TRANSCRIPT:
- Police waiting to interview the mother of two boys found dead in the Blue Mountains;
- Kamala Harris and Donald Trump prepare to meet in a high stakes presidential debate;
- The Australian Paralympic team has been welcomed home.
A mother has been arrested after two children were found dead in New South Wales Blue Mountains on Tuesday afternoon.
The 42 year old remains under police guard in hospital, with detectives waiting to question her.
Police have declined to speculate on what occurred before the 9 and 11 year old boys died, but they have confirmed they are not looking for any other parties.
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Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are preparing to come face to face for their first presidential debate, a high pressure clash that could prove pivotal in their battle for the White House.
The debate takes place just eight weeks before the November 5 election, and days before early voting opens in some states.
Polling suggests the candidates are effectively tied in the seven battleground states.
Former director of administration for Joe Biden, Moe Vela, has told Channel Nine that all means the debate will be especially crucial - for Vice-President Harris.
"Donald Trump in both of his elections has never, ever won more than 47 percent of the vote. That's not enough to win unless you have a split vote on the other side, which we shouldn't have this time. So that said, really the one who has the most to gain and to lose is Vice President Harris. There's no doubt about that in my mind. He has a ceiling."
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New research shows concentrations of methane have risen faster than ever before over the last five years.
The Global Carbon Project's Budget shows methane emissions from human activities have increased by 20 per cent in the past two decades.
The budget has been produced by international scientific agencies, including Australia's science agency, CSIRO.
CSIRO Chief Research Scientist Pep Canadell says methane is the most important greenhouse gas contributing to human-induced climate change, after carbon dioxide.
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Meta executives have confirmed the same in today's hearing of the senate parliamentary inquiry into artificial intelligence.
Global privacy policy director Melinda Claybaugh says photos and posts dating back to 2007 are being used to train Meta's foundational AI tools.
"We are using public data from our products and services... That means when you go on Facebook or you go on Instagram and you make a post you select the audience for that post, that statement, that photo, whatever it is you're posting online. If you choose to make that post, the text or the image public, that is publicly sharing that information."
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A demonstration outside a weapons expo in Melbourne has turned violent.
Victoria Police say they created a barricade outside the convention centre to make way for attendees, but protesters flanked either side, hurling abuse and objects at those going in.
Some protesters have also reportedly fought with police, leaving one officer with a bleeding face.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has told Channel 7 the demonstrators have gone too far.
"People have a right to protest peacefully, but you don't say you are opposed to defence equipment by throwing things at police. They've got a job to do, and our police officers should be respected at all times."
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A state productivity commission has called for infrastructure spending to be re-directed to housing targets.
The New South Wales Productivity and Equality Commission report says the money being spent on massive projects like the Sydney Metro would be more useful elsewhere.
The report has also made a series of recommendations on improving supply, on the back of news that every state is behind on meeting their housing targets.
Housing Minister Claire O'Neill says she doesn't agree that cutting back on infrastructure is the way to address that issue - but other options are worth considering.
"I don't think the answer is slowing down much needed infrastructure in our states. And ultimately the state governments do need to balance this complex kind of demand for housing with infrastructure.What I would say is that we need to invest in the capacity of our construction sector, and we've got to support these amazing tradies around the country who are going to build all the homes that we need to get us out of the crisis."
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Controversial politician Mark Latham has been ordered to pay thousands in damages over a social media post.
The federal court has ruled the post defamed independent MP Alex Greenwich.
Latham has been ordered to pay the MP $140,000 in damages.
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The Australian Paralympic team has been welcomed home at Sydney Airport after finishing ninth on the medal tally at the Paris Games.
Australia won 63 medals in total, with 18 gold, 17 silver, and 28 bronze.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says he is proud of the team.
"These athletes, many of them have overcome different forms of adversity. They haven't done that by themselves. They've done that with the support of their families, their peers, their coaches, and today's a celebration of that achievement."
