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Showing posts from June, 2020

Dramatic Timelapse Video Shows Evolution of Avondale Fire in Arizona

A brushfire broke out in Avondale, Arizona, on June 26, with timelapse footage showing the evolution of the blaze. Footage of the fire uploaded to Twitter shows the fire raging, throwing off large flames and plumes of smoke that vary in color from black to pink. Local media reported that the fire had been largely contained by the evening of Sunday, June 28, after burning through 819 acres. Credit: @crozekphoto via Storyful Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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NT speaker suspends Jacinta Price legal action

The Speaker of the Northern Territory Parliament has suspended legal action threatened against former Coalition candidate Jacinta Price during last year's federal election. Chansy Paech threatened to sue Ms Price and her mother after they accused him of paying Aboriginal people to vote for the Labor party, a claim he strongly denied. Mr Paech is a Labor MP who has since been installed as the Speaker. He threatened to take legal action over the comments, sending a defamation concerns notice through his lawyers. Mr Paech has now put the legal action on hold telling Sky News he is focused on delivering opportunities for the people of remote NT communities and not pursing an agenda of division and blame. Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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PM offers grim outlook as he announces $270bn in defence funding

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced a $270 billion boost to defence as he offered a grim outlook in what he described as a "poorer, more dangerous" post-COVID-19 world. The Prime Minister outlined a 10-year funding model as part the government's 2020 National Defence Strategy, committing to defence funding that would go beyond two per cent of GDP. The strategy centred around a three-objective approach to shape the region, deter foreign powers and respond to impending threats. "The Indo-Pacific is the epicentre of rising strategic competition. Our region will not only shape our future, increasingly though, it is the focus of the dominant global contest of our age," Mr Morrison said. Mr Morrison said the ADF would shift its focus to the Indo-Pacific region to ensure it could deter threats and respond with credible military force. The Prime Minister also announced the purchase of long-range anti-ship ballistic missiles to protect Australia from greater dist
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Labor’s Kristy McBain will prioritise ABC jobs: Albanese

Opposition leader Anthony Albanese says Eden-Monaro candidate Kristy McBain will prioritise ABC jobs if she is successful at this weekend’s by-election. “This Saturday is a chance to send a message to this government,” he said. “Send a message that the performance hasn’t been good enough on these issues. “Send a message that ABC cuts should be reversed and that funding should be restored and they can do that by voting number one for Kristy McBain – someone who will stand up for this community.” The public broadcaster last week announced it would cut up to 250 jobs from across the country in a bid to save money after going millions of dollars over budget. Following the decision, Arts Minister Paul Fletcher said the ABC board had statutory independence and the decision to cut jobs rested squarely on the board’s shoulders. Image: News Corp Australia Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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Planes Sit in Storage at Alice Springs Airport During International Aviation Shutdown

Dozens of airplanes from international companies were seen sitting dormant at Alice Springs Airport on June 30 as the COVID-19 pandemic forced the virtual shutdown of the aviation industry. The planes including some Singapore Airlines-branded Airbus A380s that had been kept at the airport since late April 2020. Border closures and restrictions on international travel due to the coronavirus pandemic have forced airlines to drastically reduce flights. Australian airline Qantas suspended all international flights until the end of October 2020, except for potential flights between Australia and New Zealand. Alice Springs was preferred as a site for plane storage due to its year-round dry climate and low humidity, according to reports. Credit: Kim Daysh via Storyful Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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‘There are questions that need to be answered in Victoria’

Maribyrnong Mayor Sarah Carter says she feels let down not by federal or state governments but by everyday Australians who flouted restrictions and refused testing. “We have to live with this virus until such time there is a vaccine and we need to manage it,” she told Sky News. “The world has changed, our lives have changed and I can’t see us getting back to normal anytime soon. “We have a part to play in managing that and in keeping our community safe and well, that’s why I’d just encourage everyone; if there’s a knock at your door, take the test.” Although she said she didn’t blame the state government for the resurgence in coronavirus cases across Victoria, Mayor Carter said “there are questions that need to be answered”. After it was revealed hotel quarantine failures led to at least 50 cases of coronavirus, Mayor Carter said the system needed to be reconsidered. “Obviously there has been a weak link there and that has contributed in part to the position we find ourselves in now,”
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Queensland borders will reopen to every state bar Victoria

Victorians will be booted out of a plan to reopen Queensland’s borders with political leaders set to unveil the strategy they hope will save their flailing tourism industry. Sky News Political Editor Andrew Clennell says Queensland will likely open its borders to every state bar Victoria. “Queensland I understand is expected to go to a situation where the border is shut to Victoria but not NSW and other states,” he said. “It’s being likened to Goldilocks and the three bears – to get the temperature “just right”. “To keep borders shut would kill the tourism industry. But pensioners and other citizens would be angry with the premier if she just opened all the borders and ultimately this led to community transmission in Queensland.” Mr Clennell said Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk was also considering allowing stadiums to be filled at half capacity rather than the smaller 10,000 person limit. Meanwhile in Victoria, Sky News understands the federal government is pressuring Premier Daniel And
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China ‘aligning economic coercion with disinformation’ to pressure Aust

