Hi there. It's Tuesday, September 27 and you're reading The Loop, a quick wrap-up of today's news.
Let's start here: The surprise apology from the account supposedly behind the Optus data breach
There was an unexpected development in the Optus data breach saga today, when the online account which claimed to be behind the breach offered up an apology and walked back threats of releasing more customer data or holding Optus to ransom.
The account apologised to the company and to the more than 10,000 Australians whose records it claimed to have leaked only hours earlier.
Here's some of the account's apology, which was posted to an online forum — and a warning that it is FULL of typos and grammatical errors:
"Too many eyes. We will not sale data to anyone. We cant if we even want to: personally deleted data from drive (Only copy).
"Sorry too 10.200 Australian whos data was leaked.
"Australia will see no gain in fraud, this can be monitored. Maybe for 10.200 Australian but rest of population no. Very sorry to you.
"Deepest apology to Optus for this. Hope all goes well from this."
Some cyber security experts believe the account is legitimate, but it has not been confirmed by Optus or the Australian Federal Police (AFP).
This morning, Optus CEO Kelly Bayer Rosmarin told the ABC's AM program that the AFP was investigating the breach and Optus would take "full accountability" for any evidence of error on its part.
Law firms are now considering the potential for a class action lawsuit against the company.
Today NASA smashed a spacecraft into an asteroid (on purpose though)
This morning at around 9:15am AEST, NASA successfully smashed a spacecraft the size of a vending machine into a small asteroid moonlet about the size of a stadium.
It was part of the world's first full-scale mission to test technology for defending Earth against potential asteroid collisions.
The Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) directly hit the moonlet called Dimorphos, and the whole thing was live streamed for our enjoyment.
Here's footage from the moment of impact, just before the communications signal abruptly cuts out:
It's still unclear how much the moonlet was knocked off course, but scientists will be monitoring it to study the effects of the impact.
You can keep reading here to learn more about the mission, and what happens next.
News you might have missed
- Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus has warned politicians and officials to "be afraid" of the powers the federal government wants to give its new anti-corruption commission, which he is expected to introduce to parliament on Wednesday. Here's a bit of what he had to say today:
- Star Entertainment has accepted the findings of a damning review into its operations, which found it unsuitable to hold a licence for a Sydney casino following allegations of money laundering, organised crime links and fraud. The company said it had taken "significant and urgent remedial steps" and had asked the NSW Independent Casino Commission to allow it to keep operating under strict supervision
- A controversial state funeral for Japan's former prime minister Shinzo Abe — who was assassinated in July — has taken place in Tokyo, with Australia's current prime minister (and a few former ones) in attendance. You can look back at the proceedings (and the protests) in our live blog
Here's what Australia has been searching for online
- England vs. Germany. The head coach of Germany's national soccer team, Hansi Flick, said it was "very disappointing" that his team gave away a 2-0 lead to England at Wembley Stadium in London, where the visitors trailed 3-2 before rescuing a 3-3 draw in their final match before the World Cup in Qatar
- Edward Snowden. The former US intelligence contractor has been granted Russian citizenship by President Vladimir Putin, having fled to the country after he exposed the scale of secret surveillance operations by the US National Security Agency nine years ago. On Twitter, Mr Snowden announced the arrival of his second son, and said "a little stability will make a difference" to his family
One more thing: An attempt to heritage list the Neighbours streetscape has failed
Everybody needs good neighbours, but apparently not every historic Australian street needs a heritage listing.
As ABC reporter Dan Oakes points out, a push to heritage list the famous Melbourne streetscape from the now-defunct TV soap Neighbours "did not have enough good friends".
"Whitehorse City Council voted last night against heritage listing the exteriors of six houses in Ramsay Street — also known as Pin Oak Court, Vermont South — despite a report finding the site's 'historic, aesthetic and social significance' warranted a heritage overlay," he reports.
The council's decision comes two months after Neighbours went to air for the last time, following a 37-year run.
Regardless of whether you think the streetscape should have been heritage listed, I think we can all agree that all neighbours really need are good friends.
You're up to date!
We'll be back with more tomorrow.
ABC/wires
