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Showing posts from April, 2020

Warning over Australia’s cybersecurity

If a cyber virus wreaked the same kind of havoc across the globe's computer networks as coronavirus is doing in health systems, Australia would be well behind in its ability to cope, a pair of Labor MPs warn. Via news.com.au — Australia’s #1 news site https://www.news.com.au

Seal Spotted Enjoying Isolated New Jersey Beach

A seal was spotted enjoying an empty beach in Hoboken, New Jersey, with the New York City skyline in the background. “Apparently this cute seal wanted to social distance in Hoboken,” a local woman said in a caption alongside the video posted to Instagram. The seal may have found the Hudson River easier to navigate after ferry services between Hoboken and New York City were suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Credit: dontsitathome via Storyful Via news.com.au — Australia’s #1 news site https://www.news.com.au

‘Fantasyland’: PM hits out at Twiggy

Scott Morrison has slammed “fantasyland” claims by billionaire Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest that COVID-19 could have come from Australia instead of China and urged him to stop freelancing in foreign affairs. Via news.com.au — Australia’s #1 news site https://www.news.com.au

‘Strong trade with China won’t stop COVID-19 probe’: Cormann

Finance Minister Mathias Cormann has told Sky News a “strong trading relationship” with China won’t stop the government from forging ahead with an “unremarkable” independent inquiry into COVID-19 – justifying the government’s stance it would benefit the world. “Of course we want to continue to have a strong relationship with China, including a strong trading relationship, but that doesn’t mean we’re not going to argue for what we think is right,” he said. “It’s an entirely unremarkable position that we believe there should be, at the right time, an independent review into what happened and how we all responded to it so that we can ensure it doesn’t happen again and that our response in the future, if it does happen again, is better than what it was this time around. “Look at how many people have died around the world, how many people have lost their jobs.” COVID-19 has killed more than 230,000 people and infected more than three million people since it broke out in Wuhan, China in late...

Health officer ‘unfit for office’ after comparing Cook’s arrival to coronavirus

The Prime Minister has criticised Victoria's deputy chief health officer, urging her to 'stick to her day job' after she took to Twitter to compare Captain Cook's arrival in Australia to the coronavirus pandemic. Dr Annaliese van Diemen marked Wednesday's 250th anniversary of Captain Cook’s arrival by tweeting: “Sudden arrival of an invader from another land, decimating populations, creating terror. Forces the population to make enormous sacrifices & completely change how they live in order to survive. COVID19 or Cook 1770?" Prime Minister Scott Morrison stopped short of calling for Dr van Diemen’s scalp, but said she was undermining public confidence in her position at a time when it was needed most. “I found those comments very disappointing. She clearly wouldn’t get the job as chief historian,” he said. “But when it comes to medical advice, I implore the work she’s doing as a medical officer in Victoria. That’s her expertise and I would strongly recommen...

Firearm Carrying Protestors Seen at Rally Against Michigan’s COVID-19 Emergency Measures

Hundreds of protestors, some armed, demonstrated at the Michigan Capitol building on April 30 against a proposed extension of a state of emergency due to COVID-19. Michigan Governor Whitmer had asked Legislature to approve a 28-day extension of the emergency declaration, which ends April 30, sparking the protests against COVID-19 restrictions in the state capital of Lansing. Journalist Anna Liz Nicols uploaded footage of the rally. Video shows a speaker at the protest mocking social distancing protocols as he stands next to a man wielding a large firearm. The speaker says: “How did they come up with this number of six feet? I think they just pulled it out of their rear ends”. As of April 30, the state of Michigan has reported 41,379 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 3,789 deaths. Credit: @annaliznichols via Storyful Via news.com.au — Australia’s #1 news site https://www.news.com.au

COVID gold surge boosts Aust export prices

Investors turning to safe-haven bullion and soaring demand for scrap metal helped push Australian export prices higher during a COVID-affected March quarter, but this was offset by softer petrol demand amid widespread lockdowns. Via news.com.au — Australia’s #1 news site https://www.news.com.au

Coronavirus pandemic to slam Australia’s housing market

Shadow Housing Minister Jason Clare has told Sky News the coronavirus will trigger a massive downturn in the housing market. “You’ve got people at the moment who might’ve been talking about building a new house or buying their first house, then coronavirus hits, you lose your job, confidence is down and you’re less likely to buy a house,” he said. “And that’s exactly what’s happening now. The housing industry says people aren’t signing contracts and the impact of that is fewer houses are going to be built this year than originally predicted.” Mr Clare said the housing industry originally predicted 160,000 new homes would be built this year and that prediction had since dropped to 100,000. “That means a lot of tradies could lose their jobs and this is an industry that employs about a million people,” he said. Via news.com.au — Australia’s #1 news site https://www.news.com.au

‘Twiggy’ snaps under Chinese pressure

Mining magnate Andrew 'Twiggy' Forrest has played down controversy surrounding his invitation to Victoria's Chinese Consul-General to speak during a press conference with the Health Minister as "a non-story". Mr Forrest blindsided the federal government when he invited Long Zhou to speak in an address with Greg Hunt after Mr Forrest secured 10 million coronavirus test kits for Australia from China. Twiggy - as he's affectionately known - did a similar thing in Western Australia when announcing China had assisted him in "breaking the back of the PPE crisis". "This is the biggest beat-up ever," Mr Forrest said. Liberal MP Andrew Hastie hit back at the businessman's stunt emphatically stating, "yeah, we're not happy". "This guy drops out of the sky in his private jet and enables the Chinese Communist Party to ambush a Commonwealth press conference." Prime Minister Scott Morrison is standing firm despite political pu...