ASPI Senior Analyst Dr Jacob Wallis says Australia is facing a “significant threat” from Chinese Communist Party disinformation campaigns. Australia saw a breakdown in relations with China after the communist regime encouraged its citizens to boycott Australian exports and reconsider travel plans. Mr Wallis told Sky News interference from China was very distinct from that of other "adversaries". “The People’s Republic of China has significant economic weight that it can align with its disinformation,” he said. “They can align economic coercion with disinformation around the potential for consumer boycotts of Australian exports. “It’s that economic weight aligned with disinformation that the can use to apply pressure to constrain our capacity to manoeuvre diplomatically. “That’s why I think Minister Payne is noting that it’s important that we call out disinformation where we see it where it impacts on Australian interests.” Image: Getty Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading ne
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McKenna back for Bombers

Essendon defender Conor McKenna is out of quarantine, done with his protocol breach suspension and available to play Collingwood on Friday. (AAP Video) Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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Labor calls on PM to be ‘compassionate’ with JobSeeker

Labor is calling on the Morrison government to extend its JobSeeker subsidy scheme and permanently increase the allowance as many Australians remain unemployed. Shadow Finance Minister Katy Gallagher said the JobSeeker and JobKeeper schemes were due to end in about three months and “people are genuinely worried”. She told Sky News the payment “has to be increased". "The government should be compassionate and make sure what they land on is enough for people to not only support their day-to-day living, but also support them in a dignified life," she said. “We cannot govern from opposition but we want the government to take this seriously and I think any idea of a snapback everyone acknowledges is ridiculous and the sooner the government provides some certainty about that, the better it will be for people. “We’re not being prescriptive, we’re not demanding a certain figure from the government at this stage – but we are giving them a framework." Image: News Corp Austral
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Masks could be mandatory in Australia

Health Minister Greg Hunt says wearing a mask in public could be encouraged or made mandatory in places like Victoria where cases of community transmission continue to pose a problem. Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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Storm, Roosters need to get beyond key injuries

Roosters Victor Radley and Sam Verrills are out for the season with ACL injuries, while Melbourne star Cam Munster will miss six weeks also with a knee problem. Both sides are mulling their replacements ahead of Thursday night's clash in Brisbane. (AAP Video) Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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US ‘Golden State Killer’ pleads guilty

An ex-policeman turned violent serial prowler known as the "Golden State Killer" has pleaded guilty to 13 murders and confessed to dozens of rapes and home invasions that terrorised much of California during the 1970s and '80s. Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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CHO Sutton on 75 new COVID cases :’I think it will get worse before it gets better’

Supplied video obtained June 29, 2020 of Victorian Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton speaking to the media in Melbourne. Victoria has confirmed 75 new cases of coronavirus in the past 24 hours.(AAP Video/Supplied/ABC) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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Saliva test with 87 per cent success rate to ‘bolster’ Victorian war on COVID-19

Victoria has adopted a non-invasive test for COVID-19 which just requires a sample of saliva – but the test has just an 87 per cent success rate meaning one in eight who have the virus will roam sick. “The gold standard, of course, is a throat swab,” the Doherty Institute's Professor Sharon Lewin said. “The advantage of the saliva test, of course, is it’s much more acceptable for people to give a specimen, people just need to collect saliva in their mouth for a minute or two and then spit it into a small jar and then that gets sent off to the laboratory,” Professor Lewin said. She said authorities expect the test to bolster reach across the state particularly among vulnerable populations and people who have difficulties with throat swabs such as children. The new saliva test was developed by the Doherty Institute in Melbourne. Image: AP Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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Opal Tower owners sue over ‘500 defects’

Residents of Opal Tower have launched a new lawsuit against the Sydney Olympic Park Authority and the NSW Government after “about 500 defects” were allegedly found in the building on top of the cracking that saw residents evacuated in 2018. Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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Epic three-way stoush

Supercars: Scott McLaughlin, Cameron Waters and Chaz Mostert were all involved in an epic battle for first with just three laps remaining in the Sydney Supersprint. Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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Epic win, heartfelt interview

UFC: Maurice Greene won his heavyweight clash against Gian Villante in extraordinary fashion. Then, post-fight, the American's emotions got the better of him, as he talked about how much the win really meant. Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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Bushfire review set to go to SA government

A review of South Australia's devastating bushfires over summer, which looked at the state's preparedness for major blazes and what could be done to mitigate the impacts, is set to go to the state government. Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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Mississippi to drop rebel image from flag

Spectators at the Mississippi Capitol cheered and applauded as lawmakers took a big step toward erasing the Confederate battle emblem from the state flag, a symbol that has come under intensifying criticism in recent weeks amid nationwide protests against racial injustice. Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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Qld roads death spike prompts govt warning

