Along with a surge in solar power installations, fire services are reporting a worrying jump in callouts to rooftop fires.
Australians have taken advantage of some of the cheapest solar PV systems in the world, but weak regulations, some shonky installers and a lack of mandatory inspections compromise safety, write Timothy O'Leary and David Whaley. Governments, regulators, emergency services and home owners can all take steps to reduce the risks.
In other news, this is also a pivotal day in US politics. Democrats may take control of the all-important Senate, depending on the results of Tuesday’s two runoff races in Georgia. We’ll have analysis coming on what this would mean for the incoming Biden administration, as soon as the races are called.
And Congress meets today to certify the Electoral College votes in the US election. As John Hart writes, a small group of Republican rebels is planning a final challenge to the result. Could this finally be Donald Trump’s last stand?
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John Watson
Section Editor: Higher Education; Cities + Policy
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FRNSW
Timothy O'Leary, University of Melbourne; David Michael Whaley, University of South Australia
Weak regulation and a lack of mandatory inspections have increased fire risks for the one in four homes with rooftop PV panels. Here's what we need to do to be safer.
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Brynn Anderson/AP
John Hart, Australian National University
The process of counting and certifying the Electoral College votes usually generates very little attention. Not so this year, with rebel Republicans planning to challenge the votes in several states.
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Simon Bullard/AAP Image
Brendan Crabb, Burnet Institute; Michael Toole, Burnet Institute
It could easily be another 12 months until Australians are fully vaccinated. While we've had great success fending off the coronavirus, our leaders need to work even more closely to prevail this year.
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Light from our setting sun reflecting off storm clouds can give off a some vivid shades of pinks, purples and oranges.
Jake Clark
Jake Clark, University of Southern Queensland; Nataliea Lowson, University of Southern Queensland
It's all to do with the light from the Sun and a blanket of air wrapped around Earth called the 'atmosphere'.
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flickr
Kate Cantrell, University of Southern Queensland
Written by Kenneth Grahame as a story for his young son, The Wind in the Willows has also been read as a social satire and a gay allegory.
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EQRoy/Shutterstock
Nicholas M Fisk, UNSW; Ian Jacobs, UNSW
With 13 universities in the top 200 in the new aggregated ranking system known as ARTU, Australia ranks fourth in the world and is part of a rising new order in the global higher education sector.
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Science + Technology
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Jason Potts, RMIT University; Kelsie Nabben, RMIT University
An increasing number of individuals and companies are now investing in Bitcoin, the world's largest and first fully-functioning cryptocurrency. But why? And which way is the market headed?
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Health + Medicine
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Sarah L Caddy, University of Cambridge
Sterilising immunity means that the immune system is able to completely prevent a virus from replicating in your body. Not all vaccines provide this.
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Nicola Power, Lancaster University
The prime minister stands accused of dither and delay for the third time after announcing another England-wide lockdown.
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Business + Economy
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Steve Schifferes, City, University of London
China is due to surge ahead, but there is bad news for other developing countries.
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Politics + Society
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Ken Hughes, University of Virginia
After release of tape recordings in which Nixon ordered the Watergate coverup, he resigned under pressure by congressional Republicans. Today's GOP had a different response to the Trump tape.
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