ABC NewsMail - Morning Edition

Good morning. Here's what's happening now: The Federal Government will today announce plans to help Australians access breakthrough drugs more quickly. The changes will mean any drug that has been listed by a comparable overseas regulator can be fast-tracked for approval and sale in Australia Two men accused of robbing and raping tourists along the Kokoda Track are applying to have the charges against them dismissed for lack of evidence. But after nine months, they are still waiting for their day in court Emergency crews expect flood waters to peak at Charlton, in north-west Victoria, around midday. Dozens of roads remain closed, including a section of the Great Ocean Road Uber has launched its driverless car service in the US city of Pittsburgh. Users who summon a driverless car will also get two company technicians, with one sitting behind the wheel to take over in sticky spots and the other monitoring the car's behaviour. Here's what's coming up: 9:00am AEST: US presidential candidate Donald Trump will hold a rally in Ohio, just hours after Bill Clinton had to fill in for his ill wife Hillary at a Las Vegas rally 11:00am AEST: Health Minister Sussan Ley will launch the Royal Life Saving National Drowning Report 11:00am AEST: Sydney gambling identity Eddie Hayson has scheduled a press conference to address questions about NRL match-fixing allegations 11:30am AEST: The ABS will release the latest employment data 12:00pm AEST: The Thai Prime Minister will hold a rare press conference with foreign media 2:15pm AEST: A directions hearing will be held in the Victorian Supreme Court in the dispute between the Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria and the Country Fire Authority Top Stories Hanson returns to push Australians on race, religion and class Unlike 20 years ago when she was the independent backbencher, Pauline Hanson's angry message is now delivered from a position of power, writes Louise Yaxley. Julian Assange to be questioned in Swedish rape investigation Ecuador sets an October 17 date for the questioning of Julian Assange in a Swedish rape investigation, a move that could end a four year-long deadlock since he took refuge in the country's London embassy. New medicine approval process to allow quicker access to breakthrough drugs The Federal Government is changing the way new medicines are approved to ensure Australians get access to breakthrough drugs more quickly, bringing waiting times closer in line with the US and Europe. Accused Kokoda attackers to apply to have charges dismissed Two men accused of robbing and raping tourists along the Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea are applying to have the charges against them dismissed, but they are still waiting for their day in court. ACCC backs NT gas to bust east coast monopoly pricing ACCC chairman Rod Sims backs the Northern Territory's plans to build a gas pipeline to Queensland, saying it is a "significant step" to breaking the industry's monopoly pricing. Trucks carrying aid to Syria stuck on Turkish border Two convoys of aid from Turkey to Syria are waiting in no-man's land for permission to travel onwards, as disagreements between warring sides delay deliveries. Uber launches driverless car service in US Some residents in the US can now use Uber vehicles that drive themselves and are laden with lasers, cameras and other sensors. Chinese riot police put 'democratic' village into lockdown The residents of Wukan have been trailblazers for grassroots democracy in China, but now with 2,000 police putting the village under lockdown, the political experiment appears to be finished. European satellite puts more than a billion stars on the map The Gaia space probe, launched in 2013, maps more than a billion stars in the Milky Way, vastly expanding the inventory of known stars in our galaxy. Money trail reveals Australian company paid Nauru minister's family New documents have emerged detailing tens of thousands of dollars being paid by phosphate company Getax to the family of Nauru's Justice Minister, David Adeang. Two dead after car crushed under Melbourne train Two people die after a car is crushed by a train at a level crossing at Surrey Hills in Melbourne's east. Analysis and Opinion: The Drum Markets unravel as central banks shoot blanks By business reporter Stephen Letts Australia could still win hearts in Pacific despite past tensions By political editor Chris Uhlmann Dingoes and detainees: Why this royal commission has its work cut out By Kate Wild, senior reporter, NT royal commission A year in, we don't yet know what Turnbull wants to do with the job By Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra Just In Australians with lymphoma suffer highest financial stress: survey September 15, 2016 - 5:56 am New medicine approval process to allow quicker access to breakthrough drugs September 15, 2016 - 5:52 am Sleep snapshot: Tell us how you've been sleeping September 15, 2016 - 5:49 am World • Typhoon Meranti hits Taiwan, moves towards China • World's second-largest meteorite found in Argentina • Chelsea Manning to undergo gender transition surgery, lawyers say Business • ACCC backs NT gas to bust east coast monopoly pricing • Australian shares finish higher for first time in five sessions • British fund manager axes 'largely ineffective' executive bonuses Politics • New medicine approval process to allow quicker access to breakthrough drugs • Chinese riot police put 'democratic' village into lockdown • Behind the scenes of Hanson's 'swamped by Muslims' speech Sport • Broncos star James Roberts found guilty at NRL judiciary • Alcott, Davidson win tennis gold at Rio Paralympics • New 'landmark' pay deal for Australian netballers Science and Tech • European satellite puts more than a billion stars on the map • Uber launches driverless car service in US • How an Australian company made Game of Thrones' Battle of the Bastards Environment • US must recognise North Korea as 'nuclear weapons state': state media • Victoria to use drones to monitor bushfires • Green sea turtles thrive in Raine Island recovery project off Queensland Follow ABC News About this email You received this email because you are subscribed to ABC News email alerts. 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