A 15 per cent increase in year-on-year road deaths despite fewer motorists on Queensland's highways because of COVID-19 lockdown has authorities concerned of further carnage during the school holidays. Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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Trump accused of inaction in Afghanistan

The White House has denied that President Donald Trump was briefed on reported US intelligence that Russia's military offered bounties to Taliban-linked militants to kill US troops in Afghanistan, with Democratic rival Joe Biden criticising Trump for failing to take action against Moscow. Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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Moselmane scandal ‘demoralising and heartbreaking’

Recent controversies surrounding state politicians in NSW and Victoria is heartbreaking for the vast majority of Labor party members who are doing the right thing, according to Shadow Education Minister Tanya Plibersek. The Labor Party in NSW and Victoria have been rocked by two separate scandals over the last month. Earlier this month, former Victoria Labor MP Adem Somyurek was forced to stepped down from the party after 60 Minutes published a series of explosive secret recordings allegedly showing he was using branch stacking to gain political power. Meanwhile on Friday, the Australian Federal Police raided the home of New South Wales Labor MP Shaoquett Moselmane as part of an ongoing investigation headed by counter-espionage agency ASIO. It's alleged Mr Moselmane's office may have been infiltrated by Chinese government operatives. Ms Plibersek told Sky News any Labor member of politician who does the wrong thing should face consequences for their actions. "It is actuall
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Kangaroo Island struggles to recover post-bushfires and post-pandemic

South Australia's pristine Kangaroo Island has struggled in recent times as bushfires burned through 50 per cent of the island and a tourism campaign to encourage visitors was cut short when the coronavirus pandemic hit. As businesses rebuild and the state prepares to open its border, operators are encouraging travellers it's the perfect time to plan a trip. Image: News Corp Australia Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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Possible Tornado Seen in Okaloosa County, Florida

A possible tornado was spotted in Okaloosa County, Florida, on June 26, swirling over a field and line of trees. Footage uploaded by Twitter user @EAviews shows the rotation touching down. The National Weather Service had issued a warning for thunderstorms, rain and low temperatures in the area. Credit: @EAviews via Storyful Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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‘I’m a mum and a sex worker’

Madison Ashton is also known as Christine McQueen, a high end escort. She’s also a mum-of-two who has spoken out about how motherhood and her career in the sex industry work side-by-side. Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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Shock virus find in European sewer

Spanish virologists have found traces of coronavirus in a sample of Barcelona sewer water collected in March 2019, nine months before the disease was identified in China. Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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Why GWS stopped fighting

AFL: GWS coach Leon Cameron tells Fox Footy how his side addressed claims of being too focused on fighting the Western Bulldogs last week, on route to beating Collingwood in Round 4. Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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‘Perfect’ man too good to be true

A little while ago, I dated a man who was very financially comfortable. He had a gorgeous house in the right part of town and a beautiful black Range Rover. He was very open to the idea of settling down and starting a family and he was someone you would never have to worry about if they were on a boys’ night. I believe the term for a guy like this is a “unicorn”. They’re almost too good to be true. Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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Mortgagee sales could soar when banks pull mortgage payment freezes

REA Group Chief Economist Nerida Conisbee says the number of mortgagee sales is currently low “but that’s not to say it will stay that way”. Ms Consibee told Sky News the sector was not seeing “the highest levels of distress” but put that largely down to mortgage payment freezes banks offered their customers due to coronavirus hardship. “This has got us through and has led to this far more stable position, but sometime it does have to come to an end and if we’re not through the worst of it by then, it will be quite difficult for a lot of people,” she said. “And that will flow on to economic growth.” Image: AP Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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‘Worth the wait’: Cyberpunk 2077 review

It may have just been delayed again but trust me Cyberpunk 2077 will be worth the wait. Especially after the recent announcement that the game will be backwards compatible with both next-gen consoles on day one! Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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Black Bear Enjoys Refreshing Splash in Pool at Oregon Zoo

Takoda, a black bear residing at the Oregon Zoo in Portland, Oregon, enjoyed a refreshing dip in his 300-gallon wading pool. Footage of the 400-pound black bear shows Takoda beating the heat by splashing around in the water. Amy Cutting, overseer of the zoo’s Great Northwest area, said of Takoda: “He’s quite a goofy bear. He was just cooling down and having some fun on a nice spring day.” Credit: Oregon Zoo, @OregonZoo via Storyful Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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AFL great suing Newman over photo

Nicky Winmar and photographer Wayne Ludbey are reportedly pursuing legal action against Sam Newman, Don Scott and Mike Sheahan over claims made on their podcast that Winmar’s iconic point to his skin in 1993 was not about race. Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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Bain Capital to ‘slim down Virgin Australia to a domestic carrier’