Kim Jong-un Impersonator Appears at Hong Kong Protest as Anti-Government Demonstrations Restart

An impersonator of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un made an appearance at a Hong Kong protest, on April 28, where two people were fined for breaching COVID-19 social distancing rules. Demonstrators held up the old British flag of Hong Kong and sung a protest song inside the International Finance Centre mall before dozens of police officers arrived to break up the group. Holding a fake rocket, an actor pretending to be Kim Jong-un waved for the cameras and put on a face mask. His appearance appeared to be timely with the supreme leader not having been seen for three weeks amidst rumours he was in poor medical condition. “I decided to turn up and give the HK people some support whilst quashing rumours about my supposed death,” the actor posted to Facebook. The Hong-Kong based impersonator, an Australian otherwise known as Howard X, has appeared at other world events such as the 2018 Winter Olympics and the summit between the real North Korean leader and US President Donald Trump in Singap...

National mental health plan to be handed down

A national mental health plan will be released in the coming weeks as the government seeks to address the fallout COVID-19 has had on Australians mental wellbeing. Chief executive of the National Mental Health Commission Christine Morgan said the plan would address gaps in the current mental health system. “We are looking at significantly ramping up our ability to co-ordinate service delivery, to ensure that the accessibility that we have opened up with telehealth, the accessibility that we have opened up with increased digital and online services, is able to be accessed by Australians in a way that passes across our jurisdictional and Commonwealth systems,” she said. "We need to make that work better. We need to ensure that anybody who actually needs a service is reached.” Ms Morgan said she will present the plan to the national cabinet for consideration next week. It comes as Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced one million telehealth mental health consultations have taken pl...

Tornado-Warned Storm Brings Lightning and Hail to Tulsa, Oklahoma

Hail struck Tulsa, Oklahoma on April 28, as a severe tornado-warned storm swept through the city and surrounding counties. The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for the city and nearby areas on the Tuesday evening. This video, filmed in Tulsa, shows hail battering an outdoor pool, accompanied by bursts of lightning The NWS lifted the tornado warning for Tulsa at 6.45pm. Credit: @ell_dee_ via Storyful Via news.com.au — Australia’s #1 news site https://www.news.com.au

Pentagon releases footage of ‘UFO sightings’

The Pentagon has declassified three videos taken by US navy pilots flying off the east coast of America in 2015 that showed unidentified flying objects. The videos were previously leaked but the US Department of Defence said they were intentionally released now to clear up any speculation about the incidents and to confirm they were authentic sightings. Via news.com.au — Australia’s #1 news site https://www.news.com.au

Barcelona Hospital Physical Therapists Dance With COVID-19 Patient to Encourage Mobility

Physical therapists at the Vall d’Hebron University Hospital in Barcelona, Spain, danced with a coronavirus-diagnosed patient who the hospital said had been unable to move in the intensive care unit for 30 days. Video from the hospital, posted to Twitter on April 26, shows the patient, identified as a man named Felipe, dancing to a song by Sergio Dalma. There had been 23,822 confirmed deaths in Spain as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic by 28 April, according to official figures. The country’s lockdown measures were due to be eased from May 4, when some small businesses would be allowed to reopen. Credit: Vall d’Hebron University Hospital via Storyful Via news.com.au — Australia’s #1 news site https://www.news.com.au

War veteran who raised millions for NHS receives 125,000 cards for his 100th birthday

UK resident and war veteran Captain Tom Moore has received more than 125,000 cards from well-wishers as he marked his 100th birthday. Captain Moore rose to fame after he raised more than $57 million for the National Health Service by walking 100 laps of his garden. The centenarian has become a symbol of national unity and endurance for the British people. Image: News Corp Australia Via news.com.au — Australia’s #1 news site https://www.news.com.au

Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games could be cancelled altogether

The president of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games says the event will be cancelled altogether if it does not go ahead next year. The Olympics is currently postponed until July 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Japanese health authorities said the country may struggle to hold the Games if a vaccine for the virus was not produced before then. Image: AP Via news.com.au — Australia’s #1 news site https://www.news.com.au

Police Escort Gaggle of Geese to Safety Off Highway in Oregon

A gaggle of geese received a police escort on Highway 26 in Oregon, with the Beaverton Police Department ushering the animals to safety. In a series of three videos uploaded by the Beaverton Police, the police reported that the gaggle, two adults and five goslings walking aside the road, had caused a minor traffic delay on the highway. Two police cars herded the geese along the side of the road, shielding them from passing vehicles. The department posted that after “a mile walk, countless close calls with passing cars and a forty foot descent down a hill covered with blackberries” the geese safely arrived at a pond. Credit: Beaverton Police Department via Storyful Via news.com.au — Australia’s #1 news site https://www.news.com.au

Trump virus testing plan ‘dissolves federal government of responsibility’

Sky News contributor Michael Ware says US President Donald Trump is providing reports about the effectiveness of the US’ coronavirus testing regime that conflict with those given by one of his top experts, Dr Deborah Birx. “She said diagnostic testing – will get us through spring, which we’re in now, and summer, which is coming, but we really need a breakthrough in antibody testing to move beyond that,” he told Sky News. The number of confirmed virus cases has surpassed one million across the country, with the death toll reaching 57,000. Mr Ware said the president held a White House briefing on Tuesday where he unveiled a “national blueprint for testing”. “What it really does is just put all the pressure on the states to come up with the tests and the way to execute them and dissolves the federal government of responsibility except for being the supplier of tests or medium of tests or swabs of last resort,” he said. Image: AP Via news.com.au — Australia’s #1 news site https://www.news....

