserve all documents related to Dominion ... Giant warrior robot towers over Japanese port city of Yokohama Yahoo News, 19 Dec 2020 14:15Z Japan got an early Christmas present this year, and it won't fit under any tree. A giant walking, gesturing warrior robot is now on display in the port city of ... Highly contagious new COVID-19 strain leaves 'no alternative' but to force tougher Christmas restrictions in UK ABC News, 19 Dec 2020 15:08Z A new strain of the COVID-19 virus found in the UK could spread more quickly and lead to a surge in cases, leading Prime Minister Boris Johnson take urgent measures. 'Leave us alone': What stranded seafarers are saying about the China's trade war with Australia ABC News, 19 Dec 2020 19:06Z Intensifying trade tensions between China and Australia are now leaving seafarers in limbo, as dozens of ships remain stranded near the Chinese coast. As Europe shuts down for Christmas, one resort for the rich and famous is open for business ABC News, 19 Dec 2020 20:05Z Ski resorts were partly to blame for the initial spread of COVID-19 around Europe at the beginning of the pandemic. But only one country is willing to reopen them as the pandemic drags on. Doctors groups warn current Sydney COVID-19 restrictions may not be enough to protect country NSW ABC News, 19 Dec 2020 20:02Z The president of the NSW Australian Medical Association says the State Government may have eased restrictions too soon, with the Northern Beaches coronavirus outbreak potentially threatening all of Sydney this close to Christmas. [Sydney went into mandatory lock-down at 5pm yest. Some borders have closed already requiring people incoming from the N Beaches subs of Sydney to quarantine at own expense for 14 days. For the first time in its history the Sydney to Hobart yacht race has been called off given the large number of boats and crews coming from Sydney. It's also been reported about 100 yachties have died in the Australian covid epidemic that so far has claimed almost 700 lives]. Northern Beaches cluster has exposed divisions that remain far from resolved ABC/Inisders, 19 Dec 2020 19:07Z The rapid reintroduction of travel restrictions in response to the NSW coronavirus cluster has not only ruined Christmas plans, it has exposed the divisions over how best to deal with this year-old pandemic, writes David Speers. '600 sets of eyes out there': AI surveillance keeps a watch on fire-hit wildlife ABC North and West SA, 19 Dec 2020 21:59Z It is estimated almost 3 billion native animals were in the path of the devastating bushfires that ravaged parts of Australia last summer. Now, more than 600 cameras will be installed in some of the worst-hit areas to monitor the impact and recovery. Cattle farmer fed up with excuses after waiting 12 months for drought assistance ABC Rural, 19 Dec 2020 22:58Z At the height of the drought Sally White spent her days feeding and watering cattle to ensure they survived. A year on she's still fighting for federal drought support. Plenty of waves, but not enough surfboards -- COVID almost wipes out supply in surfing mecca ABC Gold Coast, 19 Dec 2020 21:00Z Board shapers on the Gold Coast say they can't keep up with demand during COVID-19 because more people are surfing and there's a shortfall of basic board-making supplies. This hidden surfing gem delivers 'freak of nature' swell -- just watch out for the crocodiles ABC News, 19 Dec 2020 23:10Z A tight-knit surfing community in one of Australia's most remote corners braves stingers, saltwater crocodiles and monsoonal conditions -- all for a shot at magical surf. [#fakenews:] New York Times loses awards for Caliphate podcast after admitting it could not verify claims of supposed IS fighter ABC News, 19 Dec 2020 14:01Z The New York Times is stripped of one award and hands back another after it admitted it could not verify key claims in its podcast Caliphate, including if a central character who claimed to have been an Islamic Fighter had ever been in Syria. United Airlines helps to contact passengers after man on flight dies a possible COVID-19-related death The Hill, 19 Dec 2020 03:18Z United Airlines is helping to contact passengers after it was determined that a man who passed away on a Monday flight could have died of a heart attack due to ... [America Hacked!] Suspected Russian hack is much worse than first feared: Here's what you need to know CNBC, 19 Dec 2020 13:29Z The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency said the threat "poses a grave risk to the federal government." How U.S. agencies' trust in untested software opened the door to hackers POLITICO, 19 Dec 2020 12:15Z The massive monthslong hack of agencies across the U.S. government succeeded, in part, because no one was looking in the right place. The federal ... [Almost sounds like an inside job]. With Trump silent, response to hacks may fall to Biden PBS NewsHour, 18 Dec 2020 20:16Z The lack of any statement casts doubt on the likelihood of a swift response to the attacks and suggests any retaliation will be left in the hands of President-elect ... [Cat5:] Residents 'astonished with fear' as category five cyclone hits Fiji ABC News, 19 Dec 2020 05:05Z The death toll from a category five cyclone that tore through northern Fiji rises to four, as emergency crews work to assess the full extent of the damage from one of the year's strongest storms. [The One Basket Model:] Cyber security experts worldwide scramble to defend networks after attack in US ABC News, 19 Dec 2020 06:04Z Suspected Russian hackers who broke into US government agencies also spied on less high-profile organisations, including groups in Britain, a US internet provider and a county government in Arizona, according to web records and security sources. Boeing 'inappropriately coached' test pilots in 737 MAX testing, report finds ABC News, 19 Dec 2020 07:04Z A lengthy new US congressional report finds Boeing and the Federal Aviation Administration "were attempting to cover up important information that may have contributed to the 737 MAX tragedies". Sydney to Hobart yacht race cancelled due to NSW coronavirus outbreak ABC News, 19 Dec 2020 11:03Z The 2020 Sydney to Hobart yacht race has been cancelled due to the coronavirus outbreak in New South Wales, organisers announce. Fairbanks clinician is third Alaskan with adverse reaction to COVID-19 vaccine Reuters, 19 Dec 2020 01:10Z A Fairbanks clinician suffered anaphylactic symptoms after being given the Pfizer Inc coronavirus vaccine, a hospital said on Friday, becoming the third Alaska ... [Intel Offside!] Intel falls on report Microsoft plans to design own chips for PCs and servers CNBC, 19 Dec 2020 01:09Z Intel has famously had a long-running partnership with Microsoft as the primary processor maker for Windows PCs. Covid: Italy latest European country to order Christmas lockdown BBC News, 19 Dec 2020 05:07Z Italy has ordered a nationwide lockdown over much of the Christmas and New Year period in an effort to combat a rise in coronavirus cases. The country will be ... [Suckers!] Trump raised $200m from false election claims. What happens to the money now? The Guardian, 19 Dec 2020 09:06Z The president could use the funds to ensure he and his allies remain a powerful force in US politics. BREAKING (19 Dec): The NSW covid outbreak has expanded to 38 known cases. Experts are expecting many more to turn up in the next 4-5 days -- the minimum incubation time. Health commentators say it's shown up problems with the state's quarantine system which operates too much on the honor system. People arriving from O/S are expected to turn up as directed to quarantine but can too easily side-step protocols and get into Sydney or switch to domestic flights. [AI Takes The Stick:] Air Force Big News The Debrief, 16 Dec 2020 According to an Air Force press release, during a training flight Tuesday night, the Air Force allowed an AI algorithm named "ARTUµ" to the control sensor and navigation systems of a U-2 "Dragon Lady" spy plane. Officials say this marks the culmination of a three-year journey to become a digital force and is believed to be the first known use of AI onboard a U.S. military aircraft. [Now 28:] Premier puts Greater Sydney 'on notice' as lockdown announced for Northern Beaches ABC News, 19 Dec 2020 0:58Z Sydney's Northern Beaches area will be in lockdown from 5:00pm today to midnight on Wednesday, while NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian is considering imposing restrictions on Greater Sydney. [Even Sweden?] Sweden bumps up COVID-19 measures, but stops short of lockdown ABC News, 18 Dec 2020 at 11:51pm Sweden introduces its toughest measures yet in the face of soaring COVID-19 infections, including a recommendation to wear masks at peak hours on public transport. Los Angeles Covid-19 Update: "I'm Not Going To Sugarcoat This. We Are Getting Crushed," Says County-USC Hospital Chief Deadline, 18 Dec 2020 21:56Z Under assault by the rising surge in Covid-19 cases, available space continued to dwindle Friday at Los Angeles County hospitals. As a result, health-care ... Alien-hunting scientists investigate mysterious radio 'signal' from star New York Post, 18 Dec 2020 20:55Z A team of alien-hunting scientists are investigating a radio "signal" from Earth's closest neighboring star - drawing comparisons to the mysterious "Wow!" signal ... Cisco Latest Victim of Russian Cyber-Attack Using SolarWinds Bloomberg, 19 Dec 2020 01:05Z Cisco Systems Inc. was compromised as part of a suspected Russian campaign that has roiled the U.S. government and private sector and left security experts ... Key election cybersecurity official steps down CNN, 19 Dec 2020 01:25Z A top elections deputy to former Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Director Chris Krebs followed his former boss out the door in a previously ... [Forgot?] Frontline Doctors Revolt Over Stanford Medical Center's 'Absurd' Vaccine Rollout The Daily Beast, 19 Dec 2020 0:50Z Resident physicians and fellows staged a protest Friday, angry that Stanford Medical Center had denied many frontline health workers the potentially life-saving ... Scott Morrison urged to take action over NSW coastal erosion ABC News, 18 Dec 2020 03:23Z The recently-appointed administrator of the NSW Central Coast Council urges the Prime Minister to take action over the ... [Reports say about 2m of beach along the NSW coast has been cancelled after a week of storms and king tides. Lifesavers warn erosion has created new gullies and holes that might be associated with new rips on popular beaches]. Race to clean Gold Coast beaches of debris after week of bad weather The Courier-Mail, 18 Dec 2020 01:24Z A massive clean-up is under way on Gold Coast beaches in an urgent bid to clear tonnes of dangerous and unsightly flood ... Byron businesses threatened by coastal erosion News.com.au, 18 Dec 2020 0:23Z Unsafe levels of radiation found in Chernobyl crops Livescience.com, 18 Dec 2020 19:03Z Crops grown near the Chernobyl nuclear site in Ukraine are still contaminated with radiation from the explosive 1986 disaster. Cops discover an illegal winery operating out of an Alabama town's sewage plant CNN, 18 Dec 2020 19:01Z It happened in the town of Rainsville, home to around 5000 people and about 100 miles northeast of Birmingham. Trump pardons sparked controversy but have been the fewest in more than 100 years USA TODAY, 18 Dec 2020 18:00Z President Donald Trump, like many of his predecessors, is likely to use his final days in the White House to increase his use of pardons and commutations, ... Compulsory Covid vaccination for travel would `kill' sector, claims head of major tourism lobby [#unreliablesource] RT, 18 Dec 2020 14:34Z Making Covid-19 jabs mandatory for international passengers would spell disaster for the travel industry, the head of a leading tourism lobby has warned, as ... [Zis cood nebba happen in Roosyia!] [Planning!] Europe is paying less than U.S. for many coronavirus vaccines The Washington Post, 18 Dec 2020 19:01Z The European Union is paying less money than the United States for a range of coronavirus vaccines, including the Pfizer-BioNTech inoculation currently being ... [Bad Coverage!] Disastrous oil spill in Mauritius partly caused by crew seeking mobile phone signal ABC News, 18 Dec 2020 14:17Z The Japanese operator of a bulk carrier said "human error" was to blame for the more than 1,000 tons of oil spilled into the coastal waters. 'They will be back': How China's 'dark' fleets are plundering the world's oceans ABC News, 18 Dec 2020 18:58Z When a vast fishing armada appeared outside the Galapagos Marine Reserve in South America, the world was again reminded of China's belligerent approach to fishing on the high seas. Northern Beaches venues shut voluntarily as COVID cluster expected to grow today ABC News, 18 Dec 2020 19:03Z Some venues on Sydney's Northern Beaches are so concerned about a growing local coronavirus cluster they are voluntarily closing this weekend to help contain the outbreak. 'They shouldn't come into high density cities': Send 'high-risk' arrivals to regional areas, experts say ABC News, 18 Dec 2020 18:16Z There are calls to triage returning travellers from "high-risk" countries, as Australia finds itself grappling with the implications of yet another coronavirus cluster ahead of Christmas. Lawmakers ask whether massive hack amounted to act of war The Hill, 18 Dec 2020 11:52Z Lawmakers are raising questions about whether the attack on the federal government widely attributed to Russia constitutes an act of war. China's power supply is struggling as winter temperatures plunge. Is the ban on Australian coal to blame? ABC News, 18 Dec 2020 04:30Z While Australian coal has been the latest victim in Beijing's geopolitical stoush with Canberra, swathes of China are facing power shortages right in the thick of winter. Iran starts new construction at underground nuclear facility amid US tensions ABC News, 18 Dec 2020 08:39Z While the purpose of the building remains unclear, any work at Fordo will likely trigger new concern in the waning days of the Trump administration before the inauguration of president-elect Joe Biden. 2nd health care worker in Alaska has adverse reaction to COVID-19 vaccine WJW FOX 8 News Cleveland, 18 Dec 2020 03:26Z Health officials in Alaska have reported that a second health care worker had an adverse reaction to a COVID-19 vaccine. Exclusive: U.S. to blacklist dozens of Chinese firms including SMIC, sources say Yahoo Finance, 18 Dec 2020 05:24Z The United States is set to add dozens of Chinese companies, including the country's top chipmaker SMIC, to a trade blacklist on Friday, two people familiar with ... 1,000 people stuck overnight in Japan traffic jam stretching 9 miles long CNN, 18 Dec 2020 07:23Z Tokyo. More than 1,000 people in Japan spent Thursday night stuck on a highway in their cars, waiting out a traffic jam with little food or water during a ... LA mayor and wife self-quarantine after daughter tests positive for COVID-19 CBS News, 18 Dec 2020 02:22Z BREAKING (18 Dec): NSW officials say there are now 28 known covid cases in Sydney that resulted from a "significant seeding event". They call on people living in or having visited the affected northern beaches to get tested and observe isolation protocols. Genomic results show the strain is from the US. [Code Black!] Southern California ICU capacity drops to 0% while LA County COVID cases soar KABC-TV, 17 Dec 2020 23:26Z The ICU capacity in the 11-county Southern California region has dropped to 0% amid a dramatic surge in COVID-19 cases, officials said Thursday. Huge methane cache beneath Arctic could be unlocked by the moon Livescience.com, 17 Dec 2020 18:54Z The moon could be affecting how much methane is released from the Arctic Ocean seafloor, a new study finds. The tides, which are controlled by the moon, ... Nearly 40 states sue Google alleging search manipulation, marking the third antitrust salvo against the tech giant The Washington Post, 17 Dec 2020 20:52Z Nearly 40 states filed a wide-ranging antitrust lawsuit against Google on Thursday, alleging the tech giant manipulates its search results to give its own products ... Vladimir Putin says agents would've 'finished' killing Alexei Navalny if they wanted New York Post, 17 Dec 2020 14:49Z President Vladimir Putin said intelligence agents would've "finished" the job if they really wanted opposition leader Alexei Navalny dead. [If they didn't want to leave a Kremlin signature they probably would have used a baseball bat and not a military-grade nerve agent unique to Russia]. In Historic Move, Biden To Pick Native American Rep. Haaland As Interior Secretary NPR, 17 Dec 2020 23:24Z Deb Haaland would be the first Native American Cabinet secretary. She opposed many Trump environmental rollbacks and considers climate change "the ... Snow Buries Binghamton, N.Y. The New York Times, 17 Dec 2020 19:46Z Officials said that 41 inches fell in the city, and Governor Cuomo declared a state of emergency across a wide swath of the state. BREAKING (18 Dec): Reports from Fiji says wind gusts from YASA are reaching 345 kph as the huge system squats over the entire country. Coronavirus updates: 'Explosive' surge in California; Trump appointee pushed herd immunity, 'we want them infected,' report says USA TODAY, 17 Dec 2020 12:22Z Two people are dying every hour in Los Angeles County, officials say. NFL to invite vaccinated health care workers to Super Bowl. Latest COVID news. Tokyo says COVID-19 strain on hospitals is severe, raises alert to highest Yahoo News, 17 Dec 2020 05:21Z The Japanese capital of Tokyo said on Thursday the strain on its medical system from the COVID-19 pandemic was severe, raising its alert level to the highest of ... France's Emmanuel Macron tests positive for Covid-19, sending other European leaders into quarantine CNN, 17 Dec 2020 12:30Z Paris. French President Emmanuel Macron has tested positive for Covid- 19 after experiencing symptoms and will self-isolate for a week, his office said ... Pence prepares to confirm Trump's loss - and then leave town POLITICO, 17 Dec 2020 09:42Z On Jan. 6, Vice President Mike Pence will oversee final confirmation of President-elect Joe Biden's victory. Then he'll likely skip town. As vice president, Pence ... BREAKING (17 Dec): French Pres Macron has tested +ve for covid19. [Pollution Kills!] UK schoolgirl's death linked to air pollution in landmark ruling ABC News, 17 Dec 2020 02:36Z Air pollution contributed to the death of a London schoolgirl, a coroner rules in a landmark case that could push Britain to get tougher on traffic and clean up city air. Deluge swamps Gold Coast as emergency authorities warn of flood risk ABC News, 17 Dec 2020 03:51Z Intense rain is causing flash flooding on Queensland's Gold Coast, as the Bureau of Meteorology warns a severe thunderstorm is slowly moving south over the region. BREAKING (17 Dec): The NSW covid outbreak has now grown to 17 cases, up 12 from the 5 known this morning. WA has slammed the open border to NSW shut again, back-dated to Fri. All arrivals must now be isolated for at least a day and tested on arrival. [Yasa:] 'Super storm' Cyclone Yasa expected to bring destruction to Fiji, as hundreds of evacuation centres open ABC/Pacific Beat, 17 Dec 2020 06:38Z The powerful "super storm" Cyclone Yasa is expected to hit the Pacific Island nation of Fiji this evening. More than 850,000 people are in its direct path, and are bracing for destructive hurricane-force winds and terrifying waves 14 metres high. Category 5 Tropical Cyclone Yasa threatens to cause major disaster in Fiji The Washington Post, 16 Dec 2020 18:59Z Philip Klotzbach @philklotzbach 15 Dec 2020 16:32Z #Cyclone #Yasa has rapidly intensified in the past 24 hours and now has maximum winds estimated at 125 mph - the strongest cyclone of the 2020-2021 Southern Hemisphere tropical cyclone season to date. #hurricane pic.twitter.com/MriUJCrBjS Eric Holthaus @EricHolthaus 15 Dec 2020 15:59Z Fiji is about to be hit with its second Category 4 cyclone this year. We are in a climate emergency. twitter.com/SteveBowenWx/s... AccuWeather @breakingweather 15 Dec 2020 12:57Z In the South Pacific, #Yasa has exploded into a dangerous Category 4 severe tropical cyclone: bit.ly/3qXOQ0u pic.twitter.com/oIvDDiIHt9 Last animals rescued from Pakistan zoo after it was ordered to close ABC News, 17 Dec 2020 06:37Z Just weeks after the "world's loneliest elephant" was rescued from a life of misery in Islamabad Zoo, two Himalayan brown bears have been flown to their new home. Deadly 'Brain-Eating' Amoeba Slowly But Surely Expanding Its Footprint in The US ScienceAlert, 17 Dec 2020 01:26Z Deadly "brain-eating amoeba" infections have historically occurred in the Southern United States. But cases have been appearing farther north in recent years, ... Three million users installed 28 malicious Chrome or Edge extensions ZDNet, 17 Dec 2020 03:25Z More than three million internet users are believed to have installed 15 Chrome, and 13 Edge extensions that contain malicious code, security firm Avast said ... Alaska health care worker suffers severe allergic reaction minutes after receiving COVID vaccine WFLA, 17 Dec 2020 01:24Z Juneau, Alaska (AP). Health officials in Alaska reported a health care worker had a severe allergic reaction to a COVID-19 vaccine within 10 minutes of ... [Chillens wont know wot snow id]! NYC's First Big Snow Storm in Years: See the Latest in Times Square NBC New York, 17 Dec 2020 0:23Z Pacific Highway upgrade finished at last after decades of work, billions of dollars and hundreds of deaths ABC North Coast, 17 Dec 2020 01:10Z It has taken 24 years and cost $15 billion, but the 657-kilometre new dual carriageway Pacific Highway between Newcastle and the Queensland border is finally finished. Soaring iron ore prices, less JobKeeper demand brings $16b Federal Budget boost ABC News, 17 Dec 2020 02:08Z Fewer people needing JobKeeper as well as booming iron ore export prices deliver a $16 billion improvement to the Federal Budget's bottom line, but the Government is still on track for a record deficit. [Slavery:] Push to grant minimum wage rates to fruit pickers opposed by farmers ABC/Vic Country Hour, 17 Dec 2020 02:07Z Unions want fruit pickers to be granted the minimum wage instead of according to how much produce they pick, but farmers and food producers say the change is unnecessary. [UK now official basket case:] 'We are one of the richest countries': British ministers under fire as UNICEF helps to feed children in UK ABC News, 17 Dec 2020 02:49Z The British Government is facing criticism after it emerged a UN agency is helping to feed hungry children as part of its first ever UK emergency response. Wet summer ahead for Queensland as La Niña shows 'similar strength' to system behind Cyclone Yasi ABC News, 16 Dec 2020 07:04Z Recent severe weather is a sign of what is to come this summer, the Bureau of Meteorology says, with the current La Niña event set to become almost as strong as the system that brought major flooding to Queensland nearly a decade ago. Two new mystery cases of COVID-19 on Sydney's Northern Beaches ABC News, 16 Dec 2020 08:03Z Two new cases of COVID-19 without any links to known infections have been confirmed on Sydney's Northern Beaches, only hours after a van driver in the south-west tested positive. Audit finds doctors not washing their hands properly during coronavirus pandemic ABC News, 16 Dec 2020 14:02Z New data released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare shows doctors and ambulance workers failed to meet national standards for hand hygiene between April and June. WHO vaccine scheme risks failure, potentially leaving poor countries with no COVID vaccines until 2024 ABC News, 16 Dec 2020 16:01Z The global scheme to deliver COVID-19 vaccines to poorer countries faces a "very high" risk of failure, leaving them without shots until 2024. South Korea and Japan eventually found success with opposing COVID-19 strategies. How did they both end up in trouble? ABC News, 16 Dec 2020 17:31Z South Korea has been held up as a mitigation success story in recent months. But with North Asia facing a third wave of infections, two major threats on the horizon could derail the region's ability to suppress coronavirus. DeSantis faces renewed scrutiny following discovery of mysterious gap in Florida's COVID death tally Salon, 16 Dec 2020 16:54Z A newly uncovered gap in Florida's coronavirus death data suggests that the state may have manipulated the numbers to create more favorable death counts ... [Well, der!] How Russia Wins the Climate Crisis The New York Times, 16 Dec 2020 10:50Z Climate change is propelling enormous human migrations, transforming global agriculture and remaking the world order - and no country stands to gain more ... Renewables bring deflation to the energy sector Financial Times, 16 Dec 2020 05:49Z This year has offered a taste of what is to come in energy markets over the next decade. Man Is Jailed After Taking Jet Ski Across Irish Sea to See Girlfriend The New York Times, 15 Dec 2020 17:25Z Defying the Isle of Man's coronavirus restrictions, a 28-year-old traveled from Scotland to the island on Friday. Days after he arrived, he was sentenced to jail for ... Trump has executed more Americans than all states combined, report finds The Guardian, 16 Dec 2020 05:24Z The execution spree was a first in US history and stands contrary to the declining trend in death penalty practices. Republican gubernatorial hopeful Amanda Chase believes Trump should declare martial law WAVY.com, 16 Dec 2020 01:23Z Republican State Sen. Amanda Chase, a gubernatorial hopeful and ardent supporter of President Donald Trump, commended the president's "backbone" for ... China should consider alternatives for Australian iron ore as trade tensions simmer, analyst says CNBC, 16 Dec 2020 02:08Z Beijing has spared iron ore from Australia so far, but one analyst says that it now needs to consider diversifying its supply of the key commodity. Ex-Texas cop arrested for trying to prove ballot fraud conspiracy theory The Texas Tribune, 16 Dec 2020 01:52Z Mark Aguirre is accused of running a man off the road and threatening him at gunpoint. The ex-cop was hired as a private investigator by a group whose CEO is ... Hack may have exposed deep US secrets; damage yet unknown The Associated Press, 16 Dec 2020 02:15Z Boston. Some of America's most deeply held secrets may have been stolen in a disciplined, monthslong operation being blamed on elite Russian ... With First Dibs on Vaccines, Rich Countries Have `Cleared the Shelves' The New York Times, 16 Dec 2020 0:51Z The U.S., Britain, Canada and others are hedging their bets, reserving doses that far outnumber their populations, as many poorer nations struggle to secure ... NSW records new COVID-19 infection as van driver tests positive ABC News, 16 Dec 2020 01:04Z NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard reveals a 45-year-old man has tested positive for coronavirus in the state this morning. The man drives aircrew to and from Sydney Airport. ACCC takes court action against Facebook over VPN service ABC News, 16 Dec 2020 01:04Z Australia's competition watchdog accuses the social media giant of acting " completely contrary to the promise of protection" by using its VPN service to log details of users' online activity. Australia refers China to the World Trade Organization over barley tariffs ABC Rural, 16 Dec 2020 01:20Z Australia is taking China to the World Trade Organization, challenging its decision to impose huge tariffs on barley as relations between the two countries continue to sour. Stephen Hutcheon @lewgus 15 Dec 2020 20:33Z This year's massive heat spike has cooked the Arctic. The earth's `air conditioner' is entering uncharted territory #arcticfuture #GlobalWarming abc.net.au/news/2020-12-1... via @abcnews Climate Signals @ClimateSignals 15 Dec 2020 23:33Z A rising ocean will increase pressure on upstream sources, possibly affecting agriculture & fouling drinking water supplies with sea water. Scientists demand urgent action, but for cities close to the sea like San Francisco, the damage may already be done. cbsloc.al/3gQAWJ1 The COVID Tracking Project @COVID19Tracking 16 Dec 2020 0:45Z Our daily update is published. States reported 1.7 million tests, 190k cases, and 2,918 deaths. 112,816 people are currently hospitalized with COVID-19. pic.twitter.com/PjWOpSjw4u 'Scary' grassfire in Melbourne's west a taste of things to come in Victoria's fire season ABC News, 15 Dec 2020 19:17Z An out-of-control grassfire came within 1 kilometre of Graeme Hall's property at Mount Cottrell on Monday. The CFA veteran is one of many experts warning grassfires will pose a serious risk in the state this summer. 'Koalas need trees': Federal Government accused of wasting time on koala research instead of saving habitat ABC News, 15 Dec 2020 20:15Z The Australian Koala Foundation says the Government's move to conduct a koala census merely delays action on protecting trees, which is the only thing that will save koalas from extinction. [Cyclonic Conditions:] Heavy rain and flooding risks as northern NSW enters sixth day of wild weather ABC News, 15 Dec 2020 20:14Z Showers and thunderstorms will persist for the coming days and will continue to bring the risk of flash flooding, the Bureau of Meteorology warns, as several areas deal with the weakening low pressure system. [I like how S Qld can have 2y rainfall in a day for 3-4 days straight]. Humidity to hit south-east Queensland as rain eases ABC News, 15 Dec 2020 20:16Z South-east Queensland faces uncomfortably humid conditions for the rest of the week due to the "double whammy" of a north-east airflow as the worst of the severe weather eases, the Bureau of Meteorology says. WA power prices slashed during the day, doubled during peak in new trial to protect grid ABC News, 15 Dec 2020 22:13Z Electricity prices would be slashed by more than two thirds during the middle of the day but almost double during the peak under a trial aimed at encouraging households to soak up excess solar power flooding into Western Australia's biggest grid. Pandanus trees can help prevent coastal erosion, but a pest is killing them off ABC Capricornia, 15 Dec 2020 22:12Z Pandanus trees are an iconic sight along Australia's east coast, but an insect infestation has been destroying them at such a rate some areas have seen an 80 per cent loss. How Germany's 'soft' summer lockdown backfired and forced a lonely Christmas ABC News, 15 Dec 2020 22:11Z Germany will tighten its coronavirus restrictions from today as it tries to rein in the spread of COVID-19, meaning a disappearance of the centuries-old tradition of the Christmas market. BlueScope Steel's former executive sentenced for obstructing ACCC price-fixing probe ABC News, 15 Dec 2020 22:38Z Former BlueScope Steel executive Jason Ellis is sentenced to eight months' imprisonment but might not actually end up spending any time in jail. [Cyclonic Conditions:] Al Jazeera Weather @AJEWeather 15 Dec 2020 12:56Z In the wake of cyclonic conditions at Currumbin Beach on December 15, 2020, after wild weather lashed Australia's Northern New South Wales and South East Queensland with heavy rain, strong winds and king tides. [Patrick Hamilton / AFP] pic.twitter.com/zOYN6fe86Z Al Jazeera Weather @AJEWeather 15 Dec 2020 07:56Z Well below the speed limit on a flooded street in Tumbulgum, New South Wales, Australia. [Jason Obrien / EPA-EFE] pic.twitter.com/W667V72e77 Nick Stokes @nstokesvic 15 Dec 2020 09:03Z moyhu: GISS November global up by 0.25°C from October. Very likely 2020 will pass 2016 as hottest year in the record. moyhu.blogspot.com/2020/12/giss-n... via @nstokesvic pic.twitter.com/SfMiNSCHJb Carbon Brief @CarbonBrief 15 Dec 2020 10:57Z Replying to @Reuters There is widespread media coverage of the UK's energy white paper, published yesterday after a long delay, which outlines plans for delivering a net-zero energy system by 2050. | @Reuters reut.rs/3npcUaj severe-weather.EU @severeweatherEU 15 Dec 2020 12:03Z Meanwhile in the Pacific... yet another impressive #extratropical storm is heading towards Alaska, massive waves will blast into Southeast parts today. Lots of rain and snow is expected. Additional intense Pacific storms are expected later this week! severe-weather.eu/global-weather... Al Jazeera Weather @AJEWeather 15 Dec 2020 11:56Z Tropical cyclone Zazu dumps torrential rain on Vav'u in northern Tonga Lauri Myllyvirta @laurimyllyvirta 15 Dec 2020 11:57Z NEW: what does China's target of 25% non-fossil energy mean for the power sector? In short, wind&solar power capacity will have to grow to 1600-1800GW, from 500GW at the end of 2020. THREAD twitter.com/CarbonBrief/st... Ember @EmberClimate 15 Dec 2020 11:57Z China will need to install wind and solar power equal to Germany's entire installed capacity every year to reach new 2030 targets. Interesting read from @laurimyllyvirta @CarbonBrief carbonbrief.org/analysis-china... [Offshore Wind:] Assaad Razzouk @AssaadRazzouk 15 Dec 2020 12:56Z Japan [finally] goes big on offshore wind, targets 10GW by 2030 and 45GW by 2040 Can do better though: - EU targeting 60 GW by 2030 and 300GW by 2050 - China targeting 52GW by 2030 - India targeting 30GW by 2030 bloomberg.com/news/articles/... #climate #momentum [Peak:] Squawk Box @SquawkCNBC 15 Dec 2020 12:56Z "We are seeing some spikes. They're probably not as significant as we feared," says @ScottGottliebMD on #COVID19 spread. "Cases are likely to peak maybe in the first week in January. Deaths will peak about 3 weeks after that and so will maximal strain on the health care system." pic.twitter.com/sBqR0safAK [Greenwash:] Assaad Razzouk @AssaadRazzouk 15 Dec 2020 13:56Z Excellent Bloomberg investigation sheds light on cynical greenwashing by The Nature Conservancy, JP Morgan, Disney and Blackrock This greenwashing has no place anywhere, if we are to have any chance to make decisive climate progress "It's a #ClimateEmergency, stupid" THREAD The Debrief @Debriefmedia 15 Dec 2020 13:56Z New insights into recent controversial claims about a "Galactic Federation" and aliens by Israel's former space chief! #galacticfederation #aliens #space #ufo #ufotwitter loom.ly/KmtorXQ [Seems to be re-spin of well-known conspiracy theories dating back to Eisenhower admin. The only new info relates to current US military thinking that UFO/UAF are real but not necessarily ET]. [Extinction Risk:] Dr. Jeremy Kerr @jetkerr 15 Dec 2020 15:00Z New paper on dispersal & persistence strategies enabling species survival thru climate change, including wrt growing frequency of extreme events. Capacity to predict extinction risk is becoming a reality - rapid advances in #cdnsci for #ClimateChange. bit.ly/3nyw9y4 pic.twitter.com/XIUlMxa2kM [HadCRUT v5:] John Kennedy @micefearboggis 15 Dec 2020 16:20Z HadCRUT5 is out. You can find the paper and data here. metoffice.gov.uk/hadobs/hadcrut... Sevenish reasons why you - a discerning scientist - might want to use HadCRUT5. THREAD [Limited interpolation]. Tim Osborn @TimOsbornClim 15 Dec 2020 14:58Z HadCRUT5 global temperature record just published. HadCRUT5 shows more historical warming than the previous version 4.6, bringing it into closer agreement with other global temperature series. Morice et al agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.102... pic.twitter.com/t5fneNplGp Dr. Robert Rohde @RARohde 15 Dec 2020 16:02Z With HadCRUT5, the Hadley/CRU group has finally added an interpolation step to their gridded climate analysis, giving more complete spatial coverage. Other groups working on global temperature have already been using interpolation. Global warming better picture, still scary. twitter.com/ed_hawkins/sta... Ed Hawkins @ed_hawkins 15 Dec 2020 14:59Z Replying to @BerkeleyEarth HadCRUT5 is now more consistent with other global temperature datasets such as @BerkeleyEarth, suggesting that in 2020 we are approaching 1.2°C of warming since the 1850-1900 period (which is considered as approximately equivalent to 'pre-industrial'). pic.twitter.com/vfyzQsNnak Tim Osborn @TimOsbornClim 15 Dec 2020 15:03Z All versions of the HadCRUT global temperature record, from the first Jones et al. (1986) paper to today's release of HadCRUT5 described by Morice et al. (2020) HadCRUT is a collaboration between @metofficeHadOBS and Climatic Research Unit @uniofeastanglia @ueaenv @ClimateUEA_ pic.twitter.com/lWE6iyFHXO Al Jazeera Weather @AJEWeather 15 Dec 2020 15:56Z Winds build towards damaging storm force in southern Ireland Stacey Abrams @staceyabrams 15 Dec 2020 16:01Z BREAKING: More than 168,000 Georgians voted early in person yesterday for the Jan. 5 runoff election -- a 23% increase from the first day of early voting in October.