InvestSMART's Evan Lucas says Cyrus Capital's "excuse" to pull out of its Virgin bid was unsurprising given it knew for quite some time it was not administrator Deloitte's first choice. "It's been well known for about eight days the administrators were certainly leaning toward Bain Capital," Mr Lucas said. "Bain has a plan and clearly has the capital and ability to restructure Virgin. "The original bondholders - particularly the major holders out of Singapore - are now asking to be part of the bid and to recapitalise their position and keep Virgin listed on the ASX." Mr Lucas said unions were particularly worried about Bain's program which likely included a "fairly big restructure and a very much slimming down of Virgin to a domestic carrier". Image: News Corp Australia Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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Biden urges Trump to drop health care lawsuit

Presumptive Democrat nominee Joe Biden has called on Donald Trump to drop his lawsuit against the Affordable Care Act. Speaking in Pennsylvania, Mr Biden said removing the health care act would worsen the government’s response to the coronavirus pandemic. “Stop taking away people’s health care and their peace of mind,” he said. The act was brought in under the Obama administration to provide health care to underprivileged Americans. Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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Warning issued to Australia over Chinese disinformation and cyber techniques

Director of Foreign Policy and Defence at the US Studies Centre Ashley Townshend says Australia “needs to be very sensitive to the way China is using both cyber and disinformation techniques to advance its interests”. “When the Foreign Minister announced Australia’s lead on an independent inquiry into COVID-19 origins, we saw China really turn on the screws with regard to its propaganda,” he said. “The key message was this; Australia in trying to call for such an inquiry was acting at the behest of Washington and therefore should not be taken seriously. “And that’s a false narrative.” Mr Townshend warned China was taking advantage of “concern in Australia that at times the government makes decisions that are too closely aligned with Washington”. “And so what Chinese disinformation does is it zeroes in on a point of weakness or division within a society such as disagreements around undertaking foreign policy decisions that are in step with US interests and it magnifies those to make the
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Asia stocks sell-off as virus surges in US

Asia's stock markets have slipped, bonds rose and the US dollar was firm as surging US coronavirus cases, global trade tensions and an International Monetary Fund downgrade to economic projections knocked confidence in a recovery. Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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‘Really Eerie!’: Landslide Hits Campground Following Earthquake in Central California

Visitors at a campsite at Whitney Portal, California, were fortunate to avoid injury after a landslide hit the area following a magnitude 5.8 earthquake on June 24. Clouds of dust can be seen hanging in the air close to a carpark and camping ground in a video posted to Twitter by John Chrissinger, who was holidaying at the site. “I was standing in the picnic area of the Portal area, when there was a low rumble and then a few pretty hard shakes to the right and left, only lasted about 10 seconds “There was a thunderous crash and you could see part of the mountain coming down, lucky that we were on the other side of the portal road, I did not have time to video the landslide it all happened so fast, was over in 30 seconds. Funny it was just dead silence and all the dirt rising up after the slide. Felt really eerie,” Chrissinger told Storyful. Campgrounds were being evacuated and no injuries were reported, the Inyo County Sheriff said. The USGS initially reported the quake as magnitude 6.
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Opinion: Smiley Face Liberalism

Wonder Land: The collapse of liberal elites under a leftist offensive has been in the making since the 'Summer of Love.' Images: Getty Images Composite: Mark Kelly Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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Arts Minister defends govt’s support of the industry amid the COVID-19 crisis

Arts Minister Paul Fletcher says the government’s $250 million rescue package for the Arts and Entertainment industry will have “a big multiplier effect” on the wider Australian economy. The package, to be announced today, will include $75 million in competitive grant funding and $90 million in show starter loans for theatres, festivals and concerts. “We want to get shows happening again because it means more jobs; jobs for backstage crew, for front of house, box office, security guards and also for tourism and hospitality,” Mr Fletcher told Sky News Australia. “It’s also about an injection of confidence in the sector so that promotors, arts companies will take the risk of investing in new shows because they know they’ve got a chance here of getting support from the government.” When probed about a gap in the government’s JobKeeper scheme which meant workers on shorter than 12 month contracts did not qualify for the payments, Mr Fletcher defended the government’s support of the sector.
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Qld considering quarantining travellers from Victorian COVID hotspots to isolate

Queensland is considering forcing travellers from COVID-19 hotspots in Victoria to self-isolate for 14 days in a bid to slow the spread of the disease around the country. Sky News Political Editor Andrew Clennelll says National Cabinet will discuss the proposal this Friday. One idea being kicked around behind the scenes by some states, including Queensland, ahead of national cabinet this Friday I understand is to reopen borders, say with Queensland sticking to its original date of July 10, but introduce a requirement to isolate for 14 days for anyone travelling from the relevant Victorian hotspots and impose heavy fines for those who do not adhere to this,” he said. This could be introduced in Queensland and NSW. The Federal Government has pledged to assist Victoria after a small surge in COVID-19 cases. Victoria’s Chief Health Officer Dr Brett Sutton today confirmed the death of an elderly man, bringing the state's death toll to 20 after experiencing no deaths since May 23. Mr Sut
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Vulnerable Australians pushing govt to extend JobSeeker payments

