Good Evening Earthlings

If you are from Adelaide reading this, A high school student has been rescued from Adelaide Zoo's giant panda enclosure after trying to retrieve a dropped mobile phone.

Thankfully the giant panda, Wang Wang, wasn't hanging around at the time.

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Today in History

2015: COP21 climate change summit in Paris reaches a deal between 195 countries to limit the rise in the global average temperature to less than 2°C above pre-industrial levels

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A few headlines from this morning :

• Second Iranian detainee executed over alleged protest crime allegedly carried out the fatal stabbing of two security force members to death and running away - AP news reported.

• China will drop a travel tracing requirement as part of easing Zero-covid policies that have triggered the widespread protest.

• Foreign Minister Penny Wong lead a bi-partisan parliamentary delegation to the pacific to demonstrate an unwavering commitment to the region amid growing tension and competition against China.

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NASA’s Orion spacecraft splashed down in the Pacific Ocean, west of Baja California, at 9:40 a.m. PST Sunday after a record-breaking mission, traveling more than 1.4 million miles on a path around the Moon and returning safely to Earth, completing the Artemis I flight test.

Splashdown is the final milestone of the Artemis I mission that began with a successful liftoff of NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket Nov. 16, from Launch Pad 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Over the course of 25.5 days, NASA tested Orion in the harsh environment of deep space before flying astronauts on Artemis II.

“The splashdown of the Orion spacecraft – which occurred 50 years to the day of the Apollo 17 Moon landing – is the crowning achievement of Artemis I. From the launch of the world’s most powerful rocket to the exceptional journey around the Moon and back to Earth, this flight test is a major step forward in the Artemis Generation of lunar exploration,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. “It wouldn’t be possible without the incredible NASA team. For years, thousands of individuals have poured themselves into this mission, which is inspiring the world to work together to reach untouched cosmic shores. Today is a huge win for NASA, the United States, our international partners, and all of humanity.”

During the mission, Orion performed two lunar flybys, coming within 80 miles of the lunar surface. At its farthest distance during the mission, Orion traveled nearly 270,000 miles from our home planet, more than 1,000 times farther than where the International Space Station orbits Earth, to intentionally stress systems before flying crew.

“With Orion safely returned to Earth we can begin to see our next mission on the horizon which will fly crew to the Moon for the first time as a part of the next era of exploration,” said Jim Free, NASA associate administrator for the Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate. “This begins our path to a regular cadence of missions and a sustained human presence at the Moon for scientific discovery and to prepare for human missions to Mars.”

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Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care, Senator Anne Ruston Slams the Albanese Labor Government’s announcement today that they are cutting the additional Medicare-subsidised psychology sessions introduced by the Coalition as completely thoughtless.

‘It is staggering that the Albanese Government has decided right now is a good time to rip away additional mental health support from Australians who have been relying on it.” She said.

She said serious mental health issues are often at their highest two to three years after a crisis, pandemic, or natural disaster, which is why it is absolutely vital that vulnerable Australians have continued access to the psychology sessions they need.

“We know the holiday season can be a challenging time for people’s mental health and when they need to support the most, the Government has proven they are not willing to provide that support,’ Shadow Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Melissa McIntosh MP said.

“Sadly, the Government is sending us down the track of mental health services becoming less and less accessible to millions of Australians,” Mrs. McIntosh said.

Ruston said the Labor Government needs to stop their irresponsible attacks on the mental health services Australians are relying on and explain why they have gone against Recommendation 12 of the review, and the needs of vulnerable Australians, by cutting this support.

Meanwhile, The Department of Health has been forced to clarify the National plan that said COVID-19 PCR testing would require a medical referral from January next year.

In a statement, The Australian Government is committed to supporting effective COVID-19 testing to limit the spread and ensure that those most at risk of severe disease have fast access to care and treatments. PCR tests remain free for everyone who needs them. Priority populations can access them free through state testing sites and GP-led Respiratory Clinics. And anyone whose GP or nurse practitioner requests a PCR test for them will be bulk billed.

GOOD VIBES

Electric Vehicle World Record Attempt

A student-built Australian solar-powered car will soon be trying to set a new Guinness World Record for the ‘Fastest Electric Vehicle over 1000km on a single charge.

The Sunswift 7 car, designed and built by a team at UNSW Sydney, will attempt to complete the 1000km distance in under 10 hours without having to recharge, at an average speed of 100km/h.

The world record attempt will take place at the Australian Automotive Research Centre in Wensleydale, Victoria, on Saturday, December 17.

FROM THE NEWSWIRES