¾ (source: georgiavotes.com) Join them by making your voting plan at iwillvote.com.³ #gapol Dr. Gabriel Filippelli @GabeFilippelli 15 Dec 2020 16:05Z An overdue T correction means that we are closer to 1.5*C than assumed "The IPCC have overestimated the available carbon budget...That of course means that there is a lot more work to do if we are to avert dangerous warming" @MichaelEMann @theAGU newscientist.com/article/226295... Daniel M Kammen @dan_kammen 15 Dec 2020 16:37Z From some older work with rael.berkeley.edu/project/SWITCH we compiled CH4 leakage rates, and found that if CH4 leaks > ~ 2.4%/year, the GHG impact is about a the same as coal... Red in the right graph shows the leaked CH4 % of emissions... ugly @IPCC_CH twitter.com/emilygrubert/s... pic.twitter.com/qqKkxsoyz9 Ayesha Tandon @AyeshaTandon 15 Dec 2020 16:36Z New study by @DrHofHof shows that the Greenland ice sheet could melt faster than previously thought over 21st century. My second @CarbonBrief piece out today (phew!) Thanks to @rtmcswee for his help on this one Highlights: (1/3) twitter.com/CarbonBrief/st... Capital Weather Gang @capitalweather 15 Dec 2020 16:49Z An 'atmospheric river' spoiled Monday's total solar eclipse in Chile by bringing rain and low clouds. But in Argentina, the view was magnificent. washingtonpost.com/weather/2020/1... First of international student arrivals celebrate release from Darwin quarantine ABC News, 15 Dec 2020 08:11Z Sixty-three students from mainland China, Hong Kong, Japan, Vietnam and Indonesia are released from quarantine two weeks after arriving in the Top End as part of a pilot program. Deep-sea treasure hunter marks five years in prison for failing to reveal location of missing gold coins ABC News, 15 Dec 2020 09:10Z Tommy Thompson is being kept in prison and fined $US1,000 every day until he reveals the location of 500 coins that were made from gold found in an historic shipwreck and are believed to be worth up to $US4 million. The $10 billion coronavirus fight the insurance industry says it can't afford to lose ABC Investigations, 15 Dec 2020 09:09Z Australian businesses are fighting their insurers for lost revenue suffered during the worst of the pandemic, but the insurance industry claims coronavirus doesn't count as "business interruption". Australian workers cop 'unfair' abuse as social media users take up arms in wine trade war ABC Rural, 15 Dec 2020 09:09Z Lists of wineries and brands with links to China, along with captions encouraging consumers to boycott them, are being circulated online and businesses say they're feeling the impact. 'The time has come to do justice': Accused child abuser Malka Leifer loses appeal against extradition from Israel to Australia ABC News, 15 Dec 2020 10:07Z Israel's Supreme Court rejects an appeal by former Melbourne school principal Malka Leifer against a ruling to extradite her to Australia to face 74 charges of sexual abuse. [Extradition has taken 4y so far and counting]. Thousands of in-home care packages on the way for older Australians ABC News, 15 Dec 2020 12:07Z An extra 10,000 older Australians will receive support to stay in their homes for longer, as part of a $1 billion investment in this week's budget update. Medicare perpetuates inefficiency and needs to adapt and evolve, review finds ABC News, 15 Dec 2020 13:06Z The most comprehensive review of Medicare in almost 40 years is released. It finds the system can be inefficient, rewards healthcare providers for performing unnecessary services and needs to adapt and evolve to meet the changing needs of Australians. Coal ban 'a responsible act', Australia playing the victim, China says ABC News, 15 Dec 2020 15:05Z China defends its alleged ban on Australia coal as both legal and good for Chinese consumers and domestic industries, while accusing Australia of politicising bilateral trade and discriminating against Chinese enterprises. [Hillbilly defense. First deny it's happenin den say it's GOOD for you]. UK's eased COVID restrictions over Christmas will 'cost many lives', experts warn ABC News, 15 Dec 2020 16:50Z In a strong rebuke to the British Government relaxing COVID restrictions over Christmas two of the nation's most influential medical journals warn Prime Minister Boris Johnson the decision is a "blunder that will cost many lives". New coronavirus strain spreading in UK has key mutations, scientists say Yahoo News, 15 Dec 2020 10:47Z British scientists are trying to establish whether the rapid spread in southern England of a new variant of the virus that causes COVID-19 is linked to key ... Oliver Stone Receives Russian Coronavirus Vaccine Despite Age Concerns The Moscow Times, 15 Dec 2020 07:46Z U.S. filmmaker Oliver Stone said he has received Russia's Sputnik V vaccine against the coronavirus despite the country's mass rollout not covering his age ... EU announces sweeping new rules that could force breakups and hefty fines for Big Tech CNBC, 15 Dec 2020 16:39Z Tech giants could soon face hefty fines and stricter controls over their behavior as part of sweeping new rules in the European Union. London is moving to the tightest Covid restrictions: Here's what you need to know CNBC, 15 Dec 2020 12:42Z London is about to move to the highest level of coronavirus restrictions as cases surge in the capital. Here's everything you need to know. Ocean heatwave has triggered new toxic algal blooms on the US west coast Phys.org, 14 Dec 2020 12:46Z Fishermen, swimmers and seafood enthusiasts may already know the dangers of "red tides," but a recent study in Frontiers in Climate shows that climate change ... As Covid Cases Rise, Brazil's Vaccine Plan Is Mired in Chaos The New York Times, 15 Dec 2020 0:08Z Political infighting, haphazard planning and a rising anti-vaccine movement have turned the country into a cautionary tale in the coronavirus era. Pro-Trump Group Sends Fake Documents in Attempt to Reassign Arizona's Electoral Votes Newsweek, 15 Dec 2020 04:05Z Some Arizona residents sent falsified documentation to the National Archives alleging that Arizona's 11 electoral votes should be given to President Donald ... 'We should be absolutely alarmed': China prepares to move into the Torres Strait ABC Far North, 15 Dec 2020 05:52Z China's plan to build a fish processing facility in the Torres Strait has raised concerns over border security and impacts to commercial fishing. Aftermath of wild weather across south-east Queensland and northern NSW ABC News, 15 Dec 2020 04:52Z Days of heavy rain and powerful winds in south-east Queensland and northern New South Wales erode some of the country's most famous beaches and leave thousands of residents on standby to evacuate their homes due to flooding. Waves cut through Bribie Island as south-east Queensland ... The Age, 14 Dec 2020 09:02Z Waves broke through dunes at the northern section of Bribie Island for the first time in recorded history as high tides and torrential rain swept through south-east Queensland on Monday. Rain douses Fraser Island fires in time for Christmas visitors' return ABC News, 15 Dec 2020 05:51Z With two months of bushfires finally brought under control thanks to some solid rainfall, Fraser Island's tourism operators are welcoming visitors back with open arms -- and enjoying strong bookings. 'I'm dying before I get to 60 -- that's wrong': Melanoma patient's plea ahead of summer holidays ABC/7.30, 15 Dec 2020 06:50Z Stuart Taylor spent most of his career working outdoors and always wore sunscreen -- but he still developed melanoma. Doctors have told him he is unlikely to live until Christmas, so he wants to leave behind a message. China coal ban would be a 'lose-lose' situation, PM says ABC News, 15 Dec 2020 01:57Z Prime Minister Scott Morrison says the Government is still treating news that China has blocked Australian coal imports as "media speculation", while adding that if it is true, it would be a bad outcome for both countries' economies. Al Jazeera Weather @AJEWeather 14 Dec 2020 14:28Z New South Wales in eastern Australia suffers coastal erosion and flooding as stormy weather spreads south Eric Holthaus @EricHolthaus 14 Dec 2020 16:30Z There's now a greater-than-90% chance that 2020 will be the warmest year in human history. Let me say that again: We are living, right now, in the hottest year in all of recorded history. We are in a climate emergency. twitter.com/ClimateOfGavin... [Retargetting....:] Bloomberg Green @climate 14 Dec 2020 19:35Z Natural gas is the next target of Britain's effort to clean up the climate and its energy supply trib.al/hJ263r1 [Anticyclone!] The Blob warned us @systemrename 14 Dec 2020 19:30Z The 12z ECMWF out to day 10 showing the polar anticyclone continues to be fed with no end in sight. Deniers already have a response to the increasing frequency and power of these polar anticyclones, science does not. Isn't that funny? "Circumpolar vortex." Time is very short. pic.twitter.com/rAXLBPMdzd [Green Exxon:] Bloomberg Green @climate 14 Dec 2020 20:35Z Exxon announces several new emissions targets and vows to begin publishing pollution related to customers' use of its products for the first time, just days after activist investors criticized the oil giant for its environmental record trib.al/ju9XtQK Aaron Rutkoff @aaronrutkoff 14 Dec 2020 15:35Z After years of resistance, Exxon comes forward with an emission-reduction target and is going to start disclosing Scope 3 numbers. This follows several scoops from @climate in the past three months... bloomberg.com/news/articles/... [Big Fishing:] Assaad Razzouk @AssaadRazzouk 14 Dec 2020 22:28Z Replying to @AssaadRazzouk "A study in Science Advances found that without subsidies 54% of high-seas fishing would be unprofitable Another study calculated that ending all harmful subsidies could result, by 2050, in a 12.5% increase in global fish biomass and a 3.5% rise in the annual global fish catch" NOAA Satellites @NOAASatellites 14 Dec 2020 22:32Z During the last 24 hours, the #Himawari8 satellite captured two tropical cyclones spinning northeast of Australia. Tropical Cyclone #Yasa is between Vanuatu and Fiji, while Tropical Cyclone #Zazu is to the east, near Tonga and Niue. pic.twitter.com/HdbMkcWlgo [Record!] Zack Labe @ZLabe 14 Dec 2020 23:35Z Stunning "warmth" across our planet last month, especially considering the ongoing La Niña ¡ Overall, the average November global air temperature was +1.13°C above 1951-1980 climate baseline (*new record*) pic.twitter.com/SGnFAxVSmm Assaad Razzouk @AssaadRazzouk 15 Dec 2020 0:28Z Replying to @NLawGlobal Full climate change litigation update by global law firm @NLawGlobal nortonrosefulbright.com/en-au/knowledg... Daniel A. Zarrilli @dzarrilli 15 Dec 2020 0:31Z via @guardian: US to hold world climate summit early next year and seek to rejoin Paris accord theguardian.com/environment/20... Bloomberg Green @climate 15 Dec 2020 01:35Z Wildfires recede worldwide in a rare bit of good news for the climate trib.al/nnDJB7F How Selfish Are Plants? Let's Do Some Root Analysis The New York Times, 14 Dec 2020 18:25Z Imagine you're a pepper plant. You need water and nutrients. Luckily, you can grow roots that grab that stuff from the soil and pipe it back to you. So far, so good. EU to unveil landmark law curbing power of tech giants DW (English), 14 Dec 2020 21:24Z The European Union is set to unveil landmark legislation that lays out strict rules for tech giants to do business in the bloc, according to several media reports on ... Oracle founder Larry Ellison has moved to the Hawaiian island of Lanai Vox.com, 14 Dec 2020 20:17Z Ellison is the latest Silicon Valley giant to leave California amid the coronavirus pandemic. Millions more enter Tier 3 in England as mutant Covid strain emerges BBC News, 14 Dec 2020 23:16Z Russian Officers Were Near Navalny When He Was Poisoned, Report Says The New York Times, 14 Dec 2020 22:16Z Officers from a secret Russian spy unit with expertise in poisonous substances trailed the Russian opposition leader Aleksei A. Navalny for years and were ... Representative Paul Mitchell leaves Republican Party over its refusal to accept Trump's loss. The New York Times, 14 Dec 2020 23:15Z Representative Paul Mitchell of Michigan, a two-term Republican who voted for President Trump this year, announced on Monday that he would immediately ... A Hint of New Physics Observed in Polarized Radiation From the Early Universe SciTechDaily, 14 Dec 2020 13:14Z Using Planck data from the cosmic microwave background radiation, an international team of researchers has observed a hint of new physics. The team ... White House security official lost foot and part of leg battling COVID-19: report The Hill, 14 Dec 2020 22:14Z A White House security official has had parts of his feet and lower leg amputated after a battle with COVID-19, according to a GoFundMe page set up to help his ... William Barr To Step Down As Attorney General Before Christmas NPR, 14 Dec 2020 23:13Z Attorney General William Barr, an outspoken proponent of conservative values and an expansive view of presidential power, will leave office before Christmas, ... Geminid meteor shower dazzles night skies BBC News, 14 Dec 2020 11:25Z 'New variant' of coronavirus identified in England BBC News, 14 Dec 2020 17:24Z The new strain may be growing faster in some parts of the country, Health Secretary tells MPs. New York Nurse First Person To Receive Covid Vaccine In US NDTV, 14 Dec 2020 15:24Z A nurse in New York became the first person in the United States to receive the coronavirus vaccine Monday. Gmail, YouTube, Google Docs, and other Google services hit by massive outage The Verge, 14 Dec 2020 13:23Z Multiple Google services and websites including YouTube, Gmail, Google Assistant, and Google Docs have been hit with a widespread outage. DownDetector ... De Blasio says New Yorkers should prepare for another full lockdown Daily Mail, 14 Dec 2020 19:02Z New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said on Monday the city had to prepare for another 'full shutdown' similar to what was seen in April as COVID cases continue ... Northwestern wipes ex-lecturer from website after criticizing Jill Biden's 'Dr.' title New York Post, 13 Dec 2020 Northwestern University wiped one of its former lecturers from the school's Web site after he penned a controversial Wall Street Journal editorial arguing First ... [Apparently the guy holds an honorary PhD himself]. Southeastern Utilities Launch Plan for Regional Energy-Trading Market Greentech Media News, 14 Dec 2020 18:25Z Utilities including Duke, Dominion and Southern tout the value of real-time trading, but proponents of clean energy want to see bigger steps. 75 infected with COVID-19 after Santa visits nursing home in Belgium New York Post, 14 Dec 2020 13:17Z Santa Claus spread more than good cheer at a nursing home in Belgium -- with his visit leaving at least 75 people infected with COVID-19, according to local TV. Bill Gates says US entering worse phase of COVID pandemic and predicts lockdowns will last into 2022 [#unreliablesource] Daily Mail, 14 Dec 2020 13:15Z Bill Gates offered his predictions during an interview on Sunday as the US set new records for new cases, hospitalizations and deaths over a seven-day period. Copycat calls help duet-singing pilot whales outsmart predators, study finds ABC Eyre Peninsula, 14 Dec 2020 07:52Z Researchers have discovered that long-finned pilot whales can mimic the calls of their predators, which may help them to stay alive while they stealthily scavenge. Grassfire threatening communities west of Melbourne ABC News, 14 Dec 2020 07:52Z Fire officials slow the spread of an out-of-control grassfire that is threatening the communities of Mount Cottrell and Truganina, west of Melbourne. An emergency warning has been downgraded to a watch and act message. Eric Feigl-Ding @DrEricDing 13 Dec 2020 22:50Z Replying to @DrEricDing 3) LET THIS SINK IN: Trump associates get fancy monoclonal antibody therapies when they get COVID. Front line ICU doctors who save patients lives don't--then die from #COVID19. ->Who votes no VIP treatments for Trump associates until every healthcare worker can get it first twitter.com/drericding/sta... [Dry 2021:] Climate Signals @ClimateSignals 13 Dec 2020 23:44Z The state of Colorado has activated the municipal portion of its emergency drought plan for only the second time in history as several cities say they need to prepare for what is almost certainly going to be a dangerously dry 2021. bit.ly/2Kk7WwJ Carbon Brief @CarbonBrief 14 Dec 2020 03:43Z Jet stream: Is climate change causing more `blocking' weather events? | @rtmcswee j.mp/3qOe5lW #archive pic.twitter.com/ABn5XMWRPy Russian Hackers Broke Into Federal Agencies, U.S. Officials Suspect The New York Times, 13 Dec 2020 23:57Z In one of the most sophisticated and perhaps largest hacks in more than five years, email systems were breached at the Treasury and Commerce Departments. Austin-based SolarWinds at center of massive US government hack KXAN.com, 14 Dec 2020 04:20Z Washington (AP, KXAN). Hackers broke into the networks of the Treasury and Commerce departments as part of a global cyberespionage campaign. White House acknowledges reports of cyberattack on U.S. Treasury by foreign government CNBC, 13 Dec 2020 22:55Z The latest revelation comes less than a month after President Donald Trump fired Christopher Krebs, the nation's top cybersecurity official. Peru suspends clinical trials of Chinese COVID vaccine Medical Xpress, 12 Dec 2020 Peru has temporarily suspended clinical trials of a COVID vaccine made by Chinese drug giant Sinopharm after detecting neurological problems in one of its test ... 33 arrested, 4 stabbed during MAGA march in DC: cops New York Post, 13 Dec 2020 20:48Z The arrests stemmed from clashes with cops, as well as incidents between supporters of President Trump and counter-protesters in the nation's capital, ... China spacecraft carrying moon rocks begins journey home ABC News, 13 Dec 2020 20:21Z China's lunar probe aims to bring back the first moon rocks in more than four decades, since a Soviet Union space mission in 1976. Trump loses last-ditch challenge in Georgia on eve of electoral college vote ABC News, 13 Dec 2020 20:35Z Georgia's Supreme Court rejects the latest legal challenge from US President Donald Trump, as the electoral college prepares to vote. Spain says it expects to achieve COVID-19 herd immunity by August 2021 ABC News, 13 Dec 2020 20:46Z Spain should achieve herd immunity from COVID-19 by the end of summer 2021 if enough people are vaccinated, the country's health minister says. [Coastal Floooding:] More than 700 calls for help, five flood rescues as wild weather lashes NSW ABC News, 13 Dec 2020 20:35Z Areas of the Mid-North Coast and Northern Rivers can expect more severe weather, after a weekend of galeforce winds, flash flooding and damaging surf conditions. AussieHomine @AussieHomine 13 Dec 2020 19:16Z "Gale-force winds, heavy rain, flash flooding and year-high tides are expected over the next few days" We're at Kirra and it isn't too bad yet. abc.net.au/news/2020-12-1... South-east Queensland bracing for more extreme weather after another night of heavy rain ABC News, 13 Dec 2020 20:21Z Queensland's extreme weather is set to worsen today, with the Bureau of Meteorology expecting heavy rain, damaging winds and the possibility of flash-flooding from Bundaberg down to the New South Wales coast. [Flooded Again!] Al Jazeera Weather @AJEWeather 13 Dec 2020 11:37Z Flooded again at high tide. St. Mark's Square when the flood barriers, known as Mose, are not raised. Venice, Italy. [Manuel Silvestri/REUTERS] pic.twitter.com/Jk2EqfgzYe Anjana Rahi @asanjanarahi 12 Dec 2020 23:16Z A woman standing in flooded St. Mark's Square during high tide as the flood barriers known as Mose are not raised in Venice, Italy. pic.twitter.com/23sz25s9Pk [EV Boom:] Bloomberg Green @climate 13 Dec 2020 12:47Z The first all-electric auto service station will open in Britain on Monday as drivers increasingly avoid cars fueled by gasoline and diesel trib.al/JUACE3R Al Jazeera Weather @AJEWeather 13 Dec 2020 12:37Z The new normal: The indigenous community of Campur in northern Guatemala has become a lagoon after the passage of hurricanes Eta and Iota, weeks ago. [Johan ORDONEZ / AFP] pic.twitter.com/8Zj1gX7880 Bloomberg Green @climate 13 Dec 2020 13:47Z TikTok stars and YouTube gamers are shaping climate policy like no other generation before trib.al/oIlI72t [Electric Planes!] Assaad Razzouk @AssaadRazzouk 13 Dec 2020 14:38Z In 2015, electric airplanes were an ambitious idea. Today, over 215 developments are live worldwide Watch the most important transition this industry has ever seen happen faster than we think: That's the power of unleashing the world from the shackles of oil & gas #climate pic.twitter.com/jH2XYqGxIH Climate Signals @ClimateSignals 13 Dec 2020 15:39Z After an unprecedented fire season, condor experts are evaluating how increasingly aggressive fires could jeopardize their rehabilitation efforts. bit.ly/3gFbq9x Face The Nation @FaceTheNation 13 Dec 2020 16:37Z #COVID19 WARNING from @ScottGottliebMD: Hospitals will see "peak-burden," - strain on their doctors, ICUs and other resources - in January, he tells @margbrennan. pic.twitter.com/YVxEUnJ7DT Newsweek @Newsweek 13 Dec 2020 16:40Z Kelly Loeffler slammed for posing with former KKK leader ahead of Georgia runoff elections newsweek.com/kelly-loeffler... Victor Venema @VariabilityBlog 13 Dec 2020 17:46Z Trump was bragging America was doing well compared to Germany. (Utter nonsense for totals, even the current German peak is lower, with better testing.) The analysis below shows that regions where the Trumpian far-right AfD party voters live, have most SARS2 & show more mobility. twitter.com/Matthias_Quent... Victor Venema @VariabilityBlog 13 Dec 2020 18:46Z Replying to @alex_davidson82 @jimmy_dore Dumb. Check. Ignorant. Check. Plays on emotions. Check. Doesn't care how much damage he does to the group he claims to belong to. Check. Cultist followers. Check. Large MAGA following. Check. Narcissist. Check. [Rigged!] [Plant Food!] Peter Gleick º¸ @PeterGleick 13 Dec 2020 18:44Z This has been another of the false claim of #climate deniers: that more CO2 is good because it will green the planet. Unfortunately, this effect will be minor and massively outweighed by the negative effects. twitter.com/newscientist/s... Ketan Joshi @KetanJ0 13 Dec 2020 19:44Z I've been yelling for a while now that just adding a big, pricy battery to wind/solar over-estimates integrations costs, and flattens the variance in total system %. It's nice to be vindicated. From CSIRO's new Gencost21 draft. publications.csiro.au/publications/p... pic.twitter.com/m2OhnCYEUI Bloomberg Green @climate 13 Dec 2020 20:27Z A new report shows the scale of lending and underwriting to fossil-fuel companies since the signing of the Paris agreement trib.al/yTxJnRo [Korea Lockdown!] South Korea mulls first lockdown amid record COVID cases in third wave ABC News, 13 Dec 2020 14:18Z South Korea has reported its worst weekend for COVID-19 infections since the pandemic began, with the President calling the country's third wave an emergency. [See ]. [NO DEAL!] Brexit talks extended to avoid no-deal exit for UK on January 1 ABC News, 13 Dec 2020 14:18Z Crunch Brexit talks between Britain and the European Union will continue beyond Sunday's deadline in a last-ditch attempt to avoid a dreaded no-deal exit when the UK officially leaves on January 1. In 1770 Joseph Banks sparked a macabre trade that still haunts New Zealand today ABC Radio National, 13 Dec 2020 19:17Z Tattooed, severed and mummified Maori heads were once a prized collector's item in Britain. Meet the people New Zealand has tasked with bringing them home. It's really hard to tell which businesses received JobKeeper. Here's why it's a problem for Australia ABC Investigations, 13 Dec 2020 19:15Z The giant $101 billion JobKeeper scheme is paid for by Australian taxpayers, but it's really tricky to find out where the money has gone, writes Pat McGrath. Federal Budget hole to hit $442b, but report suggests increasing spending on welfare, GST relief and income tax cuts ABC News, 13 Dec 2020 19:14Z The Federal Government will release its Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO) later this week, which is expected to show a better bottom line. Parents of 300 kidnapped schoolboys in Nigeria beg for them to be saved ABC News, 13 Dec 2020 19:15Z One 17-year-old escaped the Nigerian bandits, saying he sneaked away while the kidnappers transferred students to different locations in the forest. Boko Haram returns hundreds of kidnapped Nigerian schoolboys The Hill, 17 Dec 2020 23:23Z Hundreds of Nigerian schoolboys kidnapped by Boko Haram last week were released to the government Thursday, the local state governor announced. Chinese bidders are being 'frozen out' as foreign investment clampdown hits relationship ABC Rural, 13 Dec 2020 19:26Z Bids by Chinese companies to buy Australian assets are being "frozen out" under temporary restrictions to foreign investment that experts claim are aggravating relations between Canberra and Beijing. What's being done to prevent coronavirus spreading through the air in Victorian quarantine hotels? ABC News, 13 Dec 2020 19:32Z With returned travellers in Victoria's hotel quarantine system testing positive to coronavirus, there is a risk of the virus escaping again. Medical officials are looking very closely at how improving ventilation in the "hot" hotels can prevent that happening. Reed Timmer @ReedTimmerAccu 13 Dec 2020 01:57Z Check out this top tier webisode on the INSANE Scarth, Manitoba tornado this year by @aaronjayjack and @MisheylaIwasiuk. Some of the most beautiful tornado footage you will ever see. Premiering now: fb.watch/2laklxzNYG/ Al Jazeera Weather @AJEWeather 13 Dec 2020 06:49Z Torrential rain on Australia's Gold Coast and 10 metre waves bring "one in 100 year severe weather event" [Tipping Points:] KenCaldeira @KenCaldeira 13 Dec 2020 06:54Z Replying to @KenCaldeira 1840 - Max US agricultural energy use 1976 - Max US industrial energy use 2003 - Max US residential/commercial energy use 2007 - Max US transportation energy use pic.twitter.com/4gveFOJhoT [End of Coal:] Robbie Andrew @robbie_andrew 13 Dec 2020 08:57Z European countries are ditching coal as the EU's climate policy, in the form of changes to the Emissions Trading Scheme, drives up the cost of using it. pic.twitter.com/RvF8aGi6NK Newsmax Turns on Trump's SCOTUS Picks After Texas Ruling Daily Beast, 12 Dec 2020 21:36Z The ultra-conservative Fox News competitor went into meltdown mode, questioning whether Justices Barrett, Kavanaugh and Gorsuch "actually understand the ... Violence flares in Washington as far-right Trump supporters clash with counter-protesters The Guardian, 13 Dec 2020 06:36Z Four people reportedly stabbed as violence flares in Washington in the aftermath of a march to denounce Joe Biden's election victory. [1 shot, 4 stabbed in later reports]. Wisconsin Supreme Court Judge Tells Trump Attorney His Phony Lawsuit 'Smacks of Racism' The Daily Beast, 12 Dec 2020 23:35Z The Trump campaign is seeking to throw out more than 200000 ballots in the state's largest, most diverse counties. The Americans least likely to take a COVID-19 vaccine are the ones being hit hardest by the virus ABC News, 12 Dec 2020 at 10:53pm Black Americans are more susceptible to the virus because of the long-term impacts of structural racism. But they're also more likely to be sceptical of the measure heralded as the best chance of ending the virus. Pioneering country singer Charley Pride dies from coronavirus ABC News, 13 Dec 2020 0:35Z The baseballer-turned singer is remembered as a "country music pioneer" after selling more than 25 million records with hits such as Kiss an Angel Good Morning, and being the first black inductee to the Country Music Hall of Fame. Flamethrower drone used to incinerate wasp nests ABC News, 13 Dec 2020 02:34Z The six-armed drone is equipped with a petrol tank and a nozzle which spits bursts of fire onto hives, protecting villagers in the central Chinese region from being stung. Communications Minister says he won't sack ABC chair Ita Buttrose over Four Corners response ABC News, 13 Dec 2020 03:34Z Communications Minister Paul Fletcher rejects suggestions he plans to sack ABC chair Ita Buttrose if he is unhappy with her response over a Four Corners investigation. Moon Colony Planned to Provide Home for Astronauts TMZ, 12 Dec 2020 16:48Z It sounds crazy and undoable, but there are plans to colonize the Moon, and frankly, it looks kinda awesome. Here's the thing. NASA is promising 2 astronauts ... Iran executes exiled journalist who encouraged 2017 protests The Associated Press, 12 Dec 2020 19:47Z Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Iran on Saturday executed an exiled journalist over his online work that helped inspire nationwide economic protests in ... Imploding MAGA World Turns to Civil War, Secession After Supreme Court Disaster The Daily Beast, 12 Dec 2020 17:44Z In an epic dummy spit, vloggers Diamond & Silk called for military intervention and internet troll Milo Yiannopoulos said the only options left were war or ... Woman charged after allegedly driving car into crowd of New York protesters The Guardian, 12 Dec 2020 20:45Z Police say six people were injured when a car plowed into Black Lives Matter demonstrators in Manhattan. Michigan electors get a police escort for Monday's Biden vote Business Insider, 12 Dec 2020 12:43Z 'Stop the Steal,' a right-wing group of conspiracists, have announced they will demonstrate outside the Michigan Capitol. DeSantis refused to disclose White House coronavirus report that contradicts him Tampa Bay Times, 12 Dec 2020 19:43Z Tallahassee. A White House Coronavirus Task Force report about the state of the pandemic in Florida made public Saturday urges state leaders to take ... What COVID-19 vaccines mean for global travel in 2021 ABC News, 12 Dec 2020 19:41Z With COVID-19 vaccines already rolling out in China, Russia and the UK, how will countries process vaccinated travellers at the border if vaccines are made with differing standards? When planes return to the skies, some aviation experts fear a spate of incidents ABC News, 12 Dec 2020 19:41Z The pandemic saw air travel grind to a halt, but when we return to the skies, aviation experts fear some