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Australia Post Halts US Transit Shipping Amid Trump Tariff Chaos

2025-08-21

Australia Post Halts US Transit Shipping Amid Trump Tariff Chaos

Australia Post is suspending some shipping to the US due to upcoming Trump administration tariffs causing widespread disruption to postal networks and retailers globally. This means goods from other countries can no longer transit through Australia to the US. The suspension comes as the US ends its 'de minimis' exemption, adding tariffs to low-value imports. E-commerce businesses are facing confusion, and many postal operators are scrambling to adapt. Other countries are also halting shipments to the US, highlighting the uncertainty surrounding the tariff changes. Australia Post is exploring using third-party providers to handle the new duties.

(www.abc.net.au)

Tech shipping

Apple and Google Hit with Antitrust Ruling in Australia, Facing Massive Compensation

2025-08-13

Apple and Google Hit with Antitrust Ruling in Australia, Facing Massive Compensation

An Australian federal court ruled against Apple and Google for anti-competitive conduct, a landmark decision with global implications. The court found both companies abused their market power, charging excessive commissions through their app stores, harming consumers and developers. Millions of Australian consumers and developers can now seek substantial compensation, potentially reaching hundreds of millions of dollars. This ruling is likely to spur regulatory reforms in Australia and globally to promote fair competition and innovation, ultimately leading to lower app prices.

(www.abc.net.au)

Tech

Desert Miracle: An American's Return After 26 Years

2025-07-25

Desert Miracle: An American's Return After 26 Years

In 1999, Robert Bogucki embarked on a solo trek into Australia's Great Sandy Desert, triggering a massive international rescue effort. Twenty-six years later, he returns to meet the people who saved him, revisiting a story of survival, cultural exchange, and spiritual questioning. Bogucki's deliberate journey sparked controversy, but his reunion with Aboriginal trackers reveals a powerful story of reconciliation and a deeper understanding of life's purpose.

(www.abc.net.au)

Misc survival story spiritual journey

Australia's Mandatory Online Age Verification: A Privacy vs. Safety Showdown

2025-07-11

Australia's Mandatory Online Age Verification: A Privacy vs. Safety Showdown

Australia is set to implement unprecedented mandatory online age verification, starting with search engines. Using technology similar to the teen social media ban, Google and Microsoft will filter search results for users under 18 to limit access to harmful content. Experts warn this could compromise privacy and may not effectively protect young people. Seven age verification methods are offered, but government tests showed inaccuracies, and VPNs can easily circumvent the system. The changes largely went unnoticed, raising concerns about government transparency and public engagement. Debate now centers on whether this will extend to other internet sectors, potentially leading to mandatory age verification becoming the norm.

(www.abc.net.au)

Tech

Hypersonic Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS: A Record-Breaking Visitor

2025-07-03

Hypersonic Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS: A Record-Breaking Visitor

Astronomers have discovered the third interstellar object, 3I/ATLAS, originating outside our solar system. This comet is remarkably fast, traveling at 60 kilometers per second towards the Sun, far exceeding previous interstellar visitors. Its orbit is largely unaffected by the Sun's gravity, giving scientists at least eight months of observation time. Unlike 'Oumuamua and 2I/Borisov, 3I/ATLAS's discovery, coupled with the capabilities of future telescopes like the Vera C. Rubin Observatory, suggests a significant increase in the detection rate of interstellar objects—potentially several per year.

(www.abc.net.au)

Tech interstellar object comet

Australian Doctor's Mobility Ruined by Vitamin B6 Overdose in Supplement

2025-05-30

Australian Doctor's Mobility Ruined by Vitamin B6 Overdose in Supplement

A 76-year-old retired Australian doctor suffered debilitating peripheral neuropathy due to vitamin B6 toxicity from a magnesium supplement. The case highlights the lack of awareness surrounding vitamin B6 overconsumption and inadequate regulation of supplements in Australia. While authorities have implemented warning labels, concerns remain about insufficient visibility and the prevalence of high-B6 supplements. Experts urge consumers to exercise caution and consult healthcare professionals before taking multiple supplements.

(www.abc.net.au)

Misc supplements vitamin B6

150 Years of the Metre: From French Revolution to Laser Light

2025-05-23

150 Years of the Metre: From French Revolution to Laser Light

The 1875 Metre Convention standardized measurement, ending inconsistent units across countries. Initially defined as one ten-millionth of the distance from the North Pole to the equator through Paris, the metre's definition has evolved with scientific advancements. Early definitions relied on platinum-iridium bars, then krypton-86 light wavelengths. Today, it's defined by the speed of light, enabling precise measurements like the Moon's gradual recession from Earth. Despite global adoption, remnants of imperial units persist in various contexts, highlighting the ongoing challenges of standardization.

(www.abc.net.au)

Tech Metric System Measurement

Weather Forecasts: More Accurate Than You Think

2025-05-19

Weather Forecasts: More Accurate Than You Think

The accuracy of weather forecasts has long been a subject of debate. However, thanks to advancements in computer technology, satellite data, and atmospheric science, the accuracy of weather forecasts has significantly improved over the past decades. For example, temperature forecast accuracy has improved by about one day per decade, and significant progress has also been made in rainfall, wind, and cyclone track forecasting. While there are doubts about the accuracy of long-range forecasts (e.g., seven-day forecasts), data shows that even nine-day forecasts are more accurate than climatological averages. However, a gap exists between public perception and actual accuracy, likely due to misinterpretations of forecast terminology and selective memory of extreme weather events.

