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Chinese car brands have made a significant impact on the Australian market, with the big four - BYD, Chery, Great Wall Motors, and MG - leading the charge. These brands have seen success in the SUV segment, with BYD and Great Wall Motors poised to reach the top ten sellers and potentially the top five. Established giants like Hyundai, Kia, Mazda, and Toyota continue to perform well, but mid-pack brands such as Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru, Suzuki, and Volkswagen are struggling. While many Australians hoped for the success of every Chinese newcomer, reality has shown that not all brands will thrive. Latecomers like Deepal, Geely, Foton, JAC, Omoda, Jaecoo, Smart, XPeng, and Zeekr have not made a significant impact, with Geely leading the pack at four thousand seven hundred nine units. With over seventy players in a market that cant support them all long-term, some brands will fade away while others dig in, creating a competitive landscape for the future.

The Toyota HiLux Rugged X, priced at $71,990, is a top-tier off-road pickup with premium features and a powerful 2.8L turbo-diesel engine. It boasts adventure-ready amenities like LED lights, dual screens with wireless phone integration, heated seats, and a surround-view camera. Off-road enthusiasts will appreciate the 300W inverter, side steps, locking tailgate, and a standard towbar rated for 3500kg. The Rugged X also offers a 48V mild-hybrid system for improved fuel efficiency and a part-time 4WD system with low-range gearing and multi-terrain modes.

Sydney Kings Dominate Rivals, Secure Playoff Spot; Hawks Struggle on Road The Sydney Kings secured a crucial victory over the Illawarra Hawks, winning 108-84 and claiming fourth place in the NBL. Kendric Davis led the Kings with 27 points, 9 assists, and 4 rebounds, while Xavier Cooks and Kouat Noi contributed significantly. The game was marred by tensions and altercations between the rivals. The Hawks, missing injured star Tyler Harvey, struggled, with Sam Froling and Javale McGee performing well. The Kings win boosts their playoff hopes, while the Hawks face an uphill battle to make the postseason.

New polling reveals a challenging landscape for Australias Coalition parties, with Queensland emerging as their most significant concern. Voters in Queensland are shifting towards One Nation, which surged to eighteen percent primary vote, while Labor climbed to thirty-three percent and the Coalition plummeted to twenty-seven percent. Nationally, the Coalition hit a record low primary vote of twenty-four percent in October, with Labor leading fifty-eight to forty-two percent on two-party preferred. Younger voters are increasingly rejecting conservatives, and older voters without university degrees are moving to One Nation. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley struggles with low personal ratings, and while most see Prime Minister Anthony Albanese as the better leader, hes softer in Queensland. As MPs return to Canberra in January for new anti-vilification laws, Coalition figures hope focusing on extremism and borders will reel back One Nation voters over summer.

Cookies: The Unseen Barriers to Your Online Experience - This episode explores the common issue of blocking cookies on browsers and apps, which can hinder access to personalized content and features. The focus is on the recent Facebook app glitch and how to fix it by opening links in your phones default browser. The podcast also provides step-by-step guides for adjusting cookie settings in various browsers and devices to ensure a smooth online experience.

Australias homelessness crisis is at a record high, with over 122,000 people affected annually. Kate Colvin, a leading advocate, refers to them as the disappearing people due to cleared rough-sleeping camps and demolished affordable housing towers. Rates are the worst in living memory, and support groups are pleading for federal funds to address a multimillion-dollar gap. Hidden homelessness is also surging, with a 25% increase in persistent cases and a sharp rise in young people and women seeking help. Frontline workers report a grim shift, as people move to riskier spots when camps are shut down. Local councils are stepping up crackdowns, and the federal government has announced a ten percent rent assistance boost and funding for new affordable homes. However, advocates argue that this is not enough without additional funding for immediate rehousing and services. Thousands of families could face the streets this Christmas, causing economic damage and deep human suffering. Urgent action is needed to rebuild the safety net before the crisis worsens.

On Christmas Eve, a quiet Canberra neighborhood was thrust into chaos as police arrested a shirtless man reportedly armed with a gun. The incident, which followed recent mass shootings and a fatal police shooting, led to a heavy police presence and street closures. Neighbors watched from a distance, feeling a mix of surprise and calm. The man remains in custody and faces charges this Friday, serving as a stark reminder of how quickly holiday peace can shatter.

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