The decision to use Uber is often taken by individual travellers while on the road. Photo: Dominic Lorrimer
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Uber begins taking passengers at midday today, signalling the end of an era for Canberra's taxi industry, but the ride-sharing firm would not say on Thursday just how many Uber drivers it expects to be picking up passengers from day one, beyond saying it would be in the "hundreds".
Questions to Uber about specific numbers of drivers and the male/female split went unanswered on Thursday.
- Travellers through Australia's airports are set for more misery in November as Border Force, Immigration and Agriculture public servants dramatically escalate strike action as part of their wage dispute with the federal government.
- Federal police are hunting a gang of identity thieves who have been hacking the tax file numbers of up to 500 Australians a day.
- The success of the city to Gungahlin tram line depends on how well it can connect with other forms of transport around the city, University of Canberra planning expert Barbara Norman said on Thursday.
- In a monumental move against discrimination, people "found guilty" of a "historical consensual homosexual act" in the ACT can soon apply to have their conviction withdrawn.
- Daniel James Holdom, charged with murdering Karlie Pearce-Stevenson, was in a relationship with a woman who allegedly hijacked Ms Pearce-Stevenson's identity after she was killed.
Former Wallaby Ben Alexander with The Dock staff dressed as Wallaby Scott Fardy up against chef Jon 'Kiwi Jon' Turner in the lead up to Rugby World Cup final on November 1 Photo: Elesa Kurtz
If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, Wallabies player Scott Fardy will be feeling pretty flattered as he faces the All Blacks at this weekend's Rugby World Cup grand final.
Half a world away, in a Kingston bar the back-rower co-owns, an eager crowd will be looking at – and looking like – Fardy as he takes to the field in Australia's most important rugby union match since 1999.
- Bernard Foley got up in the middle of the night 16 years ago to watch the Wallabies win the World Cup and spark the inspiration for his rugby career.
- Former ACT Brumbies captain Stephen Hoiles says ex-teammate Ben Alexander is almost the "forgotten man of Australian rugby", but his National Rugby Championship form shows his Wallabies Test career is far from over.
- The Canberra Capitals' wretched run of luck has finally taken a positive turn with Minnesota Lynx point guard Renee Montgomery cleared to make her WNBL debut.
- Canberra Cavalry manager Michael Collins said this weekend's away series against the Melbourne Aces was a "big series" for the team to start to gel.
Tharwa Bridge will be closed for maintenance form 9am to 4pm from Wednesday until Friday.
If you see any accidents or have any info on the morning commute, let us know whenever it is safe to do so: morningblog@canberratimes.com.au or tweet us @canberratimes
The Arboretum presents singer-songwriter Amber Nichols live in concert, as seen on The Voice. With special guests fellow contestant on The Voice, Grace Pitts, and local rising star, 14-year-old Lucy Sugerman. Doors open 6pm. More info here.
A spectacular two-part show featuring the stories behind Lee Kernaghan's biggest songs plus the music from the number one hit album Spirit Of The Anzacs is on at The Canberra Theatre tonight at 8pm. More info here.
Swing into an epic night of retro music from the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s with live music from Back to the Eights and DJs playing your favourite songs at the RUC in Turner. Raising money for the Brain Foundation. Band starts at 7.30pm. Tickets here.
Start planning your weekend! Check out Canberra's jampacked events calendar for October 30 to November 1 on Canberra Weekender.
Mark Heinrich at his home in Canberra. Photo: Melissa Adams
Police won't pursue prosecution of a Canberra medical marijuana campaigner whose home was raided after he provided cannabis oil to a two-and-a-half year-old girl.
Officers raided Mark Heinrich's home last year after he wrote to former ACT chief minister Katy Gallagher encouraging her to create a legal medical cannabis scheme to help people living with long term pain and chronic medical conditions.
Touch or click through for more David Pope
Playing in the newly opened sensory garden and playground area at St Anthony's Primary School in Wanniassa are (from left) year 4 student Joshua Piper,10, of Oxley, and year 3 student Marli Stewart, 8, of Wanniassa. Photo: Melissa Adams
While playgrounds are usually for lunch and recess fun, the new sensory garden and play area at St Anthony's Primary School in Wanniassa is much more.
Principal Greg Walker has called it "an oasis in the middle of our school to foster the learning and development of all students".
Today: Partly cloudy day with light winds becoming easterly 15 to 25 km/h in the late evening. Max 25
Tomorrow: Cloudy. High chance of showers possibly exceeding 60mm. Light winds becoming northerly 15 to 20 km/h in the middle of the day then becoming light in the early afternoon. Min 9, max 20
Sunday: Cloudy with a high chance of morning showers. The chance of a thunderstorm in the morning and afternoon. Winds north to northwesterly 15 to 25 km/h. Min 13, max 26