Panthers star Nathan Cleary caught breaking social distancing rules 

Penrith Panthers NRL star Nathan Cleary is pictured dancing in a video, now removed from Tik Tok, where he is clearly engaged in breaking coronavirus-related social distancing rules on Anzac Day. The footage has emerged after he apologised and claimed publicly to not know anyone took any pictures. Via news.com.au — Australia’s #1 news site https://www.news.com.au

Trump says China could have stopped COVID-19 from spreading across the world

Supplied video obtained Tuesday, April 28, 2020, US President Donald Trump speaking to reporters during a media briefing at the White House in Washington. Trump suggests the COVID-19 pandemic could have been stopped at the source. "We're doing very serious investigations," he says. "We are not happy with China. We are not happy with that whole situation. "It could have been stopped quickly and it wouldn't have spread all over the world. We think that should have happened." (AAP VIDEO/Supplied/The White House) Via news.com.au — Australia’s #1 news site https://www.news.com.au

Asian shares fall on crude prices rout

Asian shares and US stock futures have dipped into the red on Tuesday, erasing earlier gains as a renewed decline in oil prices overshadowed optimism about the easing of coronavirus-related restrictions seen globally. Via news.com.au — Australia’s #1 news site https://www.news.com.au

Cook’s ‘Endeavour’ voyage marks 250 years

The 250 year anniversary of Lieutenant James Cook’s voyage on the Endeavour is being celebrated, as people remember the Pacific voyage where Tahiti was first sighted. The main mission of the voyage was to record the transit of Venus on Saturday June 3, 1769 in order to give scientists an accurate reading of the distance between Venus and the Earth. Image: News Corp Australia Via news.com.au — Australia’s #1 news site https://www.news.com.au

Pelosi throws full support behind Joe Biden

Democrat House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has endorsed Joe Biden in his bid for the presidency in the 2020 election. Ms Pelosi referenced the former vice president’s work during the 2010 health care overhaul and influence in the economic recovery after the 2008 financial crisis as indications of his propensity to leadership. Via news.com.au — Australia’s #1 news site https://www.news.com.au

Top medical officer ‘so proud’ of COVID app uptake

Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy says he is “so proud” of the “gratifying” number of Australians who have downloaded the COVIDSafe contract tracing app. More than 1.13 million Australians have downloaded the app since its launch on Sunday evening, a result Dr Murphy labelled “exciting”. “I am really excited over a million Australians downloaded it just in the first evening. That is an amazing and really gratifying outcome. I am so proud of my fellow citizens,” he told reporters. “It has been really great, the uptake by the Australian community, because they know this is about protecting them, it is about helping our public health officials do their job.” Via news.com.au — Australia’s #1 news site https://www.news.com.au

Ask The Expert: Going back to school

All schools across Australia will be officially back for term two within days, and the message from the Federal Government is clear – it’s time for students to go back to their classrooms. Via news.com.au — Australia’s #1 news site https://www.news.com.au

COVID app to make workplaces safer: Westacott

Business Council chief Jennifer Westacott has encouraged workers to download the government’s COVIDSafe app, telling Sky News it will assist in making workplaces safer. The contract tracing app, launched by the government on Sunday, keeps a log of “handshakes” made with people’s phones via Bluetooth and would be used by health authorities to assist in the tracing of confirmed coronavirus cases. Ms Westacott said the app will “allow us to get on with our lives”. “We will be encouraging employers around the country to encourage their teams to upload the app,” she said. “I think it will make our workplace safer and it will allow us to get on with our lives.” Image: Getty Via news.com.au — Australia’s #1 news site https://www.news.com.au

Is this the world’s best car stereo?

Lexus was looking to standout out from the crowd with its top-shelf luxury sedan. And the first thing you notice is the LS’s big metal grin. But the more you live with it you understand the little things that make this a special car including one of the best sound systems you’ll find in any new car. Here are five things you need to know about the Lexus LS. Via news.com.au — Australia’s #1 news site https://www.news.com.au

Comic Wil Anderson makes Byron Bay move

When most of us were going into lockdown, comedian Wil Anderson was moving house — and state. The Melbourne-based stand-up comic, and host of ABC’s The Gruen Transfer, bought a four-bedroom house on almost 4ha at Goonengerry near Byron Bay for $1.9 million. Via news.com.au — Australia’s #1 news site https://www.news.com.au

‘Covid Is a Lie’: San Diego Demonstrators Protest California Coronavirus Lockdown

Anti-lockdown demonstrators took to the streets of San Diego on April 26 to protest against California lockdown measures introduced to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. The renewed protests came a day after several anti-lockdown activists were arrested on San Diego’s Moonlight Beach for violating the state’s stay-at-home order. California governor Gavin Newsom introduced the measure on March 19. Under the order, all of the state’s residents were required to stay at home except when exercising or completing necessary tasks. In this video, filmed near Pacific Beach in the city’s Avalon Plaza neighborhood, protesters can be seen waving US flags while motorists can be heard honking their car horns in the background. One man can be seen holding a sign that reads, “Covid is a LIE.” As of April 25, California had 39,254 confirmed cases of COVID-19, of which 1,216 were being treated in intensive care. Credit: @Matt_Tauer via Storyful Via news.com.au — Australia’s #1 news site https://www.news.com....

Entrepreneurs are ‘focussed’ on securing a COVID-19 vaccine

The ability “to make money and do good” is driving many entrepreneurs and venture capitalists to invest in projects designed to find a COVID-19 vaccine, according to OurCrowd CEO Jonathan Medved. There are almost 100 different projects worldwide aimed at finding a vaccine for the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. While some research groups have begun clinical trials, health experts warn a vaccine may not be developed for at least one year. OurCrowd has invested $12 million towards a newly formed medical firm, MigVax Corp, which Mr Medved believes has a “good shot” at finding a vaccine for the disease. He told Sky News "the race for the vaccine is the most important investment I have ever made.” “There is not going to be a single winner,” he said. “There are going to be many vaccines and many companies right now, there are almost 100 different projects worldwide and that’s a good thing." “It’s one of these situations that even if we don’t win, we win because as long as there is a v...

Workers should be ‘mindful’ of withdrawing super early

Super funds are “doing their very best” to ensure people who are experiencing financial hardships due to the coronavirus can access their money as soon as possible, according to First State Super CEO Deanne Stewart. At least 520,000 Australians have been given the green-light to access their superannuation early under a federal government scheme rolled out during the early phase of the coronavirus crisis. Under the plan, people who are out of work or can prove they have lost 20 per cent of their income will be able to withdraw $10,000 from their superfund before July – with another $10,000 available between July and October. Ms Stewart told Sky News unless a worker is in dire financial straits they should be “mindful of the impacts” withdrawing super early will have on their retirement savings. "At the end of the day, the first and foremost rule in a super fund is to do things in a members’ best interest,” she said. “We are a $100 billion fund, we are expecting the early access wi...

