The Echidna, newsletter, 2 December 2022:
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
Australia's information commissioner has begun an investigation into Medibank's data-handling practices as the hackers behind the breach dumped the last customer information they stole on the dark web. The health insurer reported the breach on October 13 and the Russian ransomware group has been releasing customer information in a staged manner since early November. The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner confirmed it was examining Medibank after preliminary inquiries found enough evidence to press further.
Health authorities have issued a warning for all green thumbs using potting mix after a Sydney woman in her 60s died from Legionnaires' disease. Legionnaires' disease is a type of pneumonia caused by exposure to legionella bacteria. It is life-threatening but rare. Symptoms include fever, chills, a cough, shortness of breath and aching muscles. Associate Professor and specialist in infectious diseases at the Australian National University Sanjaya Senanayake said gardeners should wear a face mask and gloves while handling potting mix.
Bushfire season has officially begun in Australia, and despite copping a drenching from La Nina, the country could still see devastating burns. NSW is facing its most significant grassfire risk in a decade, with two years of rain creating conditions for "prolific vegetation growth". Forecast hotter and drier conditions for the second half of summer also means the overall impact this season could be much worse than many are expecting. Grassfires can move up to three times faster than a bushfire, generating enormous amounts of heat, and flames up to five metres high.
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