pilots will be getting back into the cockpit with no recent experience landing a passenger plane. UN tells world to declare a state of climate emergency ABC News, 12 Dec 2020 20:39Z On the fifth anniversary of the Paris climate accord, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres tells global leaders that rebuilding in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic is an opportunity to pivot to a low-carbon future. Coronavirus vaccinations to start in US as country records 16 million COVID-19 cases ABC News, 12 Dec 2020 22:37Z Millions of doses of a new vaccine are expected to start rolling out across the United States this weekend as the country hits a record 16 million COVID-19 cases. Brisbane school set to be half-empty by term two due to lack of migration amid coronavirus pandemic ABC News, 12 Dec 2020 22:36Z A Brisbane school that enrols migrant and refugee children faces being half-empty by term two next year, as Australian borders remain closed during the coronavirus pandemic. Gold Coast beaches closed after 440mm of rain falls on border region, with 'worst still to come' ABC News, 12 Dec 2020 22:48Z Heavy rainfall is expected to continue in south-east Queensland today as Springbrook in the Gold Coast hinterland records more than 400mm of rain. NSW northern regions brace for more rain, as flood warnings continue ABC News, 12 Dec 2020 22:38Z A low pressure trough off the southern Queensland coast sparks heavy rainfall that will come into full force on Sunday evening. [Good News Week:] Assaad Razzouk @AssaadRazzouk 12 Dec 2020 04:47Z Good climate news this week 1 EU to cut emissions 55% by 2030 2 Top green hydrogen developers to expand production 50-fold in 6 years 3 QuantumScape solid-state battery breakthrough 4 World Bank targets 35% of financings to have climate co-benefits 5 Malaysia's CIMB exits coal twitter.com/AssaadRazzouk/... C-Smart Solutions @C_Smart_Climate 12 Dec 2020 06:52Z The Australien Government didn't speak at the #Climate Summit, so it made an ad about it's #ClimateChange policy instead, and it's surprisingly honest and informative. Via @thejuicemedia. Having spent time there last year, what say you, @MichaelEMann? youtube.com/watch?v=92t8np... pic.twitter.com/XTlEORK77M [Carbon growth:] Glen Peters @Peters_Glen 12 Dec 2020 07:54Z Three decades of fossil CO_2 emissions growth: * 1%/yr in the 1990s, due to the collapse of USSR * 3%/yr in the 2000s, due to the rise of China * 1%/yr in the 2010s, due to weakening China & coal The 2020s? #CarbonBudget theconversation.com/global-emissio... pic.twitter.com/J40PLslyF1 [Carbon sink:] Glen Peters @Peters_Glen 12 Dec 2020 07:54Z Atmospheric CO_2 concentrations went up 2.5 ppm in both 2019 & 2020. How is that possible if CO_2 emissions went down 7% in 2020? * Emissions were still high in 2020 * The land sink took up marginally less CO_2 (there is large interannual variability) globalcarbonproject.org/carbonbudget/i... pic.twitter.com/jcJHLQq0Xz [Fixing The World:] Patrick Walsh @Walsh_e_Patrick 12 Dec 2020 07:52Z "What would you do with a trillion dollars? In this hopeful and very readable book Rowan Hooper shows us how a thoughtful investment of financial capital could be used to solve the great challenges we face. Read this book and be inspired to change the world" Michael Mann 14 Jan pic.twitter.com/9eUbtUxZFy Bloomberg Green @climate 12 Dec 2020 09:58Z The small English town of Boston will soon become Europe's fake-meat capital with the opening of a giant factory making plant-based burgers and sausages trib.al/z2n4WY0 Bloomberg Green @climate 12 Dec 2020 12:58Z Last month was the hottest November on record trib.al/QsZihGH [Water market:] Bloomberg Green @climate 12 Dec 2020 14:58Z Water is joining gold, oil and other commodities traded on Wall Street, highlighting worries that the life-sustaining natural resource may become scarce across more of the world trib.al/UWlJ6mG Zack Labe @ZLabe 12 Dec 2020 14:58Z Sea ice extent in the Barents-Kara Seas region (eastern #Arctic) is a record low for the date. Data from @NSIDC. This area also experiences quite a bit of variability during winter due to synoptic weather (storms). pic.twitter.com/FJ0POtoG73 Capital Weather Gang @capitalweather 12 Dec 2020 14:48Z Programming note: Update on Wednesday Mid-Atlantic winter storm potential coming by late morning or midday. [Last Year's Smoke:] Capital Weather Gang @capitalweather 12 Dec 2020 15:53Z Some astonishing new findings on the global effects of the catastrophic Australian 2019-20 wildfires: The smoke is still detectable in the stratosphere, and likely cooled the globe *slightly* in past yr. via @themadstone washingtonpost.com/weather/2020/1... Climate Central @ClimateCentral 12 Dec 2020 16:28Z "While flooding was always a regular occurrence on her street, it's the first year that the water has seeped in under the door and gushed up from the bathtub and toilet..." tampabay.com/news/business/... #ClimateCentral How a Melbourne mathematician's COVID boredom led to cracking one of the Zodiac Killer's 50-year-old ciphers ABC News, 12 Dec 2020 05:53Z The coded letters of a Northern Californian serial killer have puzzled cryptologists for decades. The coronavirus lockdown gave Samuel Blake the time to indulge in his passing interest and help break open a mystery. Farhad Bandesh is shocked to be a free man after eight years in refugee detention ABC News, 12 Dec 2020 07:52Z Farhad Bandesh hopes his release from immigration detention will be a catalyst for the release of others like him. He is one of 200 refugee and asylum seekers brought to Australia for medical treatment under the new repealed medevac legislation. Hardline Indonesian cleric Rizieq Shihab arrested in Jakarta over COVID-19 breaches ABC News, 12 Dec 2020 14:52Z Indonesian cleric Rizieq Shihab is accused of inciting people to breach pandemic restrictions by holding events with large crowds, in a country that has recorded more than 600,000 cases. World needs to declare 'climate emergency' - UN BBC News, 12 Dec 2020 15:20Z The UN secretary general has called on all countries to declare a climate emergency. Asia Today: S. Korea reports 950 cases, biggest daily jump The Associated Press, 12 Dec 2020 09:01Z Seoul, South Korea (AP). South Korea has reported 950 new coronavirus cases, its largest daily increase since the emergence of the pandemic, as fears ... New Zealand and the Cook Islands announce travel bubble ABC News, 12 Dec 2020 04:32Z The bubble will come into place early next year and will allow quarantine- free travel between the two nations. Australia has sought a similar arrangement with New Zealand, but it has so far declined. Scientists Capture Incredibly Rare Footage of Deep-Sea Fish Devouring a Whole Shark ScienceAlert, 11 Dec 2020 Feasts are rare on the barren landscape of the ocean depths. So researchers couldn't believe their luck when they stumbled on a feeding frenzy of deep- sea ... [Phh. In Australia we have snakes that eat crocodiles and frogs that eat snakes]. As two-thirds of House Republicans support the Texas election suit, a Democrat called them `traitors.' The New York Times, 12 Dec 2020 0:15Z With nearly two-thirds of House Republicans supporting Texas's lawsuit seeking to overturn the election in the U.S. Supreme Court, a Democratic House ... Senate Republicans shun House GOP bid to overturn the election POLITICO, 12 Dec 2020 0:15Z Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy this week joined 125 House GOP colleagues in support of an effort to subvert the presidential election. Most Senate ... Angry Florida governor defends police raid on COVID data whistleblower Yahoo News, 11 Dec 2020 20:43Z Washington. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis angrily defended the handling of a search warrant at the Tallahassee home of Rebekah Jones, the data scientist ... White House threatens FDA chief's job if Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine is not granted emergency authorization by end of the day Chicago Tribune, 12 Dec 2020 0:42Z The vaccine produced by Pfizer Inc. and its German partner BioNTech won a critical endorsement Thursday from an FDA panel of outside advisers, and signoff ... With over 500,000 COVID cases, L.A. at 'catastrophic' levels Los Angeles Times, 11 Dec 2020 23:41Z As of Thursday, there were 3850 hospitalized COVID-19 patients in L.A. County, including 856 in ICU beds - both records. Climate models overestimate natural variability Phys.org, 11 Dec 2020 14:41Z By looking at satellite measurements of temperature changes in the lower layer of Earth's atmosphere, scientists found that climate models may have ... Al Jazeera Weather @AJEWeather 11 Dec 2020 13:12Z Come on in, the water's fine. Warm enough for a dip in Japan. African penguins swim in a large overhanging water tank called "Penguin in the sky" at Sunshine Aquarium in Tokyo [Kazuhiro Nogi / AFP] pic.twitter.com/zYLEAfu9Fw [SLR:] Climate Central @ClimateCentral 11 Dec 2020 13:14Z Major cities projected to be most impacted by sea level rise: fox28spokane.com/u-s-cities-mos... #ClimateCentral [Carbon Budget:] Corinne Le Quéré @clequere 11 Dec 2020 14:17Z The update of the Global Carbon Budget is out today. It shows confinement measures caused ~7% drop in CO2 emissions this year. Check out the estimated change in your country here enactivescience.com/pandemissions/ this is an update from previous work @Jones_MattW @Peters_Glen @4C_H2020 pic.twitter.com/q1xIa7QhYO [Minority Report:] Assaad Razzouk @AssaadRazzouk 11 Dec 2020 15:13Z In 2016, consensus was that petrol cars would be 60% of cars in 2050s We know now it's fantasy: Petrol cars will be minority of sales by 2025 and done by 2030 EVs already almost beat petrol cars on everything: Sticker price, maintenance, acceleration and range #climate #facts [Price Of Carbon:] Bloomberg Green @climate 11 Dec 2020 15:20Z The cost of carbon pollution allowances is headed higher after the European Union endorsed tighter climate targets trib.al/AAEEKoa via @climate Gernot Wagner @GernotWagner 11 Dec 2020 19:14Z Big since true: from $30/tCO_2 today to $170/t by 2030. Still a legal challenge to go, whether Ottawa has standing to impose such a tax on provinces. Barring that, this is huge. cbc.ca/news/politics/... Brian Kahn @blkahn 11 Dec 2020 18:15Z I have been haunted by how much the covid-19 graphs for cases and hospitalizations mirror the Vostok ice core record of carbon dioxide over the past 800,000 years. I wrote about what their similarities reveal earther.gizmodo.com/the-exponentia... pic.twitter.com/KgN9TxKTUD Michael E. Mann @MichaelEMann 11 Dec 2020 19:16Z "To quote a favorite film: 'Welcome back to the fight, America'. " twitter.com/MichaelEMann/s... [Salting The Fields:] Susan Hassol, Climate Communication @ClimateComms 11 Dec 2020 19:14Z Trump admin abuses procedural tool to solidify its rollbacks of environmental & health protections at EPA and obstruct @JoeBiden admin's ability to restore protections. Salting the earth on their way out the door. Truly despicable. @EENewsUpdates @sejorg eenews.net/greenwire/2020... [5y Ago In Paris:] Arne Storrønningen @arnestor 11 Dec 2020 20:16Z The Paris Agreement Anniversary: ".. we need a massive global mobilisation. The good news is that, with the election of Joe Biden as president, the US now rejoins that effort. To quote a favorite film: "Welcome back to the fight, America." @MichaelEMann independent.co.uk/environment/cl... [SAFE HARBOR!] Dave Wasserman @Redistrict 11 Dec 2020 20:14Z Replying to @Redistrict All 50 states and D.C. have now certified their 2020 election results: Biden 81,282,376 (51.3%) Trump 74,222,576 (46.9%) That's a 2.4 point margin swing against Trump vs. 2016 and a 15.9% increase in votes cast. @borenbears @borenbears 11 Dec 2020 21:15Z EXPLAINER: More than 100 countries are pledging to go net zero on carbon emissions. Just what does that mean? The math & fine print behind the key climate phrase. W/@wirereporter. apnews.com/article/joe-bi... The Debrief @Debriefmedia 11 Dec 2020 21:12Z A breakthrough discovery of cosmic "Superhighways" could permit rapid travel of objects through space and have a huge impact in our own exploration of the cosmos. #space #SpaceX #SpaceXStarship buff.ly/37QD13o severe-weather.EU @severeweatherEU 11 Dec 2020 22:19Z The New North Atlantic depression is developing between the Azores and Newfoundland, moving towards western Europe this weekend. It will intensify into a powerful #extratropical storm with massive waves spread towards Ireland and the UK this weekend: severe-weather.eu/mcd/extratropi... [This Time Last Decade:] Ben See @ClimateBen 11 Dec 2020 23:14Z Replying to @ClimateBen From 2012: 'powerful evidence that the giant cap of ice at the top of the planet is on a trajectory to largely disappear in summer within a decade or two, with profound global consequences.' e360.yale.edu/features/tippi... Stefan Rahmstorf · @rahmstorf 11 Dec 2020 23:18Z Replying to @SaraSchurmann Here, as a historic reminder, my optimistic 1993 article in New Scientist, written after the Rio Summit. "I suspect that only 10 years ago few scientists would have imagined their graphs and computer printouts could have such political impact." newscientist.com/article/mg1381... Bloomberg Green @climate 12 Dec 2020 0:29Z The U.K. will become the first major industrialized nation to end all public finance for fossil fuel projects overseas trib.al/INMGgfs Justin Amash @justinamash 12 Dec 2020 0:39Z The election fraud hoax will go down as one of the most embarrassing and dishonorable episodes in American political history, and countless Republican officials went along with it and promoted it. [Dumped!] Supreme Court rejects Texas lawsuit in Trump's bid to undo US election loss ABC News, 12 Dec 2020 00:08Z The US Supreme Court rejects a lawsuit filed by Texas and backed by Donald Trump seeking to throw out election results in four states. Max Burns @themaxburns 12 Dec 2020 0:16Z Justices Gorsuch, Kavanaugh and Barrett regret they can't take President Trump's urgent phone call but they again thank the president for their lifetime SCOTUS appointment. Jake Tapper @jaketapper 12 Dec 2020 0:14Z Sasse: "every American who cares about the rule of law should take comfort that the Supreme Court -- including all three of President Trump's picks -- closed the book on the nonsense." Peter Gleick º¸ @PeterGleick 12 Dec 2020 0:51Z Trump will be appealing this to the Galactic Federation. Joe Walsh @WalshFreedom 12 Dec 2020 0:19Z .@seanhannity told me last night it would be a "no brainer" that the Supreme Court would take up the Texas case. Weird, huh? Sean knows everything. Brian Brettschneider @Climatologist49 12 Dec 2020 0:14Z O.K. They will probably give up now. We should probably expect a concession announcement any minute now. twitter.com/SCOTUSblog/sta... [Loyalty Test:] Judd Legum @JuddLegum 10 Dec 2020 21:17Z The election case Texas filed in the Supreme Court is an embarrassment but I'm beginning to think that's the point. It's a loyalty test. Everyone who signs on demonstrates they are willing to humiliate themselves for Trump. [It's Still Out There!] Victoria records first coronavirus infections since hotel quarantine resumed ABC News, 11 Dec 2020 at 10:05pm Victoria records five coronavirus cases in returned travellers, the first confirmed infections in hotel quarantine since the program resumed in the state, but continues its run of 43 days without locally acquired infections. Australia could see its first truth commission in 2021. Here's what that means ABC News, 11 Dec 2020 at 10:20pm Sometime next year, there's a good chance Australia will see the start of its first formal truth and justice commission into the ongoing impact of colonisation on Aboriginal communities. What can we learn from overseas examples? [Flood Risk:] South-East Queensland on flood watch as state braces for intense falls, strong winds and wild surf this weekend ABC News, 11 Dec 2020 at 10:27pm The weather bureau issues an Initial Flood Watch for south-east Queensland as the state braces for a significant rainfall event that is likely to bring intense falls, abnormally high tides and dangerous surf over the weekend. NSW travellers heading for Queensland warned as heavy rains lash northern areas ABC News, 11 Dec 2020 at 10:38pm The NSW Bureau of Meteorology issues a severe weather warning for the northern NSW, with heavy rain along the coast, expected to ease later today, before worsening conditions tomorrow. How longer, more frequent heatwaves will shape how we work in the future ABC Rural, 11 Dec 2020 at 11:27pm Health experts fear extreme heat might be causing more injuries in outdoor workplaces than previously thought, so new research aims to determine how to keep workers safe in a warming world. Call of the Wildbnb: Bushfire-affected animals given a safe, low-toxic place to call home ABC North Coast, 11 Dec 2020 at 11:57pm A promising new trial aims to provide habitat for multiple species of glider and phascogales displaced by last summer's bushfires. Manhattan D.A. Intensifies Investigation of Trump The New York Times, 11 Dec 2020 13:20Z State prosecutors in Manhattan have interviewed several employees of President Trump's bank and insurance broker in recent weeks, according to people with ... Boris Johnson and EU chief pessimistic about chances of Brexit trade deal being reached ABC News, 11 Dec 2020 12:25Z European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen tells an EU summit that it is more likely the UK will leave the bloc without a trade deal than with one, echoing sentiments from British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. [Insufficient!] AstraZeneca teams up with Russia's Sputnik V vaccine for COVID-19 trials ABC News, 11 Dec 2020 12:24Z AstraZeneca will start clinical trials to test a combination of its experimental COVID-19 vaccine with Russia's Sputnik V shot, while France's Sanofi and Britain's GlaxoSmithKline vaccine trials show insufficient immune response in older people. Human-Made Stuff Outweighs Earth's Biomass for First Time, Study Finds EcoWatch, 10 Dec 2020 20:48Z Human made stuff now outweighs life on Earth. A new study published in Nature sought to bring home the full weight of what human activity has done to the ... Hybrid-Electric Aircraft Conducts First Flight Trials on Maui Maui Now, 10 Dec 2020 Ampaire, a global leader in electric aviation, is the first to complete a demonstration flight of a hybrid-electric aircraft along an actual airline route. The company ... Solar Energy Is On The Brink Of A Golden Age OilPrice.com, 10 Dec 2020 19:45Z Solar power is heading into a golden age thanks to an unlikely culmination of forces. A new axis of energy has emerged with the United States, the European ... Marshall Shepherd @DrShepherd2013 10 Dec 2020 21:15Z 6,126 new cases in Georgia today...shatters previous 1 day new case record. pic.twitter.com/2EpzfHOpZN [Found Wanting:] Bloomberg Green @climate 10 Dec 2020 22:20Z Around 70 leaders will use a global climate summit this weekend to outline new pledges to cut greenhouse-gas emissions. Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who supports fossil fuels, will be conspicuously absent trib.al/x5Ll9xH [ScottyFromMarketing finally admitted today Australia was not on the speaker's list. Only countries with a serious commitment to emission cuts were invited to address the meeting. Only recently dropping credit for cuts under previous governments, the Morrison govt didn't make the cut]. [Un-Americans:] Dana Nuccitelli @dana1981 10 Dec 2020 22:15Z This is exactly half of all @HouseGOP members elected in 2020. 50% of House Republicans have asked the Supreme Court to overturn the legitimate democratic election of President @JoeBiden ... but not their own elections, though they were all on the same ballots. Just appalling. twitter.com/johnkruzel/sta... Michael E. Mann @MichaelEMann 10 Dec 2020 22:17Z Treasonous haters of Democracy. This DEFINES what it means to be "UnAmerican" twitter.com/johnkruzel/sta... Stephan Lewandowsky @STWorg 10 Dec 2020 22:17Z American "conservatism" seems to have reached the stage of drunks in the pub shouting "me, me, me! I'm the biggest Nazi around, look at me!" Quite extraordinary. I have not witnessed a wholesale abdication of sanity and democracy like this before @MichaelEMann twitter.com/MichaelEMann/s... [$Billion Disasters!] Climate Central @ClimateCentral 10 Dec 2020 22:14Z U.S. to shatter record for billion-dollar climate disasters in 2020: cbsnews.com/news/climate-c... #ClimateMatters #ClimateCentral Susan Hassol, Climate Communication @ClimateComms 10 Dec 2020 21:17Z The US obliterated its record for the most #disasters costing >$1 Billion in 2020, w/20+ such events. Only 3 states weren't part of one. #ClimateChange's fingerprints are on the record #Hurricane season, #wildfires & more. @borenbears @MichaelEMann @sejorg thetelegraph.com/news/article/T... [License To Kill:] Rep. Katie Porter @RepKatiePorter 11 Dec 2020 0:17Z Mitch McConnell is refusing to bring a relief bill to the floor unless it wipes away all COVID-related lawsuits filed that allege injury or death due to corporate negligence. There already are legal protections for businesses acting *reasonably.* This is a license to kill. pic.twitter.com/EWaPTvUw96 [Pilbara Storm:] Josh Morgerman @iCyclone 11 Dec 2020 02:16Z That Indian Ocean mess--referred to by BoM as unnamed Tropical Low & by JTWC as Tropical Cyclone 3--is rushing ashore in the Pilbara #Australia. Port Hedland is reporting 38 knots gusting to 49--a solid gale. pic.twitter.com/ql2MWtoI3u [Record Solar!] Peter Hannam @p_hannam 11 Dec 2020 03:17Z (New from me): NSW heads national renewables poll as solar marks another record year smh.com.au/environment/cl... #climate #auspol #nswpol #springst Peter Gleick º¸ @PeterGleick 11 Dec 2020 04:18Z Wow. This man was a hospital corpsman in the U.S. Marines during the Iraq War, then the chief resident of emergency medicine at the New York-Presbyterian Hospital at the start of the pandemic. Fired for telling the truth in Arizona. twitter.com/DrEricDing/sta... Dena Grayson, MD, PhD @DrDenaGrayson 11 Dec 2020 03:19Z ¨¨ Dr. @Cleavon_MD Gilman--a talented emergency-medicine physician--was FIRED by Yuma Regional Medical Center for his social media posts alerting people about the deadly severity of the #coronavirus pandemic in #Arizona. THIS IS SO WRONG.¬ azcentral.com/story/news/loc... Bloomberg Green @climate 11 Dec 2020 05:20Z Chinese electric-car maker Nio joins the rush for fundraising among new-energy vehicle manufacturers, capitalizing on a 11-fold increase in its share price this year trib.al/uXay1FM The Vancouver Sun @VancouverSun 11 Dec 2020 06:15Z Trudeau to unveil new green measures aimed at meeting goal of net-zero emissions by 2050 vancouversun.com/news/politics/... Al Jazeera Weather @AJEWeather 11 Dec 2020 07:11Z Tropical cyclone forms to the northeast of Fiji [Sand Storm!] Al Jazeera Weather @AJEWeather 11 Dec 2020 07:11Z Sand storm and torrential rain hits the Greek capital, Athens causing widespread disruption What caused the ice ages? Tiny ocean fossils offer key evidence Phys.org, 10 Dec 2020 19:35Z The last million years of Earth history have been characterized by frequent "glacial-interglacial cycles," large swings in climate that are linked to the growing and ... House Oversight Committee Chair: Testimony Points To Political Interference At CDC NPR, 11 Dec 2020 0:32Z A new kerfuffle is unfolding in a House oversight committee with the Democratic chair accusing White House appointees of political meddling and attempting to ... Biden and Harris Are Time's Persons of the Year for 2020 The New York Times, 11 Dec 2020 05:32Z Time magazine on Thursday named President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr. and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris as its persons of the year, citing the weight of ... '2018 was our last crop': Australia likely to run out of locally grown rice next month ABC/7.30, 11 Dec 2020 03:11Z Rice farmers blame the drought and low allocations of irrigation water for a record low rice harvest in 2020. Panic-buying has also contributed to the shortage. New lost crop register reveals million-dollar figure the worker shortage is costing Aussie farmers ABC Rural, 11 Dec 2020 03:10Z More than $22 million of wasted fruit and vegetables is reported by 30 farmers as the farm labour shortage starts to bite hard. Wisconsin nears 4,000 COVID-19 deaths; death rate up for 3rd day WBAY, 10 Dec 2020 21:50Z The death rate is up for a third straight day and the number of new coronavirus cases was above average. Fauci says daughter `saddened greatly' by death of boyfriend's brother, 32, from virus Yahoo! Voices, 10 Dec 2020 16:43Z Dr. Anthony Fauci, who has been one of America's most trusted medical leaders during the coronavirus pandemic, recently confirmed that the virus has impacted ... Honeybees found using tools, in a first-to repel giant hornet attacks National Geographic, 09 Dec 2020 In Vietnam, Asian honeybees use feces to ward off the cousins of "murder hornets." The finding could help protect bees in other countries with invasive wasps. UFO Expert Can't Think of a 'Rational Explanation' to UK Cop's ... News18, 09 Dec 2020 A video footage shot along the A59 between Skipton and Bolton Abbey in England's North Yorkshire has captured what is believed to be an unidentified flying ... Former Israeli space security chief says extraterrestrials exist ... NBC News, 09 Dec 2020 A former Israeli space security chief has sent eyebrows shooting heavenward by saying that earthlings have been in contact with extraterrestrials. Chinese citizen journalist detained for reporting on Wuhan coronavirus outbreak "may not survive" CBS News, 10 Dec 2020 20:40Z A Chinese citizen journalist who has been in government detention for nearly seven months after reporting on the coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan is now on ... EU leaders finally approve coronavirus stimulus package after Hungary and Poland lift their veto CNBC, 10 Dec 2020 20:40Z The latest European impasse over a much-needed stimulus package has finally been overcome, meaning cash-strapped countries will soon get access to a ... Arizona Republican Party asks followers if they're willing to die to overturn election results CBS News, 10 Dec 2020 19:39Z "Live a life of service to a cause greater than yourself," the official account of the Arizona GOP also told its supporters. N.H. House Speaker Dick Hinch died from COVID-19, medical examiner finds Boston.com, 10 Dec 2020 16:38Z The speaker of the New Hampshire House of Representatives died of COVID-19, a medical examiner ruled Thursday a day after the Republican's unexpected ... Josh Morgerman @iCyclone 10 Dec 2020 11:53Z It's now #cyclone season Down Under. #Australia's BoM hasn't classified this system, but JTWC is calling it Tropical Cyclone 3. It's racing SE & will come ashore in the Pilbara--near Port Hedland--sometime tomorrow afternoon, bringing rough weather. pic.twitter.com/eLHidKH9g3 Glen Peters @Peters_Glen 10 Dec 2020 12:56Z The @EIAgov expects US CO_2 emissions to fall 11% in 2020: * 19% down for coal, * 13% down for petroleum, * 2% down for natural gas eia.gov/todayinenergy/... pic.twitter.com/z5ras4cm0i Assaad Razzouk @AssaadRazzouk 10 Dec 2020 13:50Z This is the kind of data that makes one just want to get rid of all banks and move to FinTech and bitcoin instead: "Since the start of 2016, banks extended $1.6 trillion to fossil-fuel companies developing oil, gas and coal projects" bloomberg.com/news/articles/... #climate #scandal The Debrief @Debriefmedia 10 Dec 2020 13:50Z Could invisibility cloaks really become a thing? Using "skin" that can mimic either thermal characteristics or visible colors of any given environment, researchers say it may be possible to "disappear." #invesibilitycloak #nextgentechnology buff.ly/3qJiQgh [Flooding in Iceland. In winter!] severe-weather.EU @severeweatherEU 10 Dec 2020 14:57Z Around 500 mm of rain could accumulate across southeast Iceland by Monday, leading to dangerous flooding. As well as nearly 4-5 meters of snow possible over the Vatnajokull and the Mýrdalsjökull ice caps! severe-weather.eu/mcd/iceland-ex... Isaac Bogoch @BogochIsaac 10 Dec 2020 14:50Z The Pfizer/BioNTech #COVID19 vaccine data is now peer reviewed & published: bit.ly/3406k2a The graph demonstrating some protection against infection ~10 days after the 1st of 2 doses is pretty stunning... ...this will be incredibly helpful during rollout programs. pic.twitter.com/yD1JnyYTHY John Branch @JohnBranchNYT 10 Dec 2020 14:52Z California's epic fires did more than burn 4 million acres. They took devastating aim at the state's defining trees - redwoods, sequoias, Joshua trees, already in short supply. Privileged to tell this story, with dazzling visuals from our NYT wizards. 