National COVID-19 death toll rises to 83

Despite a fall in the number of new infections across Australia, three more people have died from COVID-19, taking the national toll to 83. A man aged in his 90s died in a Victorian hospital while a man also died at Tasmania’s Mersey Community Hospital. A sixth resident also died at the Newmarch House aged car facility in Western Sydney. Image: News Corp Australia Via news.com.au — Australia’s #1 news site https://www.news.com.au

Fears coronavirus could ‘deprive’ Victorian students of a normal education

Victoria’s opposition leader says children are being deprived of a full education by learning from home amid the coronavirus crisis. Michael O’Brien said the state is out of step with the latest medical advice by telling students to learn from home. The coalition argues that students have a low risk of contracting COVID-19 at school, and by not sending them back it’s a huge disadvantage. Premier Daniel Andrews has defended his hardline position on schools, telling Sky News last week reopening them at this stage is inconsistent with the message to stay at home. "Well I don’t think having a million students across three sectors moving around the community every day, plus their parents doing drop offs and pick ups, plus a full complement of staff is either consistent with our message to stay at home … or does it achieve anything other than spreading this virus,” he said. Via news.com.au — Australia’s #1 news site https://www.news.com.au

Documentary exposes renewables ‘great betrayal’ to green left

A new film has put the “fear of God” into the Left, exposing renewables as “anything but green”, Outsiders host Rowan Dean says. Mr Dean said the environmental documentary film, ‘The Planet of the Humans’, has dared to “slay one of the holy writs of climate change”. “You see this radical left-wing film has done the unthinkable. It has slain one of the holy writs of climate change, the belief in renewables and so-called green energy,” he said. “Planet of the Humans does something truly extraordinary: it exposes the entire renewable green energy ethos as a hoax. "It demonstrates what many of us so-called sceptics or "deniers" have long suspected... that the renewable energy industry is a massive con being played by billionaires upon gullible climate believers and that so-called green energy is anything but.” Mr Dean said the film had caused the “luvvies” to decry the film as being filled with “misinformation”. But he pointed out even if the film's facts are only “half ...

Potential COVID-19 cluster in Blue Mountains nursing home

Authorities are investigating a potential coronavirus cluster at a nursing home in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney. A worker tested positive for COVID-19 less than a week after working a shift at Catholic Healthcare Bodington. The facility is home to 120 elderly residents which sparks fears of another concentrated outbreak. Image: Getty Via news.com.au — Australia’s #1 news site https://www.news.com.au

Politicians should ‘ignore teachers unions’ and send students to school

Generation Z - already saddled with enormous national debt - should not have their education put at risk due to appease the teachers' unions, Sky News host Rita Panahi says. State governments have come under increasing pressure in recent weeks to reopen schools to students as Australia begins to turn the coronavirus corner. However, some states have held firm against medical advice, a decision Ms Panahi branded “unmitigated idiocy”. "We are told to listen to the science but then we have state governments completely disregarding the science and the advice of the country's foremost medical experts in order to appease teachers unions,” she said. "We are saddling generation Z with enormous national debt, the least we can do is to ensure that they are not further disadvantaged with their schooling. “It's time to ignore the teachers' unions and instead listen to the chief medical officer and the leading medical experts and re-open schools." Via news.com.au — Au...

Rental market ‘in the tenants hands’

REA Group Chief Economist Nerida Conisbee says affordability from a renter’s perspective is "very good at the moment". “Personally, I’ve never seen the rental market so much in the tenants hands, it’s always typically in the landlords hands,” she said. “Tenants do have negotiating power which is quite unusual. “So, from a renters perspective, affordability is looking good.” Image: AP Via news.com.au — Australia’s #1 news site https://www.news.com.au

V’landys confident rugby will resume in May

Australian Rugby League Chairman Peter V'landys is confident games will resume next month as long as the coronavirus infection rate remains at less than one per cent. Broadcasters, Fox and Channel 9 have reached a deal with the code to resume play on May 28. Mr V'landys insists it will be safe for both players and the community in five weeks. “You’ve got to remember that we’re five weeks away from May 28 so hopefully the infection rate will be the lowest ever at that period and the risk will be zero to minimal,” he told Sky News. Image: Getty Via news.com.au — Australia’s #1 news site https://www.news.com.au

SA digger touched by Anzac tribute

WW11 veteran John "Jack" Holder of Seaford sat down with The Sunday Mail on Anzac Day to reflect on his time in the world and what it feels like to be marking the day as "the last man standing". Via news.com.au — Australia’s #1 news site https://www.news.com.au

Rescue for Aussies stranded in Sth America

More than 150 Australians who've been stranded in South America since the coronavirus outbreak are being brought home on a rescue flight, with one of the pilots paying tribute to his World War Two veteran grandfather on Anzac Day. Via news.com.au — Australia’s #1 news site https://www.news.com.au

Lest We Forget: Australian War Memorial holds commemorative service like no other

The Australian War Memorial has held a commemorative service to mark an ANZAC Day like no other. With the dawn service usually taking place in front of tens of thousands of Australians, today’s ceremony was eerily quiet with just a handful of dignitaries. Prime Minister Scott Morrison led the tributes at the service, saying "lest we forget those who were so young who have made us so free". "Today is our most sacred day, the original Anzacs handed on a torch clenched and carried high and that is passed on to every generation of Australians," he said. "This ANZAC Day it is passed on to us." Despite services being cancelled due to strict social distancing measures amid the coronavirus pandemic, Australians from all corners of the country payed tribute to fallen soldiers from their homes this morning. Via news.com.au — Australia’s #1 news site https://www.news.com.au