Vulnerable Australians are extremely concerned they will be unable to cover basic cost-of-living expenses if the unemployment payment is reduced to pre-pandemic levels, according to Australian Council of Social Service boss Cassandra Goldie. ACOSS surveyed 1,000 people and found over 80 per cent were eating better, while over 50 per cent are far less concerned about money than they were prior to the welfare increase. Unemployed Australians can access the fortnightly $1,115.70 JobSeeker payment, which the government put in place to help those impacted by COVID-19. The JobKeeper payment is scheduled to end in September, meaning an unemployed person faces their welfare payments falling to $560 a fortnight for singles, which equates to $40 a day Ms Goldie told Sky News there is a consensus within the community, including from business, welfare payments cannot go back to pre-COVID levels. "We think it's vital the government makes sure social security safety net is fixed to protect
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Paul Murray Live Our Town: The Way Back airs tonight 9pm

Sky News anchor Paul Murray will showcase the very best of regional Australia in a special edition of Paul Murray Live Our Town: The Way Back at 9pm AEST tonight. The program will shine a light on the recovery efforts of regional communities hit hard by recent bushfire devastation and COVID-19, showcasing the must-see bucket list locations around the country to help support and rebuild our regional economies. Kangaroo Island, the Blue Mountains, our snowfields and wineries are some of the regional locations overcoming hardship which will be highlighted. During the program, Paul will be speaking with locals and business owners across the country including those from the Northern Territory and Queensland. Paul will also chat to Annie Roberts, Executive Officer, Friends of the One & All Sailing Ship Inc in South Australia, about how the company is thanking frontline bushfire volunteers and giving back to the community, thanks to the News Corp Bushfires Fund, in partnership with the Fo
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Labor pushes for maternity services ahead of Eden-Monaro by-election

Labor has turned the focus on its campaign for the upcoming Eden-Monaro by-election to health as it pushes for federal funding for maternity services in Yass. Eden-Monaro Labor hopeful Kirsty McBain and Shadow Health Minister Chris Bowen met with mothers in Yass who were forced to give birth on the side of the Barton Highway on their way to Canberra. The NSW regional town was left without maternity services after funding was withdrawn by the Labor government in 2004. After receiving backlash for a flippant comment by the Prime Minister in Parliament over the conditions, the PM’s office issued a statement which said health matters were the responsibility of the state. The statement also said funding was allocated by the government according to the level of demand. Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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Warragamba man charged for alleged online grooming

Supplied video obtained Wednesday, June 24, 2020, showing the arrest of a 34-year-old man in Westmead about 10.30am yesterday (Tuesday, June 23, 2020). He was taken to Parramatta Police Station and charged use carriage service to procure person under 16 years for sexual activity. Police will allege in court that the man believed he was speaking with a 14-year-old girl and engaged in conversations about sex acts he wished to perform on the teenager. (AAP VIDEO/Supplied/NSW Police) Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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COVID-19 death in Victoria, 20 new cases

Supplied video obtained Wednesday, June 24, 2020, of Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton announcing that a man in his 80's has died of coronavirus in Victoria, as the state records 20 new cases. (AAP VIDEO/Supplied/Victorian Department of Health & Human Services) Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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ASIC sues CBA over banned super payment

The Australian Securities And Investments Commission (ASIC) is suing the Commonwealth Bank and subsidiary Colonial First State Investments over a banking royal commission finding that the latter paid the bank to promote a superannuation product to customers. Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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RAW: Vision of Victoria Police Air Wing’s new Leonardo AW139 helicopter

Supplied video obtained Tuesday, June 23, 2020, showing Victoria Police Air Wing's new Leonardo AW139 helicopter. Following a tender and procurement process, the Victoria Police Air Wing has welcomed the first of four new aircraft to its Essendon Fields base. The final two helicopters and a fixed-wing plane are due in the coming months and the quartet will replace the unit's existing midrange utility choppers. (AAP VIDEO/Supplied/Victoria Police) Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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More than 1,300 jobs to go at Woolworths

Woolworths has announced up to 1,350 jobs will be lost to a new automated distribution centre, being built in Sydney’s south. Woolworths said the redundancies would cost about $176 million in payouts. CEO Brad Banducci said he is hopeful some of the employees can be redeployed throughout the Woolworths Group. The supermarket giant said it would provide a range of support and career transition services to staff before the closure of the three existing sites. The new centre will replace three others around the country and is expected to cost nearly $800 million. Image: News Corp Australia Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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‘Cluttered’ curriculum circus faces major overhaul

