AAP Rolling News Bulletin Sep 30, 0900

Rolling News Bulletin 0900 AAP Rolling News Bulletin for Sep 30 at 0900

VAPES (BRISBANE) The millions of Australians who vape are leaving the nation with a toxic mountain of waste and so far there's no national strategy to deal with it. Campaigners say it's time for the federal government to force manufacturers, importers and retailers to take responsibility for the vaping industry's waste, given the serious threats it poses to human and environmental health. Clean Up Australia says consumers are confused about how to responsibly dispose of their used products, which are variously classified as electronic waste, or hazardous waste, depending on where you are in Australia. As a result, they end up in general waste bins or recycling bins and are increasingly discarded as litter in the environment. That's a big problem given they contain carcinogens and heavy metals that can become highly toxic when mixed with soil and water. When they enter the food chain they expose humans and other life forms to potential harm.

US Budget (WASHINGTON, D. C.) Hardline Republicans in the US House of Representatives have rejected a bill proposed by their leader to temporarily fund the government, making it all but certain that federal agencies will partially shut down at the weekend. In a 232-198 vote on Friday, the House defeated a measure that would extend government funding by 30 days and avert a shutdown. That bill would have cut spending and imposed immigration and border security restrictions, Republican priorities that had little chance of passing the Democratic-majority Senate. The Senate, meanwhile, has been advancing a bipartisan stopgap bill to fund the government through to November 17, though it was not clear when they would vote. "It's not the end yet, I've got other ideas," Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy told reporters following the defeat of the bill he had backed.

Ukraine (BRUSSELS) Seven EU countries have ordered ammunition under a landmark European Union procurement scheme to get urgently needed artillery shells to Ukraine and replenish depleted Western stocks. The orders - placed under contracts negotiated by the European Defence Agency (EDA) - are for 155mm artillery rounds, one of the most important munitions in the war of attrition between Ukraine's troops and Russian invaders. The scheme was set up as part of a plan worth at least two billion euros ($A3.3 billion), launched in March with the aim of getting a million shells and missiles to Ukraine within a year. Some officials and diplomats have expressed scepticism that the target will be met but the initiative marked a significant step in the EU's growing role in defence and military affairs, spurred by the war in Ukraine.

Electric (BRISBANE) The cars we drive will look very different within five years, with major changes coming as more vehicles go electric. That's the prediction of one of Polestar's leading designers, who says new vehicle technology, with its slimmer profile and different demands, will allow automakers to change the way cars look and drive as well as remove some elements entirely. Some of those features include a car's rear window, which will disappear in a future Polestar model, and the front grille on others which is already being scrapped. The design changes are expected to deliver multiple bonuses, including more efficient vehicles with better handling and more space for both occupants and cargo. Polestar exterior design manager Nahum Escobedo, who recently visited Sydney to show off a prototype of the company's first SUV, the Polestar 3, said electric cars have given designers fresh challenges and opportunities.

UK Tree (LONDON) Police investigating the felling of the Sycamore Gap tree, a much-loved landmark in northern England whose dramatic silhouette featured in a Hollywood movie, have made a second arrest, they say. The tree was cut down overnight between Wednesday and Thursday in what police believe was a deliberate act of vandalism. Northumbria Police, who arrested a 16-year old male on Thursday, said a male in his 60s had also been arrested in connection with the incident and remains in custody. The 16-year-old was released on bail pending further inquiries on Friday. The tree was set in a natural dip in the otherwise treeless, sweeping landscape alongside Hadrian's Wall. It was also known as the "Robin Hood Tree" after featuring in the 1991 film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.

Stabbing (SYDNEY) Three men have been charged over a stabbing incident on the outskirts of Brisbane after allegedly stealing a pair a scissors from a supermarket to use in the attack. Emergency crews were called to a property at Redbank Plains in Ipswich, southwest of the Queensland capital shortly before 5pm on Friday. When police arrived, three people were found with injuries and taken to hospital for treatment. A 22-year-old man sustained serious stab wounds to his leg and was transported in a serious but stable condition to the Princess Alexandra Hospital, police said in a statement on Saturday. A second 22-year-old man sustained a shoulder injury and a 33-year-old man sustained a facial injury. Both men were taken to Ipswich Hospital.

Indigenous League (SYDNEY) Every October long weekend thousands of Aboriginal people from across NSW gather for a celebration of community, family and the ultimate rugby league competition. The Koori Knockout is the only time you will see NRL stars like Latrell Mitchell or Josh Addo-Carr up against players who usually knock around in their local country league. Former NRL players Cliff Lyons and Dean Widders both head to the knockout year after year. Lyons reckons the few times he's missed the carnival were because he was playing in England and when he had NRL grand final commitments. Proud Anaiwan man Widders has been around the Koori Knockout since he was a child. As a youngster, he would play with his dad and against his cousins and other family members over the years with the Armidale Narwan Eels from northern NSW.

Helicopter Aust (PARIS) Some 400 Australian aerospace support workers face redundancy after the government brought forward the retirement of a fleet of MRH90 Taipan military helicopters, the head of the European manufacturer says. NHIndustries (NHI) President Axel Aloccio also rebuffed any concerns the decision to stop flying was linked to a safety issue following a fatal crash in July, saying engineers had found no malfunction so far in an Australia-led investigation. Australia's defence ministry was not immediately available for comment. Australia grounded its Taipan fleet after the offshore crash killed four aircrew and said the helicopters would not fly again until findings from a detailed investigation were published. On Friday, Defence Minister Richard Marles said the fleet would not return to operation before the previously planned withdrawal date of December 2024, with investigations set to last well into 2024.

In sport ...

Soc Spanish (BARCELONA) Real Madrid legend Sergio Ramos has scored an own goal to hand Barcelona a 1-0 win at home over Sevilla and send Xavi's side to the top of La Liga. The veteran centre-back inadvertently turned a headed pass by Barca's teenage sensation Lamine Yamal into Sevilla's goal in the 76th minute. The 37-year-old Ramos returned to Sevilla, his boyhood club, this month after leaving Paris Saint-Germain. Barcelona's fans jeered Ramos early in the game because of his past stint with Real Madrid, for whom he played nearly 500 games and won five La Liga titles and four Champions Leagues between 2005 and 2021. After an evenly matched first half, Barcelona were pressing hard when the 16-year-old Lamal helped produce the breakthrough, his attempted headed pass to Fermin Lopez hitting Ramos and deflecting into the net.

RWC23 NZ (LYON) New Zealand have made a huge statement of intent with a ruthless 96