(www.abc.net.au)

Tech accuracy climate models

18 Years of Self-Injection Leads to Breakthrough Snake Antivenom

2025-05-03

18 Years of Self-Injection Leads to Breakthrough Snake Antivenom

For 18 years, Tim Friede injected himself with venom from deadly snakes. His unique experiment yielded a breakthrough: researchers used his antibodies to create a broadly effective antivenom, potentially protecting against 19 snake species. This new antivenom, unlike traditional methods using animal blood, leverages modern antibody therapy. While promising results in mice have been achieved, further testing in larger animals and humans is crucial. The research highlights a potential solution to the global snakebite crisis, but challenges remain in accessibility and affordability.

(www.abc.net.au)

Tech antivenom scientific breakthrough

The Regret of ChatGPT's Godfather: Has the Democratization of AI Failed?

2025-03-29

The Regret of ChatGPT's Godfather: Has the Democratization of AI Failed?

In 2017, Jeremy Howard's breakthrough in natural language processing laid the groundwork for tools like ChatGPT. He achieved a leap in AI's text comprehension by training a large language model to predict Wikipedia text. However, this technology fell under the control of a few large tech companies, leading Howard to worry about the failure of AI democratization. He and his wife, Rachel Thomas, gave up high-paying jobs to found fast.ai, dedicated to popularizing machine learning knowledge. Yet, they watched as AI technology became monopolized by a few corporations, becoming a tool for capital competition, leaving him deeply frustrated and anxious.

(www.abc.net.au)

AI Tech Democratization

Bio-Computer Plays Pong: A New Era of Biological AI?

2025-03-05

Bio-Computer Plays Pong: A New Era of Biological AI?

Australian startup Cortical Labs unveiled CL1, a biological computer powered by hundreds of thousands of living human neurons. Accessible via a cloud-based "Wetware-as-a-Service" system, CL1 boasts low power consumption and rapid learning capabilities, promising applications in disease modeling, drug testing, and biological AI. While CL1's learning abilities currently lag behind traditional AI, its unique biological properties offer advantages in specific applications; it has already taught neurons to play Pong. However, ethical concerns have been raised, prompting the team to collaborate with bioethicists to ensure safety and responsible development.

(www.abc.net.au)

AI Biocomputer Biological AI Neurons

Shocking: Nearly 1 in 10 People Use the Same Four-Digit PIN

2025-01-28

Shocking: Nearly 1 in 10 People Use the Same Four-Digit PIN

Analysis of 29 million PINs reveals that nearly one in ten people use the same four-digit PIN, with '1234' being the most popular. Researchers found people favor birthdays, repeating digits, or sequential numbers on the keypad, making these PINs easily guessable. The findings highlight a widespread security vulnerability in PIN selection, urging users to adopt stronger PINs for enhanced personal data protection.

(www.abc.net.au)

Tech PIN

NZ Opens Doors to Digital Nomads with Relaxed Visa Rules

2025-01-27

NZ Opens Doors to Digital Nomads with Relaxed Visa Rules

New Zealand is loosening its visitor visa rules to attract digital nomads, particularly high-skilled IT professionals from the US and Asia. This move, announced by Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis, aims to boost the country's economy by bringing in high-value tourists. While the changes apply to all visitor visas, allowing remote work for foreign companies, those working over 90 days may need to declare themselves as tax residents. The government acknowledges potential risks, such as increased infrastructure strain, but believes the benefits outweigh them.

(www.abc.net.au)

Startup digital nomad visa policy

Rule-Breaking Neutron Star Spins Once Every Six Hours

2025-01-16

Rule-Breaking Neutron Star Spins Once Every Six Hours

Australian scientists have discovered a neutron star, ASKAP J1839-075, with an incredibly slow rotation period of 6.5 hours – thousands of times slower than expected. This challenges our understanding of neutron star evolution, as it's believed pulsars stop emitting radio waves as they slow down. This one, however, continues to emit. The discovery, made using the ASKAP radio telescope, was a lucky find, and future telescopes like SKA-Low are expected to reveal more about these extreme objects.

(www.abc.net.au)

Tech Neutron Star Pulsar Radio Telescope

Carnarvon's NASA Dish Receives First Signal in Nearly 40 Years

2025-01-14

Carnarvon's NASA Dish Receives First Signal in Nearly 40 Years

A 29-meter-wide satellite dish in Carnarvon, Australia, once used by NASA, has received its first signal in almost 40 years. After a 20-year lease by Canadian aerospace company ThothX and extensive refurbishment, including cleaning decades of pigeon droppings and manually rotating the massive dish, the team successfully received a signal. The dish will now be used to track orbital traffic and "adversary" spacecraft, becoming a key component of ThothX's global satellite tracking network.

(www.abc.net.au)

Tech Space Satellite

Pulitzer Winner Quits Washington Post After Bezos-Trump Cartoon Rejected

2025-01-05

Pulitzer Winner Quits Washington Post After Bezos-Trump Cartoon Rejected

Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist Ann Telnaes resigned from the Washington Post after the newspaper refused to publish her cartoon satirizing owner Jeff Bezos bowing to Donald Trump alongside other tech CEOs. The Post cited prior coverage of the topic as the reason for rejection, but Telnaes viewed it as censorship and a threat to press freedom. The incident sparked controversy, with the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists accusing the Post of 'political cowardice'.

(www.abc.net.au)

Misc cartoon censorship Jeff Bezos