Streets Flood in Tulsa as Severe Storms Sweep Through Region

Streets were flooded in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on April 24, as severe thunderstorm and wind warnings were issued across the region. According to reports from the National Weather Service (NWS), a line of severe thunderstorms spread east across southeast Oklahoma and into western Arkansas on Friday. Wind gusts up to around 60 mph and quarter size hail were possible, the NWS warned. The primary concerns for residents in the area was the large hail that was forecast, local news reports said. An isolated “quick spin-up” tornado was possible. Credit: Josh Krafft via Storyful Via news.com.au — Australia’s #1 news site https://www.news.com.au

Perth locals stand on their driveways to honour those who served

Rain held off just long enough in Perth for locals to stand on their driveways in the early hours of the morning to remember those who served. The state war memorial, which is usually packed with thousands of people, sat empty after the Kings Park dawn service was cancelled. Via news.com.au — Australia’s #1 news site https://www.news.com.au

Private dawn services held today in Queensland

Australians have held their own dawn services to commemorate ANZAC Day after the cancellation of all public gatherings across the country. Queenslanders showed appreciation for Australia's fallen solders in the most unexpected of circumstances. Via news.com.au — Australia’s #1 news site https://www.news.com.au

Porche driver allegedly filmed and taunted officer as she begged for help

The driver of a Porsche at the centre of Melbourne's police tragedy allegedly filmed and taunted one of the officers as she begged for help. Richard Pusey is accused of fleeing the scene after a truck ploughed into his Porche and two police vehicles on Wednesday night – killing four officers at the scene. Police allege the 41-year-old pulled out his phone after the crash and filmed leading Senior Constable Lynette Taylor while she lay trapped and groaning. The accused allegedly spoke to the officer saying, “amazing, absolutely amazing. All I wanted to do wanted to do was go home and eat my sushi”. He then allegedly sent the videos to friends and got a lift with a passing motorist while emergency service workers tried to save the officers’ lives. Mr Pusey is charged with a string of offences including reckless conduct endangering life, speeding, failing to remain after a drug test, failure to render assistance, drug possession, and destruction of evidence. Mr Pusey is next due to ap...

Perth locals stand on their driveways to honour those who served

Rain held off just long enough in Perth for locals to stand on their driveways in the early hours of the morning to remember those who served. The state war memorial, which is usually packed with thousands of people, sat empty after the Kings Park dawn service was cancelled. Via news.com.au — Australia’s #1 news site https://www.news.com.au

Rinehart funds world-first international coronavirus trial

Australian mining magnate Gina Rinehart has poured millions of dollars into a world-first coronavirus trial spearheaded by the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital Foundation. The trial, dubbed ALLIANCE COVID-19, will be the first in the world to test a multiple combination of the anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine, zinc, the antibiotic azithromycin and high-dose intravenous vitamin C. Ms Rinehart, Executive Chairman of Hancock Prospecting Group, donated $2.6 million to the RBWHF to launch the trial and another $2 million to finance hospitals in the US and Europe taking part. “Australia has a long and very important alliance with the United States, and we are very pleased to be working together to help patients, hospital staff and volunteers and the many serving in various capacities against COVID-19, in both our countries with trials that aim to lead to shorter hospital stays and more lives saved via more effective COVID-19 treatment protocols,” she said. “To have such trial will al...

Brady snares Man Mountain

NFL: Iowa tackle Tristan Wirfs had jaws dropping at the NFL combine, and now he'll be lining up alongside Tom Brady. The Buccaneers traded up for Tristan Wirfs. Via news.com.au — Australia’s #1 news site https://www.news.com.au

Philippines’ Duterte threatens martial law

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte threatened to declare martial law if communist rebels disrupted the flow of relief goods for Filipinos impacted by the coronavirus lockdown restrictions, and asked his military to be ready. Via news.com.au — Australia’s #1 news site https://www.news.com.au

ANZAC Day will ‘unite’ Australians amid coronavirus chaos

Tasmanian Senator Jacqui Lambie says ANZAC Day is a chance for Australians to “unite” amid the coronavirus chaos. “It’s been such a horrific time over the last eight to 10 weeks in this country, I think some unity under the circumstances will not only be a distraction but will unite the country and I think that is fabulous,” she said. The veterans affairs advocate urged Australians to honour those who had served their country despite the challenges imposed by social distancing measures. “The best way that we can show our respects is to go down to our driveways, out onto our front lawns, out onto our balconies at 6am for the dawn service,” she said. “If you want to load up The Last Post on your phone while you’re out there that’s great.” Via news.com.au — Australia’s #1 news site https://www.news.com.au

Rent relief for SA businesses

Rent relief will be provided to South Australian tenants of commercial, retail, industrial and non-residential businesses that were forced to close due to COVID-19. Via news.com.au — Australia’s #1 news site https://www.news.com.au

Economy was weak before COIVD-19: Labor

Labor Leader Anthony Albanese has urged the government against blaming all of its economic woes on COVID-19, saying the economy was weakening before the crisis hit. "The fact is that we are going through a crisis, but the other fact is that the economy was soft before this crisis,” he told reporters on Thursday. "Labor has been constructive during this period. We have made constructive suggestions, many of which have been taken up by the government. "Most significantly of which is wage subsidies that have kept relationships between employers and employees. "But coming out of this crisis, we need to do better." Via news.com.au — Australia’s #1 news site https://www.news.com.au

Australia first notified about COVID-19 on Jan 1

Australian health authorities were first notified of the Wuhan cluster coronavirus by the World Health Organisation on January 1, Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy has revealed. Under questioning by the Senate inquiry into the government’s response to COVID-19, Mr Murphy outlined the timeline of the coronavirus crisis. Mr Murphy said the Health Department was monitoring the outbreak as it usually would in cases of zoonotic infections but conceded there was not a high level of international concern until January 19 when human-to-human transmission was confirmed. “There was clear evidence coming from China that there was significant human to human transmission which was a game changer,” he said. “That is when we activated (incident room) and started meetings daily with the principal committee which is our national committee comprising of all chief medical officers, expert advice and we set up a working group with what we call our communal diseases network and we started discussing wit...