A cluttered curriculum which teaches New South Wales students circus skills and puppetry will be axed and replaced by a focus on literacy and numeracy. Premier Gladys Berejiklian said she would bolster maths and science skills to give children a chance to improve their career prospects. It will be the state’s biggest education reform in three decades as the state moves to increase the focus on maths, science and writing skills. "We know English and literacy is so critical for a student's capacity to learn and actually change careers over the course of their lives,” she said. "We have the potential to do so much better in key areas and we do need to focus on those core competencies. "We know - in the digital age in particular - maths and science will be leading to many different career options in the future.” Excess syllabus content would be scrapped, refocusing on early learning and oral language development, reading, writing and mathematics. "It's about rai
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Snow Flurries Fall at Hanging Rock in the New South Wales Northern Tablelands

Snow flurries were spotted falling at Hanging Rock in the New South Wales Northern Tablelands region on June 23. The Bureau of Meteorology also reported snow falls at Guyra, Mt Kaputar and Walcha in Northern New South Wales. The snow was assisted by freezing overnight conditions across the Northern Tablelands. Credit: Fabian Norrie via Storyful Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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Cahill’s classic reaction

Premier League: Watching his beloved Everton from the stands, Tim Cahill produced a classic reaction as his former team almost scored against Liverpool. Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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Upsurge in COVID cases linked to Melbourne Black Lives Matter protests

Sky News can reveal that the number of COVID-19 cases linked to the Melbourne’s Black Lives matter protests a fortnight ago have risen to five. Sky News Political editor Andrew Clennell said contact tracers from NSW and South Australia have been sent to Victoria to help slow the spread of the novel coronavirus. “We already knew that three protesters have tested positive to the virus but now we understand two cases identified today were linked to one of the protesters at the rally,” Mr Clennell said. “There have been reports one protester at the rallies worked at a H&M store for two days while ill.” “The policy seems to also be to shut down certain suburbs and certain areas, rather than the whole of Melbourne. The revelations come as Victorian businesses brace for restrictions to be re-imposed in the wake of the renewed spread of COVID-19. The heightened restrictions, which came after 16 new cases were recorded in Victoria yesterday, has led the Victorian Government to designate six
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Infrastructure key to escaping recession: PM

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has praised the NSW government for the congestion-busting NorthConnex tunnel as a shining example of Australia’s economic recovery from COVID-19. The $3 billion project is on the verge of opening after shovels hit the ground in 2016 – creating 8,700 jobs. “Infrastructure will be a key to jobs as we grow out of the COVID-19 recession,” Mr Morrison said after the first end-to-end drive through of the tunnel. Last Monday, Mr Morrison announced $1.5 billion of investment in accelerated projects and road works. Image: News Corp Australia Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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Stocks try to shake fear of new virus wave

US stock futures have erased losses and Asian stocks held flat, trying to shake off worries that rising coronavirus cases in the United States could scupper a quick economic rebound from the massive downturn triggered by the pandemic. Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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Don’t go to Melbourne: NSW premier

The NSW premier has slapped down suggestions of a hard border with Victoria amid an outbreak of COVID-19 cases in the state but has advised against travel to Melbourne or its outer-suburban hotspots. Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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EU, China seek to ease virus, HK tensions

The European Union and China will seek to cool tensions at a video summit, their first formal talks since ties soured over European accusations that Beijing has spread disinformation about the novel coronavirus. Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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Crowd Gathers for Trump Rally at BOK Center in Tulsa

A crowd gathered to hear US President Donald Trump speak at a re-election rally held at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on June 20. “Republicans are the party of liberty, equality and justice for all. We are the party of Abraham Lincoln and the party of law and order,” Trump said during his address. The president issued a number of criticisms during his speech, targeting Democratic candidate Joe Biden, the media, anti-racism protesters, and China. He also spoke on jobs, the coronavirus, medicare, social security, “the wall,” and infrastructure. The National Guard and police were present at the rally while racial justice protests were held in the vicinity. Authorities fired pepper balls at demonstrators, according to local media, while several people were reported to have been arrested. Credit: Caleb W via Storyful Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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Smith case focuses on car, mystery couple

Further details have been revealed in the investigation into the death of disabled Adelaide woman Ann Marie Smith, with the focus turning to who used her car and a mystery couple who came and went from her home in 2018. Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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Joe Biden ‘hiding in his basement’ over ‘incompetence’

Former vice president Joe Biden is “hiding in his basement” because he’s too “incompetent” to hold a media conference and “string together five words,” President Donald Trump’s Senior Legal Advisor Jenna Ellis says. “This is someone who clearly isn’t very mentally fit,” Ms Ellis told Sky News. “It’s going to be very interesting if he tries to say that he won’t participate in the debates. “You know that Donald Trump is not going to hold back any punches, and I think we’re going to see that remarkable disparity and see that we have one leader and we have one really, really, really weak person who just isn’t up to the task.” Ms Ellis said the US is going to have to decide in November if it wants “to keep our great America experiment and the great American dream alive through Donald Trump or whether we are going to risk losing our country and losing the founding principles that has made this country so great”. “America is not a communist country, and if people vote in Joe Biden for preside
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End game of radical left is ‘resetting clock to year zero’