1/ nytimes.com/interactive/20... [Warm Spring:] Climate Signals @ClimateSignals 10 Dec 2020 14:52Z Australia's hottest spring on record, which saw temperatures more than 2C above average, would have been "virtually impossible" without human-caused climate change, new analysis has found. bit.ly/372okeh Australia's record spring heat one-in-500,000 without climate change: analysis Graham Readfearn, The Guardian Bloomberg Green @climate 10 Dec 2020 16:58Z Amazon says it is now the largest corporate buyer of renewable energy trib.al/TQLUkCs Michael E. Mann @MichaelEMann 10 Dec 2020 16:54Z Great article by @TinaGerhardtEJ for @Sierra_Magazine on the record Atlantic hurricane season we just witnessed, and the role that is being played by climate change. twitter.com/MichaelEMann/s... Climate Signals @ClimateSignals 10 Dec 2020 16:52Z The latest outlook from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration suggests that California's persistent drought-like conditions could last through the winter and into spring, possibly fueling another grueling fire season in 2021. bit.ly/37Pmvkb [CME:] NOAA Space Weather @NWSSWPC 10 Dec 2020 17:55Z The 7 Dec CME arrived in line with the forecast A shock was observed at DSCOVR at 10/0132 UTC (09 Dec, 8:32pm ET). The magnetic strength was less than the peak potential that could have initiated a G3 storm. Therefore, SWPC downgraded to G1 (Minor) storm Watches for 10-11 Dec. pic.twitter.com/JBiPMaxRfv The Debrief @Debriefmedia 10 Dec 2020 16:50Z Earth is currently being hit by a coronal mass ejection from the Sun, causing the colorful #NorthernLights that some skywatchers may have seen last night. We spoke with a space weather expert about CMEs, and what they mean for the future: thedebrief.org/northern-light... #AuroraBorealis Weather Underground @wunderground 10 Dec 2020 19:58Z All of these Midwestern cities are seeing below average snow totals this season...and they all are forecast to see snow this weekend Will it be enough snow to get back to average? We'll give you the forecast on #WUTV tonight! * pic.twitter.com/7fUb51V2L8 Michael E. Mann @MichaelEMann 10 Dec 2020 19:54Z "The stormy, fiery year when climate disasters wouldn't stop" by Seth Borenstein (aka @BorenBears) for the @AP: thetelegraph.com/news/article/T... KenCaldeira @KenCaldeira 10 Dec 2020 20:23Z Replying to @drdrewsteen @LianeGBenning @Kweisleitner Various engineering approaches are currently being applied to prevent ice melt in the Alps. Scaling these approaches to Antarctic scale would be a formidable challenge, to say the least. theguardian.com/environment/20... livescience.com/61951-swiss-gl... wired.com/story/alps-gia... Bloomberg Green @climate 10 Dec 2020 20:28Z So many people in Australia now have solar panels, the whole power grid has to be reimagined trib.al/HtlsGB1 The Debrief @Debriefmedia 10 Dec 2020 20:44Z A French military ethics committee has just approved development of "augmented soldiers" for the French army. thedebrief.org/france-latest-... Bloomberg Live @BloombergLive 10 Dec 2020 20:56Z "20 years ago we started the process of changing our business, into what today is a renewable energy powerhouse. Taking 80% of its cash flows from renewable energy and transmitting and distributing that renewable energy to market." @Iberdrola_En's Jonathan Cole #BloombergGreen pic.twitter.com/N7DyE6nYYx Lebanon's outgoing Prime Minister charged with negligence over Beirut port explosion ABC News, 10 Dec 2020 14:49Z Caretaker Prime Minister Hassan Diab and three former ministers are charged with carelessness and negligence in the lead-up to the explosion in Lebanon's capital that killed more than 200 people. Thai parents urged to write children out of wills as youth-led protest movement grows ABC News, 10 Dec 2020 19:48Z Thailand's youth revolution continues to grow despite threats of arrest and clashes with police. But one mother says parents can end the protest movement by threatening to take away their children's inheritance. UQ-CSL coronavirus vaccine trial to be abandoned ABC News, 10 Dec 2020 19:47Z The ABC understands trials of a COVID-19 vaccine by the University of Queensland in partnership with CSL will be abandoned. [Later reports confirm all but the stage 1 trials will be aborted after it was discovered the vaccine left antibodies that test as HIV. The researchers say it's a false reading and the patients have not developed HIV]. Concerns mink mass graves in Denmark may have contaminated groundwater ABC News, 10 Dec 2020 20:18Z Danish environmental authorities looking into whether decomposing mink buried in dirt pits following a nationwide cull may have contaminated groundwater and nearby protected nature areas. [It's Not Us!] Zeke Hausfather @hausfath 10 Dec 2020 0:52Z Replying to @subyroy Oxygen actually decreases as CO2 increases, because oxygen in the atmosphere bonds with carbon when fossil fuels are combusted. We see this clearly in our measurements: pic.twitter.com/QX6VjTnanW [Billions and Billions!] Assaad Razzouk @AssaadRazzouk 10 Dec 2020 04:49Z Quite the incredible chart. The best bit? With solar deployment continuing to scale-up, the "learning by doing" isn't stopping and the price of solar electricity is going to save consumers billions and billions of dollars - while contributing to fighting climate change pic.twitter.com/IwZ2tg0ILo [Emergency!] Al Jazeera Weather @AJEWeather 10 Dec 2020 06:48Z Indian capital New Delhi faces public health emergency as air pollution air worsens Bloomberg Green @climate 10 Dec 2020 07:56Z The WTO looks likely to come up empty-handed in its five-year quest to preserve the world's dwindling fish stocks trib.al/5foh0j6 Robert Rohde @RARohde 10 Dec 2020 10:21Z It is mind boggling that the US National Weather Service and associated platforms is considering bandwidth and connection limits due to a shortfall of only ~$2 million. This is critical life-saving infrastructure and should be maintained as such. washingtonpost.com/weather/2020/1... New York's $226 Billion Pension Fund Is Dropping Fossil Fuel Stocks The New York Times, 09 Dec 2020 23:13Z New York State's pension fund, one of the world's largest and most influential investors, will drop many of its fossil fuel stocks in the next five years and sell its ... [Record!] U.S. Hits Highest 1-Day Death Toll From Coronavirus With 3054 NPR, 10 Dec 2020 09:13Z The coronavirus pandemic pushed the U.S. past another dire milestone Wednesday, the highest daily death toll to date, even while the mortality rate has ... Michigan's House Investigated For COVID-19 Violations After Giuliani Visit NPR, 09 Dec 2020 16:33Z Following an employee complaint, Michigan's House of Representatives is being investigated over alleged coronavirus safety breaches, but state senators will ... White House renames Cape Canaveral, Patrick Air Force bases for Space Force Washington Times, 09 Dec 2020 20:38Z Vice President Mike Pence on Wednesday announced that the Trump administration is redesignating two military bases in Florida for the Space Force. California Towns Rebel Against Pandemic Restaurant Restrictions The New York Times, 09 Dec 2020 21:33Z Frustrated over an order to temporarily ban outdoor dining across Los Angeles County, many elected officials have fought back - with votes to form their own ... Debate on All-Electric New Buildings in California Is Coming to a Head Greentech Media News, 09 Dec 2020 19:32Z Clean energy groups, utilities and corporate giants are running out of time on the push for all-electric baselines to limit new natural gas build-out. Texas gets support from 17 states in bid to help Trump undo election loss Yahoo News, 09 Dec 2020 14:31Z Washington (Reuters). President Donald Trump on Wednesday asked the U.S. Supreme Court to let him join a long-shot lawsuit by Texas seeking to overturn ... [Revenge Phase:] Facebook Accused of Breaking Antitrust Laws The New York Times, 09 Dec 2020 21:40Z Washington. The Federal Trade Commission and more than 40 states accused Facebook on Wednesday of buying up its rivals to illegally squash ... Joe Biden's son Hunter Biden under federal investigation for tax case CNBC, 09 Dec 2020 22:24Z President-elect Joe Biden's son Hunter Biden revealed Wednesday that he is under investigation by the top federal prosecutor in Delaware for his taxes. [Cabin Fever!] Royal Caribbean's Singapore cruise to nowhere turns back ... Washington Post, 09 Dec 2020 09:25Z After the 83-year-old man reported to the ship's medical center with a stomach illness, he tested positive for the coronavirus using equipment on ... [First cruise in covid era]. Al Jazeera Weather @AJEWeather 09 Dec 2020 08:05Z Fire crews battle to tame Southern California wildfire aje.io/ysnhh Extinction Symbol @extinctsymbol 09 Dec 2020 10:12Z "K'gari (Fraser Island) has been burning for more than seven weeks and, so far, the fires have razed half of the World Heritage-listed island off the coast of Queensland." phys.org/news/2020-12-k... Al Jazeera Weather @AJEWeather 09 Dec 2020 11:05Z Deforestation razed eight percent of Amazon in 18 years: Study aje.io/mu7bb SCMP News @SCMPNews 09 Dec 2020 12:12Z UK says those with serious allergies shouldn't get Pfizer virus vaccine scmp.com/news/world/eur... [2 healthcare workers in day 1 of the UK's big vaccine rollout had allergic reactions. About 10K were inoculated during the day. In the 40K cases in the Pfizer trials there were no reactions. Showing that the vaccine trials didn't use representative samples and not to blinding accept how effective the company claims it will be]. [BREXIT:] Ed Hawkins @ed_hawkins 09 Dec 2020 13:08Z So, a large part of @ECMWF moves to Germany because it has "become necessary to move the associated activities to a location compatible with EU funding policies relevant to them". The rest of ECMWF will stay in Reading for now, & we still hope that @UniofReading will host the HQ. twitter.com/ECMWF/status/1... Carbon Brief @CarbonBrief 09 Dec 2020 13:06Z CCC: UK must cut emissions `78% by 2035' to be on course for net-zero goal | @Josh_Gabbatiss @AyeshaTandon @rtmcswee j.mp/3qFw7GF pic.twitter.com/1d72SzPxkp AccuWeather @breakingweather 09 Dec 2020 14:06Z If this developing system becomes a tropical cyclone, it will take the name Yasa: bit.ly/33VM3uI twitter.com/jnmet/status/1... [Latitude:] Neil Kaye @neilrkaye 09 Dec 2020 14:11Z Earth is warming but not the same everywhere. This #dataviz shows the warming from 1960 to 2020 at different latitudes. It shows that in 2016 the Arctic was already 3°C warmer than the 1961-1990 average, The last decade is more than 2°C warmer! #globalwarming #climatechange pic.twitter.com/3a96Jv90bJ [#4:] NOAA Satellites - Public Affairs @NOAASatellitePA 09 Dec 2020 14:08Z NOAA: The U.S. just saw its 4th-warmest November and 4th warmest year-to-date in 126 years. Last month also wrapped up a historic Atlantic hurricane season. Read @NOAA's U.S. November #climate report here: bit.ly/39TOotS #StateofClimate pic.twitter.com/nQXKD8m29Q [After Dark:] Bloomberg Green @climate 09 Dec 2020 15:12Z A solar farm will help keep the lights on after sundown in Dubai with the aid of a Stirling engine trib.al/aBP4hf8 Marshall Shepherd @DrShepherd2013 09 Dec 2020 16:08Z Written by a friend whose daughter is a friend and volleyball mate of my daughter. She recently lost her Father to Covid. I often wondered how people like her felt when they hear skeptics and naysayers about the pandemic. Here is an answer.. pic.twitter.com/3Ra2o4DTDv pic.twitter.com/XDTymrZ1W9 Ryan Abernathey @rabernat 09 Dec 2020 16:07Z These new workflows for interacting with massive data archives without explicitly "downloading" data have the potential to really transform how we do science. twitter.com/pangeo_data/st... Bloomberg Green @climate 09 Dec 2020 17:25Z Annual review of the Arctic climate shows progress for whales--but that's about it for the good news trib.al/OmWtCF1 [Surge!] Germany's Angela Merkel calls for tougher coronavirus restrictions DW, 09 Dec 2020 12:07Z In a passionate speech to parliament Chancellor Merkel called for a lockdown to ... Christmas and New Year's holidays and that she agreed with recommendations to ... German scientific advisory body calls for 'hard lockdown'. [Surge!] Turkey enters weekend lockdown as Europe grapples with virus WION, 05 Dec 2020 Watch: Turkey recorded 32,736 new COVID-19 cases as the virus continues to surge in the country. The death ... [Turkey has recently changed what covid data it releases. Up to now it was believed Turkey was not greatly affected by the disease. But with the release of the new numbers it's now obvious it is one of the worst-affected countries in the world. See the up-tick at ]. Venice flooded as new $8 billion dam system fails to activate CBS News, 09 Dec 2020 09:33Z Venice. Venice's St. Mark's Square was under water on Tuesday after a newly installed system of mobile artificial dams failed to activate. Residents - long ... Venice floods as forecasts fail to predict extent of high tide The Guardian, 08 Dec 2020 19:11Z Flood barriers were not activated after forecasts predicted high tide of only 1.2 metres. Alabama and Louisiana AGs Want to Join Texas Election Lawsuit Against Battleground States Newsweek, 09 Dec 2020 05:26Z The attorneys general of Alabama and Louisiana have expressed interest in possibly joining a lawsuit filed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to have the ... Peter Gleick º¸ @PeterGleick 09 Dec 2020 07:10Z @BRGexpert Charles Cicchetti has been quoted in the Texas suit seeking to overturn the national election. His numbers are wrong, using an inappropriate statistical analysis. Either he's made a huge mistake or his analysis is being misquoted. It would help if he'd clarify. 27 GOP reps ask for special counsel to investigate election irregularities The Hill, 09 Dec 2020 13:32Z Twenty-seven GOP representatives are urging President Trump to direct Attorney General William Barr to appoint a special counsel to investigate election ... Ex-Alabama senator's last words before COVID-19 death: 'We messed up' New York Post, 08 Dec 2020 A former longtime Alabama senator had a chilling final message before he died of COVID-19 last week: "We messed up." Coronavirus updates: Allergic reactions to Pfizer vaccine in UK prompt warning; Los Angeles restaurants win court battle USA TODAY, 09 Dec 2020 14:46Z Two people had allergic reactions to the Pfizer vaccine in the UK. LA restaurants win a court battle. Latest COVID-19 news. People with a history of 'significant' allergic reactions shouldn't have Pfizer vaccine, UK regulator warns CNBC, 09 Dec 2020 14:30Z People who have a history of "significant" allergic reactions should not receive the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine, the U.K. drug regulator said. Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani receiving same Covid drugs as president BBC News, 09 Dec 2020 13:27Z President Donald Trump's personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, has revealed in a call to his own radio show that he is being treated for coronavirus with the same ... Google workers reject company's account of AI researcher's exit as anger grows The Guardian, 08 Dec 2020 The Debrief @Debriefmedia 09 Dec 2020 14:30Z "Under the surface of this firing are long-standing and intensifying questions about the ethical implications of artificial intelligence that have yet to fully translate to the wider public." @timnitGebru #ArtificialIntelligence #Google thedebrief.org/the-question-t... Bushfire victims are hiring professional grant writers to apply for relief funds ABC/PM, 09 Dec 2020 05:49Z Communities affected by last summer's bushfires have had support from professional grant application writers to apply for relief funds and they will be competing with their own local councils for the same bucket of funding. Rio Tinto should pay compensation for Juukan Gorge caves blast, inquiry recommends ABC News, 09 Dec 2020 07:21Z Traditional owners should be paid restitution by Rio Tinto for the destruction of the sacred Juukan rock shelters, a parliamentary inquiry finds. Indonesian elections mean its 'very likely' new coronavirus clusters will emerge ABC News, 09 Dec 2020 07:24Z Indonesians have headed to the polls to vote in regional elections as health experts warn of the risk of new coronavirus clusters emerging across the country. What we know about the mystery illness in India: Over 500 sick, 1 dead after nickel and lead found in patients' blood USA TODAY, 08 Dec 2020 19:43Z An illness that first appeared Saturday has sickened around 500 people in India. Doctors said traces of nickel and lead may be the common factor. Lead found in blood samples after hundreds of Indian children hospitalised with mystery illness ABC News, 09 Dec 2020 04:51Z More than 400 people, at least 300 of them children, in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh come down with a mystery illness that induces fainting, headaches and vomiting. [NOAA To Announce Data Restrictions:] Ryan Maue @RyanMaue 08 Dec 2020 14:25Z Important for users of all NOAA data -- connection and download restrictions on the docket 'Today at 2pm ET there is a town hall talking about the changes to our website access policies presented in this PNS:' weather.gov/media/notifica... Al Jazeera Weather @AJEWeather 08 Dec 2020 16:18Z Tropical Cyclone Bongoyo generates 4 metre waves and heads for Mauritius [Miami Flooding:] Climate Central @ClimateCentral 08 Dec 2020 16:19Z "New research shows that Miami's affordable housing -- already in short supply -- is at risk of flooding from sea level rise in the coming decades." miamiherald.com/news/local/env... #ClimateCentral AccuWeatherAstronomy @AccuAstronomy 08 Dec 2020 17:19Z Over 100 meteors/hour may be visible on Sunday night as the Geminids reaches its peak. Viewing tips & the latest cloud forecast: bit.ly/37GuIqM pic.twitter.com/99viTNGpMM [Fast Charge!] Bloomberg Green @climate 08 Dec 2020 17:26Z A startup backed by VW says new data show its batteries can be charged to 80% of full power in 15 minutes, almost twice as fast as a Tesla Model 3 trib.al/ZfUvBCp [Report Card!] Zack Labe @ZLabe 08 Dec 2020 16:26Z The annual @NOAA Arctic Report Card is available today for 2020. It discusses recent changes in the Arctic, extreme events, and broad implications for the Earth system. + Report: arctic.noaa.gov/Report-Card/Re... + Video: youtu.be/TcfQiKUkgBY + Highlights: arctic.noaa.gov/Report-Card pic.twitter.com/98Rnxsn8bO Jesse Pesta @JessePesta 08 Dec 2020 17:20Z A devastating report on Arctic warming out today. By @henryfountain nytimes.com/2020/12/08/cli... Brian Kahn @blkahn 08 Dec 2020 17:21Z Some phrases scientists used to describe what they witnessed in the Arctic this year: -"Scarcely imaginable even a generation ago" -"Unanticipated" -"Sustained transformation" -"The Arctic has achieved a `new normal'" earther.gizmodo.com/the-old-arctic... [Peatlands:] Assaad Razzouk @AssaadRazzouk 08 Dec 2020 18:19Z Peatlands contain more carbon than forests, yet are excluded from main Earth System Models used for climate change projections Except they're expected to shift from a sink to a source and release 100bn tons of carbon, twice what we now emit each year nature.com/articles/s4155... pic.twitter.com/oIR0DbMBMZ [Link!] Eric Holthaus @EricHolthaus 08 Dec 2020 18:21Z "The thing that's made me excited about the possibility of working with the Biden-Harris team is that they've made it clear that the environment and economy are centrally linked." - @marynicholsCA Biden planning a whole-of-government approach to climate: thephoenix.substack.com/p/a-chat-with-... [Replay!] ClimaCell @climacell 08 Dec 2020 18:19Z Now that #HurricaneSeason is officially over, let's take a look back at the most active season EVER recorded with an updated visualization of every storm by path and intensity. #HurricaneSeason2020 #weatherdata pic.twitter.com/hJeorKuq2Q Bloomberg Green @climate 08 Dec 2020 19:26Z Jeff Bezos has announced the first grant recipients from his $10 billion fund to combat climate change trib.al/38dnNwy [Extreme Snow!] severe-weather.EU @severeweatherEU 08 Dec 2020 19:25Z Exceptional view of the EXTREME snow in Sappada, NE Italy today, Dec 8th. Thanks to Samuele for the report - posted with permission. pic.twitter.com/3GRb90OGbm NOAA Space Weather @NWSSWPC 08 Dec 2020 19:24Z Geomagnetic Storm Watches in effect Dec 9 - 11, 2020, due to anticipated CME effects. The CME occurred on December 7th, and was associated with a C7 flare from Region 2790. For the full story visit swpc.noaa.gov/news/geomagnet... @NWS pic.twitter.com/EKOKtiyz3e [A-68: Approaching Impact!] NOAA Satellites @NOAASatellites 08 Dec 2020 19:23Z This white blob and #ImageOfTheDay shows the largest #iceberg in the world, called A-68A. #GOESEast captured this #TimelapseTuesday loop of the massive ice block near the island of South Georgia in the southern Atlantic from Nov. 17-Dec. 7. Read more: go.usa.gov/x7h9c pic.twitter.com/jorqks2lLO [Low Bandwidth!] Jack Sillin @JackSillin 08 Dec 2020 19:21Z Absolutely cannot believe NCEP has just *run out of bandwidth* to disseminate model data. This is the underpinning of a substantial part of the weather enterprise. Absolutely need to prioritize it pic.twitter.com/ZIt2IpmYqf [Vaccine Summit Turns to Trump Rant Session:] Grace Panetta @grace_panetta 08 Dec 2020 19:20Z This White House vaccine summit has gone way off the rails, with Trump ranting about his election loss, continuing to claim that he's won, saying he hopes SCOTUS steps in, and regurgitating debunked conspiracy theories about "machines" and "ballots being taken away" [Insert Sound Of Birds Twittering Here:] Aaron Rupar @atrupar 08 Dec 2020 19:20Z Replying to @atrupar Trump calls for judges and Republican legislators to have the "courage" to help him overthrow the election, then says, "I'll tell you what, life will be much easier for this country." He then exits the White House event to cheers. pic.twitter.com/tb7QiskANf [Plant Food!] Gavin Schmidt @ClimateOfGavin 08 Dec 2020 19:20Z Replying to @Jeremy_Morton_ @justinrfield So it looks like Australian rice is significantly more expensive than rice from India/Pakistan. As water prices rise, it's going to get more expensive & is rightly being priced out of the market. That isn't to say that the M-D water basin is well-managed... google.com/amp/s/amp.theg... [0C USA:] Eric Holthaus @EricHolthaus 08 Dec 2020 21:21Z By 2030, EPA frontrunner @MaryNicholsCA envisions a rapid decarbonization of the US economy. By 2030, says Nichols, "almost the entire energy system, both our electricity and our transportation systems, be zero carbon" nationwide. thephoenix.substack.com/p/a-chat-with-... ±In" n" G(TM) ¿¬± ¨¦ @ScienceNotDogma 08 Dec 2020 21:21Z "Why do respected, published and admired scientists endure trolling and attacks from faceless personas behind keyboards? According to McAlpine's Law, #pseudoscience will always try to fill vacuums in scientific knowledge." A great read by @DrShepherd2013: forbes.com/sites/marshall... Kees van der Leun @Sustainable2050 08 Dec 2020 21:20Z Replying to @Sustainable2050 Climate damage is largely irreversible! I think we still don't really get that. [Out Of Control!] Climate Signals @ClimateSignals 08 Dec 2020 21:20Z This year is a reminder of every single aspect of Arctic change. Sea ice hit its second-lowest level, temperatures were second-highest ever recorded, with areas persistently 7.2 - 10.8°F above normal, and wildfires were unprecedented and out of control. bit.ly/3mTrDdk [Solid!] Assaad Razzouk @AssaadRazzouk 08 Dec 2020 22:19Z Progress coming hard and fast in #cleanenergy storage: Solid-state battery technology "major breakthrough" says #Tesla co-founder JB Straubel -Charging: 0 to 80% in 15 minutes -Battery degrades after 240,000 miles -50% boost in volumetric energy density electrek.co/2020/12/08/tes... [Spinner!] Reed Timmer @ReedTimmerAccu 08 Dec 2020 22:24Z Spinner down in Australia is showing up beautifully on RO radar imagery. You can follow the Oz severe weather season using the RO app! twitter.com/radaromega_wx/... National Hurricane Center @NWSNHC 08 Dec 2020 22:35Z The accumulation of all tropical storm & hurricane wind watches & warnings issued for the U.S. mainland, PR & USVI during the 2020 hurricane season show only a few counties in the Fla. panhandle south of Tallahassee escaped. @NWS @NOAA @NHC_Atlantic pic.twitter.com/KK5wFOQ3YW Bloomberg Green @climate 08 Dec 2020 23:10Z A company has agreed to recycle GE wind-turbine blades into a raw material that can be used to make cement trib.al/Umzbo38 [Unready!] Devastated by Covid, Latin America Is Now Unprepared for Vaccine Bloomberg, 08 Dec 2020 17:14Z Concern over graft, distribution and storage of vaccines is looming large and it will probably take longer than the coming year for immunity. COVID-19 surpasses accidents as 3rd leading cause of death in Wisconsin WBAY, 08 Dec 2020 21:50Z Madison, Wis (WBAY). At the same time the United States reached a record 2, 200 COVID-19 deaths in a day, the disease passed everything but heart ... FireEye, a Top Cybersecurity Firm, Says It Was Hacked by a Nation-State The New York Times, 08 Dec 2020 22:02Z Washington. For years, the cybersecurity firm FireEye has been the first call for government agencies and companies around the world who have been ... UK, EU leaders to meet Wednesday amid Brexit no-deal signals The Associated Press, 08 Dec 2020 19:10Z London (AP). The leaders of Britain and the European Union will meet in the next 24 hours for a final push at a Brexit deal, as the two sides warned that the ... Arctic's Shift to a Warmer Climate Is 'Well Underway, Scientists Warn The New York Times, 08 Dec 2020 21:47Z The Arctic continued its unwavering shift toward a new climate in 2020, as the effects of near-record warming surged across the region, shrinking ice and snow ... `I literally don't know': Operation Warp Speed scientist can't explain Trump's vaccine order POLITICO, 08 Dec 2020 15:08Z The chief scientist of the Trump administration's Operation Warp Speed was unable to explain President Donald Trump's latest executive order Tuesday, which ... [Bad Losers:] Texas sues four battleground states in Supreme Court over 'unlawful election results' in 2020 presidential race CNBC, 08 Dec 2020 21:27Z Texas Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton on Tuesday filed a lawsuit in the U.S. Supreme Court to invalidate presidential election results in Pennsylvania, ... Trip Gabriel @tripgabriel 08 Dec 2020 22:20Z BREAKING The Supreme Court rejected a Republican request to overturn election results in Pennsylvania that had already been certified and submitted. Republican leaders reportedly block Inaugural Committee vote to acknowledge Biden's win Yahoo News, 08 Dec 2020 19:07Z The presidential inaugural committee is reportedly refusing to acknowledge there will be a new president inaugurated next month.The Joint Congressional ... Trump Asked Pennsylvania House Speaker About Overturning His Loss The New York Times, 08 Dec 2020 15:10Z Intensifying his efforts to undo his loss to Joseph R. Biden Jr., President Trump twice called the Republican speaker of the Pennsylvania House of ... [Jetstream!] Judah Cohen @judah47 08 Dec 2020 0:56Z This week's blog is all #PolarVortex (PV) all the time. Latest CFS predicts classic PV disruption for January. i give my thoughts for different scenarios and the implications for #winter weather for the US, Europe, East Asia from weeks to months: bit.ly/33RRz1C pic.twitter.com/A0PPk31CvO [Leaky!] Assaad Razzouk @AssaadRazzouk 08 Dec 2020 06:55Z Abandoned oil and gas wells are on verge of exploding: 2.1 million already, most unsealed, leaking oil, gas, or briny water into groundwater and soil and leaking tons of methane No one knows the scale of environmental destruction, or is paying for it motherjones.com/environment/20... [Tornado hits Italy:] severe-weather.EU @severeweatherEU 08 Dec 2020 07:01Z *rare* A winter supercell storm rolled across the North Adriatic Sea and produced a historic tornado that hit the Port of #Trieste city, Italy on the evening of Dec 7th. Large hail and damaging winds blasted across the Slovenian coast and Trieste city: severe-weather.eu/global-weather... Reed Timmer @ReedTimmerAccu 08 Dec 2020 14:24Z INSANE landfalling tornado / supercell spoot, possible tornado of the year intercepted by Marko in Trieste, Italy! WOW @RadarOmega_WX twitter.com/MarkoKorosecNe... Carbon Brief @CarbonBrief 08 Dec 2020 09:49Z Replying to @Independent There is continuing coverage of the latest analysis from the EU climate monitoring service Copernicus, with the @Independent reporting that November 2020 was the warmest November since records began. snip.ly/4vghpi Ken Rice @theresphysics 08 Dec 2020 10:0Z Emissions cuts in line with Paris Agreement would see benefits `within two decades' carbonbrief.org/emissions-cuts... Two children test positive to coronavirus in NT's Howard Springs facility ABC News, 08 Dec 2020 04:54Z An eight-year-old girl and a 10-year-old boy test positive for coronavirus in quarantine in the Northern Territory after returning on a Commonwealth repatriation flight from India. Last lap of the paddock: Third-generation farmer sells up as top harvest makes 'perfect exit' ABC Riverina, 08 Dec 2020 04:53Z After 42 years, Neil Schirmer makes the tough decision to sell his family's farm in the NSW Riverina, saying the timing is perfect with this year's harvest "the best ever by a country mile". Australia wants to force Google and Facebook to pay for news. So, how will it work? ABC News, 08 Dec 2020 04:52Z New laws forcing tech giants Google and Facebook to pay news organisations for access to their journalism will be introduced to Parliament on Wednesday, in what the Treasurer's describing as a "world first". AI-guided shark detection drones are the next step in beach safety ABC Coffs Coast, 08 Dec 2020 05:51Z Researchers say the day is nearing that autonomous drones, which don't require a line-of-sight operator, will be able to offer shark detection along the coastline. Coal mine expansion above Sydney's water catchment gets green light despite concerns ABC Illawarra, 08 Dec 2020 08:15Z The Independent Planning Commission approves the Russell Vale coal mine expansion above Sydney's water catchment despite concern about the miner's $1 billion in debts. Over 1M Absentee Ballots Requested So Far for Georgia Senate Runoffs, 75% of State's November Election Total Newsweek, 07 Dec 2020 23:39Z More than 1 million absentee ballots have already been requested for Georgia's Senate runoffs next month, which is 75 percent of the total absentee ballots ... Critically endangered North Atlantic right whale population gets a boost: 2 newborns spotted off US coast USA TODAY, 08 Dec 2020 03:38Z Two North Atlantic right whale newborns have been spotted in the last week at the start of calving season, providing hope for an endangered species. Brazil's president rejects COVID-19 vaccine, undermining a century of progress toward universal inoculation Yahoo News, 07 Dec 2020 13:22Z The world is eagerly awaiting the release of several COVID-19 vaccines, but Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro is not. "I'm not going to take it. It's my right," he ... Quantum device performs 2.6 billion years of computation in 4 minutes Ars Technica, 07 Dec 2020 20:41Z Photons explore quantum maze faster than possible for any classical computer. [Planning! Ahead!] Trump administration officials passed when Pfizer offered months ago to sell the U.S. more vaccine doses. The New York Times, 08 Dec 2020 04:19Z Before Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine was proved highly successful in clinical trials last month, the company offered the Trump administration the chance to lock in ... Trump to sign 'America First' executive order on Covid-19 vaccines Tuesday CNBC, 07 Dec 2020 23:20Z Trump is expected to sign an executive order designed to promote his "America First" foreign policy with regard to Covid-19 vaccinations. Chuck Yeager, the Legendary Pilot Who Broke the Sound Barrier, Dies at 97 The Daily Beast, 08 Dec 2020 04:16Z From bombing raids to becoming the first pilot to break the sound barrier to serving in Vietnam, Yeager's life was the stuff of legend and Hollywood. He died ... [World Soil Day!] Copernicus EU @CopernicusEU Dec 5 Today is #WorldSoilDay! Did you know that @CopernicusLand monitor soil moisture, considered an essential #climate variable by @gcos_un through their Soil Moisture Index? Read more and access the portal here bit.ly/2JwFE20 pic.twitter.com/FsqrDmynMi [Record November!] Andrew Freedman @afreedma 07 Dec 2020 14:36Z YIKES: Earth just notched its warmest Nov. on record, by far. Unless global temps drop significantly in Dec. (relative to avg.), 2020 is likely to tie or beat 2016 for the warmest year - @CopernicusECMWF. Remarkable given the La Nina in the Pacific. washingtonpost.com/weather/2020/1... pic.twitter.com/ujK6GFAOQF [Chief Scientist:] Ryan Maue @RyanMaue 07 Dec 2020 14:42Z Global temperature averaged 57°F during November 2020 = 1.4°F above the 1981-2010 baseline. Data from @CopernicusEU as part of ERA5 reanalysis. pic.twitter.com/guIsckRx4S [Tough Year But Same Ol:] Akshat Rathi @AkshatRathi 07 Dec 2020 15:43Z Like many other oil companies, Exxon's had a tough year. Given a choice between two projects, guess which one got the go ahead? LaBarge carbon capture: $260 million, emissions |v Guyana oil and gas extraction: $9 billion, emissions ^| bloomberg.com/news/features/... [Dire!] Victor Venema @VariabilityBlog 07 Dec 2020 16:42Z Replying to @Protons4B The situation in America looks really dire & no improvement or even stabilization in sight. National Weather Service @NWS 07 Dec 2020 16:41Z It's live now! Check out the US National Ice Center's new website at usicecenter.gov. twitter.com/usnatice/statu... Bloomberg Opinion @bopinion 07 Dec 2020 17:43Z To get Exxon to change, an activist is using its own language against it trib.al/VS4Tvrv [Warm November:] Zeke Hausfather @hausfath 07 Dec 2020 17:42Z Good piece on the record November warmth by @SkepticalRanger over at @MashableNews: mashable.com/article/novemb... Climate Signals @ClimateSignals 07 Dec 2020 18:37Z In 2014, the IUCN identified climate change as the most significant potential threat, and it 2017, it became the fastest-growing threat. In 2020, climate change remains the "most prevalent current threat." abcn.ws/39PJVIF Assaad Razzouk @AssaadRazzouk 07 Dec 2020 19:36Z Insurance companies are doing a terrible job in fight against #climate change. Top 10 Worst: 10 Tokio Marine (Japan) 9 MS&AD (Japan) 8 Sompo (Japan) 7 W.R. Berkley (US) 6 Lloyds (UK) 5 TIAA (US) 4 AIG (US) 3 Berkshire Hathaway (US) 2 Sinosure (China) 1 and worst: Travelers (US) pic.twitter.com/B5CQ0apuaA [Alternative Unibers!] Robert Rohde @RARohde 07 Dec 2020 19:41Z Replying to @Robin_Hagues @curryja Honestly, if you can look at the global temperature time series, the decline in sea ice, the record wildfires, the mass coral bleaching events, and everything else, and somehow claim that climate science hasn't predicted any of it, then arguing with you would be a waste of time. [Rake!] Dr. Samantha Montano @SamLMontano 07 Dec 2020 19:38Z Sorry to bring this up the whole "rake the forests" thing again but I am absolutely dying at this update on this WaPo story washingtonpost.com/world/2018/11/... pic.twitter.com/IYETMjufIQ [Bye Bye David Legates!] Marshall Shepherd @DrShepherd2013 07 Dec 2020 19:38Z "the @washingtonpost named several potential new heads for NOAA -- among them Marshall Shepherd, director of the atmospheric sciences program at the University of Georgia. Shepherd is a past president of the American Meteorological Society," via @ajc @politicalinsidr @bluestein twitter.com/politicalinsid... [CCS Sounds Cheap!] Bloomberg Green @climate 07 Dec 2020 20:43Z Australian and Japanese companies are studying plans to capture carbon dioxide from industrial emitters in Asia and store it under the ocean floor off the coast of Australia trib.al/xL9vGpt Bloomberg Green @climate 07 Dec 2020 20:43Z Southern California residents are starting off the week in the dark as near-hurricane-force winds forced the local utility to cut off power to some areas to avoid sparking wildfires trib.al/0cvFsm1 [UV Flare!] NOAA Satellites @NOAASatellites 07 Dec 2020 20:41Z #DYK that @NOAA's #GOESEast monitors the Sun as well as the #Earth? Today, the satellite's Solar Ultraviolet Imager (#SUVI) instrument caught a small solar flare that was directed towards Earth. pic.twitter.com/yQxfNoe9Ps [Jet Stream!] Michael E. Mann @MichaelEMann 07 Dec 2020 20:40Z "`Godzilla' dust storm traced to shaky northern jet stream" by @WarrenCornwall for @ScienceMagazine: sciencemag.org/news/2020/12/g... Climate Signals @ClimateSignals 07 Dec 2020 20:37Z Remember the Australian bushfires that killed or displaced 3 billion animals? That was January of this year. It seems like a lifetime ago, because 2020 was a year of nearly-constant, frightening examples of life with climate change. bit.ly/2VPhD99 via @CoveringClimate [RAID!] Aaron Rupar @atrupar 08 Dec 2020 0:37Z "State police brandishing firearms raided the home of Rebekah Jones, the former Department of Health data scientist who built the state's much-praised COVID-19 dashboard before being fired over what she said was refusing to `manipulate data.'" tallahassee.com/story/news/202... KenCaldeira @KenCaldeira 10 Dec 2020 04:52Z "It just seems like it's not really about any kind of criminal investigation," Filipkowski told The Washington Post. "It's about intimidation of her and sending a message to people currently working in state government ... " @GeoRebekah washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/12... COVID whistleblower could get 5 years in prison if charged South Florida Sun Sentinel, 09 Dec 2020 0:29Z Rebekah Jones could face up to five years in jail if charged with breaking the law that state investigators used as a pretext to raid her house this Monday. Rebekah Jones @GeoRebekah 07 Dec 2020 21:42Z 1/ There will be no update today. At 8:30 am this morning, state police came into my house and took all my hardware and tech. They were serving a warrant on my computer after DOH filed a complaint. They pointed a gun in my face. They pointed guns at