Parents urged against ‘culture of safety-ism’

Liberal MP Jason Falinski says the government made it very clear from the outbreak of the coronavirus that “we don’t want anyone’s education impacted throughout this virus anymore than it needs to be”. He said the government’s message was clear that parents should send their children back to school and health authorities were not supporting Victoria’s decision to remain online. “Yes there is some risk but its an incredibly low risk,” Mr Falinski told Sky News. “This is the problem throughout the western world at the moment, we have this culture of safety-ism where people expect you to be able to say no one under any circumstances will ever get harmed. “The health advice has been very clear from day one that the best place for students to be is at school.” Via news.com.au — Australia’s #1 news site https://www.news.com.au

US conflicted over economic response to ‘public health emergency’

US Studies Centre lecturer Gorana Grgic says balancing the government’s economic and health response to the coronavirus has led to conflict between federal and state governments. Ms Grgic told Sky News there was a “kind of partisan divide” between the states and federal responses to the pandemic. “Absolutely we see now the contrast in terms of some of these social safety net programs from the kind of job security, sick leave, some of these rights not being as expanded and a lot of people now finding themselves jobless," she said. “They are finding themselves very vulnerable now given that they don’t have basic health care and health coverage, and this is obviously a public health emergency in the first place.” Image: AP Via news.com.au — Australia’s #1 news site https://www.news.com.au

Bungled online learning crash was a ‘schoolboy error’

Teachers' Professional Association of Queensland state secretary Jack McGuire says the bungled rollout of online learning In Queensland should have been stress tested by the government. “Certainly from a student perspective being at school would help we’ve seen all sorts of problems with the rollout of online learning I Queensland,” he said. “We’ve seen on the very first day they tried to roll out online learning the system crashed I think it was a bit of a schoolboy error not to even load test the system.” Mr McGuire said he was unimpressed with the Queensland Government lack of response to letters about his concerns with the scheme. Via news.com.au — Australia’s #1 news site https://www.news.com.au

Labor backs PM’s call for ‘beefed up’ World Health Organisation

Deputy Labor leader Richard Marles has backed Scott Morrison’s call to strengthen the World Health Organisation's powers, telling Sky News it was a “constructive suggestion”. The Prime Minister on Wednesday night told Sky News the WHO should have the same powers as weapons investigators in order to properly deal with future pandemics. Mr Marles supported the call, saying it was a step in the right direction. "I think this is a constructive suggestion to beef up the powers of the world health organisation and what it really speaks to is the need at the moment to have a strong, effective, functioning world health organisation as part of a strong global architecture,” he said. On China, the Shadow Defence Minister said it was important not to go down the “path of a blame game” and continue to seek support for a “transparent” investigation into the origins of COVID-19. “It is important we are not rushing towards a blame game,” he said. “For me it’s not about that. It is actually a...

Malcolm Turnbull wanted journalists to be ‘state media’ and ‘ignore his divided party room’

Malcolm Turnbull has nobody but himself to blame for his political demise, according to Sky News Political Editor Andrew Clennell. In a virtual address to the National Press Club, the former prime minister again repeated his claims Australian media organisations including News Corp were involved in his downfall as leader. Mr Clennell said that it was the job of the press to hold political leaders fairly to account. "I don’t know what Malcolm wanted - did he want state-run media? Did he want his talking points reported all the time,” Mr Clennell said. "He led a divided party room that leaked on him. "Presumably he thought News Corp journalists should just ignore the spill and ignore the leaks." Via news.com.au — Australia’s #1 news site https://www.news.com.au

COVID-19: Westmead ICU teams

Video files from Westmead ICU teams that will be on the frontline of any Covid-19 cases, an interview with Dani Goh (female) who is the director of ICU and another with Nathan Moore a Nurse Educator who is helping train other staff in a simulation lab, dealing with a critically ill coronavirus patient (mannequin) and intubating them. Via news.com.au — Australia’s #1 news site https://www.news.com.au

S&P downgrades Virgin Australia to CC

S&P Global Ratings has lowered its credit rating on Virgin Australia to CC from CCC, saying it expects the company's unsecured debt providers will be forced to accept less value than they are owed as part of the company's debt restructuring process. Via news.com.au — Australia’s #1 news site https://www.news.com.au

People should be allowed to use super how they want: Wilson

Liberal MP Tim Wilson has accused Labor frontbencher Stephen Jones of being a “puppet” of the superannuation funds. Mr Jones earlier accused the government of issuing bad superannuation advice, amid its plan to allow individuals to withdraw up to $20,000 from their retirement nest egg. Mr Wilson told Sky News people should be able to use their money how they want. “People should be making decisions on what they need to support themselves and their families, not taking advice from Mr Jones,” he said. “If people are in a situation where they need financial assitance, of course it’s an option. "When the economy recovers, of course they can put that back in." Via news.com.au — Australia’s #1 news site https://www.news.com.au

Extreme Weather Outlook

WATCH: Sunny and mild weather continues throughout much of the country. Alison Osborne has the details about the next cold front to sweep the south and the cold outbreak looming next week. Via news.com.au — Australia’s #1 news site https://www.news.com.au

US on the brink of ‘mass civil unrest’

US Studies Centre Non-Resident Fellow James Brown says the United States is facing “extreme” political unrest as thousands protest lockdown restrictions. The National Guard has been deployed to maintain order among protestors, but a number of citizens have armed themselves, encouraged by President Trump’s message on Twitter reminding Americans of the Second Amendment. Mr Brown told Sky News “mass civil unrest” was intermittent throughout US history because of a “deep independent streak that believes the government is a nice-to-have not a must-have”. “There is that part of the US political psyche that takes rights to a complete extreme but the practical outcome of all of this is that we’re still seeing inefficient allocation of resources across the US”. He said state governors had been “going it alone” with limited assistance from the federal government. “That’s not going to lead to the most efficient or most effective outcome for the US,” he said. Image: AP Via news.com.au — Australia’...