Sky News host James Morrow says “the end game of the radical left is nothing less than resetting the clock to the year zero and what is happening is a civil war on the left that is spilling into the streets of the world”. “For the past three weeks, I’m sure you have been waking up and asking where is this all going to end,” Mr Morrow said. “The endless, relentless push by the increasingly radical, violent and totalitarian left to set society against itself. “And tell us how awful we are at every turn and generally attack any manifestation of our great civilisation. “They treat the past not just as a foreign country but as enemy territory to be subdued, conquered and eliminated.” Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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Brooklyn Residents Launch Extended Fireworks Display

Brooklyn residents set up an extensive array of fireworks in the borough’s Prospect Heights neighborhood on June 19, only one of the countless such displays set off in the city this summer. This footage was recorded around 9pm, following commemorations across the city marking the Juneteenth holiday. But the display was nothing new this month: complaints about illegal fireworks in the city have skyrocketed this summer. Between June 1 and June 14, New York City’s 311 information and non-emergency services hotline fielded 1,249 calls about illegal fireworks, according to city officials. During the same period in 2019, only 21 complaints were filed. Credit: Samuel Oakford via Storyful Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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UK lowers COVID-19 alert level

The UK has lowered its coronavirus alert level to three as its infection rates decline in the country, however, plans to return children to school remains unclear despite a pledge by Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Mr Johnson said the country had to move from a "one size fits all" national response to a more nuanced, "localised" approach. The government said it expected to have every child back in the country's schools by September but some educators have claimed many classrooms did not have the capacity to fit all pupils back in classrooms with social distancing. Image: AP Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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Facebook takes down Trump campaign ad over Nazi symbol

Facebook has taken down campaign ads for US President Donald Trump after they featured an upside down red triangle, a symbol once used by Nazis. The symbol was used by Nazi officers to designate prisoners inside concentration camps during World War Two. Facebook's head of security policy told the House Intelligence Committee that the hate symbol had been removed because it did not provide "context or condemnation". President Trump's campaign communications director, Tim Murtaugh said the symbol was used by 'ANTIFA' which the advertisement criticised. Image: AP Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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Govt provides $500m boost for Indigenous education

The government has allocated $500 million per year to assist universities in offering tailored programs to support Indigenous, regional and low socioeconomic students. Education Minister Dan Tehan announced on Friday the plan was designed to increase the level of participation among Indigenous Australians as they have currently have the lowest rates of higher education participation and attainment in the country. He also revealed a plan to increase Indigenous attendance rates by “providing a guaranteed bachelor-levelled Commonwealth supported place at any public university”. “If our changes and our reforms can make it easier for those young Indigenous students – then we will have done a great thing for this nation,” he said. Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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PM refuses to reveal ‘state-based actor’ behind cyberattack on Aus

Prime Minister Scott Morrison confirmed Australia was targeted by a cyberattack on Friday but stopped short of revealing who was responsible. The Prime Minister said the government had evidence the cyberattack was launched by a “sophisticated state-based actor”, but when probed on Friday morning, refused to reveal more. “The Australian government is not making any public attribution about these matters, though we are very confident these are the actions of a state-based actor… and there aren’t too many state-based actors who have those capabilities,” he said. The Prime Minister described the attack – which was targeted at all levels of the Australian government and Australia’s private sector – as “malicious”. “Obviously those who are engaged in this are not doing this to help us, that’s certainly not their intention,” he said. “And so, you could describe it as malicious, and that’s why our awareness levels need to be raised.” Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.
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FairWork Commission announces increase to minimum wage

The Australian FairWork Commission has announced a rise to the national minimum wage of $13 per week or an increase of 1.75 per cent. Under the changes, full-time workers on minimum wage will earn $753.80 a week or $19.84 per hour. President Iain Ross said making "no increase" to wages would "amount to a real wage cut" based on data there had been an "increase in the proportion of low-paid income households". Alternatively, Mr Ross argued it would be a failure of the commission not to consider the post-coronavirus economic climate and bow to union demands of a four per cent increase. "The shock to the labour market warrants more weight being given to the potential impact of increasing minimum wages on hiring and re-employment," he said. "Awarding an increase of the size proposed by the ACTU would pose a real risk of disemployment and of adversely affecting the employment opportunities of the low-skilled and young workers." Image: News C
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Devastating revelation about day Kobe died

Kobe Bryant flew 45 minutes earlier than originally planned on the day he and eight others died in a helicopter crash in Los Angeles, preliminary findings of an investigation into the incident have revealed. Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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Waters says the govt and Labor have joined forces to ‘shut down’ the cross bench motions to one per week

June 18, 2020. Greens senator Larissa Waters speaking to the media in Canberra condemns the motion passed by the government and Labor in the Senate to restrict the number of motions allowed in the Senate. The Greens says this will shut down the opportunity for the cross bench to keep the government to account. (AAP Video/Marc Tewksbury) Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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Shocking cost of international flights

Thousands of passengers are still flying into Australia, despite our nation’s border being closed. But for those Aussies itching to leave – or planning to book a holiday when overseas travel eventually resumes – the price is high. Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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Jackie Trad claims corruption probe prompted by ‘poor paperwork’

