Sydney storms, Queensland fires and the G20 summit

Editor's note

The heavy thunderstorms battering the greater Sydney area may be contributing to the bushfires raging across Queensland. The Bureau of Meteorology’s Claire Yeo explains how the low pressure front is pushing warm air and winds across Queensland, contributing to exceptionally dangerous fire conditions. As the NSW low front moves it may also cause a “wind change” in Queensland, creating the possibility of firestorms and fire tornadoes that can spread fires rapidly and unpredictably.

And tomorrow, eyes will be on the G20 meeting in Buenos Aires. The meeting to watch is the one between US president Donald Trump and Chinese president Xi Jinping. As Tony Walker writes, with a “rules-based” trading system being shredded and the Paris Agreement on climate change at risk of unravelling, it is one of the most significant meetings between two global leaders in the modern era. Yet if the two leaders are to find common ground, the G20 forum may offer the best chance. The G20 really does offer something special, says ANU researcher Adam Trigg. He’s spoken to more than 60 political leaders and senior officials to conclude this is more than your average international talkfest.

Madeleine De Gabriele

Deputy Editor: Energy + Environment

Top story

Storm clouds move over the Illawarra south of Sydney on Wednesday, November 28 2018. Sydney received more than a month’s worth of rain in just two hours, with Observatory Hill recording 84.6mm by 7am. The November average is 83.8mm. Dean Lewins/AAP

Sydney storms could be making the Queensland fires worse

Claire Yeo, Australian Bureau of Meteorology

Bushfires across Queensland are fanned by high winds pushed north by a strong low in NSW.

US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are set to meet again at the G20 in Buenos Aires, at a pivotal moment in world economic history. AAP/EPA/Roman Pilipey

Much at stake as Donald Trump and Xi Jinping meet at G20

Tony Walker, La Trobe University

At a time when the rules-based trading system is being shredded and the Paris Agreement risks unravelling, it is vital that the G20 meeting between the two superpowers is a constructive one.

Leaders pose for the official G20 family photo at their 2014 summit in Brisbane. Andrew Taylor/AAP

Does the G20 summit really make a difference? World leaders reckon it does

Adam Triggs, Australian National University

All talk, no action? The G20 turns out to be a surprisingly productive international exercise.

Science + Technology

We made deceptive robots to see why fake news spreads, and found a weakness

Carlo Kopp, Monash University; Kevin Korb, Monash University

We used game theory to show you only need a small amount of fake news to disrupt any group discussion. But we also found a way you can fight back.
Tension as scientist at centre of CRIPSR outrage speaks at genome editing summit

Merlin Crossley, UNSW

The world seemed to be inching forward with CRISPR gene editing technology – but suddenly the forbidden fruit has been plucked, and some even worry that the CRISPR tree has been cut down.

Politics + Society

Australia’s spies to be allowed to use more force

Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra

The legislation also will enable the Foreign Minister to specify extra people, such as a hostage, who may be protected by an ASIS staffer or agent.
View from The Hill: Morrison’s authority deficit on show at home and abroad

Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra

The Liberals this week are shell-shocked and unnerved after the Victorian rout and both the fact and implications of Banks' desertion.
The foreign donations bill will soon be law - what will it do, and why is it needed?

Yee-Fui Ng, Monash University

The firestorm over foreign donations was set alight by former Senator Sam Dastyari, whose links to donors with Chinese links prompted him to quit parliament.

Health + Medicine

Explainer: what is irritable bowel syndrome and what can I do about it?

Suzanne Mahady, Monash University

Irritable bowel syndrome causes abdominal pain and constipation or diarrhoea. These symptoms overlap with other disorders, so it's important to get the correct diagnosis and then the best treatments.
Curious Kids: Why do people get cancer?

Darren Saunders, UNSW

I have worked on this problem for many years, and to be honest it still blows my mind to really think about just how complex it is.

Arts + Culture

Why it is (almost) impossible to teach creativity

Robert Nelson, Monash University

Our contemporary education systematically trashes creativity and unwittingly punishes students for exercising their imagination.
Passion and beauty: the paintings of Tony Tuckson

Joanna Mendelssohn, UNSW

Forty-five years after his death, the Art Gallery of New South Wales has mounted a major exhibition of Tony Tuckson, focussing on his intensely personal Abstract Expressionist works
André Rieu gives his audience exactly what they want: entertainment

David Larkin, University of Sydney

Few classical musicians can fill out an 8,000 seat hall. But then few classical musicians are like André Rieu.

Environment + Energy

Tassie devils’ decline has left a feast of carrion for feral cats

Calum Cunningham, University of Tasmania; Christopher Johnson, University of Tasmania; Menna Elizabeth Jones, University of Tasmania; Tracey Hollings, University of Melbourne

A new study involving leaving animal carcasses strewn across Tasmania shows that in places where devils have dwindled, other scavengers are stepping up to fill the gap, with nasty knock-on effects.

Cities
Land makes the housing market different, so changing planning rules won’t fix affordability Brian Feeney, The University of Queensland The thing about new housing is you need land to build it on. Developers are able to control its release at a rate that doesn't put downward pressure on prices.

Business + Economy

So what’s a secretary to do? Banking Royal Commission raises questions about what’s in minutes

Ellie Chapple, Queensland University of Technology; Elisabeth Sinnewe, Queensland University of Technology

Proceedings at the banking royal commission suggest if it isn't in the minutes of a board meeting, the board didn't consider it. It makes the role of the company secretary critical.
Computing faces an energy crunch unless new technologies are found

Daisy Wang, UNSW; Jared Cole, RMIT University

The energy required to power the massive, factory-sized data centres that computers rely on already consumes 5% of global electricity. And that energy load is doubling every decade.