It's Friday! Here are this week's big stories and some you might have missed.
The Big Headlines
- In the US, Democrat candidates swept to victory across three states in the first major test of President Donald Trump’s second term.
- Jamie Melham became the second female jockey in 10 years to win the Melbourne Cup, riding Half Yours to a fantastic win at the Flemington racecourse.
- Multiple protestors were arrested and pepper-sprayed by police outside the Indo Pacific International Maritime Exposition, held at Sydney's Darling Harbour. The attempted blockade of the event escalated tensions with police.
What else happened this week?
Bill passes to protect parental leave if a baby dies
Parliament has passed legislation to protect employer-paid parental leave for parents experiencing the stillbirth or death of a child.
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National party abandons net zero target
Earlier this week, National's leader David Littleproud announced that the party would abandon its net-zero emissions commitments. The announcement came in the same week that European Union members agreed to cut greenhouse-gas emissions by 90 per cent by 2040.
Shutterstock and Wikimedia Commons
Over 900 residents in Yirrkala may have been exposed to asbestos at medical centre
East Arnhem land residents who sought care at a busy medical centre may have been exposed to asbestos after builders drilled into the centre's roof tiles. It is one of many issues discovered at the aging centre, including finding lead in water pipes. The centre has been closed a number of times, leaving ailing residents without medical support.
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PM's science prizes awarded to academics studying Covid transmission and marine conservation
Queensland University of Technology's Prof Lidia Morawska was honoured for her March 2020 report on the airborne transmission of COVID, which impacted international guidelines. Prof Michael Wear, a Malgana custodian, was awarded for his marine conservation work.
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Federal government to offer free power in targeted regions next year
Next year, the federal government will provide free electricity for three hours in the middle of the day to households in specific regions. Power companies will supply solar energy to eligible homes with smart meters in NSW, South Australia, and parts of Queensland.
Unsplash
Top Israel military lawyer arrested for leaking video of soldiers allegedly sexually assaulting Palestinian detainee
Israeli police have arrested Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, a top military lawyer, after she admitted to leaking a video showing 10 soldiers brutally sexually assaulting a Palestinian detainee, held without charge. She was arrested on suspicion of fraud and breach of trust, abuse of office and other offences, but critics point out the arrest calls into question Israel's accountability over the war in Gaza.
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Teenagers feel pressure to conform to masculine stereotypes, despite their support for gender equality
A survey of male teenagers revealed that many still feel there is substantial pressure on them to act heterosexual, tough and strong, even as they desire a more gender-equal world.
Unsplash
Reddit, Kick, Roblox and OpenAI's Sora added to list of banned social media apps for under 16s
In December, Reddit, Kick, Roblox, and OpenAI’s Sora will be included in the apps that are banned for use by those under 16.
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'Battle of the Sexes': Kyrgios to face Sabalenka in Dubai next month
World number one Aryna Sabalenka will compete against Australian Nick Kyrgios in a mixed-sex tennis match in Dubai next month, in a reboot of the Battle of the Sexes. In the original 1973 match, the then 29-year-old Billie Jean King beat 55-year-old Bobby Riggs.
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And now for some good news:
Longtime pen pals maintain 60-year friendship despite 12,000 km divide
Joy Doevendans and Diane Hatt have kept a friendship going for almost 60 years despite living nearly 12,000 km apart. Joy lives in South Australia while Diane lives in Canada, and they first became pen pals in 1965.
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