my kids.. pic.twitter.com/DE2QfOmtPU severe-weather.EU @severeweatherEU 07 Dec 2020 21:42Z The Centa torrent, Italy on Sunday, Dec 6th during high river level after the 3-day perturbation with 235 mm of rainfall (historical record in 72 hours for December), also snow melting up to 2000 mt. Thanks to Giacomo Poletti for the report - posted with permission. pic.twitter.com/uPstP3JjjX Marshall Shepherd @DrShepherd2013 07 Dec 2020 21:38Z Oh look, President-elect Biden has won my state yet again.... twitter.com/CNN/status/133... AccuWeather @breakingweather 07 Dec 2020 23:36Z Two tropical threats that are taking shape in the waters off northwestern Australia can bring heavy rain and wind to Western Australia through the weekend: bit.ly/3lUNQpW [Performance Index:] Assaad Razzouk @AssaadRazzouk 07 Dec 2020 23:36Z Very Poorly Fighting Climate Change: Top 10 Countries on @Germanwatch Climate Change Performance Index 1 Nobody 2 Nobody 3 Nobody 4 Sweden 5 UK 6 Denmark 7 Morocco 8 Norway 9 Chile 10 India (16 EU) (33 China) (58 Canada) (60 Saudi) (61, last: USA) ccpi.org/ranking/ Bloomberg Green @climate 07 Dec 2020 23:43Z Exxon set out to build one of the world's biggest carbon-capture facilities to help slow climate change. Then it paused the project. Is the oil giant willing to invest enough? Read our full investigation trib.al/7s1nAmP [Whiplash!] Weather Underground @wunderground 07 Dec 2020 23:43Z Montana is warmer than Florida tomorrow. That's it, that's the tweet, pic.twitter.com/g5JZJWeqTf [No Concession!] Climate Signals @ClimateSignals 07 Dec 2020 23:37Z California's worst wildfire season on record, which has killed 31 people, won't quit. A lack of appreciable rainfall, which would typically have occurred by now, is contributing to a renewed period of "critical" fire risk in both Northern and Southern CA. wapo.st/2JU5xJ7 The COVID Tracking Project @COVID19Tracking 08 Dec 2020 0:37Z Our daily update is published. States reported 1.8 million tests, 180k cases, and 1,347 deaths. There are 102, 148 people currently hospitalized with COVID-19 in the US. pic.twitter.com/jgSa5oYqNW Joe Walsh @WalshFreedom 08 Dec 2020 0:37Z Because I come from their world & still interact with them, I hear from hundreds, sometimes thousands, of Trump supporters every day. They're getting angrier. More defiant. The threat of violence the next few months is real. It's a dangerous time. This is what Trump has wrought. Peter Gleick º¸ @PeterGleick 08 Dec 2020 01:15Z This article has way too little snark, until you get to the last sentence: "The Jerusalem Post was unable to reach out to this supposed Galactic Federation for comment." Former Israeli space security chief says aliens exist, humanity not ready jpost.com/omg/former-isr... NWS Dodge City @NWSDodgeCity 08 Dec 2020 01:38Z Animation of visible satellite. Notice the continuous hours of sunlight in the South Pole versus the continuous hours of darkness across the North Pole. #kswx pic.twitter.com/Rqfal0eXRi Leaked Reports From Pentagon UFO Task Force Discuss 'Non-Human Technology,' Mysterious Objects gvwire.com, 07 Dec 2020 "Recommend you take the brief I just received from our Director of Naval Intelligence VADM Matt Kohler, on Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP)," Burke told ... Video Shows Navy Pilots' Encounter With Possible UFO The Daily Beast, 07 Dec 2020 13:24Z The Debrief @Debriefmedia 07 Dec 2020 18:10Z Elon Musk, CEO of #SpaceX, said that he is confident that his company will be launching a crew to #Mars by 2026 and teased that it could even be sooner. thedebrief.org/space-x-mars/ The Debrief @Debriefmedia 07 Dec 2020 20:10Z Scientists from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have developed the world's first mobile #DNA sequencer analyzer through a new iPhone app called iGenomics. A user can create a mobile genetics laboratory, reminiscent of the #tricorder from in @StarTrek thedebrief.org/dna-tricorder-... pic.twitter.com/2hyEIAxjvP US election latest: 'Line crossed' after armed protesters gather outside Michigan secretary of state's home ABC News, 7 Dec 2020 at 8:59pm Michigan's secretary of state Jocelyn Benson released a statement saying she had just finished setting up Christmas decorations with her young son when protesters gathered on her lawn, shouting obscenities. Rain provides relief to Fraser Island firefighting efforts as south-east Queensland mops up after severe storm cell ABC News, 7 Dec 2020 at 9:44pm Overnight rain brings relief to the firefighting effort on Fraser Island where a major bushfire has burnt through more than half the island. It comes as residents in the Moreton Bay region mop up after a severe storm cell hit yesterday. Distributing COVID vaccines 'the largest logistics effort in the world since World War II' ABC Health & Wellbeing, 7 Dec 2020 at 10:19pm After the elation of the first approval of a COVID-19 vaccine comes the realisation that making and testing the vaccine is only the beginning. The next job is figuring out how to distribute hundreds of millions of doses across the world. SpaceX now has two spacecraft docked to the space station for the first time CNBC, 07 Dec 2020 19:47Z SpaceX docked its Cargo Dragon capsule with the International Space Station, marking the first time the company has two spacecraft simultaneously attached. Rashida Jones To Succeed Phil Griffin As MSNBC President Deadline, 07 Dec 2020 22:46Z Rashida Jones will succeed Phil Griffin as president of MSNBC, the network announced Monday. Uber Giving Self-Driving Car Project to a Start-Up The New York Times, 07 Dec 2020 22:46Z Uber, which spent hundreds of millions of dollars on a self-driving car project that executives once believed was a key to becoming profitable, is handing the ... Hundreds sickened by mystery illness in southern India The Hill, 07 Dec 2020 19:45Z Hundreds have been hospitalized and at least one death reported as an unidentified illness has spread through Andhra Pradesh, India. [SAFE HARBOR!] As 'safe harbor' day arrives, reality sets in for Trump supporters Yahoo News, 07 Dec 2020 21:44Z As the lumbering process of American democracy moves forward, any lingering illusions that Donald Trump has a chance of a second term as president are ... Trump ratchets up pace of executions before Biden inaugural The Associated Press, 07 Dec 2020 20:43Z Chicago (AP). As Donald Trump's presidency winds down, his administration is ratcheting up the pace of federal executions despite a surge of coronavirus ... Ohio bill takes stand against renewables with ban on new large solar and wind projects Teslarati, 07 Dec 2020 08:42Z In what could only be described as a stand against the United States' transition to sustainable energy, an Ohio bill has been introduced that is aimed at halting ... Watch: Gavin Newsom gives update on California COVID-19 response as ICUs fill Sacramento Bee, 07 Dec 2020 17:41Z Gavin Newsom gave an update on California coronavirus response as some parts of the state begin to reach critical ICU occupancy levels. Fox Business Host Doesn't Think Americans Want Another Stimulus Check Newsweek, 07 Dec 2020 22:47Z "We don't want to be dependent on the government," said Fox Business host Charles Payne during a Monday panel interview. South Korea's Health Minister Describes Seoul As A 'COVID-19 War Zone' NPR, 07 Dec 2020 16:54Z New social distancing measures are due to take effect Tuesday evening. The government warns of an impending crisis, brought on by a third wave of infections. Trump lawyer Giuliani in hospital after positive virus test The Associated Press, 07 Dec 2020 18:26Z Bloomberg Green @climate 07 Dec 2020 01:35Z Australian and Japanese companies are studying plans to capture carbon dioxide from industrial emitters in Asia and store it under the ocean floor off the coast of Australia trib.al/49OOdQc severe-weather.EU @severeweatherEU 07 Dec 2020 01:33Z A bomb cyclone has just hit New England, but there is another one coming up on Tuesday. In its wake, a cold blast will push into the East Coast and the Southeast United States. The low will blast Nova Scotia and Newfoundland with a snowstorm on Wednesday severe-weather.eu/global-weather... [The Swedish Model:] Scott Gottlieb, MD @ScottGottliebMD 07 Dec 2020 01:25Z New York Post: In response to surging Covid cases, Sweden "has ordered large gathering bans, alcohol sale curfews and school closures as part of a clampdown that began last month amid rising cases and hospitalizations" nypost.com/2020/12/06/swe... Bloomberg Green @climate 07 Dec 2020 05:35Z California's miserable year is ending with more drought, fire and darkness trib.al/XuD8KwO Helen Haines MP @helenhainesindi 07 Dec 2020 05:33Z The Government has just pushed its cashless welfare card legislation through the House by a single vote. There's no evidence to suggest it works, and it's a punitive and discriminatory policy unworthy of the country we aspire to be. I voted no. I hope the Senate does too. pic.twitter.com/E6fa3QuuQj Al Jazeera Weather @AJEWeather 07 Dec 2020 06:25Z Panaro River in northern Italy breaks its banks near Modena after heavy rain Andrew Dessler @AndrewDessler 07 Dec 2020 06:56Z Replying to @AndrewDessler We live in a gold age of data. Nice presentation of the NASA "black marble", a data set of light from cities and how it changes over time. U003-01 - Battling COVID-19 from Space: Cross-Scale Changes in Urban Activity Captured by NASA's Black Marble agu.confex.com/agu/fm20/meeti... Al Jazeera Weather @AJEWeather 07 Dec 2020 07:07Z Brisbane in eastern Australia records the warmest December night for 15 years Koalas burnt in summer bushfires released back into the wild ABC News, 07 Dec 2020 03:00Z Fourteen badly injured koala are nursed back to good health thanks to the efforts of wildlife carers and veterinary staff from Zoos Victoria. They have been released back into the bush in East Gippsland and their progress will be closely monitored. Very dangerous storms hit Bribie Island as wild weather continues across South-East Queensland ABC News, 07 Dec 2020 04:58Z Strong winds send trampolines flying on Bribie Island, north of Brisbane, after the Bureau of Meteorology warns of very dangerous storms amid a series of cells that have been appearing all over southern Queensland. [Unsustainable!] After recording 'unsustainable' losses, Geelong oil refinery looks to expand into LNG ABC News, 07 Dec 2020 05:55Z Viva Energy signs a memorandum of understanding with major energy and investment companies to develop plans for an LNG terminal at their Geelong oil refinery, in the hope diversification could help secure the future of the troubled refinery and its 700 employees. Farmers on track for most valuable year yet, but fruit and veg prices tipped to rise ABC Rural, 07 Dec 2020 05:59Z Food and fibre set a new record to pull in $65 billion as Australian rebounds from drought, but a worker shortage is expected to raise supermarket prices in the new year. Emergency green light sought for coronavirus vaccines in India ABC News, 07 Dec 2020 06:39Z Emergency authorisation is sought for Pfizer and Oxford-AstraZeneca's coronavirus vaccines in India, which has has reported more than 9.57 million COVID-19 cases and nearly 140,000 deaths. [Australian animals glow in the dark:] Tasmanian devils also glow, researchers confirm after Australian animals bio fluorescence discovery ABC News, 07 Dec 2020 06:47Z Scientists have only recently discovered that platypuses and wombats glow under ultraviolet light -- but now researchers at a US zoo have become the first in the world to find that the phenomenon also occurs in Tasmanian devils. Indonesia Gets First Batch of Vaccine From China's Sinovac Bloomberg, 07 Dec 2020 05:49Z The first batch of Covid-19 vaccine ordered from China's Sinovac Biotech Ltd. arrived in Indonesia, marking a new phase in the country's fight against Southeast ... 'Threat to all lives': Popular tourist island braces for 'vengeful' bushfire Yahoo News Australia, 07 Dec 2020 01:45Z Residents have been urged to flee their homes as a dangerous bushfire that has been burning for months threatens a town on the world heritage-listed Fraser Island ... 'They could have stopped this a long time ago': Fraser Island residents frustrated by handling of bushfire ABC News, 07 Dec 2020 04:57Z The management of a major bushfire burning on Fraser Island attracts criticism from Queensland's Opposition, which is asking why waterbombers were not deployed sooner to bring the blaze under control. [Da Ovva Univbers:] Georgia runoff debate: senator Kelly Loeffler refuses three times to accept Biden victory The Guardian, 07 Dec 2020 05:43Z Republican dodges questions from her Democrat runoff rival Raphael Warnock, while David Perdue fails to show up. [Capsule Hunt!] Corey S. Powell @coreyspowell 06 Dec 2020 14:38Z Yesterday in Australia: retrieving the #Hayabusa2 asteroid capsule. I love the way these photos capture space exploration as an intimate, personal, very human endeavor. (Photos via @JAXA_en) pic.twitter.com/0qn6TFZwvR [Wildfire!] Climate Signals @ClimateSignals 06 Dec 2020 15:31Z 5 of the 6 largest fires in California history and 3 of the 4 largest in Colorado history all burned this year. According to a new study, there's been an eight-fold increase since the mid-1980s in annual area burned by high-severity fires. cbsn.ws/3gaW3VM by @WeatherProf Michael E. Mann @MichaelEMann 06 Dec 2020 16:35Z Now THAT'S some quasi-resonant amplification! (h/t @WeatherProf) twitter.com/ScottDuncanWX/... Rick Thoman @AlaskaWx 06 Dec 2020 18:39Z Bering Sea #seaice extent reached a 2020-21 seasonal milestone on Dec 5: @NSIDC sea ice index exceeded 50000km² for first time this season. That's second latest "first 50k" the past 43 years (Dec 6, 2018). Nearly 3 week change since the late 1970s! #akwx @Climatologist49 @ZLabe pic.twitter.com/7pla5Hb2vV [Prepare!] Ted Nesi @TedNesi 06 Dec 2020 19:29Z .@ScottGottliebMD: "As bad as things are right now, they're going to get a lot worse." twitter.com/FaceTheNation/... Assaad Razzouk @AssaadRazzouk 06 Dec 2020 20:30Z Death rates (per TWh of production) and Emissions (per GWh): -Coal: 24.6 deaths and 820 tons -Oil: 18.4 and 720 -Natural Gas: 2.8 and 480 Wind, Solar: Zero Nuclear, Hydro: About zero Quite the overwhelming public health case - in a world where solar and wind are also cheaper pic.twitter.com/OAiIpmQzD8 Peter Gleick º¸ @PeterGleick 06 Dec 2020 21:36Z It's December 6. We're two months into the "rainy season" and we've just been issued another RedFlag fire warning. ¨¥ pic.twitter.com/OK6xHeUxQi Bloomberg Green @climate 06 Dec 2020 23:50Z When the residents of Barcelona came out of the coronavirus lockdown they were greeted with miles of shiny yellow new bike lanes. Meet the man who's rethinking transit in a car-centric city trib.al/TDsBtnr pic.twitter.com/w7ks8upcNI RadarOmega @RadarOmega_WX 06 Dec 2020 23:49Z ¥ CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER AREA ON MONDAY: RH will drop overnight Monday as Santa Ana winds continue to intensify; strong winds and drier air from downslope flow will create dangerous fire weather conditions across higher terrain of southern CA Monday night into Tuesday. #CAwx pic.twitter.com/aqpg7RQk8N Surfer bitten by Great White Shark in waters off Kangaroo Island ABC News, 06 Dec 2020 07:15Z A man is airlifted to hospital in Adelaide for treatment following a shark attack in waters off Kangaroo Island on Sunday afternoon. [Aussie sharks seem to be on a rampage this year]. Microwave attacks 'plausible' cause of mysterious illness in foreign diplomats, US government says ABC News, 06 Dec 2020 15:14Z For the first time, Washington offers an official explanation for "Havana Syndrome": a mysterious set of symptoms and brain injuries suffered by diplomats in US embassies. How low rates killed the affordable housing dream ABC News, 06 Dec 2020 19:13Z After decades of a seemingly unstoppable real estate bubble, the prospect of a sustained fall in housing prices brought a glimmer of hope to those under 35 that home ownership may become a possibility. Jobs are being created, but not the right ones, and young people will feel the brunt ABC News, 06 Dec 2020 19:12Z This year was one "beyond imagining" for young people seeking work and while the country is slowing getting back to normal, employment "scarring" is likely to effect their employment for decades. 'Decadent': How Thailand's royal dynasty became one of the world's richest ABC News, 06 Dec 2020 19:12Z Protesters are defying strict lese majeste laws to argue for reforms to the monarchy, including more oversight over its estimated billions of dollars in wealth. The cash ban law is dead, but all over the world we're moving further towards a cashless society ABC News, 06 Dec 2020 19:11Z A controversial law that would have banned payments of $10,000 and imposed two-year jail sentences on people using cash for purchases above that limit has been killed in the Senate. But it could be revived. We've turned the world's biggest ocean into a garbage tip, and now the mighty Pacific is in peril ABC/The Conversation, 06 Dec 2020 20:10Z The Pacific Ocean produces oxygen, helps regulates the weather, provides food and livelihoods. It's a place of fun, solace and spiritual connection. But its delicate ecology is under threat. 'Freedom day' arrives with major easing of COVID restrictions ABC Morning Briefing, 06 Dec 2020 20:10Z Most hospitality venue capacities are doubling today as a raft of COVID-19 restrictions ease in NSW, while Premier Gladys Berejiklian is urged to release draft submissions from an ICAC inquiry which centres on her former boyfriend Daryl Maguire. From churches to pubs, weddings to funerals, Victorians can come together again as restrictions ease ABC News, 06 Dec 2020 20:09Z Just in time for Christmas, bigger gatherings are allowed in Victoria, with the abolition of caps on the number of attendees for most settings, in favour of a requirement for two square metres of space for each person. [Leadership!] Donald Trump says his lawyer Rudy Giuliani has tested positive to coronavirus ABC News, 06 Dec 2020 20:43Z Donald Trump has taken to Twitter to confirm his lawyer Rudy Giuliani has tested positive for COVID-19. [It wasnt hair dye -- it was covid juice!] Is anyone on Earth not an immigrant? Livescience.com, 06 Dec 2020 12:16Z Scientists analyzing modern and ancient human DNA have insight into who may or may not be an immigrant. Union Poll: Majority of NYC Firefighters Will Refuse Vaccine Newsmax, 06 Dec 2020 14:15Z The COVID-19 vaccine will be available to first responders as soon as this month, but a poll of New York City Firefighters revealed a majority will refuse it. [Just A Suggestion!] Nearly 85% Of California Residents To Be Under Stay-At-Home Orders Through Christmas NPR, 06 Dec 2020 19:12Z With coronavirus cases surging and capacity inside intensive care units rapidly nearing dangerously low levels, nearly 85% of California residents will soon be ... Riverside County sheriff slams Gov. Newsom, vows not to enforce lockdown order KTLA Los Angeles, 06 Dec 2020 19:13Z Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco this week vowed not to enforce the state's new restrictions to combat the coronavirus, calling Gov. Gavin Newsom's efforts ... [Warm == Mo Snow!] Brian Brettschneider @Climatologist49 06 Dec 2020 06:43Z Replying to @KTOOpubmedia The warm temps mean snow levels are very high, which means slopes high on the mountains are receiving rain and which increases the runoff into the rivers. Bloomberg Green @climate 06 Dec 2020 08:53Z China's 2060 deadline to end emissions took the world by surprise. This Communist Party bureaucrat put the plan together in secret. trib.al/D7KSCxH [Peak Oil!] Carbon Brief @CarbonBrief 06 Dec 2020 08:42Z Recommended read: Peak oil is suddenly upon us | @tsrandall @hellococomo @Bloomberg j.mp/39PKHp0 Post Disclosure World @PostDisclosure 06 Dec 2020 04:20Z Hal Puthoff was part of AATIP. So he's seen a lot of classified information relating to UAP. His favorite hypothesis is also that these UFOs are originating from ultraterrestrials. And UAP Task Force gives credence to the potential UAP originate from the oceans... [UFO sightings, while 90% junk like dozens of report of Musk's sat trains, are highly correlated with the coming and going of polar phytoplankton. Maybe "just a coincidence" but also supporting the shock idea there is an undiscovered tech society on Earth living and farming the oceans]. Nor'easter Knocks Out Power to More Than 200,000 in New England The New York Times, 06 Dec 2020 03:43Z A winter storm battered parts of New England on Saturday, bringing high winds and heavy snow that knocked out power to more than 200,000 customers across ... Controversial contaminated soil dump proposed for Bacchus Marsh may be blocked ABC News, 5 Dec 2020 at 8:23pm After a fierce community backlash, a plan to dump millions of tonnes of contaminated soil west of Melbourne is expected to come down to the wire in State Parliament this week. [Rabbit Hole!] 'This is someone I love, who is not stupid': What to do when your mum starts saying the world is flat ABC News, 5 Dec 2020 at 9:00pm When Kasey Edwards first noticed the flat Earth poster in her mother's house she believed it was harmless. It was the first sign her mother was drifting away from her friends and family, and heading down the rabbit hole. Googong now recycles 60 per cent of its water -- why can't Canberra do the same? ABC News, 5 Dec 2020 at 9:29pm As the community of Googong launches its water recycling plant -- now using 60 per cent recycled water -- further scrutiny has been applied to the ACT's approach to water sustainability just over the border. San Diego Got $6 Billion in PPP Loans. Where'd It All Go? NBC San Diego, 06 Dec 2020 02:23Z According to the Small Business Administration, 55823 San Diego County businesses, schools, nonprofits and religious organizations received a staggering ... Increased Heat From Arctic Rivers Is Melting Sea Ice in the Arctic Ocean and Warming the Atmosphere SciTechDaily, 05 Dec 2020 12:29Z A new study shows that increased heat from Arctic rivers is melting sea ice in the Arctic Ocean and warming the atmosphere. The study published recently in ... Carbon Brief @CarbonBrief 05 Dec 2020 11:55Z Restoring soils could remove up to `5.5bn tonnes' of greenhouse gases every year | j.mp/2KV3tB2 #WorldSoilDay #SoilBiodiversity pic.twitter.com/9YLzYb7dec [Dire!] Face The Nation @FaceTheNation 05 Dec 2020 13:53Z SUNDAY: Dire situation -- what is being done to help overwhelmed hospitals? Plus, racing to manufacture and distribute vaccines Interviews with: Op. Warp Speed's Moncef Slaoui @ScottGottliebMD @chicagosmayor @C_C_Krebs @NebraskaMed's James Linder pic.twitter.com/N76QZ8v4F7 Carbon Brief @CarbonBrief 05 Dec 2020 13:55Z Explainer: How `Atlantification' is making the Arctic Ocean saltier and warmer | j.mp/3mV5nA1 #archive pic.twitter.com/sVOl2FvGNS Ketan Joshi @KetanJ0 05 Dec 2020 18:02Z I genuinely wonder how fossil fuel execs feel about the Trump admin pivoting to old-school out-and-out brazen climate denial, when all the companies pivoted towards pretending to accept the science for PR reasons? Surely they're a bit peeved. earther.gizmodo.com/trump-taps-cli... [Alaska Power!] Brian Brettschneider @Climatologist49 05 Dec 2020 19:56Z Hourly solar energy (watts per square meter) at the Fairbanks 11 NE Climate Reference Network (CRN) station for June and December. @AlaskaWx @LukeCulverWx pic.twitter.com/lz2f0UtoIZ KenCaldeira @KenCaldeira 05 Dec 2020 20:58Z Replying to @thehill 52 U.S. Code §20511.Criminal penalties "...knowingly and willfully deprives, defrauds, or attempts to deprive or defraud the residents of a State of a fair and impartially conducted election process," law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/52... fbi.gov/scams-and-safe... Eric Steig º¸¨¦ @ericsteig 05 Dec 2020 20:57Z Read this article people. Short version: 1) Getting a vaccine is safer than pruposely exposing yourself to COVID19. Obviously. 2) If you have defintely had COVID19, you should probably still get vaccinated but talk to your doctor. nytimes.com/2020/12/05/hea... [Bad air!] Assaad Razzouk @AssaadRazzouk 05 Dec 2020 21:54Z Fresh air is a myth: 30% of Indians breath air 5-times worse than @WHO threshold; 98% of Chinese live outside WHO safety range Why? Overwhelmingly because of oil, gas, coal More on Ep. 43 of # TheAngryCleanEnergyGuy podcast theangrycleanenergyguy.com/podcast/episod... (infographic via @VisualCap) pic.twitter.com/kOoxYNRfZf [Extreme Siberia!] Zack Labe @ZLabe 05 Dec 2020 22:03Z Lower atmospheric temperatures exceeded 7°C above average in the Siberian #Arctic during November 2020. In addition, sea ice has fallen to a record low in the Kara Sea. pic.twitter.com/NkuHMXupox [Extreme snow!] severe-weather.EU @severeweatherEU 05 Dec 2020 22:01Z HIGH RISK is in effect across the Alps on Sunday, Dec 6th as a *particularly dangerous situation* has developed. An extreme amount of rain and snow is expected, with local rainfall sums reaching 500+ mm. More than 300 cm of fresh snow above 1800 m ASL! severe-weather.eu/outlooks-day1/... [December fire weather!] AccuWeather @breakingweather 05 Dec 2020 22:54Z Southern California is only getting a brief reprieve from high winds this weekend before yet another Santa Ana event evolves early next week: bit.ly/36JVHTb pic.twitter.com/BgLJjvjMBk AccuWeather @breakingweather 05 Dec 2020 18:54Z Less than 24 hours after red flag warnings were allowed to expire in parts of the region, fire weather watches were issued by the National Weather Service offices in Los Angeles and San Diego due to the anticipated resurgence of windy weather: bit.ly/3gfItAA pic.twitter.com/vUTaaJddGw [Whiplash!] severe-weather.EU @severeweatherEU 05 Dec 2020 23:01Z Palm tree in the snow, taken in Aflou Wilaya Laghouat in Algeria today, Dec 5th. Thanks to Zaki Zak for the report - posted with permission. pic.twitter.com/ptsk9PC6av [Spectacular!] Japan's Hayabusa2 probe returns its asteroid sample to Earth Engadget, 05 Dec 2020 21:07Z Japan's Hayabusa2 probe has successfully returned an asteroid sample to Earth more than a year after first touching down on Ryugu. JAXA has confirmed that ... [Locals say it was an incredible sight, coming on over the horizon and landing nr Woomera]. Asteroid space capsule found in outback SA after 5 billion-kilometre journey. ABC News, 5 Dec 2020 at 7:57pm Scientists in the South Australian outback retrieve a capsule containing the first sub-surface samples from an asteroid, after a six-year space mission. Sou at HotWhopper @Sou_HotWhopper 05 Dec 2020 23:20Z Asteroid space capsule completes 5 billion kilometre mission, touching down in a blaze of light in outback South Australia abc.net.au/news/2020-12-0... RadarOmega @RadarOmega_WX 05 Dec 2020 23:22Z Check out this GeoColor satellite loop of the evolution of the Nor'easter since last night. Some areas in New England are seeing snowfall amounts up to 2" per hour! ¨ #CTwx #RIwx #MAwx #NHwx #MEwx Satellite imagery is available for all RadarOmega subscribers to view! pic.twitter.com/gVfrawnWfx Bloomberg Green @climate 05 Dec 2020 23:33Z The price of European Union carbon emissions hit 30 euros a metric ton for the second time this week as traders prepare for stricter measures from the bloc to address climate change trib.al/MaupvMo [Monster!] severe-weather.EU @severeweatherEU 05 Dec 2020 23:58Z A *spectacular* satellite view of a monster extratropical storm with rapid intensification still underway over the North Pacific this Saturday, now approaching the Aleutian Islands, Alaska, and the Pacific Northwest of Canada and the United States. severe-weather.eu/global-weather... 37 days straight ABC News, 05 Dec 2020 23:58Z At a press conf still ongoing Prem Andrews has announced Victorians will be getting back to work in January. In the first week of 2021 businesses will be allowed to have upto 50% of their staff back at work. In Jan 25% of public servants will return to work, moving to 50% in Feb. At the conf health officials said a "comprehensive review" will be undertaken into the latest snafu from NSW where 2 arrivals from Germany were allowed to transfer to a domestic flight and arrive in Melbourne. Supposedly all arrivals from O/S are meant to quarantine for 14 days at their port of arrival. Officials have called for people on the flight or at Melb airport on Sat to get tested for covid19. Chelsea Hetherington @chelsea_hetho 05 Dec 2020 23:38Z The ABC understands the two international travellers who boarded a domestic flight to Melbourne without quarantining in Sydney have tested negative to COVID-19. CDC warns virus 'has entered a phase of high-level transmission' in US ABC News 05 Dec 2020 17:09Z [For the first time the US has seen more than 2000 covid deaths in 24 hrs. Elsewhere, Russia is vaccinating teachers and medical workers with its Sputnik vaccine even as it enters late stage trials]. [Cerunnnch!] A68a, World's Largest Iceberg, Heads Toward Southern Atlantic Island NPR, 05 Dec 2020 20:06Z The iceberg is said to be on a collision course with the island of South Georgia, a U.K. territory. The government there released the photos, saying it was keeping ... Details of leaked Pentagon reports mention 'unidentified' UFOs New York Post, 04 Dec 2020 Details from two allegedly classified intelligence reports from the Pentagon on apparent UFOs have been leaked, including photos of purported "unidentified ... [Atlantis is alive and well]. [Taking names & kicking tires!] Donald Trump heads to Georgia after Gov. Brian Kemp rejects request to alter presidential race USA TODAY, 05 Dec 2020 22:09Z Gov. Brian Kemp rejected Trump's request to call a special legislative session to approve appointment of a pro-Trump slate to the Electoral College. Trump demands names of the congressional Republicans who said they recognize Biden as winner The Hill, 05 Dec 2020 19:03Z President Trump on Saturday demanded to know who the congressional Republicans were who acknowledged President-elect Joe Biden as the winner of the ... Carbon neutrality: China sowing seeds of change to meet 2060 target South China Morning Post, 05 Dec 2020 02:18Z The uncertain journey to carbon neutrality - where residual emission is fully offset by amounts captured from the atmosphere - will be a gradual and at times ... Trump-Appointed Judge Denies Appeal to Give Sidney Powell, Lin Wood Voting Machine Access Newsweek, 05 Dec 2020 05:17Z Attorneys Sidney Powell and Lin Wood, who had filed lawsuits in the state of Georgia alleging fraud in the 2020 presidential election, had an appeal to analyze ... Pence Gets Grim Assessment From CDC During Briefing In Atlanta NPR, 05 Dec 2020 12:16Z Vice President Pence traveled to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta on Friday for a briefing, saying America is "in a season of hope" and ... skepticalifornia @skepticaliblog Dec 3 Seems like this should be a much bigger story on the old timeline?