Govt was ‘not going to bail out Virgin Australia shareholders’

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has defended the government’s decision to not bail out Virgin Australia, which went into voluntary administration today. “This is a difficult day for Virgin Australia staff, its suppliers and the aviation sector more broadly, but this government was not going to bail out five large foreign shareholders with deep pockets who together own 90 per cent of this airline,” he said. Mr Frydenberg said “this is not the end of the airline, this is an opportunity to recapitalize and for Virgin to come out stronger on the other side of the coronavirus crisis”. “The government’s objective is to see two commercially viable airlines operating domestically in Australia,” he said. The Treasurer said the government’s JobKeeper package would be available to Virgin employees. Via news.com.au — Australia’s #1 news site https://www.news.com.au

‘Don’t clip our wings’: Virgin employees plead with govt to save their jobs

Virgin employees have held back tears while pleading with the federal government to save their jobs . The airline entered voluntary administration on Tuesday after the government knocked back a last-ditch request for a $100 million grant to keep the company afloat for an additional few weeks. Employees from across the organisation were visibly emotional when they stepped up to address the government at a news conference from Sydney Airport on Tuesday. Flynn, a Virgin staff member, said the airline shutting down was like “losing a family member”. "We wake up because we love our job. Our job is our life ... If we don't have Virgin Australia, we are nothing,” he said. "I see it as Virgin Australia is something like my other mother. I love it like another mother. It is family to me. Each and every person behind me, and plus another 16,000 more across the globe. Virgin Australia is our family. Without it, it's like we are losing a family member.” Scott, a ground staff memb...

Kim in cardiovascular treatment: report

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is receiving treatment after undergoing a cardiovascular procedure early this month, a South Korean media report says, amid speculation over his health after his absence from a key anniversary event. Via news.com.au — Australia’s #1 news site https://www.news.com.au

US Treasury gives $US2.9bn to airlines

The US Treasury Department says it has disbursed $US2.9 billion ($A4.56 billion) in payroll assistance to 54 smaller passenger carriers and two major passenger airlines, while it finalised grant agreements with six major airlines. Via news.com.au — Australia’s #1 news site https://www.news.com.au

Govt in political game of chicken with Virgin

The government is playing a high “political risk” game of chicken with Virgin, according to Sky News Political Editor Andrew Clennell. Virgin Australia on Tuesday entered voluntary administration, putting 16,000 jobs and Australia’s two airline aviation system at risk. The government previously rejected a $1.4 billion bailout proposal and on Monday evening knocked back a request for a $100 million grant to keep the company afloat for an additional couple of weeks. Mr Clennell said the government was taking a gamble on the airline. “It does seem a bit of a trend for the government to want to do more for small and medium businesses than for big business. “I don’t know how it will be received if there is no buyer. If there ends up being a buyer down the track then its all good. The government will be proven to do the right thing. "They might have some political concerns around it if the thing just goes under completely." Via news.com.au — Australia’s #1 news site https://www.new...

Bindi Irwin wedding special set to release in July

A sneak peak has been released of wildlife warrior Bindi Irwin’s wedding to Chandler Powell before the release of their television special set to air in Australia in July. The daughter of famous crocodile hunter Steve Irwin married her long-time boyfriend last month in a ceremony held at Australia Zoo after the pair were forced to change their wedding plans due to the coronavirus pandemic. Image: AP Via news.com.au — Australia’s #1 news site https://www.news.com.au

Counter-Protesters in Scrubs Block Anti-Lockdown Campaigners in Denver

A man and a woman dressed in scrubs and face masks stood in counter-protest in front of a line of vehicles filled with people campaigning against the COVID-19 stay-at-home orders in Denver, Colorado, on April 19. In this video, filmed in Denver, a woman leaning out of the window of a pickup truck can be heard yelling at a man dressed in scrubs and others: “Land of the free! Go to China if you want communism. Go to China. We want to open up and go to work. You go to work, why can’t I go to work?” Photos and video showed the man and woman in scrubs blocking vehicles from continuing down Grant Street near the capitol building. Storyful could not confirm if the man and woman in scrubs are healthcare workers. Hundreds of protesters gathered in person and in vehicles at the Colorado State Capitol in Denver on Sunday for “Operation Shutdown” to protest against coronavirus lockdown measures and for the reopening of local and national economies, reports said. Protests against “lockdowns” and so...

Continuous Severe Thunderstorms Threaten Central Alabama

The National Weather Service (NWS) said it received reports of wind damage in several central Alabama counties as severe storms swept through the state and much of the southeastern United States on Sunday morning, April 19. The NWS Birmingham issued flash flood threat for most of the Alabama and warned of a potential three to five inches of rain. On Sunday afternoon, local media reported apparent wind damage to trees, buildings, homes, and cars in central Alabama. Severe storms were forecasted to continue through Monday morning, the NWS said. The central Alabama town of Clanton was especially hard-hit, with an approximate three inches of rain measured by Sunday afternoon and another few expected during the evening Video filmed in Clanton by local resident Lorie Elam Seales shows a darkening shelf cloud early Sunday morning as the storm approached the area. Credit: Lorie Elam Seales via Storyful Via news.com.au — Australia’s #1 news site https://www.news.com.au

AFL star facing monster $150k bill

Lachie Hunter is set to fight any charges from Victoria Police of him fleeing the scene following his drink-driving car crash last week that saw the Western Bulldogs vice-captain hit four vehicles. Via news.com.au — Australia’s #1 news site https://www.news.com.au

Bureau of Meteorology climate and water outlook for May to July 2020

Supplied video obtained Monday, April 20, 2020, of the Bureau of Meteorology's climate and water outlook for May to July 2020. The climate and water outlook video provides a look at likely rainfall, streamflow and temperature for the months ahead. (AAP VIDEO/Supplied/Bureau of Meteorology) Via news.com.au — Australia’s #1 news site https://www.news.com.au

