‘Sad day for publicly funded science’: up to 350 more jobs to go at CSIRO

Optus has been fined $800,000 after scammers exploited a weakness in the ID check process at its subsidiary, Coles Mobile. This incident highlights vulnerabilities in telecommunications security, prompting scrutiny of the company's practices. In related news, Tony Burke, Australia's Minister for Home Affairs, stated that a South African man detained after attending a neo-Nazi rally in Sydney will not return to the Australian community, emphasizing the government's stance on immigration and public safety.

England captain Ben Stokes is preparing for the Ashes series in Australia, a culmination of a four-year project reflecting his aggressive playing style. As the first Test approaches, the England team is balancing training with leisure activities, including a boat trip to Rottnest Island. Players like Brydon Carse are enjoying the local scenery and fishing, while the focus remains on the competitive challenge posed by Australia, particularly against key players like Steve Smith.

Roblox has introduced new age-verification features in Australia aimed at preventing children and teenagers from communicating with unknown adults. The voluntary age assurance technology allows users to have their age estimated through Persona technology. Roblox argues that the upcoming social media ban for under-16s in Australia should not apply to its platform, emphasizing its commitment to user safety and age-appropriate interactions.

The Coalition is planning to implement significant cuts to immigration, specifically targeting skilled migrants and international students. Liberal MPs have expressed the need to reduce overseas arrivals into Australia but have cautioned against negative rhetoric towards multicultural communities as the next election approaches.

The Australian Border Force (ABF) has classified sand play products as 'high risk' and now mandates testing before these items can enter Australia. Previously, suppliers were not required to test these products at any stage of the supply chain. This decision follows concerns over colored sand products that were contaminated with asbestos and widely used in Australian schools, raising significant health and safety issues.

Eminem has filed a lawsuit against the Australian beach brand Swim Shady, claiming that its name is too similar to his trademarked persona, Slim Shady. The rapper, whose real name is Marshall B Mathers III, submitted a petition to cancel Swim Shady's US trademark shortly after it was granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office in September. Eminem argues that consumers might mistakenly associate him with the Swim Shady brand, which could harm his reputation.

A South African civil engineer has been detained in Australia after being spotted in the front row of a neo-Nazi rally organized by the National Socialist Network. The incident has raised concerns regarding the presence of extremist groups in Australia and their influence on public safety and social cohesion.

Members of Parliament (MPs) and families affected by road accidents have initiated a campaign urging the UK government to reconsider its stance on the introduction of graduated driving licences. This campaign draws inspiration from similar measures implemented in Canada and Australia, which aim to enhance road safety by introducing a phased approach to driving privileges for new drivers. The push for change highlights ongoing concerns regarding road safety and the need for stricter regulations for novice drivers in the UK.