Former Deputy Premier Jackie Trad says she is not dishonest and blamed the Gabba house purchase scandal on "poor paperwork protocols''. In an exclusive interview with Sky News Across Australia, to be aired at 7pm tonight, Ms Trad said she and her husband Damien Van Brunschot did not talk about the house purchase before he invested in the property. He paid $600,000 for the house, which is within Ms Trad's electorate. She was in charge of Cross River rail when the house was bought, sparking a Crime and Corruption Commission probe. It found she was not in breach of existing criminal laws but recommended tightening them after the scandal. She has since resigned from cabinet as Deputy premier and Treasurer after the CCC confirmed a probe into a teacher appointment within her electorate. “My husband bought this house, he did so and he told me after the fact,” Ms Trad said. “I’m not claiming that he hid this from me for six weeks, that is not what I’m claiming. "Damien b
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Dollar, stock market fall after unemployment figures released

The ASX 200 saw an immediate reaction to Thursday’s unemployment numbers, dropping to 1.6 per cent. Australia’s unemployment rate rose to 7.1 per cent, resulting in more than 227,000 jobs lost in that month. The Australian Dollar lost 0.4 per cent in value, now trading at about 68.49 US cents. Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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Black Lives Matter protester one of 18 new coronavirus cases in Vic

Victoria has confirmed 18 new COVID-19 cases, including a third Black Lives Matter protester. Health authorities confirmed the infected person attended the rally with a number of friends who went on to work two shifts at a Northland Shopping Centre H&M, which was promptly closed for deep cleaning. Health Minister Jenny Mikakos warned people to be vigilant as it was possible to contract the coronavirus even if wearing PPE. Two Melbourne childcare centres were also closed for deep cleaning after a worker at Learning Sanctuary in Pakenham contracted the virus, and a one-year-old child from Guardian Childcare in Pakenham tested positive. Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said the surge in infections would not impact the state’s reopening plan, but they would move ahead cautiously to ensure “everything we do minimises the chances of a second wave”. Image: AP Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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Beijing Residents Form Long Lines for COVID-19 Testing as Outbreak Hits

Mass testing and lockdowns were implemented in parts of Beijing after a new cluster of coronavirus cases emerged in China’s capital. There were around 100 new confirmed cases in a virus cluster associated with a wholesale market by June 16, according to the World Health Organisation. Beijing officials announced the closure of residential communities near the market and limited the number of people allowed on public transport. The city had been forced to roll back reopening measures just days after many leisure venues were allowed to resume services following coronavirus-related shutdowns, according to reports. Videos posted to social media showed people forming long lines for COVID-19 tests. This video shows a line in the Wukesong area on June 16, and an accompanying Weibo post said people were waiting for coronavirus swab tests. Credit: Anonymous via Storyful Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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Angry Eddie escalates Kochie feud

The already-tense “Prison Bar” jumper battle just went to a new level, with Collingwood president Eddie McGuire claiming he’s referred the Power’s latest push to wear the guernsey more often to the AFL hierarchy and its legal department. Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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Katter dons Grim Reaper outfit to resurrect Australian car industry

Queensland MP has donned a Grim Reaper outfit on the forecourt of Parliament House to protest the death of Australia's car industry. The Member for Kennedy will today introduce a motion in the House of Representatives pushing to ensure all cars purchased by the Australian government are Australian made. "In the next 12 months, no matter what happens, the government will buy 40,000 cars... when this started off it was unthinkable a government would buy a car from overseas," Mr Katter said. "If you want to double the value of the dollar we can all go and buy cheaper lollipops but it doubled the value of a Holden compared with a car from overseas. "We've got to do some reaping here." Image: News Corp Australia Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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Whale and boat near miss

Whale watchers captured this shocking footage of a near miss incident between a speeding boat and a pod of three southern right whales at Victor Harbor in June, 2020. Footage courtesy of Philip Caballero. Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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Expletive-laden texts plunge Labor Party into fresh turmoil

The Labor Party has been plunged into fresh turmoil, after explosive texts from a federal MP were leaked to the media. Labor leader Anthony Albanese sought assurances from Labor MP Anthony Byrne that he had not broken any laws after it was revealed his electorate office was bugged to record the backroom dealings of disgraced former Victorian minister Adem Somyurek. In a sign of apparent retribution, text messages were leaked to the media showing Mr Byrne disparaging his Labor colleagues. In a series of expletive-laden messages, Mr Byrne described former Labor Senator Sam Dastyari as “crooked” and “corrupt” and said former Labor leader Bill Shorten “makes me sick to my stomach with his ingratitude”. Mr Byrne also wished for the “political death” of Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews and said he wanted former politician Alan Griffin's “head cut off”. Labor leader Anthony Albanese addressed the scandal on Thursday morning, describing Mr Byrne’s language as “completely unacceptable and i
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