Bolsonaro Speaks to Brasilia Crowd Calling for Military Intervention to End COVID-19 Lockdown

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro spoke to a crowd of hundreds gathered outside the Ministry of Defense headquarters in Brasilia on April 19 after protesters demanded military intervention against COVID-19 social distancing measures, reports said. The largely pro-Bolsonaro crowd called for military intervention and the closure of Brazil’s Congress and the Federal Supreme Court, as well as the ousting of Rodrigo Maia, President of the Chamber of Deputies of Brazil, reports said. The protesters, few of whom were seen wearing masks or keeping the recommended six feet apart, held signs such as “military intervention with Bolsonaro already” and “Maia out.” Bolsonaro has been vocal against social distancing measures and fired Brazil’s health minister, Luiz Henrique Mandetta, on Thursday, April 16, reports said. Credit: Jair Bolsonaro via Storyful Via news.com.au — Australia’s #1 news site https://www.news.com.au

WA to boost public hospital ventilators

Only one new case of coronavirus has been confirmed in Western Australia, as the state government announces a plan to increase the number of ventilators in public hospitals, including using private hospital assets. Via news.com.au — Australia’s #1 news site https://www.news.com.au

Australia reaches ‘genuine flattening’ of coronavirus curve

Health Minister Greg Hunt has praised Australia for reaching a “genuine flattening of the curve" after the rate of increase sustained at below one per cent over the last seven days. Despite this Mr Hunt warns we have not yet won the war against the COVID-19. "We are winning but we have not won yet. We have to focus on containment and capacity,” he told reporters on Sunday. Australia has 6,586 confirmed cases of coronavirus and 70 deaths. So far, 411,000 COVID-19 tests have been completed. Image: News Corp Australia Via news.com.au — Australia’s #1 news site https://www.news.com.au

Australia calls for international investigation into COVID-19 spread

Foreign Minister Marise Payne is pushing for an independent global inquiry into the origins of COVID-19. The Australian government wants the inquiry to look at how China handled the initial outbreak in Wuhan and the role of the World Health Organisation in handling the pandemic. It comes amid intense global scrutiny of the WHO and its management of the crisis. Senator Payne on Sunday said any investigation should be conducted independently of the health body. "Well, we need to know the sorts of details that an independent review would identify for us about the genesis of the virus, about the approaches to dealing with it and addressing it," she told ABC television. "I think it is about an independent mechanism, and I’m not sure that you can have the health organisation which has been responsible for disseminating much of the international communications material, and doing much of the early engagement and investigative work, also as the review mechanism." Via news.c...

Mercy flights from Philippines touch down in Australia

Three rescue flights from the Philippines have landed in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane on Sunday morning, repatriating stranded Australian travellers. Foreign Minister Marise Payne said the significant operation in the Philippines was a huge success but there was still more work to be done to return more Australians home. More than 300,000 Australian citizens and permanent residents have returned home since March 13 while 11,000 tourists remain stranded overseas in countries currently under lockdown. Image: AP Via news.com.au — Australia’s #1 news site https://www.news.com.au

Americans have ‘had enough’ of draconian restrictions

US governors like Michigan’s Gretchen Whitmer are taking advantage of the coronavirus crisis to “see just how far they can push their own power agendas” according to Sky News host James Morrow. Michigan has the fourth largest number of COVID-19 cases in America and the third highest death toll, which prompted Governor Whitmer to enact strict policies. While some have been met with bipartisan approval, there has been considerable backlash to some of the strict social distancing measures, which include a ban on neighbours seeing each other demanding stores to close sections "dedicated to carpeting, flooring, furniture, garden centres, plant nurseries, or paint." Mr Morrow said Americans are starting “to have enough” of these draconian measures. “Many of them are taking to the streets and the roads to protest,” he said. “In Michigan protestors swarmed the capitol demanding the state to open back up. “It’s not an unreasonable request given that over 20 million Americans are out o...

‘China is playing us for mugs’ throughout the COVID-19 crisis

Liberal MP Craig Kelly says “if we are serious" about closing China's wet markets, Australia should focus on providing the Chinese people with a greater source of beef and lamb to prevent them looking elsewhere for sources of protein. Mr Kelly told Outsiders host Rowan Dean the World Health Organisation has thrown its support behind the wet markets despite climate change activists urging people to reduce their meat consumption for the sake of climate change. “If you make it harder for people in these countries to eat lamb and to eat beef, they will look for other sources of protein which includes bats,” he said. “If we are serious in closing these wet markets down, we’ve got to make sure these people have base-load technology, that they can have a refrigeration system all through the supply chain and then they can actually go on and eat more beef, we can export them more beef, export them more lamb. “But that is the exact opposite of what these climate change luvvies want us t...

Politicians cannot allowing COVID-19 to ‘ruin prosperity’

Scott Morrison and Josh Frydenberg are poised to follow in Paul Keating’s footsteps and have “recession we didn’t have to have” engraved on their political tombstones, Outsiders host Rowan Dean says. Mr Dean said the “unavoidable mack truck” of a demolished economy is set to hand office over to a “socialist Labor government”. "Australia does not need to go into an economic depression in order to defeat this virus,” he said. “If we do ruin our prosperity, it will go down in history as our greatest ever own goal, the recession we did not have to have." Mr Dean said Mr Morrison has so far made the right decisions to curb the spread of the virus, but said from May 1st, small business should be able to reopen if they adhere to social distancing and hygiene regulations. Via news.com.au — Australia’s #1 news site https://www.news.com.au

McLaughlin bundled out

E-racing: Supercars driver Scott McLaughlin was knocked out of the E-Indy racing series by a lapped driver and could only struggle to a 24th placed finish. Via news.com.au — Australia’s #1 news site https://www.news.com.au