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Top Stories Government's Blanchett-voiced AI venture for NDIS stalls A Government foray into artificial intelligence — featuring a virtual assistant voiced by Cate Blanchett — is shelved over concerns politicians have been spooked by the 'robo-debt' and census bungles. Malcolm Roberts 'signed citizenship form without reading it' One Nation senator Malcolm Roberts admits to signing a form declaring him a British citizen, but tells the High Court he did so without actually reading the document. Pumped hydro could store 1,000 times more renewable energy than Australia will ever need There are 22,000 suitable locations for pumped hydro sites across Australia and if storage was built at a tiny fraction of them, we could be 100 per cent powered by renewable energy within 20 years, researchers say. Groom jailed in Australian-first child bride case A man is sentenced to 12 months in prison for illegally marrying a 14-year-old bride in an Islamic wedding in Melbourne last year. Over $60,000 raised as Bernardi backlash prompts flood of donations to school 'wear a dress' day An outraged tweet from Australian Conservatives senator Cory Bernardi over a primary school's fundraising drive results in more than $60,000 being raised — far exceeding the school's original target of $900. 'Hoping until the end': Workers describe desperate search for survivors At the site of a collapsed Mexico City School, a worker who heard screams is racing to find girls trapped under rubble left by an earthquake, as volunteers vow "hope will die last" in the race to find more survivors. Breastfeeding parliamentarians 'over the top', says Liberal backbencher A Federal Government MP says women who breastfeed in Parliament are a "bit over the top" and are trying to make a "statement". Cashless welfare card 'makes me feel down and out' An unemployed father of three from Bundaberg says the inability to withdraw money once he is given a cashless welfare card in lieu of Centrelink payments will prevent him from providing properly for his family and visiting relatives interstate. 'Trailblazer' Dr Evelyn Scott dies aged 81 One of the leading figures of the decade-long campaign for constitutional recognition, Dr Evelyn Scott AO, is remembered as a "striking presence" and "towering" figure within the Aboriginal and Islander communities. What legal benefits do married couples have that de facto couples do not? Difficulties for de facto couples arise from the complex inter-relationship between the "burden of proof", institutionalised homophobia, and the sticky situations that can often arise in interpersonal or family conflict. Violence as Myanmar protesters try to block aid shipment to Rohingya Armed with petrol bombs, sticks and metal bars, hundreds of Buddhists in Myanmar try to prevent an aid shipment reaching Muslims in Rakine state. Have humans always slept through the night? A solid eight hours is something many of us aim for but is sleeping through the night something we've always done? Or is it something new? MP swears at Prime Minister's press conference A Liberal National Party MP is caught on camera muttering "this f***ing..." — then stopping himself — at a press conference with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull after a question is asked about the number of female politicians in the party's ranks. 'Epidemic' of disgusting flesh-eating disease hits parts of Victoria A flesh-eating bacteria usually associated with tropical parts of Africa, which leads to weeping wounds, is becoming more common on the Mornington Peninsula, and sufferers — including a 13-year-old girl — are calling for more research. North Korea dismisses Trump's UN threat as 'sound of a dog barking' North Korea's Foreign Minister brushes off Donald Trump warning that the US will "totally destroy" the rogue nation if threatened, saying "even when dogs bark, the parade goes on". Liberal MP mocks anti-SSM colleagues with sheep analogy Tasmanian MP Nic Street reprimands colleagues who warned "homosexual roleplaying" would be taught in schools if same sex marriage becomes legal, saying as a child he once played a sheep in a play but he has not felt compelled to "leap the fence ... and munch the grass". Inland rail consultation process a complete farce, locals say Farmers in southern Queensland say the decision to build the Melbourne-to-Brisbane route through a floodplain could be "catastrophic" and the consultation process lacked transparency. Defence 'naive' to delay security checks of Chinese drones, former official says The Department of Defence was "naive" to delay suspending the use of Chinese-made drones after concerns were raised about their security, a former senior Defence official says. RBA optimistic despite weak wages, growing debt and rising rates The Reserve Bank governor is optimistic Australia's economy is on the path to a new post-mining growth phase, despite the challenges of weak wages growth, rising debt, and looming interest rate increases. Former Trump campaign manager Manafort offered to brief wealthy Russian During the 2016 US presidential election race, Donald Trump's then campaign chairman offered to provide "private briefings" for a Russian billionaire the US Government considers close to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Young drivers captured using phones, taking selfies behind the wheel What do you get when you take five young people and put cameras in their cars for 10 days? Shocking footage of the reality of mobile phone use while driving. Analysis and Opinion Big banks suffer asset reflux after gobbling up the financial sector By business editor Ian Verrender Why is the flu so much more deadly than the common cold? By David Griffin, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity Grattan: Where will Abbott's disruptions end? By Michelle Grattan What legal benefits do married couples have that de facto couples do not? By Hannah Robert and Fiona Kelly, La Trobe University World Wriggling fingers trigger race to free schoolgirl from Mexico quake rubble   Push for South Carolina monuments to honour black Civil War hero   Yoko Ono won't let it be, forces 'John Lemon' drink to re-brand   Business RBA optimistic despite weak wages, growing debt and rising rates   Big banks suffer asset reflux after gobbling up the financial sector   CBA sells CommInsure Life for $3.8b, considers $4b Colonial sell-off   Politics Inland rail consultation process a complete farce, locals say   Victorian MP shuts office amid allegations of allowance misuse   Grattan: Where will Abbott's disruptions end?   Sport Live: Aussies desperate to level ODI series against India   AFL clubs push for Yes vote as SSM debate divides fans   'You've got a whole army behind you': Tigers confident they will thrive on MCG crowd   Science and Technology Defence 'naive' to delay security checks of Chinese drones, former official says   AI won't replace your doctor soon — but it can help with diagnosis   Apple wants to make Siri a better therapist   Environment Grattan: Where will Abbott's disruptions end?   Pumped hydro could store 1,000 times more renewable energy than Australia will ever need   Is it better to repair or replace broken washing machines?       Follow Us     The ABC sent this message to starnewsposting@gmail.com these details are included to help provide assurance that this is a genuine email from ABC. 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