·Mar Pentagon confirms UFOs are real, capable of rapidly navigating water, air & space with an unknown propulsion system and they appear to be extremely interested in our nuclear technology washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/confir... Bridget Phetasy @BridgetPhetasy 04 Dec 2020 22:46Z Replying to @skepticaliblog I love how people will believe literally any conspiracy theory you tell them in 2020 but we hear UFOs are real and it's crickets. ½(PEACE)Pd Luke Cook mV¸§ @UFO_LUKE 04 Dec 2020 15:46Z After the incredible efforts of @Debriefmedia over the last few days, I've decided that @LtTimMcMillan has earned a special place on my Xmas tree this year. #ufotwitter pic.twitter.com/xpYxjQt2Es The Debrief @Debriefmedia 04 Dec 2020 21:02Z @SpaceX posted a job looking for a "Space Suit Sewer." This just sounds cool, and is probably one of the most important jobs at the company. thedebrief.org/spacex-looking... pic.twitter.com/Kc6YsFA5uV Zack Labe @ZLabe 04 Dec 2020 22:07Z Areas in red indicate thinning #Arctic sea ice during the month of December over the last ~40 years... Simulated data from PIOMAS. For more information: doi.org/10.1175/JCLI-D.... pic.twitter.com/CE5IoM7rFq National Weather Service @NWS 04 Dec 2020 23:11Z The first Nor'easter of the #winter season is forecast to impact the #Northeastern U.S. this weekend. Just under 7 million people are under winter storm warnings, winter storm watches and winter weather advisories. Expect heavy wet snow and gusty winds in parts of New England. pic.twitter.com/tbCH8PF2kH [Plant Food!] Climate Signals @ClimateSignals 04 Dec 2020 23:06Z Villagers in Guatemala's Mayan hillside hamlet Sanimtaca had been about to harvest their cardamom crops that take three years to grow when waves of floodwater triggered by two tropical storms last month washed them away. reut.rs/37GDuoW severe-weather.EU @severeweatherEU 05 Dec 2020 0:12Z A very rapid intensification of this #extratropicalstorm is underway, heads for Alaska. The bomb cyclone will push violent hurricane-force winds and massive waves towards the Pacific Northwest of the United States this weekend. severe-weather.eu/global-weather... Brian Brettschneider @Climatologist49 05 Dec 2020 06:06Z GFS, ECWMF, and CMC all with a sub-950 mb low south of the Alaska Peninsula on Sunday. This is pretty deep for the location and time of year. #akwx @AlaskaWx pic.twitter.com/8P1FF7urUG [Bye Bye!] Bloomberg Green @climate 05 Dec 2020 01:14Z Brazil has a controversial new plan for the Amazon: turn it into a money-making venture open to business trib.al/UEf2JGp [Back Foot:] Carbon Brief @CarbonBrief 05 Dec 2020 03:05Z Recommended read - Coal's endgame: The dirtiest fossil fuel is on the back foot | @TheEconomist j.mp/3ooztMj Al Jazeera Weather @AJEWeather 05 Dec 2020 06:03Z Red warning issued in the Italian and Austrian Alps for another 1 to 3 metres of snow Bloomberg Green @climate 05 Dec 2020 08:44Z The European Commission seeks to have at least 30 million electric vehicles on the region's roads by the end of the decade trib.al/onoSE4x [Bye Bye!] 150 Cadillac Dealers Accept Buyouts Rather Than Tool Up for Electric Models TheStreet, 05 Dec 2020 0:06Z Almost 20% of Cadillac dealers have opted to accept buyouts from General Motors Company (GM) - Get Report rather than pay for costly upgrades needed to ... Alaska islands may be part of single, massive volcano National Geographic, 04 Dec 2020 23:09Z A trail of volcanic islands off the coast of southern Alaska may actually be part of a single giant caldera, according to evidence being presented next week at the ... Japan's Hayabusa2 Asteroid Journey Ends With a Hunt in Australia's Outback The New York Times, 05 Dec 2020 05:08Z Japan's space agency is nearing the end of a journey of discovery that aims to shed light on the earliest eons of the solar system and possibly provide clues ... [Apparently they heard the sonic boom and now are looking for the capsule]. Trump's latest batch of election lawsuits fizzle as dozens of losses pile up The Guardian, 05 Dec 2020 04:04Z President no closer to overturning result, with just one small victory in a month's worth of cases. The GOP's QAnon Faction Is Waging War on Republicans The Daily Beast, 05 Dec 2020 06:06Z It's the conspiracy theories versus those who want to keep a toe, at least, in the world of the real. QR code check-ins are mandatory in WA from today ABC News, 4 Dec 2020 at 11:07pm West Australians are now required to check in at pubs, clubs, gyms, restaurants, cafes and other public venues after mandatory contact registers came into force overnight. UK and EU call in leaders to save Brexit trade talks ABC News, 05 Dec 2020 02:56Z United Kingdom and European Union negotiators pause trade talks to try to narrow gaps and get an agreement over the line, less than four weeks before Britain completes its Brexit journey out of the bloc. California certifies US election results, officially sealing Joe Biden's win ABC News, 05 Dec 2020 02:56Z In an election step that is often an ignored formality, California certifies its presidential election results, appointing 55 electors who pledge to vote for Democratic candidate Joe Biden. Forecast of high winds prompts thunderstorm asthma warning for south-western Victoria ABC News, 05 Dec 2020 04:55Z A squally wind change and the risk of a thunderstorm has created the right conditions for thunderstorm asthma in Victoria's south-west, Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton says. VicGovDHHS @VicGovDHHS 05 Dec 2020 02:13Z If you have hay fever or asthma, plan ahead and have your asthma medication on hand today. An epidemic thunderstorm asthma warning has been issued for the South West district. Stay up-to-date and visit VicEmergency: go.vic.gov.au/x8Kfj6 pic.twitter.com/uZ7xtXl2zo [Predictions:] Richard Betts @richardabetts 04 Dec 2020 14:06Z We already know that predictions of human-caused global warming using early climate models were remarkably accurate Here's an interesting article on one of the lesser-known studies that once again shows that climate science has been correct in its warnings to society for decades twitter.com/EarthProj2050/... Bloomberg Green @climate 04 Dec 2020 15:07Z With some money managers personally backing climate-skeptic groups, the UN-backed PRI is seeking more disclosure about how funds are lobbying on the environment trib.al/bR4kriw via @climate Richard Burgon MP @RichardBurgon 04 Dec 2020 15:02Z The Gov't tries to give the impression it's handled this crisis well. It's a lie. Covid deaths over the past 100 days ¬§UK - 18,658 ¦ºAustralia - 336 °·South Korea - 223 ¨³China - 32 »³Vietnam - 5 ³¿New Zealand - 3 ¹­Thailand - 2 The other countries had a Zero Covid strategy. Ezra Klein @ezraklein 04 Dec 2020 17:01Z The CARES Act was effective enough in early 2020 that poverty *actually fell*. But that ended. And as Republicans refuse to pass more support, we're seeing a horrifying rise in poverty, and it's getting worse, fast. vox.com/future-perfect... pic.twitter.com/As5xMTun1z [Bomb Cyclone!] Capital Weather Gang @capitalweather 04 Dec 2020 17:59Z A mess predicted in New England on Saturday as potential "bomb cyclone" unleashes heavy rain, snow, and wind. Rain-snow line coming into focus but areas N & W of I95 could get pasted. In Mid-Atlantic, storm brings heavy rain tonight. wapo.st/33L3hLd Bloomberg Green @climate 04 Dec 2020 18:07Z Wildfire risk leaves Californians searching for new insurance policies trib.al/tj2l25b [Adaptation:] David Roberts @drvox 04 Dec 2020 18:01Z As the death toll from Covid reaches 9/11-every-day levels, I revisit my piece on "shifting baselines syndrome," whereby humans adjust & adjust & adjust to almost anything -- including Covid & climate change. vox.com/energy-and-env... Brian Brettschneider @Climatologist49 04 Dec 2020 18:00Z 24-hours of sea ice movement at Utqiagvik. It should be totally locked in ice now. NW winds are creating local ice shoves (ivus) from Utqiagvik westward. Video credit: seaice.alaska.edu/gi/observatori... @AlaskaWx pic.twitter.com/NR5PKvb4mP Climate Signals @ClimateSignals 04 Dec 2020 19:36Z Over the past two decades, heat-related mortality for people 65+ in the U.S. has almost doubled, reaching 18,900 deaths in 2018. Extreme heat, worsened by climate change, is a serious public health issue. More in the new #LancetClimate20 U.S. brief: bit.ly/3g6irj7 pic.twitter.com/xTY3UZPNMC [Record!] Bloomberg Green @climate 04 Dec 2020 19:46Z California is facing a new record {event}: As much land area has been scorched this year as in the past three years combined trib.al/3ToPK0Q Moderna vaccine confers at least 3 months immunity: study ABS-CBN News, 04 Dec 2020 0:08Z Washington. The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, which the company says was recently demonstrated to have 94 percent efficacy, causes the human immune ... Google Fiber 2 Gig service goes live as US internet gulf widens SlashGear, 04 Dec 2020 16:06Z Google Fiber has switched on its fastest service ever, with 2 Gig downloads promising double the speed of the ISP's already-potent connection. A work-in. Bangladesh Begins Relocation of Rohingya Muslims To Flood-Prone Island NPR, 04 Dec 2020 11:04Z Authorities in Bangladesh are pushing ahead with the relocation of tens of thousands of Rohingya Muslims to a remote island in the Bay of Bengal, despite ... India's Farmers Protest and Burn Fields in Challenge to Narendra Modi The New York Times, 04 Dec 2020 12:04Z New Delhi. Before India's farmers rose up in anger, presenting an increasingly difficult challenge to a government already grappling with the coronavirus ... [Purge!] White House fires Pentagon advisory board members in latest purge POLITICO, 04 Dec 2020 19:03Z Several members of the Pentagon's Defense Business Board, including the chair and vice chair, were fired on Friday, marking the latest effort by the Trump ... Fauci says he accepted Biden's offer to serve as chief medical adviser 'right on the spot' The Hill, 04 Dec 2020 14:02Z Top infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci on Friday said he said "yes right on the spot" to President-elect Joe Biden's. House Passes Landmark Bill Decriminalizing Marijuana The New York Times, 04 Dec 2020 19:01Z The House passed sweeping legislation that would decriminalize marijuana and expunge nonviolent marijuana-related convictions. The measure is all but ... GOP shot itself in the foot by backing Trump before Georgia runoffs Business Insider, 04 Dec 2020 18:01Z Republicans have spent weeks backing Trump's conspiracies about voter fraud and election-rigging. Now, it's coming back to bite them. Japan will 'spare no effort' to deliver safe Olympics, despite immense budget blowout ABC News, 04 Dec 2020 16:57Z Next year's Tokyo Olympics will prove humanity has defeated the COVID-19 pandemic, Japan's PM says, while the delay is revealed to be costing an additional $3.8 billion. Denmark to End North Sea Oil Production in Milestone Deal Bloomberg, 04 Dec 2020 14:34Z Denmark, the European Union's biggest oil producer, will stop offering new licenses in the North Sea and phase out production altogether in 2050 as it takes an ... Trump DOJ plant ousted, harassed staff for proof of election fraud: AP Business Insider, 04 Dec 2020 11:40Z Heidi Stirrup, an ally of President Donald Trump's policy advisor Stephen Miller, was placed in the department as a White House liaison in September. Biden plans to ask Americans to wear masks for first 100 days in office, says Fauci will be chief medical adviser Boston.com, 04 Dec 2020 0:38Z President-elect Joe Biden says he is keeping Dr. Anthony Fauci on as a chief medical adviser and a member of his COVID-19 advisory team. Biden made the ... severe-weather.EU @severeweatherEU 04 Dec 2020 02:18Z Hey is it The Day After Tomorrow yet!? Not really, but the satellite view over the North Pacific today is beyond spectacular! There is a tandem of not two systems, but actually a tandem of three surface cyclones! And then, a monster low comes on Saturday severe-weather.eu/global-weather... severe-weather.EU @severeweatherEU 04 Dec 2020 07:18Z *HIGH RISK* A monster trough has developed over western Europe and what is the real concern is the extreme amount of #snow is expected over the southern Alpine flank this weekend - up to 4 meters of fresh snow could lead to catastrophic avalanches! severe-weather.eu/mcd/extreme-sn... Bloomberg Green @climate 04 Dec 2020 09:20Z Italian oil giant Eni buys a stake in the world's biggest offshore wind farm trib.al/Ar9i3fH Al Jazeera Weather @AJEWeather 04 Dec 2020 10:12Z Evacuations underway as severe floods hit Indonesian island of Sumatra Carbon Brief @CarbonBrief 04 Dec 2020 11:38Z Europe's carbon-rich peatlands show `widespread' and `concerning' drying trends | @Josh_Gabbatiss j.mp/2JH5wIw #WorldSoilDay #SoilBiodiversity pic.twitter.com/I4iFNTW1Pv The Debrief @Debriefmedia 04 Dec 2020 12:02Z Chinese state news has confirmed yesterday afternoon that the Chang'e-5 lunar lander's ascent vehicle is on its way back to Earth with the first lunar soil samples to be collected since the mid-1970s. #ChangE5 thedebrief.org/chinese-lander... China says new technology will allow for vast areas of artificial rainfall and hail suppression ABC News, 04 Dec 2020 08:31Z China reveals plans to expand its experimental weather modification program over the next five years, to cover an area greater than the size of India with artificial rainfall. [Venus! Swamp gas!] Disclose.tv ¨ @disclosetv 04 Dec 2020 0:23Z NEW - Leaked photo from Pentagon UFO task force shows 'silver cube' hovering over the Atlantic. dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9... Donald Trump loses legal battle to overturn election results in Wisconsin ABC News, 04 Dec 2020 02:21Z US President Donald Trump loses another legal challenge to overturn the 2020 election results in the state of Wisconsin, while Georgia finishes a second recount where president-elect Joe Biden won a majority again. UNESCO advisory group elevates concern for Gondwana rainforests after bushfires ABC Coffs Coast, 04 Dec 2020 02:20Z UNESCO's conservation advisers say Australia's globally important subtropical rainforests, many of them devastated by bushfires last year, are under threat from climate change. Enigma encryption machine used by Nazis in World War II found on bottom of ocean ABC News, 04 Dec 2020 02:19Z German divers searching the Baltic Sea for discarded fishing nets stumble upon a rare Enigma cipher machine used by the Nazis during World War II. Nest of endangered 'bum-breathing' turtle found in new territory ABC Wide Bay, 04 Dec 2020 03:19Z It's a curious creature and the discovery of a Mary River Turtle nest in an area previously thought to be outside their range has researchers intrigued. Chicken farmer's 'nightmare' ends with accountant jailed for siphoning $4.6 million to help buy luxury homes ABC News, 04 Dec 2020 03:18Z Perth accountant Scott Fleay stole millions from Gus Jubado and his wife Maria after they entrusted him with their finances following the $28 million sale of their chicken farm. La Niña to bring wild weather to Victoria this weekend ABC News, 04 Dec 2020 04:18Z The weather bureau is predicting 90-100 kilometre-per-hour wind gusts and temperatures up to 10 degrees below average across the state. [Proved!] Long-awaited snap proves rare bird 'not a figment of our imagination' ABC Esperance, 04 Dec 2020 05:17Z It's taken seven years and 355,700 snaps, but the critically endangered western ground parrot is finally photographed in the wild with the help of a heat-activated camera. Orange County faces more evacuations as Bond fire spreads Los Angeles Times, 03 Dec 2020 23:12Z Five weeks after the Silverado fire forced nearly 100000 residents to flee, the Bond fire ignited in Orange County's canyon country. Biden to urge wearing masks for first 100 days in office The Hill 03 Dec 2020 23:09Z President-elect Joe Biden plans to call on Americans to wear masks for his first 100 days in office, he announced Thursday. D-FW business capacity to roll back as COVID-19 hospitalizations remain above 15% for 7 days straight The Dallas Morning News, 04 Dec 2020 0:53Z The state hospital region that includes Dallas-Fort Worth reported COVID-19 hospitalizations above Gov. Greg Abbott's 15% threshold for the seventh day in... Tire dust killing coho salmon returning to Puget Sound, new research shows Seattle Times, 03 Dec 2020 19:52Z Researchers have determined tire dust is killing coho salmon as soon as they enter urban streams, and before they can spawn. NASA buying Moon dust for $1 FRANCE 24, 03 Dec 2020 21:51Z Washington (AFP). The US space agency NASA awarded contracts to four companies on Thursday to collect lunar samples for $1 to $15,000, rock-bottom prices ... Orange County faces more evacuations as Bond fire spreads Los Angeles Times, 03 Dec 2020 23:48Z Five weeks after the Silverado fire forced nearly 100000 residents to flee, the Bond fire ignited in Orange County's canyon country. [SWAMP!] Trump mulls preemptive pardons for up to 20 allies, even as Republicans balk POLITICO, 04 Dec 2020 0:48Z President Donald Trump is considering preemptively pardoning as many as 20 aides and associates before leaving office, frustrating Republicans who believe ... California to impose regional stay-at-home order to ease Covid hospitalizations, governor says CNBC, 03 Dec 2020 23:46Z California will impose a limited stay-at-home order on regions of the state where Covid cases place a strain on ICU units, Gov. Gavin Newsom said. [Gati:] Climate Signals @ClimateSignals 03 Dec 2020 21:45Z Gati's behavior was more than unusual. It mirrored how climate warming is affecting North Atlantic storms -- slower-than-average movement, rapid intensification & the delivery of massive amounts of rainfall over a relatively short time span. bit.ly/39DR3b3 by @dcusickmpls AlJazeera Weather @AJEWeather 22 Nov 2020 14:45Z VerySevere Cyclonic Storm Gati makes destructive landfall over northernSomalia [Underlining:] Brian Brettschneider @Climatologist49 03 Dec 2020 22:45Z Replying to @Climatologist49 The Nov 2020 {global SST} departure was *only* 0.57°C above the 20th Century average; therefore the strong La Nina in 2020 is equivalent to the mega El Nino of 1998. [SHOVE!] Capital Weather Gang @capitalweather 03 Dec 2020 23:44Z Northern Alaska is bracing for a rare "ice shove" that may come ashore Thursday night. Here's what that means: wapo.st/2VyHWQX [Mudslide!] Nat Herz @Nat_Herz 04 Dec 2020 00:01Z This photo of the extreme rain-induced landslide in the Southeast Alaska community of Haines is horrifying. Two people are still missing -- our latest story is here: alaskapublic.org/2020/12/03/sea... pic.twitter.com/8G4wPfTljn Deep space probe to land in outback SA over weekend ABC News, 04 Dec 2020 Japan's asteroid mission Hayabusa 2 will "splash down" in the desert nr Australia's former missile testing range at Woomera, SA over the weekend. The probe will be returning samples from the asteroid that may shed light on the origins of life in the solar system. A warm pool in the Indo-Pacific Ocean has almost doubled in size, changing global rainfall patterns NOAA, 03 Dec 2020 Recent NOAA-funded research shows that a large pool of the ocean's warmest waters, stretching across the Indian and west Pacific Oceans, has grown warmer and almost doubled in size since 1900. This expanding warm pool has major implications for global rainfall. December 2020 outlook NOAA, 03 Dec 2020 According to the December 2020 outlook from NOAA's Climate Prediction Center, much of the contiguous United States is expected to observe a warmer and drier-than-average end of the year. [Pardon?] Ivanka Trump questioned for hours during investigation into misuse of donor funds ABC News, 3 Dec 2020 at 8:46pm US President Donald Trump's daughter and senior White House adviser Ivanka Trump says she was deposed for more than five hours by lawyers alleging that the 2017 inauguration committee misused donor funds -- an inquiry she claimed was a "waste of taxpayer dollars". Biden says reports of pardons for Trump's children concern him a 'great deal' ABC News, 3 Dec 2020 at 8:43pm President-elect Joe Biden says he is worried about "what kind of precedent it sets" if US media reports are true that Donald Trump is considering pre-emptive pardons for his children as he leaves office. [Slave labor:] Out-of-work Aussies are being offered up to $6,000 to relocate for harvest jobs, but only 148 have signed up ABC Rural, 3 Dec 2020 at 8:56pm Attempts to encourage Australians who lost their jobs due to the coronavirus pandemic to take up farm work appear to be failing, despite large cash incentives. [A new report says ag workers in NSW can be paid as little as $3 per hr. Visitors on work visas are among the most exploited. Unions and welfare groups have called for an RC into working conditions in the sector]. NSW authorities urgently tracking source of hotel worker's COVID-19 infection ABC News, 3 Dec 2020 at 10:24pm NSW recorded 26 days without a coronavirus case before the Sydney woman working in hotel quarantine tested positive. United States slashes travel visas for Chinese Communist Party members from 10 years to one month ABC News, 04 Dec 2020 00:26Z US Government restricts travel for members of China's ruling Communist Party and their families into the United States, in the latest move to push back against Chinese activity in the country. [Mud!] AccuWeather @breakingweather 03 Dec 2020 08:40Z One Alaskan town was covered in 9 feet of mud and debris after record rainfall triggered landslides, wiped out roadways and prompted evacuations during the middle of the week: bit.ly/3qhdtoq pic.twitter.com/5C5ML1cxAI Leo Hickman @LeoHickman 03 Dec 2020 09:41Z ++BREAKING++ UK should aim for "at least" 68% cut by 2030, says the UK's official climate advisor @theCCCuk has decided to release a key section from 6th carbon budget report, due on 9 Dec, a week early in anticipation of the UK revealing its NDC today. (incs key details) pic.twitter.com/QDXShu0NLp [Warm DC!] Capital Weather Gang @capitalweather 03 Dec 2020 14:41Z DC's winter climate is rapidly warming up: * Temp has increased 3 to 5F in last 50 yrs * Freeze season has shrunk 3 weeks * Avg coldest morning has risen from 9 to 14F * No. of days below 32 has dropped from 10 to 6 per year wapo.st/33AuuQT The Debrief @Debriefmedia 03 Dec 2020 14:40Z A new study concludes that if life ever existed on Mars, it would have to dwell well below the planet's surface. #Mars @NASA @SpaceX #life thedebrief.org/is-there-life-... [Winter Fires!] CIRA @CIRA_CSU 03 Dec 2020 19:21Z Smoke plumes from several wildfires that ignited overnight in Southern California. pic.twitter.com/kqfetSIi0N NOAA Satellites @NOAASatellites 03 Dec 2020 13:45Z This #ThursdayMorning, #GOESWest's Fire Temperature product zoomed in on heat signatures from California's #BondFire, which spread to 1,500 acres overnight, threatening structures in Silverado and Williams Canyons. More than 240 firefighters are working to contain the flames. pic.twitter.com/YMYldzMI27 Capital Weather Gang @capitalweather 03 Dec 2020 15:41Z California wildfires erupt amid 90 mph Santa Ana winds in unusual and dangerous December event. Could last on and off into early next week. washingtonpost.com/weather/2020/1... Elizabeth C. McLaughlin @ECMcLaughlin 03 Dec 2020 15:43Z It's impossible to state the stress of our second potential fire evacuation in four weeks. I'm fucking shot. My kids are shot. We're in month nine of lockdown. There's not even an evac facility due to COVID. Predictive modeling has the fire at our door by 4:15 pm. Stanford Earth @StanfordEarth 03 Dec 2020 17:43Z Across California, as the number of smoke days has risen over the past 15 years, it has begun to reverse some of the gains that the state had made in cleaning up its air from conventional sources of pollution, @MarshallBBurke discusses with @nytimes: nyti.ms/2I1yYbA pic.twitter.com/VvT4Wm9NwY Robert Rohde @RARohde 03 Dec 2020 15:46Z Replying to @KendraWrites If the vaccine prevents transmission, then with vaccination as the only measure, the pandemic would be expected to die back with 60-70% coverage. If vaccines are combined with other measures (masks, distancing), then we might plausibly break transmission with ~30% coverage. Climate Signals @ClimateSignals 03 Dec 2020 15:41Z This year will be one of the 3 hottest on record globally, as marine heat waves swelled over 80% of the world's oceans, and triple-digit heat invaded Siberia. These troubling indicators of global warming are laid out in a U.N. State of the Climate report. wapo.st/3ojnXlp Bloomberg Green @climate 03 Dec 2020 17:48Z The Trump administration announced it will sell oil drilling rights in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge on Jan. 6, complicating Biden's vow to "permanently protect" the Alaskan reserve trib.al/AflDUTz Climate Signals @ClimateSignals 03 Dec 2020 17:41Z The outlook for 5 Australian world heritage sites including the Great Barrier Reef has deteriorated, according to a global report that finds climate change is the number one threat to the planet's natural world heritage. bit.ly/2VvJPgW Great Barrier Reef outlook downgraded to critical by UN report The Australian, 03 Dec 2020 03:22Z A United Nations report has downgraded the outlook for the Great Barrier Reef to critical as climate change replaces invasive species as the ... [Plant Food!] Andrew Dessler @AndrewDessler 03 Dec 2020 18:40Z Replying to @AndrewDessler Interesting paper about crop yields. Upshot: "CO2 is plant food" might be right, but higher temps and less water are plant killers. Net result is bad news for maize. GC089-07 - Ensemble estimates of future extreme event impacts on global food production agu.confex.com/agu/fm20/meeti... Zack Labe @ZLabe 03 Dec 2020 19:05Z The global upper ocean heat content has also been updated through September 2020. The long-term warming trend is clear. [Data (anomalies) & methods from @NOAANCEIocngeo: ncei.noaa.gov/access/global-...] pic.twitter.com/lxN49dow31 Climate Signals @ClimateSignals 03 Dec 2020 19:29Z Wildfires, made worse by climate change, generate dangerous air pollution, with local and long-range health impacts. This has contributed to a decline in U.S. air quality since 2016. Details in the new #LancetClimate20 U.S. brief: bit.ly/37wDxn9 pic.twitter.com/YHCbxWTOWa The Lincoln Project Targets Mitch McConnell, Trump in Latest Ads: 'This Is Not Normal' Newsweek, 03 Dec 2020 10:04Z One of the anti-Trump PAC ads described the Georgia Senate run-off in January as a vote on Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell. Zack Labe @ZLabe 02 Dec 2020 23:26Z Changes in land ice mass measured by GRACE satellite in Antarctica and Greenland - frequent updates now available from GRACE-FO (updated to September)! Methods can be found from @NASAClimate at climate.nasa.gov/vital-signs/ic.... My graphic can also be downloaded: sites.uci.edu/zlabe/arctic-s... pic.twitter.com/9j4C1nWMrK [Surge!] Axios @axios 03 Dec 2020 01:26Z NEW: U.S. exceeds 100,000 COVID-related hospitalizations for the first time axios.com/us-100000-covi... Dana Nuccitelli @dana1981 03 Dec 2020 03:26Z Right on schedule, 4 days after Thanksgiving the US #COVID19 positive test rate has started jumping up again after briefly peaking last week. Really high positive test rates of 12.8% and 13.5% the last two days to go along with near-record daily death rates ¬ twitter.com/nytimes/status... pic.twitter.com/iWgYHqriVq SDGs Ghana @ Presidency @SDGsPresidency 03 Dec 2020 11:17Z "Research has proven that the Ocean can supply 6 times more food than it does today, the ocean could decline 21% of emission reductions needed to limit global temperature rise. We have a collaborative obligation to protect the ocean for our wellbeing." Prof. Kwasi Appeaning Addo Jupiter and Saturn Will Align to Create the First "Christmas Star" in Nearly 800 Years POPSUGAR, 02 Dec 2020 21:19Z Jupiter and Saturn will deliver a Christmas miracle in December 2020 as the planets align to create the closest "Star of Bethlehem" in nearly 800. The College-Entrance Exam Is 9 Hours Long. Covid-19 Made It Harder. The New York Times, 03 Dec 2020 09:16Z Seoul, South Korea. Nearly a half-million South Korean high school seniors hunkered down on Thursday to take an annual university-entrance exam they ... [Wet!] 'The wettest day ever': At least 6 people missing, homes destroyed after record-breaking Southeast Alaska rainstorm USA TODAY, 03 Dec 2020 03:15Z Multiple precipitation records were broken Tuesday across Southeast Alaska, including a single-day rainfall record from 1946, the NWS said. This Japanese Shop Is 1,020 Years Old. It Knows a Bit About Surviving Crises. The New York Times, 03 Dec 2020 08:15Z Kyoto, Japan. Naomi Hasegawa's family sells toasted mochi out of a small, cedar-timbered shop next to a rambling old shrine in Kyoto. The family started the ... Freaky `frankenprawns': ancient deep sea monsters called radiodonts had incredible vision that likely drove an evolutionary arms race The Conversation AU, 02 Dec 2020 19:14Z Our study on weird ancient marine animals called radiodonts supports the idea that vision played a crucial role during the Cambrian Explosion, a rapid burst of ... [YorFired!] Attorney General Barr: No evidence of widespread fraud that'd change presidentialelection outcome KCRASacramento, 01 Dec 2020 20:33Z Attorney General William Barr said Tuesday the Justice Department has not uncoveredevidence of widespread voter fraud that would change the outcome of ... Barr had 'intense' meeting with Trump after AG's interview undercutting voter fraud claims: Sources ABC News, 03 Dec 2020 03:13Z Attorney General Bill Barr had an unscheduled meeting with President Trump Tuesday following an interview in which he disputed the president's claims of ... New Sydney coronavirus case sparks uncertainty five days before WA's planned border changes ABC News, 2 Dec 2020 at 11:28pm A new coronavirus case in Sydney throws uncertainty over changes to WA's border rules, just days from when the state is supposed to open its doors to travellers from Victoria and New South Wales. 'We really are at the bottom of the pack': Climate change inaction harming Australians' health, experts say ABC Health & Wellbeing, 2 Dec 2020 at 11:42pm The Federal Government's failure to address the growing health impacts of climate change is putting Australian lives at risk, a major new report warns. Tasmanian Liberal MP speaks out against Government's cashless welfare scheme ABC News, 2 Dec 2020 at 11:44pm A Federal Liberal backbencher has hit out at the Coalition's plan to make a controversial scheme a permanent fixture of Australia's social welfare framework, labelling it as "punitive" and arguing her community could never support it. 'Decision has been made': US plans to restore 1st Fleet to keep China in check ABC News, 03 Dec 2020 01:30Z Donald Trump's administration is seeking to finalise a build-up in the US Navy's presence in vital Pacific and Indian Ocean seaways to Australia's north, to ward off any further expansion of China's interests. [2 horse race:] 2020 neck and neck towards the hottest year ever, despite La Niña ABC Weather, 03 Dec 2020 01:29Z The past six years were the hottest in history, according to the World Meteorological Organisation, and 2020 could be the hottest year we've ever had. Corals get ready for world's biggest sex event under the full moon ABC Science, 03 Dec 2020 01:28Z Scientists say they've read the signs and the biggest mass-spawning event on the planet is set to take place on the Great Barrier Reef this weekend. And you'll be able to watch it live. [The ABC is broadcasting live coral sex over 2 days]. 'Extremely hazardous': Electrician who had to help lift 400kg switchboard wins $1.3m compensation ABC News, 03 Dec 2020 02:27Z An electrician who injured his back helping to carry a 400-kilogram switchboard is awarded almost $1.3 million for injuries he sustained while working for Canberra electrical company ActewAGL. Australia is technically out of recession, but many people are still feeling the pain ABC News, 03 Dec 2020 02:26Z It is politically difficult to sell a good news story when about 1 million Australians are still out of work and many are struggling to pay their rent and bills. [Slave labor:] Ministers clash over labour shortages as farmers face 'unprecedented challenge' ABC News, 03 Dec 2020 02:43Z Frustration over how to get more fruit and vegetable pickers on farms ahead of the summer harvest boils over, with some state agriculture ministers calling on their federal counterpart to address the problem urgently. Donald Trump and Jared Kushner receive $3.65m in PPP loan money intended for small businesses, report says The Independent, 02 Dec 2020 21:06Z Real estate properties owned by President Donald Trump and his son-in-law Jared Kushner received $3.65m of loan money through the Paycheck Protection ... Masked Brazilian Bank Robbers Lay Siege To Another City, Kill 1 NPR, 02 Dec 2020 23:05Z Just a day after a band of armed gangsters robbed a bank in Criciúma, another in the city of Cametá was targeted. The cities are separated by 2000 miles. Coronavirus live news: US sees highest daily deaths since April; French ex- president dies of Covid complications The Guardian, 03 Dec 2020 03:03Z Valéry Giscard d'Estaing was 94 and served as France's leader from 1974 to 1981; Lilly to supply 650000 more doses of bamlanivimab to US government; ... [27 yo born!] Baby girl born from record-setting 27-year-old embryo BBC News, 02 Dec 2020 22:04Z One-month old Molly Gibson has broken the record set by her own sister, Emma, now three years old. Study reveals connection between gut bacteria and vitamin D levels Medical Xpress, 01 Dec 2020 Our gut microbiomes-the many bacteria, viruses and other microbes living in our digestive tracts-play important roles in our health and risk for disease in ways ... Thousands of dead rays, shrimp, fish wash up in Florida, drawing memories of 2016 'fish-pocalypse' USA TODAY, 02 Dec 2020 18:02Z Thousands of dead rays, skates, shrimp, and other sea life speckled some shorelines on Florida's Atlantic coast, a result of an algae bloom. Georgia Republicans Contort Themselves to Avoid Trump's Fury The New York Times, 03 Dec 2020 02:42Z Many in the state G.O.P. are expending significant effort - and contorting themselves into political pretzels - to navigate the president's outrage over his loss, ... Trump fundraiser to challenge voting results is the real election fraud USA TODAY/Opinion, 02 Dec 2020 18:00Z Our View: As Trump PAC and the Republican National Committee beg for money, the former reality TV star is again selling unreality to potential donors. China's 'wolf warriors' are attempting to drive a wedge between Australia and the US ABC/The Conversation, 02 Dec 2020 18:02Z China's attacks on Australia may seem over the top, but they are meant to achieve specific goals -- playing to a nationalist domestic audience and making an example of Australia to the world. A Melbourne patient with COVID was given a megadose of vitamin C. The change in him was 'remarkable' ABC News, 02 Dec 2020 18:01Z A young Australian man who was critically ill with COVID-19 and suffering early stages of blood poisoning made a remarkable recovery after being given massive doses of vitamin C, according to his doctors. Dana Nuccitelli @dana1981 02 Dec 2020 06:23Z An American teacher would have to work 667 years to make what outgoing Education Secretary Betsy DeVos' family dropped on a fucking yacht, which is registered in the Cayman Islands to dodge taxes despite being parked on Lake Michigan, and this whole Tweet makes me want to puke. twitter.com/dana1981/statu... Robert Rohde @RARohde 02 Dec 2020 11:27Z The @OECD is a diverse collection of democratic countries committed to free market principles. Comparing the reported COVID-19 deaths per capita across the 37 OECD members there are stark differences between countries that mounted an effective response and those that didn't. pic.twitter.com/FrswDWz4of Zack Labe @ZLabe 02 Dec 2020 13:29Z The World Meteorological Organization (@WMO) provisional report on the State of the Global Climate in 2020 was released today... "2011-2020 will be the warmest decade on record, with the warmest six years all being since 2015" + Press Release: public.wmo.int/en/media/press... pic.twitter.com/dahyEinRR4 NOAA Satellites @NOAASatellites 02 Dec 2020 13:26Z The sun may be rising over the western hemisphere, but it is setting over Asia, where Tropical Cyclone #Burevi is poised to make landfall in Sri Lanka and then India's southern tip. Here, #Meteosat8, operated by our partners @EUMETSAT, is watching from more than 22,000 miles up. pic.twitter.com/HSVluemOFl Victor Venema @VariabilityBlog 02 Dec 2020 14:28Z China goes the way of the Soviet Union. Locking up & killing students & business people. Successful societies transformed to democracies, so that people are rewarded for their work & the powerful cannot steal it. China choose the opposite, declines into nationalism & autocracy. twitter.com/Reuters/status... [It's In The Water!] The Debrief @Debriefmedia 02 Dec 2020 16:21Z In an exclusive feature for The Debrief, U.S. #military and #intelligence officials, as well as #Pentagon emails, offer an unprecedented glimpse behind the scenes of what's currently going on with The Pentagon's investigation into #UFOs thedebrief.org/fast-movers-an... []. The Debrief @Debriefmedia 02 Dec 2020 14:21Z Due to a large amount of traffic, The Debrief crashed this morning. We are sorry for the inconvenience caused. We are in the process of migrating to a more robust server. We're gonna need a bigger boat. [Fire Weather:] NWS Storm Prediction Center @NWSSPC 02 Dec 2020 16:28Z Widespread critical fire weather is expected to return to parts of southern California starting late this evening (12/2) and early Thursday (12/3). Winds of 25-40 mph, with stronger gusts, can be expected. With dry fuels already in place, rapid fire spread is likely. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/QqfCatoodS John Kennedy @micefearboggis 02 Dec 2020 17:01Z 1/n The provisional WMO State of the Global Climate 2020 report is out. It covers key indicators and high-impact events for 2019 and 2020. This is a bit of a summary. Contributors on twitter tagged below. public.wmo.int/en/media/press... John Kennedy @micefearboggis 02 Dec 2020 17:01Z Replying to @MartinStendel @PolarPortal 11/n Greenland lost ~152Gt of ice in the 2019-20 season. Although surface mass balance was near to the long-term average, loss of ice due to iceberg calving was at the high end of the 40-year satellite record. @MartinStendel @PolarPortal pic.twitter.com/EhHxm0oXrM Climate Signals @ClimateSignals 02 Dec 2020 17:19Z A bushfire has burned across half the World Heritage-listed K'gari/Fraser Island - the world's biggest sand island, off Australia's Queensland coast - with potentially catastrophic consequences for its habitats and wildlife. bit.ly/39NgozF [1655 km2]. Capital Weather Gang @capitalweather 02 Dec 2020 17:31Z Pace of climate change shown in new report has humanity on `suicidal' path, UN leader warns. Key findings: *2020 will be a top 3 warmest yr *80% of ocean regions had a marine heat wave in 2020. *Siberian Arctic was 9 F above avg. washingtonpost.com/weather/2020/1... Singapore approves sale of lab-grown chicken nuggets in world first ABC News, 02 Dec 2020 15:11Z Singapore has given a US start-up the green light to sell lab-grown chicken meat, in what the firm says is the world's first regulatory approval for so- called "clean meat" that does not come from slaughtered animals. Putin announces Russians to get COVID vaccine next week ABC News, 02 Dec 2020 16:11Z Russian President Vladimir Putin orders health authorities to begin mass vaccinations for COVID-19 there next week as his Health Minister says over 100,000 Russians have already been vaccinated. Government watchdog sues Trump, Kushner and WH to prevent records being destroyed ampAxios, 02 Dec 2020 03:40Z A government watchdog group filed a lawsuit against President Trump, his son-in-law Jared Kushner and the White House on Tuesday to prevent them from ... 'I'll see you in four years': Trump hints he will run for president in 2024 ABC News, 02 Dec 2020 06:27Z Outgoing US President Donald Trump tells a crowded White House holiday reception he will always call this year's election rigged and, if he can't overturn the result, he will "see you in four years". Britain to begin vaccinating for COVID-19 next week ABC News, 02 Dec 2020 08:26Z The UK Government says frontline health care workers and nursing home residents will be first in line to get the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, followed by older adults. Devastation as Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong sentenced to 13-and-a-half months in prison ABC News, 02 Dec 2020 08:25Z "I know the coming days will be tougher, we will hang in there," Mr Wong shouts after the sentence is read out. He was facing a possible three years in prison, but his sentence was reduced after he pleaded guilty. Australian scientist heading to China to investigate COVID-19 says 'we will certainly find answers' ABC News, 02 Dec 2020 09:24Z An Australian scientist set to travel to China as part of a 10-member team of experts exploring the origin of the coronavirus says he won't let politics get in the way of his investigation. WeChat censors Scott Morrison's post directed at Chinese community ABC News, 02 Dec 2020 10:49Z A message by Prime Minister Scott Morrison that was directed at the Chinese community and critical of an inflammatory post by a senior Beijing bureaucrat has been censored by a Chinese tech giant. England Votes to End Lockdown in Favor of New Coronavirus Measures The New York Times, 01 Dec 2020 20:55Z Lawmakers approved new coronavirus restriction rules, but members of Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Conservative Party showed growing opposition to the ... Johnson suffers biggest Commons revolt as MPs back tougher Covid tiers The Guardian, 02 Dec 2020 0:56Z Boris Johnson suffered his worst Commons rebellion tonight as 55 Conservative MPs opposed the government's new coronavirus tiers despite the prime ... Dozens of bandits seize Brazilian city, loot bank The Associated Press, 01 Dec 2020 19:56Z Rio de Janeiro (AP). Dozens of criminals armed with assault rifles invaded a city in southern Brazil overnight and took control of the streets as they ... Christopher Maier, DoD's top Defeat-ISIS official, resigns amid Pentagon purge [#unreliablesource] Washington Times, 01 Dec 2020 18:48Z The Pentagon's top official for the Defeat-ISIS Task Force submitted his resignation Monday, effectively disbanding the three-year-old commission designated to ... Lou Dobbs Accuses Bill Barr of Being 'Compromised' and Part of the 'Deep State' The Daily Beast, 02 Dec 2020 0:44Z This came hours after the attorney general said there was no evidence of widespread, election-changing fraud in the 2020 race. [Notguilty at all:] White House vetting pardon requests as some push Trump to preemptively pardonfamily ABC News, 01 Dec 2020 20:34Z Multiplesources tell ABC News that various Trump allies have begun a campaignto petition the West Wing in hopes of securing pardons from the president. Giuliani is said to have discussed a possible pardon with Trump. The New York Times, 01 Dec 2020 16:35Z Rudolph W. Giuliani, President Trump's lawyer who has led the most extensive efforts to damage his client's political rivals and undermine the election results, ... Justice Department Investigating Possible Bribery-For-Pardon Scheme NPR, 02 Dec 2020 02:45Z The Justice Department is investigating a possible secret scheme involving a bribe in exchange for a presidential pardon, according to court documents ... Trump Has Discussed With Advisers Pardons for His 3 Eldest Children and Giuliani The New York Times, 02 Dec 2020 02:46Z President Trump has discussed with advisers whether to grant pre-emptive pardons to his children, to his son-in-law and to his personal lawyer Rudolph W. ... Phil Plait @BadAstronomer 01 Dec 2020 16:39Z Saturn'smoon Titan has huge lakes of liquid methane, one of which -- Kraken Mare -- is far larger than Lake Superior! And new analysis of Cassinidata shows that the lakes aren't just big: They're deep. Very deep.syfy.com/syfywire/relea... [Fire Weather:] AccuWeather@breakingweather 01 Dec 2020 18:33Z .@accuweatherforecasters are warning residents in Southern Californiato brace for a strong Santa Ana event. bit.ly/33Bfimm Assaad Razzouk @AssaadRazzouk 01 Dec 2020 18:33Z The energy future snuck up on us: We're well on our way towards one billionelectric vehicles and much cheaper batteries - with peak oil alreadyhere "It's often difficult to recognize civilization-sized shiftsin behavior until after they've occurred" bloomberg.com/graphics/2020-... pic.twitter.com/LmYRjmjzlv [C0Bonuses!] BloombergLive @BloombergLive 01 Dec 2020 18:40Z "Avery important thing we have decided to do is to include decarbonizationin management compensation. 10% of the salary of @Bayer'sCEO, and the top 500 in leadership, will depend on achievingcarbon neutrality by 2030." @berninger71 #SustainableBizSummitpic.twitter.com/39gZ2i9QCY [Acticseaice:] ZackLabe @ZLabe 01 Dec 2020 18:34Z Replyingto @NSIDC 2020's#Arctic sea ice extent rank by month (@NSIDC data since 1978/1979) ------------------------- Jan: 8th lowest Feb: 13th lowest Mar: 11th lowest Apr: 4th lowest May: 4th lowest Jun: 2nd lowest Jul: LOWEST Aug: 3rd lowest Sep: 2nd lowest Oct: LOWEST Nov: 2nd lowest EricHolthaus @EricHolthaus 01 Dec 2020 18:34Z Currentpolicies put the world on course for anywhere between 2.1 to 3.9°Cwarming, with a best estimate of 2.9°C warming. The Paris Agreementhas helped open a door for a 1.5-2°C world, but it's not been nearlyenough (yet) for us to walk through. More: climateactiontracker.org/global/cat-the... twitter.com/James_BG/statu...pic.twitter.com/yfj5rn0uwb [Whiplash!] CapitalWeather Gang @capitalweather 01 Dec 2020 19:33Z Theeastern U.S. storm has had every type of hazardous/extreme weather imaginable: *Damaging winds in Northeast *Snow as far south as Alabama, Miss and Georgia *Tornado in Pennsylvania *Record rainfall *Record warmth in Maine It'sstill not over.... wapo.st/3luChpg JasonNicholls @jnmet 01 Dec 2020 19:33Z Wenow have Cyclonic Storm #Burevi over the southwest BOB. Storm shouldstrike #SriLanka near #Trincomalee Wednesday evening/nightthen enter Gulf of Mannar on Thursday. Flooding rains likelyacross southern #TamilNadu, #Kerala and Sri Lanka into Saturday.pic.twitter.com/lUrEYnS0um BloombergGreen @climate 01 Dec 2020 19:40Z ReachingBritain's net-zero emissions pledge will cost the energy industry$4 trillion, according to a new estimate trib.al/yqlJapI [NamedStorms:] RobertRohde @RARohde 01 Dec 2020 19:38Z Mostnamed Atlantic storms in a year: 30 - 2020 (new record) 28 - 2005 20- 1933 Every other recorded year had 19 or fewer. It is really not a goodsign when historical norms are being broken by large margins. twitter.com/WMO/status/133... BloombergGreen @climate 01 Dec 2020 20:40Z TheU.K. is leaning toward a cap-and-trade system over a carbon tax afterit leaves the EU, according to a junior Treasury minister trib.al/XWhZTI3 [Gassy!] Dr.Genevieve Guenther @DoctorVive 01 Dec 2020 20:34Z Inthe effort to reframe the BS term "natural gas," we've tried out phraseslike "fracked gas" & "fossil gas." A new @YaleClimateComm studysuggests using "methane gas"--becuz it has strong associations w #ClimateChange.Folks, I think we have a winner! climatecommunication.yale.edu/publications/s... TheDebrief @Debriefmedia 01 Dec 2020 20:32Z Aninternational team of scientists proposes using lasers to create a tractorbeam to manipulate lightning during thunderstorms. #weathercontrolanyone? thedebrief.org/researchers-wa... NOAASpace Weather @NWSSWPC 01 Dec 2020 21:38Z SolarCycle 25 underwent a recent uptick of activity! See more about thisby visiting the full story on our Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC)website: swpc.noaa.gov/news/solar-cyc... pic.twitter.com/uRHB2HKdIC ClimateCentral @ClimateCentral 01 Dec 2020 21:33Z Todayabout 1,600 affordable homes flood in an average year in New Jersey,but that number looks set to more than quadruple [by 2050]: news.trust.org/item/202012010... TheDebrief @Debriefmedia 01 Dec 2020 21:32Z DARPAedges closer to its dream of having 250 AI drones for urban warfareenvironments. thedebrief.org/darpa-dream-of... [Impaired!] BloombergGreen @climate 01 Dec 2020 22:40Z BigOil supermajors have now identified more than $70 billion of asset impairmentsthis year, by far the most in at least a decade trib.al/xdNokjZ RobertRohde @RARohde 01 Dec 2020 22:41Z Numberof Atlantic tropical storms and hurricanes observed by year. 2020and 2005 stand out as truly exceptional years. An upward trend in thenumber of Atlantic storms is suggested in recent decades. However, earlycounts are likely low due to less complete observations. pic.twitter.com/6SJsRFdrsd {Angelin the Coalmine:] ClimateSignals @ClimateSignals 01 Dec 2020 23:06Z Thesewinged water-dwellers are sea angels, floating marine slugs that maybe the "canary in the coal mine" for severe ocean acidification causedby modern global warming. bit.ly/36kvSIY AsVictorians swap lockdown for the beach, a 'perfect storm' is brewing ABC News, 01 Dec 2020 19:47Z LifeSaving Victoria calls for extra safety at beaches, rivers and pools, amidfears months of lockdown have left people less prepared for a summer in thewater. Australians send $10 billion overseas every year, but it's getting harder ABC News, 01 Dec 2020 19:46Z Bankaccounts of African-Australian businesses are being shut down as an " unintendedconsequence" of a crackdown on money laundering by major banks. Forpeople trying to support relatives, it's getting harder to send them money. Lightning strike in severe storm destroys heritage bell tower, thousands without power ABC Morning Briefing, 01 Dec 2020 19:45Z Thousands are without power across Greater Sydney after a severe storm hit last night, while a dramatic lightning strike sparks a blaze, destroying a historic bell tower in Ashfield. Queenslandbraces for record temperatures as heatwave intensifies in first daysof summer ABC News, 01 Dec 2020 20:44Z Severallocations in the southern part of Queensland are set to approach Decemberrecords in the wake of the state's second-warmest November, the Bureauof Meteorology says. Politiciansworldwide urge people to 'stand against authoritarian bullying' bydrinking Australian wine ABC News, 01 Dec 2020 20:47Z Aglobal alliance of parliamentarians call on their compatriots to "stand againstauthoritarian bullying" as they launch a campaign to support Australianwinemakers battered by Chinese trade tariffs. [Earlier:] Coronaviruswas present in US earlier than initially thought: CDC scientists TheHill, 01 Dec 2020 15:19Z Thecoronavirus was in the U.S. as early as mid-December 2019, a period earlierthan officially identified in either China or the U.S., according to newresearch ... Dr. Angela Rasmussen @angie_rasmussen 01 Dec 2020 15:24Z This whole thread is a fantastic critical analysis of the recent CDC study suggesting that SARS-CoV-2 was circulating in the US in December 2019 by Dr. Bedford. For me, this is the real kicker, though: twitter.com/trvrb/status/1... American study finds signs of coronavirus in US before China outbreak South China Morning Post, 01 Dec 2020 15:41Z US CDC says blood samples taken in nine states before cases were reported in Wuhan tested positive for antibodies for the pathogen. [Iconic!] PuertoRico: Iconic Arecibo Observatory telescope collapses BBCNews, 01 Dec 2020 18:39Z Thetelescope was used in decades of astronomical discoveries and as a backdropfor Hollywood films. China says spacecraft successfully lands on moon for historic sample collection CBS News, 01 Dec 2020 20:42Z If successful, the Chang'e 5 mission will make China only the third nation to bring moon rocks back to Earth. Alex Steffen @AlexSteffen 01 Dec 2020 19:36Z The ruins of Arecibo seem symbolic of the American loss of competence in (much less vision for) science. pic.twitter.com/VFVHtHcujh Sprawling8-mile-long 'canvas' of ice age beasts discovered hidden in Amazon rainforest Livescience.com,01 Dec 2020 12:35Z An8-mile-long "canvas" filled with ice age drawings of mastodons, giant slothsand other extinct beasts has been discovered in the Amazon rainforest. Trumpfiles suit to overturn his loss in Wisconsin POLITICO,01 Dec 2020 17:33Z PresidentDonald Trump has filed a lawsuit seeking to throw out hundreds of thousandsof ballots in Wisconsin, in an effort to overturn the results in a statehe ... [Overload!] AshishK. Jha, MD, MPH @ashishkjha 01 Dec 2020 05:25Z Thereis something funny happening with COVID hospitalizations Proportionof COVID pts getting hospitalized falling Alot Justrecently Mytheory? As hospitals fill up, bar for admission rising A patient who mighthave been admitted 4 weeks ago may get sent home now Thread AccuWeather@breakingweather 01 Dec 2020 08:23Z Thetemperature is currently 62 degrees in Boston, which is 25 degrees higherthan the 37 degrees in Houston: bit.ly/3du109a [CovidCure!] AlternativeNOAA @altNOAA 01 Dec 2020 09:25Z Replyingto @altNOAA Ican't believe its 2020 and we're trying to cure a pandemic with magic prayers.It's like we're living in Afghanistan or something. Alternative NOAA @altNOAA 01 Dec 2020 09:25Z .@GovStitt wants a Day of Prayer, so that God will automagically get rid of covid. You know what, I'm tired of arguing. How about a deal Governor? Let's pray on Wednesday and if covid still exists on Thursday then you agree to order a mask mandate for Oklahoma? That's fair! AlJazeera Weather @AJEWeather 01 Dec 2020 10:22Z Australianfirefighters struggle to control massive bush fire on Fraser Island [Pollution:] ChristaHasenkopf° @sciencerely 01 Dec 2020 11:26Z Replyingto @HEISoGA The@HEISoGA estimates that in 2019 nearly half a million newborns diedin the first month of life due to air pollution. *Half a million* Thisis absolutely breathtakingly tragic - especially because these deathsare *completely* avoidable. secure.givelively.org/donate/openaq-... ClimateActionTracker@climateactiontr 01 Dec 2020 11:25Z BREAKING:If all governments were to meet their promised #NetZero targets,warming in 2100 would be 2.1'0C. Our new analysis - full reporthere bit.ly/CAT_Nov2020 THREAD pic.twitter.com/mLBOc6i3SZ [BUSTED!] TheDebrief @Debriefmedia 01 Dec 2020 12:22Z BREAKING:The Arecibo observation platform just collapsed into the largedish. The situation on the ground is closed off for now and we willbe issuing updates. buff.ly/2VmrbrX pic.twitter.com/ChKeHLaRKE [0C:] BloombergLive @BloombergLive 01 Dec 2020 15:30Z "Almostthree-quarters of the world's GDP is under a net-zero commitment.How do you reach the parts of the economy that the electricitygrid is not going to get to? And you've got to have a molecule."@UniofOxford Professor @camjhep #SustainableBizSummitpic.twitter.com/Ruw4uRx65Z BloombergGreen @climate 01 Dec 2020 15:53Z Theworld's thirst for oil may never return to pre-pandemic levels trib.al/JF1KhWe [ChiefScientist:] RyanMaue @RyanMaue 01 Dec 2020 16:01Z Weirdway to start December with temperatures in Maine much warmer than CentralFlorida this afternoon. ¡ Note: HRRRv4 upgrades tomorrow. It is @NOAAflagship rapid update high resolution weather model. pic.twitter.com/GrWwtH9hV8 KenCaldeira@KenCaldeira 01 Dec 2020 15:59Z Replyingto @traceydurning @JigarShahDC and 4 others UShealth care spending is about 4,000 billion US$ per year. If we couldmake our health care delivery 15% more efficient, that would free upenough resources to successfully address the climate problem. ZackLabe @ZLabe 01 Dec 2020 16:04Z ¨Average November #Arctic sea ice extent was the *2nd lowest on record*This was 1,710,000 km² below the 1981-2010 average. November iceextent is decreasing at 5.13% per decade (satellite-era). Data from @NSIDC.pic.twitter.com/VskuybYeDG ZackLabe @ZLabe 01 Dec 2020 16:27Z Globalocean heat content now updated through September 2020... [Data(anomalies) & methods from @NOAANCEIocngeo: ncei.noaa.gov/access/global-...] pic.twitter.com/tdZmP6I14P AIsystem solves 50-year-old protein folding problem in hours Livescience.com,01 Dec 2020 12:19Z Thiscomplex problem that has plagued researchers for decades. UShospitals fill with 100,000 Covid-19 cases amid fear of pre-Christmas surge TheGuardian, 01 Dec 2020 15:16Z Almost100,000 people are hospitalised in the US from coronavirus, a record high,as states and cities scramble to implement strict new social measures ... Risingseas predicted to flood thousands of affordable housing units by 2050 TheVerge, 01 Dec 2020 11:15Z Thenumber of affordable housing units vulnerable to flooding could triple by2050 as the planet heats up, new research finds. Climate change is pushingup sea ... Taiwanforeign minister calls on Australia to help defend against China's 'expansionism' ABC News, 01 Dec 2020 09:46Z AsAustralia's diplomatic relationship with China worsens, Taiwan's foreign ministerhas called on Canberra to stand up for democracy and help defend Taiwanagainst threats of attack. LeakedChinese documents reveal chaotic early COVID-19 response 9News,01 Dec 2020 10:44Z Thatsame day, Chinese authorities reported 2478 new confirmed cases ... tiesto China reported seeing some of the reports during confidential ... China under-reported coronavirus cases by half, leaked documents reveal [#unreliablesource] Daily Mail, 01 Dec 2020 08:44Z China under-reported its coronavirus cases and deaths by up to half during ... Beijing has long been accused of under-reporting its coronavirus ... [SmallNumbers:] RobertRohde @RARohde 30 Nov 2020 19:44Z Replyingto @erinbiba It'sa good indication, but sparse data. Only 11 vaccine recipients got COVIDsymptoms, which is awesome. But since it was so few, only 1-2 wouldbe expected to have severe disease. Observing zero severe cases whenyou expect 2, can happen by chance ~15% of the time. BloombergGreen @climate 30 Nov 2020 23:46Z Exportersin Australia are positioning for carbon border tariffs to be introducedas soon as 2023 trib.al/lTiX7Cf BloombergGreen @climate 01 Dec 2020 01:46Z Bankof America said that it won't provide project financing for oil andgas exploration in the Arctic trib.al/Tgd5bCb BloombergGreen @climate 01 Dec 2020 02:46Z England'sfarmers will begin losing their current state subsidies from nextyear and instead receive payments for efforts to protect the environment,under government plans trib.al/1h3HQRh BloombergGreen @climate 01 Dec 2020 06:46Z China plans to exploit the hydropower resources of a Tibetan section of ariver that is a key source of water to Bangladesh and India, the GlobalTimes reports trib.al/mUuov1U [WarmNovember!] Thedata is in and Australia just had its hottest November on record ABCWeather, 01 Dec 2020 03:48Z TheBOM confirms it after crunching last month's numbers, while it was also thecountry's warmest spring on record for minimum and mean temperatures. Sou at HotWhopper @Sou_HotWhopper 01 Dec 2020 06:48Z Hottest November in Australia - during a La Niña! No. This is not what I expected with #climatechange. Not yet anyway. But here we are! What the heck will we be dealing with this coming decade let alone the rest of this century? blog.hotwhopper.com/2020/12/hottes... via @Sou_HotWhopper pic.twitter.com/JYJTtMINkp ScottAtlas resigns as Trump's coronavirus adviser POLITICO,01 Dec 2020 01:36Z ScottAtlas, the controversial physician who became President Donald Trump's hand-pickedcoronavirus adviser, resigned from the White House on Monday. Trump's coronavirus adviser Scott Atlas resigns after four months in the job ABC News, 01 Dec 2020 01:55Z The news of Scott Atlas's resignation came after a controversial four months during which he repeatedly clashed with Anthony Fauci and other members of the coronavirus task force. Melbournepublic transport to get cheaper off-peak fares to help with social distancing ABC News, 01 Dec 2020 01:54Z TheVictorian Government wants to reward commuters who travel outside peak hoursand make it easier for businesses to offer staggered work start times. Deforestationin Brazil's Amazon skyrockets to 12-year high ABC News, 01 Dec 2020 01:54Z Farmer,miners and land grabbers have used a weakening of Brazil's environmentalprotections to lay waste to swathes of the Amazon, and it couldleave the Government open to being sued under its own climate change laws. FraserIsland residents told to prepare to leave as bushfire battle rages on multiplefronts ABCWide Bay, 01 Dec 2020 03:51Z Residentsand staff at Fraser Island's largest resort and the neighbouring villagehave been told to prepare to leave, with the fire warning this morningincreased to Watch and Act level. CSIROradio telescope maps millions of galaxies in record-breaking southern skysurvey ABCMid West & Wheatbelt, 01 Dec 2020 03:51Z Asurvey testing the new Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder telescopein regional WA has delivered a map of the entire southern sky in justtwo weeks. Asecret conflict, an outlawed flag, and the plan to form a new government ABCNews Breakfast, 01 Dec 2020 04:47Z WestPapuan separatists announce they will form a new provisional government forthe region and reject Indonesia's rule, in a significant escalation of a decades-longbattle over independence. Queensland'sdebt levels to hit almost $130 billion within four years ABC News, 01 Dec 2020 04:46Z Queensland'sdebt levels will balloon to almost $130 billion within four years,but the Palaszczuk Government maintains that will still be lower than NewSouth Wales and Victoria. Thenumber of Australians stuck overseas and wanting to come home is growing. Hereare some reasons why ABC News, 30 Nov 2020 at 8:57pm Afew months ago, 26,000 Australians told the Government they wanted to come home.That has now jumped by another 10,000. So why are some Australians onlyjust registering their interest in coming home? Scotlandopened up over summer and is now paying the price. The lesson for Australiais clear ABC News, 30 Nov 2020 at 9:08pm Thestoic Scots are facing a second big lockdown affecting millions of peopleafter opening up their economy in the warmer months. As the Australiansummer begins, it shows complacency is the enemy, writes Claire Moodie. COVIDSafe[govt ap] update like 'rearranging deckchairs on the Titanic', expertssay ABCScience, 30 Nov 2020 at 11:09pm ACOVIDSafe update has drawn a mixture of surprise and despair from the tech community,which is pushing for Australia to switch to the Apple-Google systemused by other countries. Sellingup in Sydney and moving north -- why Queensland is the new real estatehotspot for interstate migration ABC News, 30 Nov 2020 at 11:13pm TheSunshine State has become a hotspot for interstate migration. Could this bewhy Queensland's house prices are going up amid a global pandemic, recessionand high unemployment rates? Cicadasso loud the locals struggle to hear their coffee orders ABCCentral West, 30 Nov 2020 at 11:29pm It'sthe soundtrack of this time of year -- even more so now, with the insectshaving a bumper season in part thanks to rainfall that has eased the impactsof drought. Antidepressantprescriptions on the rise, but statins still most common drug ABCHealth & Wellbeing, 01 Dec 2020 0:04Z Asignificant rise in prescriptions of an antidepressant has seen it make thelist of the nation's most commonly prescribed drugs for the first time. Bushfire,flood and cyclone warnings are about to get clearer ABC News, 01 Dec 2020 0:39Z Emergencywarnings will soon be consistent across the country and clearer abouthow people should respond. SquawkBox @SquawkCNBC 30 Nov 2020 12:21Z "Weare probably going to have by the end of this year 30% of the U.S. infected...ifyou combine a lot of infection around the country with vaccinating20% of the population you're getting to levels where this virusis not going to circulate as readily," says @ScottGottliebMD. pic.twitter.com/H0SV42BKZA Prof.Katharine Hayhoe @KHayhoe 30 Nov 2020 14:25Z Replyingto @KHayhoe It'snot just hurricanes ... in Houston, Harvey was the third 500-year floodevent in THREE YEARS. Our definitions of flood zones are already quaintlyobsolete, thanks to a changing climate. washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2... Prof. Katharine Hayhoe @KHayhoe 30 Nov 2020 14:25Z If your home is outside the 100-year flood plain, you're not required to purchase flood insurance. Well, guess what climate change is doing now ... and taxpayers are at risk for footing the bill. More: politico.com/news/2020/11/3... PrairieRose @msprairierose 30 Nov 2020 14:24Z I'memotionally exhausted. After a week of ND losing more people to COVIDI read about 4 more this morning and I knew 3 of them. My heart breaksfor so many families here. Having a hard time with the grief. [FirstDay Of Summer:] AlJazeera Weather @AJEWeather 30 Nov 2020 14:21Z Lastday of Queensland heatwave still sees 47C recorded in Birdsville, Australia'sNovember record holder [There'sa long way to go. Things generally hit max temps around Feb]. [Smoke!] ClimateSignals @ClimateSignals 30 Nov 2020 14:22Z Thefires sweeping across millions of acres in California aren't just incineratingtrees and houses. They're also filling the lungs of California'schildren with smoke, with potentially grave effects over thecourse of their lives. nyti.ms/36m9tLC HannahRitchie @_HannahRitchie 30 Nov 2020 15:22Z Perspectiveson hydrogen range from "useless" to "climate saviour". So, itmakes sense that the answer is nuanced. @CarbonBrief provide an amazingin-depth exploration of hydrogen, its potential & drawbacks. Brilliantwork @DrSimEvans & @Josh_Gabbatiss carbonbrief.org/in-depth-qa-do... [DeperationMode:] AssaadRazzouk @AssaadRazzouk 30 Nov 2020 15:21Z Desperatetimes at coal dinosaurs in Japan: The largest, JERA, wants to keepcoal power via crazy plans to dilute the fossil fuel with 100X moreammonia than available - all from gas - instead of the obvious: 100%renewables and green hydrogen bloomberg.com/news/articles/... #climate CarbonBrief @CarbonBrief 30 Nov 2020 16:22Z NEW- Guest post: Why climate change will cause more `strong' Indian OceanDipole events | @CSIRO j.mp/39tw8r2 pic.twitter.com/GuMVBKrNMe EricSteig º¸¨¦ @ericsteig 30 Nov 2020 17:24Z Today,WA State Department of Health announced the launch of an anonymousexposure notification tool for smartphones, to help stop the spreadof COVID-19. This should have happened 6+ months ago. It probablywould have if we'd had competent leadership in the White House. [PriceDrop!] NatBullard @NatBullard 30 Nov 2020 18:24Z 2020@BloombergNEF lithium-ion battery price index drops on Dec 16. Here'sthe last 10 years: from $1,183 per kilowatt-hour in 2010, to $156/kWhlast year, and an expected $135/kWh this year. Let's see how muchthe market undershoots our prediction. pic.twitter.com/KrSuHWoWLc DanaNuccitelli @dana1981 30 Nov 2020 17:23Z Replyingto @Lazard Forexample, as @Lazard found in its latest levelized cost of energyannual report, solar & wind are the cheapest sources of new energy,even cheaper than continuing to run existing coal power plants. Crazy!(8/10) twitter.com/dana1981/statu... [DesignedTo Fail:] NoahKaufman @noahqk 30 Nov 2020 20:23Z ~5years ago, Australia gave up on carbon pricing for political reasons,focusing instead on the use of government spending to pay for emissionsreductions (via the Emissions Reduction Fund, now rebranded theClimate Solutions Fund). Predictably, is hasn't remotely worked pic.twitter.com/m6LWXirpxH [Wet!] CapitalWeather Gang @capitalweather 30 Nov 2020 20:58Z Replyingto @capitalweather Witha month to go, 2020 has produced 52.38" of rain in DC, more than a footabove normal. This comes just two years after DC's wettest year on record,2018. Human-caused climate change is likely increasing heavy rainfallin Washington, in keeping w/ national trend. (4/4) pic.twitter.com/zkLyoHwNy5 Capital Weather Gang @capitalweather 30 Nov 2020 20:55Z Replying to @islivingston 2020's two-inch rain events in DC compared to other years. Graphic by @islivingston (3/x) pic.twitter.com/mdRXP5VlRL [Shattering!] ÖzdenTerli @TerliWetter 30 Nov 2020 21:03Z "Aftersix long months and 30 storms from Arthur to Iota, the record-shattering2020 Atlantic hurricane season ends Monday. "I didn't thinkI would live to see that, but it's happened," #CimateCrisisIsNow¦@MichaelEMann© usatoday.com/story/news/nat... ClimateSignals @ClimateSignals 30 Nov 2020 21:14Z Increasesin spring and summer productivity from elevated carbon dioxide,temperature and light levels actually drive trees to lose theirleaves earlier, a new study found, contradicting previous assumptionsthat climate change delays the onset of fall. cnn.it/33qQ4Hd NewZealand Charges 13 Parties Over Deaths At White Island Volcano NPR,30 Nov 2020 16:56Z NewZealand's government has filed charges over the volcano eruption that killed22 people on White Island last year, saying operators that brought touriststo ... Newlyinstalled air-conditioners in Queensland state schools unusable during heatwave ABCRadio Brisbane, 30 Nov 2020 06:52Z Queenslandstudents and staff face a sweltering final few days of the school yearwith newly installed air-conditioning units unusable because school electricalnetworks cannot cope. Oneof the world's longest continuous electric car networks planned for WA ABC News, 30 Nov 2020 08:51Z WesternAustralia plans to build one of the longest continuous electric vehiclenetworks in the world, enabling motorists to drive from Perth down toEsperance, across to Kalgoorlie or up to Kununurra. Farmersrejoice as this year's grain harvest is tipped to set records ABC News, 30 Nov 2020 18:49Z Graingrowers are on track to produce the second biggest crop ever, followingyears of drought and as trade relations with China grow frostier. Theweekend's heatwave sent records tumbling -- and it isn't over yet ABCWeather, 30 Nov 2020 19:01Z BothSouth Australia and New South Wales broke their November maximum temperaturerecords at the weekend, and southern Queensland and northern NSW willcontinue to sweat until Thursday. Prisonsboss to run Victoria's hotel quarantine system ABC News, 30 Nov 2020 01:11Z Anew agency to oversee the state's hotel quarantine system will be run by CorrectionsCommissioner Emma Cassar. Victoria will start accepting internationalarrivals again on December 7. Newlyinstalled air-conditioners in Queensland state schools unusable during heatwave ABCRadio Brisbane, 30 Nov 2020 05:57Z Queenslandstudents and staff face a sweltering final few days of the school yearwith newly installed air-conditioning units unusable because school electricalnetworks cannot cope. TrumpBaselessly Suggests FBI Rigged Election Against Him in First Post-ElectionInterview TheDaily Beast, 29 Nov 2020 23:00Z Thepresident also ranted at length about "big massive dumps" in a predictablybonkers, at times incoherent chat with Fox's Maria Bartiromo. Atleast 110 dead in Nigeria after suspected Boko Haram attack TheGuardian, 30 Nov 2020 04:59Z Attacktook place in village near Maiduguri, with assailants targeting farmersin rice fields. `IHave Never Seen So Many Toadstools.' A Bumper Crop of Mushrooms in Ukraine. TheNew York Times, 30 Nov 2020 01:58Z Khomutynsi,Ukraine. Valery Kravchuk, a seasoned mushroom hunter, pushed asidesome dead leaves to reveal his prize: a beautiful blusher, so called ... Howdoes the US retire 236 GW of coal and 1000 gas peaker plants? pvmagazine USA, 28 Nov 2020 Victoryin the economic realm (increasingly the case with solar, solar-plus-storageand wind) is no guarantee of market victory if the regulationsare stacked ... [BREAKING:China reduced to twitter troll:] AustraliaDemands China Apology for `Repugnant' Afghan Tweet Bloomberg,30 Nov 2020 05:31Z AustralianPrime Minister Scott Morrison said he was seeking an apology from China after a diplomat in Beijing tweeted an image purporting to show an ... PM demands apology from China over 'outrageous post' depicting Australian soldier killing a child ABC News, 30 Nov 2020 03:10Z The Prime Minister demands the Chinese Government delete a fake image showing an Australian soldier murdering a child, as relations between the two nations continue to spiral downwards. The'diploma divide' in American politics TheHill/Opinion, 29 Nov 2020 15:56Z Whatdrives the diploma divide? In a word, populism. EricSteig º¸¨¦ @ericsteig 29 Nov 2020 17:27Z SinceBiden won Wisconsin twice, and Georgia twice, his total electoral votecount is now: 280 + 2*10 + 2*16 = 332 It'llbe 348 when we wins Georgia for the third time! [Nice!] ThomasBauska @tinyicybubbles 29 Nov 2020 11:26Z Asummary of major ice core drilling in Antarctica. How deep and how old?Vostok wins in term of depth - but remember they hit a lake! Dome Chas the oldest ice. WAIS Divide is the best for resolution in the lastglacial period. So where should we drill next? pic.twitter.com/4rRWLIsNgD ClimateCentral @ClimateCentral 29 Nov 2020 13:25Z Fruittrees need winter. Georgia peach production is down, and warming wintersare a big part of the story: bit.ly/2020WinterPack...#climatematters pic.twitter.com/ouBncRwNue [Learning:] ClimateSignals @ClimateSignals 29 Nov 2020 15:26Z Accordingto the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies,more than 4.3 million Central Americans, including 3 million Hondurans,were affected by Hurricane Eta alone. Those numbers rose whenIota, another Category 4 storm, hit. bit.ly/39hAOAu [Re-learning:] TomInglesby @T_Inglesby 29 Nov 2020 15:24Z Hopefullyin future epidemics, leaders will see the initial testing strategydetailed here as wrong path. In Italy, US, elsewhere, restrictingtesting to only those who travelled to China, even when diseasesuspected by doctors, badly set back the response nytimes.com/2020/11/29/wor... MikeHudema @MikeHudema 29 Nov 2020 16:29Z Inthree years this #solar installation at a high school in Arkansasturned the district budget from a $250K deficit to a $1.8 millionsurplus and they're using the surplus to pay teachers more. We havethe solutions. Time to #BuildBackBetter #ActOnClimate #climate#covid19 pic.twitter.com/6V95ZWcLnv ZackLabe @ZLabe 29 Nov 2020 16:26Z Newcollection of studies on the impacts of 2018's record sea ice anomalyin the Bering Sea: sciencedirect.com/science/articl... +Climate models: journals.ametsoc.org/bams/article/1... +Observations: agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.102... +Ecosystems: agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/20... +Mechanisms: nature.com/articles/s4159... pic.twitter.com/bGDSjPLzwa [Lifeboat:] ShaniBenezra @shaniben_ezra 29 Nov 2020 16:24Z Replyingto @ScottGottliebMD Whatdoes Dr. Birx mean by "vaccinating for impact"? @ScottGottliebMDsays "it depends on what impact you're trying to achieve."To maximize preservation of human life, prioritize older Americans-- but to reduce the rate of #coronavirus infection, prioritizeessential workers. [CauseOf Death:] AssaadRazzouk @AssaadRazzouk 29 Nov 2020 17:24Z Noone ever had "air pollution" listed as cause of death. UK inquest intodeath of asthmatic 9-year-old could change that: "There was direct linkbetween Ella's condition and levels of toxic gases such as nitrogendioxide and harmful airborne particle" bbc.co.uk/news/stories-5... KenCaldeira@KenCaldeira 29 Nov 2020 18:28Z "Imagineif you were a leader of a country and you had repeated years ofcrop failures and famines ... And you thought that by ... putting someaerosols in the stratosphere, that you could protect the lives and well-beingof the people in your country." kencaldeira.wordpress.com/2020/11/25/cli... pic.twitter.com/2ZIZc4bMCz [WarmSiberia!] severe-weather.EU@severeweatherEU 29 Nov 2020 19:32Z Stillan extreme temperature anomaly over Arctic Russia! Map: @climatereanalyzerpic.twitter.com/5dQyNxPOzv DavidWallace-Wells @dwallacewells 29 Nov 2020 19:30Z "Ifone is to believe recent IPCC reports, then gone are the days when theworld could resolve the climate crisis merely by reducing emissions."@wim_carton is exceptionally incisive about the hype of negativeemissions. (1/x, with thanks to @Peters_Glen) researchgate.net/publication/34... [Narcissist101:] KenCaldeira@KenCaldeira 29 Nov 2020 21:11Z Replyingto @mkraju '"Icame up with vaccines that people didn't think we'd have for five years,"Trump said during his phone interview Sunday on Fox News, later addingthat people would try to credit President-elect Joe Biden.' usatoday.com/story/news/pol... Sarah Reese Jones @PoliticusSarah 29 Nov 2020 18:26Z Trump accuses Attorney General Bill Barr and the FBI of being involved in a conspiracy to fraudulently rig the election against him. pic.twitter.com/C8J3m7K6tQ AssaadRazzouk @AssaadRazzouk 29 Nov 2020 21:22Z Chinesescientists report that over past 20 years, "2.63m sq. km. of theAntarctic ice sheet surface - that's 19% of Antarctica - had experiencedobservable melting," with an "increasing trend" (which translated,means an accelerative effect) news.cgtn.com/news/2020-11-2...#climate Gamingthe regulator: How authorities missed Crown's criminal ties ABC News, 29 Nov 2020 19:18Z Afterat least seven years of revelations about Crown's dealings with junket operatorstied to organised crime going public, the gambling giant has receivednothing but a few fines. Why do our regulators appear to be in the dark? Sydneyrecords hottest two days for 60 years, shooting death in Western Sydney ABC/MorningBriefing, 29 Nov 2020 20:18Z Theweekend heatwave saw temperatures soar above 40C for two days straight forthe first time since 1960. Elsewhere, a man was shot and killed in Mt Druittovernight. 'World'sloneliest elephant' airlifted to Cambodia following Cher campaign ABC News, 29 Nov 2020 20:17Z Afterlanguishing in a zoo in Pakistan for years and a prolonged campaign by Americansinger Cher, Kaavan is being airlifted on a cargo plane towards the much-neededcompany of other elephants in Cambodia. Russiajoins China in attacking Australia over Afghanistan war crimes report ABC News, 29 Nov 2020 20:16Z Russiasays Australia's commitment to a rules-based world order cannot be takenseriously following the release of damning findings of alleged war crimescommitted by special forces in Afghanistan. Trumpsays 'it's hard' to get election case heard in Supreme Court in first post-pollTV interview ABC News, 29 Nov 2020 20:34Z USPresident Donald Trump says getting his election fraud allegations heard beforethe US Supreme Court might be difficult as senior Republicans indicatethey are working with Joe Biden's team on a White House transition. Millionsof workers poised to lose access to paid leave as virus spikes POLITICO,29 Nov 2020 11:42Z Tensof millions of workers stand to lose access to federally mandated paid sickand family leave at the end of December, compounding the hardship over the ... Sydneyrecords hottest November night on record YahooNews, 29 Nov 2020 13:41Z Australia,where it is still officially spring, is already seeing soaring heatin several states. [Idiocracy!] MakeAmerica incompetent again? Trump wants to ruin our merit-based federal jobssystem. USATODAY/Opinion, 29 Nov 2020 10:40Z Trumpwants to bring back a corrupt system of political patronage. Congress andJoe Biden must undo this attack on the capability of our government. Trumprails at judges as another court rejects his lawyers' claims of voter fraud TheGuardian, 29 Nov 2020 20:31Z Presidentphoned into Fox News to blame the courts for his campaign's so far unsuccessfullegal challenges. [Contemptof Court charges will be announced mid-Jan]! OPECFaces Seismic Demand Split as Cartel Plots Next Move Bloomberg,29 Nov 2020 05:04Z AsOPEC+ ministers gather virtually this week, the city that traditionally hoststheir meetings will be locked down. Vienna's Christmas markets will be closed,the ... ArizonaCOVID-19 team projects "catastrophic" rise in cases in letter ABC15Arizona, 29 Nov 2020 06:04Z Astable Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation in a changing North AtlanticOcean since the 1990s ScienceAdvances, 27 Nov 2020 TheAtlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) is crucially importantto global climate. Model simulations suggest that the AMOC may havebeen ... [PennyDrops!] McConnellsuspends in-person GOP lunches POLITICO,28 Nov 2020 22:01Z SenateMajority Leader Mitch McConnell will temporarily suspend in-person lunchesfor the GOP caucus, amid a nationwide spike in coronavirus cases. [Powerwall!] Dr.Dawn Wright @deepseadawn 29 Nov 2020 03:59Z 2/2I got our house a Tesla Powerwall so that we're now our own independent,solar micro grid, safe from SoCal Edison power outages + ableto contribute energy back to their grid. Super cool enviro-green lightat night °Cc @KHayhoe @JaneLubchenco @EMMMJVEEE twitter.com/deepseadawn/st... pic.twitter.com/zZc0W1VCg0 Cam_Walker@Cam_Walker 29 Nov 2020 07:04Z Replyingto @Cam_Walker Theregular reminder that we need to keep fire out of regenerating snow gumforest. The trees are crowded together and burn hot. pic.twitter.com/h3TOAzbe4N Cam_Walker @Cam_Walker 29 Nov 2020 07:04Z Replying to @Cam_Walker This is ecosystem collapse in Real Time. Repeated fire has killed the Alpine Ash. The snow gums have either been killed or burnt to ground level. pic.twitter.com/BeG33GambO [Kappa:] severe-weather.EU@severeweatherEU 29 Nov 2020 08:03Z Anon-tropical low near the Azores could become a Subtropical storm #Kappasoon, the 31st named storm of 2020 #hurricane season. Thesystem will spread severe winds and major waves into Azores, Madeira,and the Canary Islands over the next few days! severe-weather.eu/tropical-weath... GlenPeters @Peters_Glen 29 Nov 2020 08:03Z Oslocurrently has about 95 ski days each year, but this is going to halveby the end of the century under a moderate warming scenario. More accessibleareas will probably have no ski season. Impressive work on climateimpacts for 357 council area nrk.no/klima/kommunepic.twitter.com/3VfAN1CJlC [MutantStrain!] Oregonmink farm has COVID-19 outbreak after advocates warned of danger in state USATODAY, 29 Nov 2020 02:52Z Outbreaksin farmed mink have been reported in several U.S. states and countries. [FireSeason!] AlJazeera Weather @AJEWeather 29 Nov 2020 06:55Z Australianhelicopter water bombers suppress wildfires as Sydney's temperaturessoar Northmead fire: Fire burns in Sydney bushland amid record ... SMH, 29 Nov 2020 04:23Z Firefighters are battling to control several fires in Sydney's west following a record-breaking weekend heatwave, as a southerly change on ... Several fires burning in Sydney's west as heatwave breaks records The Sydney Morning Herald, 29 Nov 2020 04:18Z [At least one home razed]. RFS fires near me warns of fire at Northmead burning out of control 7NEWS.com.au, 29 Nov 2020 07:19Z Terrifying bushfire devastates Fraser Island as Sydney gets ready for another 42C scorcher Daily Mail, 29 Nov 2020 01:20Z Bushfire threatens Sydney homes after city swelters through hottest November night on record The Guardian, 28 Nov 2020 22:20Z Dozens of fires burning across NSW as cool change hits Sydney ABC News, 28 Nov 2020 21:20Z [Hillbillies*Still* Don Gits It!] COVID-19quarantine breach poses 'very significant risk' for South Australia ABC News, 28 Nov 2020 at 10:25pm Aninfected man who left quarantine and visited several shops in Adelaide lastSunday poses a risk for South Australians, the state's Chief Public HealthOfficer says. Protestsin Paris turn violent in wake of footage showing police bashing blackmusic producer ABC News, 28 Nov 2020 at 11:01pm Black-cladprotesters have clashed with security forces at the end of a mass demonstrationagainst police violence in Paris. Masked protesters launched fireworksat police lines, put up barricades and threw stones. Australiaprepares to escalate action against China to WTO over barley tariffs ABC News, 29 Nov 2020 0:15Z Astension grows over Beijing's massive tariffs on Australian wine, the FederalGovernment is continuing with plans to take China to the World Trade Organizationover barley exports. UKappoints vaccines minister to oversee COVID-19 inoculations ABC News, 29 Nov 2020 01:14Z PrimeMinister Boris Johnson says Conservative MP Nadhim Zahawi will oversee theUnited Kingdom's biggest vaccine program in decades. Floodingin Sardinia leaves at least three people dead ABC News, 29 Nov 2020 02:14Z Authoritieshave described "dramatic" scenes in the town of Bitti, where streetshave turned into rivers of mud that have covered cars and flooded cellars. SouthAustralians urged to get tested after COVID-positive patient breaks quarantine ABC News, 29 Nov 2020 03:13Z SAHealth is urging a wide group of people to get tested for coronavirus afterrevealing a man with COVID-19 broke his quarantine period to visit severalAdelaide locations. Chinesesubmarine sends video from Earth's deepest ocean trench in world first ABC News, 29 Nov 2020 04:12Z Aspart of the mission, scientists will collect samples of organisms as well asother "deep-sea materials" as China further explores the potential of harvestingresources from the ocean floor. FraserIsland bushfire continues to burn as weather conditions worsen ABC News, 29 Nov 2020 04:12Z Crewscontinue to battle a "significant fire" burning on Fraser Island off South-EastQueensland for more than six weeks, while more than 350 campers aretold to limit their movements as weather conditions worsen. Cruiseindustry to introduce tough new COVID-19 measures when ban lifts in December ABC News, 29 Nov 2020 05:12Z Theworld's largest cruise industry association will introduce tough new COVID-19measures, to come into effect when the current domestic ban on cruisinglifts on December 17. OrangeCounty Coronavirus Surge Worsens, as Hospitalizations Rise NBCSouthern California, 29 Nov 2020 03:57Z OrangeCounty reported 1666 new cases of COVID-19 but no additional deaths Saturday,bringing the county's totals to 76761 cases and 1577 fatalities. UKhydrogen car maker unveils first production car CGTN,28 Nov 2020 19:24Z Share.QR. Copied. Translating... *Content* is automatically generated by MicrosoftAzure Translator Text API. CGTN is not responsible for any of the translations. [Leadership!] Gov.Polis, partner test positive for COVID-19 9News.comKUSA, 29 Nov 2020 02:24Z Denver.Gov. Jared Polis (D-Colorado) and First Gentleman Marlon Reis have bothtested positive for COVID-19, according to a post on the governor's ... [Rigged!] TrumpSupporters in Georgia Ask RNC Chair Why They Should Vote in Runoffs WhenSystem Is 'Rigged' Newsweek,28 Nov 2020 21:23Z Frustratedsupporters of President Donald Trump in Georgia challenged RepublicanNational Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel on why they should even vote ... Pennsylvaniasupreme court throws out Republican bid to reject 2.5m mail-in votes TheGuardian, 29 Nov 2020 03:22Z Judgesays plaintiff 'failed to allege that even a single mail-in ballot was fraudulentlycast or counted' Greatconjunction: Saturn, Jupiter to converge, closest since middle ages KOKIFOX 23, 27 Nov 2020 Thenight sky is giving stargazers an early holiday present. [BAU:] BlackFriday hits record $9B in US consumer spending FoxBusiness, 28 Nov 2020 19:22Z BlackFriday shoppers in the U.S. spent a record $9 billion in consumer spendingthis year. GermanyPasses 1 Million Coronavirus Cases As Merkel Warns Of 'A Tough Winter' NPR,28 Nov 2020 17:21Z Germanyofficially passed 1 million confirmed cases of the coronavirus on Fridayas the country's daily totals remain high through the first month of whatthe ... Australiaswelters under extreme heatwave as fire brigades on high alert TheGuardian, 28 Nov 2020 01:20Z Temperaturesreach into the mid-40s in some parts of Australia. AccuWeather@breakingweather 28 Nov 2020 06:24Z Anothertropical threat is taking shape over the Bay of Bengal only daysafter deadly Cyclone #Nivar slammed southern India: bit.ly/3q84Cp1pic.twitter.com/0ozoA0eyhn AccuWeather@breakingweather 28 Nov 2020 07:24Z Thisyear's hurricane season has been not only hyperactive when comparedto normal, but also a record-breaker: bit.ly/39q14Zkpic.twitter.com/1vaiZRw1dH BloombergGreen @climate 28 Nov 2020 09:32Z Theworld's biggest wind park--capable of supplying 5% of U.K. power demand--isgiven the green light to be built trib.al/xGu85Xy AssaadRazzouk @AssaadRazzouk 28 Nov 2020 10:24Z Airpollution directly correlated with reproduction rate of Covid-19 andhow fast virus spreads, says yet another study Enlargepedestrian zones, walk, bike, switch to electric cars, buses, trucks:Pollution kills More: Ep. 43 of #TheAngryCleanEnergyGuy theangrycleanenergyguy.com/podcast/episod... pic.twitter.com/8cq1tBVl0H BloombergGreen @climate 28 Nov 2020 11:32Z Newmodels convinced a team of scientists to move up projections for thefirst summer in 130,000 years without sea ice trib.al/gwHlJKM AccuWeather@breakingweather 28 Nov 2020 12:19Z AccuWeatherforecasters caution that this has the potential to be a verydisruptive and debilitating storm for many areas of the eastern UnitedStates, especially in parts of the Midwest: bit.ly/2VnjK3Xpic.twitter.com/fdhQ1babhT SuspectedNorth Korean hackers targeted COVID-19 vaccine maker AstraZeneca NewYork Post, 27 Nov 2020 13:21Z SuspectedNorth Korean hackers reportedly targeted AstraZeneca, one of three westerndrugmakers claiming to have created a successful COVID vaccine. TrumpGave W.H.O. a List of Demands. Hours Later, He Walked Away. TheNew York Times, 27 Nov 2020 16:17Z WhenPresident Trump quit the health organization, he left a list of seven demandson the table. Here they are. [DeepEPA!] E.P.A.'sFinal Deregulatory Rush Runs Into Open Staff Resistance TheNew York Times, 27 Nov 2020 21:16Z AsPresident Trump's Environmental Protection Agency rushes to complete its regulatoryrollbacks, agency staff, emboldened by the Biden victory, moves to ... InHarsh Rebuke, Appeals Court Rejects Trump's Election Challenge in Pennsylvania TheNew York Times, 28 Nov 2020 03:15Z Voters,not lawyers, choose the president," a judge for the Third Circuit Courtof Appeals wrote in the 21-page repudiation of Mr. Trump's legal effortto halt ... [Da Stratgee Is Workin!] Joe Biden gains votes in Wisconsin county after Trump-ordered recount The Guardian, 28 Nov 2020 04:19Z Milwaukee recount, which cost Trump campaign $3m, boosts Democratic president-elect days before state must certify result. Michael E. Mann @MichaelEMann 28 Nov 2020 03:28Z "Milwaukee recount increases Joe Biden's victory margin by 132 votes as Dane County awaits results" or "Donald Trump spends $3M to increase the size of Joe Biden's victory in Wisconsin" twitter.com/i/events/13325... [Mixed-upMessaging:] Trumpwill campaign for Georgia GOP Senate candidates, urges supporters not toboycott runoff elections CNBC,27 Nov 2020 23:04Z PresidentTrump on Friday urged his supporters not to boycott two Georgia runoffelections that will determine which party controls the Senate. [TheElection System Is Fixed -- But Please Come Out And Vote For Our Guys!] L.A.County health officials announce 3-week stay-at-home order banning most gatheringsset to take effect on Monday KTLALos Angeles, 28 Nov 2020 03:02Z Withcoronavirus cases showing no signs of slowing down in Los Angeles County, healthofficials on Friday announced a temporary stay-at-home order set to ... 'Caughtup in their own bullshit': The cost of Sweden's controversial coronavirusstrategy ABC News, 27 Nov 2020 at 7:03pm Sweden'sidea of not following conventional coronavirus measures led to a deathrate triple that of its neighbours, and even though a vaccine could be close,the country may need the kind of measures it tried to avoid throughoutthe pandemic. [LatestJHU data: Avgdaily covid deaths per mn capita: last7d prev7d %change sweden3.64 2.47 47.37 C-R minority govt denmark0.69 0.44 56.82 Social Democrats norway0.38 0.31 22.58 Conservative Party finland0.27 0.20 35.00 RW populist govt ]. Qldintegrity watchdog backs review of lobbying laws as extent of political accessrevealed ABC/7.30,27 Nov 2020 at 7:40pm Politicallobbying laws in Queensland should be reviewed, the state's integritywatchdog says, amid renewed concerns about the industry in the wakeof this year's election. Ibecame a cyclist during lockdown, and I'm shocked by what I've seen ABCRadio Melbourne, 27 Nov 2020 at 8:00pm WhileI'll always be proud to consider myself a pedestrian, I'm always quite ashamedof being yet another selfish driver. But lately I've become a third kindof commuter, writes Virginia Trioli. [Waterwars!] Statesfume as Federal Government 'scuttles' will of Murray-Darling Basin Planministers ABCRural, 27 Nov 2020 at 8:38pm Victoriahas accused the Commonwealth of riding roughshod over the states, asNew South Wales pleads for a rethink on the future of the plan. Novemberheat records could be broken during sweltering weekend in NSW ABC News, 28 Nov 2020 0:55Z Heatrecords could be smashed as the mercury climbs across New South Wales today,with no cool change due until Sunday afternoon. The weather is creatinga heightened risk of fast-moving grassfires. Beachgoers urged to social distance and stay a 'towel length' apart amid heatwave conditions ABC News, 27 Nov 2020 at 10:20pm New South Wales beachgoers are reminded to stay a towel length apart on the sand to maintain social distancing amid sweltering conditions. Spacetrash cleanup: ESA signs off on first-ever mission DeutscheWelle, 26 Nov 2020 20:39Z ASwiss company is set to launch our planet's first space cleanup mission afterthe European Space Agency (ESA) said on Thursday they were signing a # 86... SoCalEdison turns off power to 7,850 customers on Thanksgiving as Santa Ana windsraise fire risk KTLALos Angeles, 27 Nov 2020 07:38Z Facedwith Santa Ana winds threatening to ignite wildfires, Southern CaliforniaEdison on Thanksgiving Day turned power off to nearly 6000 customersand ... Judgein Venezuela Convicts 6 U.S. Oil Executives of Corruption TheNew York Times, 27 Nov 2020 02:37Z Caracas,Venezuela. A Venezuelan judge on Thursday found six American oil executivesguilty of a wide-ranging corruption scheme and immediately ... Trumpsays he will leave the White House if Biden is confirmed by electoral college ABC News, 26 Nov 2020 at 11:00pm USPresident Donald Trump says he will leave the White House if, as expected, theelectoral college confirms Joe Biden has won the 2020 election. Ethiopiato launch 'final phase' of offensive in Tigray region, PM says ABC News, 27 Nov 2020 0:34Z Adeadline for the Tigray People's Liberation Front to surrender expires, promptingEthiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to warn that the Government's " lawenforcement campaign has reached its final stage". [Outlier!] Onesmall step for Morrison, but a giant leap for the Coalition ABC/TheConversation, 27 Nov 2020 0:33Z IfAustralia is not to be an outlier at the climate conference in Glasgow nextyear, Scott Morrison has just months to commit to reaching net zero emissionsby 2050, writes Michelle Grattan. Frontlineworkers thank Victorians 'from the bottom of our hearts' on 'eliminationday' ABC/7.30,27 Nov 2020 02:14Z Healthcareworkers like Abbey Fistrovic say what Victorians have achieved "isincredible" as the state records a milestone 28 days without a coronavirusinfection, but the effects of a traumatic second wave still linger. Coronavirusalerts issued for two SA shopping centres as authorities battle cluster ABC News, 27 Nov 2020 0:34Z Healthauthorities add major shopping centres in Adelaide's north-west to theirlist of potential coronavirus spread sites, and urge Black Friday shoppersto wear masks. Threenew COVID-19 cases in the NT as travellers from India test positive ABC News, 27 Nov 2020 0:35Z Threepeople, including a four-year-old girl, have tested positive to coronavirusin quarantine in the NT. Since repatriation flights began, 19 newcases have been reported. China puts tariffs on Australian wine ABCRural, 27 Nov 2020 02:20Z TheChinese Government has announced it will place tariffs on all Australian wineimports from tomorrow, striking a blow to the multi-billion-dollar industry. AssaadRazzouk @AssaadRazzouk 26 Nov 2020 22:03Z Canadagoing #green is very big news: The oil industry of the 4th largestoil producer in the world is already being crushed - with 37% ofCanada's oil and gas companies reporting permanent layoffs -and will beentirely stranded within a decade oilprice.com/Energy/Energy-... #AboutTimepic.twitter.com/6ithqH5cWy BNONewsroom @BNODesk 27 Nov 2020 01:05Z Another'donut day' in Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan, and Vietnam: - 0 domesticcases - 0 deaths ScottGottlieb, MD @ScottGottliebMD 27 Nov 2020 01:02Z Withonly partial reporting today, and many states not submitting data, weare nonetheless seeing a staggering jump in total Covid hospitalizationsnationally; reflecting the sharply rising new infectionswe've seen in recent weeks and delay between diagnosis and hospitalization.twitter.com/covid19trackin... [TrumpAdmits He's A Crime Boss:] Trumpshares tweet saying he should pardon himself, rest of his admin - BusinessInsider BusinessInsider, 26 Nov 2020 11:43Z PresidentDonald Trump on Wednesday pardoned Michael Flynn, heightening speculationhe may use the end of his presidency to exonerate more allies. Hawaii'sFresh Water Leaks to the Ocean Through Underground Rivers TheNew York Times, 25 Nov 2020 Thereare few things on the island of Hawaii that are more valuable than *fresh*water. This is not because the island is dry. There is plenty of rain.The trouble is ... [Undercount!] CDCwarns eight COVID-19 infections are missed for every one counted NewYork Post, 26 Nov 2020 14:21Z Therecord surge in coronavirus cases across the US is likely far worse, withan estimated eight infections unreported for every one infection counted. [Zombies!] Deadmink infected with a possible mutated form of COVID-19 resurface from gravesafter burial in Denmark ChicagoTribune, 26 Nov 2020 17:18Z Someof the thousands of mink culled to minimize the risk of them re- transmittingthe new coronavirus to humans have risen from their shallow gravesin western ... Citingconspiracy theories, Michigan GOP electors ask court to name Trump winner TheDetroit News, 26 Nov 2020 16:17Z Anew lawsuit brought by Michigan Republicans asks a judge to decide that PresidentTrump won the state based on a bevy of conspiracy theories. GeorgiaRepublican Official Named as Plaintiff by Sidney Powell Never Agreed toTake Part in Lawsuit Newsweek,26 Nov 2020 19:41Z AGOP county chairman who is listed as a plaintiff on ex-Trump attorney SidneyPowell's typo-filled fraud lawsuit says he never agreed to take part inthe legal ... [Uh,oh! Boo-boo!] AstraZenecaFaces Difficult Questions About Its Vaccine After Admitting Mistake TheNew York Times, 26 Nov 2020 12:17Z Sometrial participants only got a partial dose of AstraZeneca's vaccine. Expertssaid the company's spotty disclosures have eroded confidence. AstraZeneca says it will likely do another study of COVID-19 vaccine after accidental lower dose shows higher efficacy TechCrunch, 26 Nov 2020 17:20Z AstraZeneca's CEO told Bloomberg that the pharmaceutical company will likely conduct another global trial of the effectiveness of its COVID-19 vaccine trial, ... Faucimakes "final plea" to Americans before Thanksgiving CBSNews, 26 Nov 2020 01:15Z Withone day left before America celebrates a major family holiday, Dr. AnthonyFauci made a "final plea" for Americans to follow COVID-19 guidelinesthis ... [Casenumbers doubling approx every 2m now]. AccuWeather@breakingweather 26 Nov 2020 06:13Z Redflag warnings are in effect across Southern California as Santa Ana windsare forecast to increase on Thanksgiving Day and continue through Fridayevening: bit.ly/2KoZ0X2 pic.twitter.com/39A7Eqi8Fu PeterGleick º¸ @PeterGleick 26 Nov 2020 06:18Z Notthat there was really any doubt, but the pandemic has really made itclear that conservatives have no right to ever claim to be pro-life. twitter.com/smh/status/133... icarus62@icarus62 26 Nov 2020 08:16Z Replyingto @oliciv @AndrewRegan16 and 14 others "Blackcars are up to 47 per cent more likely to be involved in crashes,research shows.... The reason lies not in who is behind the wheel,but in the visibility of their vehicle, say the researchers" abc.net.au/news/rural/pro... [SpyIn Da Sky!] BloombergGreen @climate 26 Nov 2020 10:20Z Nowthe companies and countries responsible for a powerful greenhouse gaswon't be able to hide from view trib.al/qiwTK8D [WarmArctic:] AssaadRazzouk @AssaadRazzouk 26 Nov 2020 10:12Z Afterrecord low sea ice coverage in October, relentless warming of #Arcticcontinues -Northeast Passage shipping route stayed open for arecord 112 days, beating record by a month -Warmer pockets 20C above average-Entire Arctic 6.7C higher than normal independent.co.uk/environment/ar... [WarmAntarctic!] KrisVan Steenbergen @KrVaSt 26 Nov 2020 14:14Z Payclose attention to the predicted sea surface temperatures around Antarctica(warming: +3°C): (clockwise) - Brunt Ice Shelf (Weddell Sea) -Amery Ice Shelf (Prydz Bay) - Shackleton Ice Shelf (Davis Sea) - Vanderfordglacier - Mertz-Ninnis Valley - Ross Sea - TG! (Amundsen Sea)pic.twitter.com/4fWqmaqMI9 [Wind+Solar> Coal+Gas:] CarbonBrief @CarbonBrief 26 Nov 2020 11:13Z IEA:Wind and solar capacity will overtake both gas and coal globally by2024 | @Josh_Gabbatiss j.mp/33jrCHW pic.twitter.com/lNkjGVEwuL BloombergGreen @climate 26 Nov 2020 12:20Z Australiansare installing rooftop solar panels at a record pace trib.al/JEdvy65 [Waterstress:] AlexanderVerbeek @Alex_Verbeek 26 Nov 2020 15:12Z §This new @FAO report assesses how many people are and will be livingin areas experiencing severe or high levels of water stress and droughtfrequency and investigates how agriculture can make more productiveand sustainable use of a resource under growing pressure. #SDGstwitter.com/fao/status/133... [IEAdiscovers renewables are cheap:] AssaadRazzouk @AssaadRazzouk 26 Nov 2020 16:12Z SolarIs the Cheapest Electricity in History Even that bastion of fossilfuels, @IEA, finally discovered this, after its detailed "new"analysis showed solar was 20% to 50% cheaper than it thought carbonbrief.org/solar-is-now-c...pic.twitter.com/iDdBHAasNt [GreenlandCyclone!] severe-weather.EU@severeweatherEU 26 Nov 2020 16:19Z Adeep cyclone traveling along southern Greenland has peaked last night andis now moving towards Iceland. A major windstorm with hurricane-forcewinds is spreading huge, near 15-meter (50 feet) sea wavestowards Iceland this Thursday: severe-weather.eu/mcd/iceland-wi... ClimateSignals @ClimateSignals 26 Nov 2020 17:14Z Moreextreme heat in summer, warmer winters with less ice, and wild fluctuationsbetween heavy rain and drought are taking a toll on cranberryplants in Massachusetts, where many of the plants are 100 yearsold or more. wapo.st/2IUuBzr [WarmThanksgiving == New Normal:] ClimateCentral @ClimateCentral 26 Nov 2020 17:13Z WarmThanksgiving forecasts for most of the U.S. Less and less unusual... medialibrary.climatecentral.org/resources/2020... #ClimateMatterspic.twitter.com/ebwKVh2eBy [Jetstream!] ScottDuncan @ScottDuncanWX 26 Nov 2020 17:36Z Replyingto @MichaelEMann @MichaelEMannfinds summer-season resonant planetary wave amplificationevents are tied to climate change. Basically, there is evidenceof a link between global warming and wavier jet streams in the summer.advances.sciencemag.org/content/4/10/e... [Anothermechanism makes them wavier in the winter]. [Socal