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Showing posts from May, 2021

Morrison highlights ‘successful’ meeting with Ardern

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has praised yesterday’s “successful” meeting with Jacinda Ardern. Mr Morrison joined Prime Minister Ardern in Queenstown on Monday where the two discussed regional security and their respective COVID-19 responses. “We were able to reinforce our shared assessment of the regional security risks that Australia and New Zealand faces and our joint resolve to address those risks,” Mr Morrison told parliament. “It was a good opportunity Mr Speaker, to discuss our respective responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. Given we are one of only a handful of countries, a handful of countries, that has had the success in suppressing the virus compared to other countries around the world.” Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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Crew member of ship docked in Perth tests positive for COVID-19

Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan has confirmed a crew member of a ship docked at Kwinana has tested positive for COVID-19. The man, aged in his 20s, originally disembarked from the vessel on Sunday for an unrelated medical condition. It is understood the crew member is now in hotel quarantine after testing positive for the virus. Premier McGowan says discussions are now underway with the Commonwealth government to facilitate in the departure of the ship from Australian waters. “The state government’s very, very strong view is that the ship should sail as soon as possible,” he said. “We’d like the ship to sail, go back to, I think it's to Malaysia, with the cargo and leave Western Australia as soon as possible.” Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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Aged care and disability workers given priority access to vaccine in testing blitz

There will be a five-day testing blitz to ensure workers in the “most vulnerable settings” are protected from COVID-19, Victoria Ageing Minister Luke Donnellan says. He said the blitz will take place from June 2 to June 6 and will give employees in private aged care facilities and the residential disability sector “priority access to walk-in vaccination hubs”. There will be nine vaccination hubs participating in the blitz which include the Royal Exhibition Building, the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre and the Melbourne Showgrounds. Mr Donnellan said the initiative is about trying to "get more workers to get greater coverage" in the private aged care and disability sectors. “This is very much a call to arms of those workers who are on the frontline…we’ll give you a priority lane so it makes it quicker and easier to get through it in a speedier time.” Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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Ash Barty dragged into Osaka mess

An American journalist has dragged world No. 1 Ash Barty into the Naomi Osaka saga, claiming the Aussie’s press conferences are proof of racial bias within the media. Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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Hail and Flooding in Albuquerque as Severe Weather Strikes on Memorial Day

Memorial Day in Albuquerque, New Mexico, came with large hail and flooding on May 31. Anna Jimenez filmed a video showing motorists driving their cars through flooded roads as hail continues to fall. “The car ahead had already called for assistance, and the trucks were on the way to them as we were passing. The sirens were audible in the background,” Jimenez told Storyful. The local National Weather Service warned of severe downpours, large hail, and damaging winds for the Monday. Credit: Anna Jimenez via Storyful Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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Blow for Ben Roberts-Smith witness

An SAS soldier, who stood shoulder to shoulder with Ben Roberts-Smith, has lost a bid to keep service documents sealed as he prepares to take to the stand as a witness in the decorated soldier’s defamation trial. Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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Aged care outbreak of ‘very great concern’

It is of “very great concern” COVID-19 has “crept” into Victoria’s private aged care facilities, state Health Minister Martin Foley says. The concern comes after three new cases were linked to the aged care sector. “One is the son of the initial case – you’ll recall the first case in Maidstone Arcare – so doesn’t actually work at the facility but is clearly directly linked,” Mr Foley said. “One is a staff member at that same Arcare Maidstone who worked alongside that initial case. “She was not vaccinated, she also worked at another aged care facility, the Blue Cross ACG Sunshine facility, on 26th and 27th and 28th of May. “That has therefore triggered a strong public health response at the Blue Cross facility, similar to what was activated to contain measures at the Maidstone Arcare facility. “And the third additional case linked to the Arcare outbreak is unfortunately a resident, a woman in her 90s.” Mr Foley said the Victorian government will continue to work with the Commonwealth an
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‘Worst cover up in history’: CNN jump on lab leak theory bandwagon

Texas lawmaker Michael McCaul says the origins of COVID-19 is the “worst coverup in human history," as mainstream media are backing an investigation into the theory after a year of dismissing it. “Let me say this is the worst cover up in human history,” Mr McCaul told CNN. “Resulting in 3.5 million deaths, creating economic devastation around the globe. “It was just declassified that three of the researchers were actually hospitalised in November 2019 with flu like symptoms consistent with COVID.” Last week President Biden issued a 90 day directive for intelligence agencies to investigate two origin theories including that the virus could have come from a Chinese lab. Mr McCaul said the move was "long overdue" because China had "destroyed everything at the lab". Mainstream media hesitated from reporting the theory, one that President Trump had backed, and frequently slammed outlets that did. CNN’s Chris Cuomo falsely claimed the theory was a “newer” notion and
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Fan flings bottle at Irving’s head

NBA: More disgusting fan behavior has overshadowed an entertaining game between the Nets and the Celtics when a Boston fan threw a bottle of water at Kyrie Irving as he walked down the tunnel. Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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Victoria records 11 new cases

Victorian Acting Premier James Merlino says Victoria has recorded five formal cases overnight and a further six since midnight and there are a “significant number of exposure sites” linked to the new cases. “We’ve officially recorded five new cases today all locally acquired there are currently 54 active cases of coronavirus in Victoria,” he said. “I can also advise there are a further six locally acquired cases that came through after the late-night cutoff and our public health teams are urgently investigating and interviewing these cases.” Mr Merlino said two of the five cases relate to the City of Whittlesea outbreak, one to the Star carwash, and one is under investigation. “We are now managing 4,200 primary close contacts across all our exposure sites; we have also had 43,874 tests and 16,752 vaccine doses,” he said. Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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‘Lunatics are running the asylum’: BLM flags flying at US embassies under Biden administration

The Biden administration’s decision to honour Black Lives Matter by flying the “divisive” group’s flag at embassies around the world is evidence the “lunatics are running the asylum,” according to Sky News host Rita Panahi. “This is a divisive, anti-capitalist, anti-police group who were behind a summer of violence in America, and elsewhere in the world, where we saw upwards of $2 billion worth of property damage, we saw hundreds of people bashed, we saw more than 20 people killed in these violent riots and looting,” she said. “Now they’re being honoured by having their flag flown at embassies around the world. “What is going on with the Biden administration? The lunatics are running the asylum.” Secretary of State Antony Blinken authorised US embassies abroad to fly the BLM flag on the anniversary of George Floyd’s death, on 25 May, 2020, and beyond, according to a memo. “Posts are strongly encouraged to make full use of Department and Interagency tools and resources to promote policy
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Australia needs to help South Pacific or else ‘China will’

Australia needs to open up funds and assist the lagging economies in the South Pacific otherwise communist China will go there “with a big fat cheque book” which means more threats, according to Sky News host James Morrow. “I do think there is something worthwhile in really engaging with a lot of these Pacific economies; if we don’t China will,” he said. “We’ve got to keep those economies going, ticking over, because otherwise China’s going to come in there with a big fat cheque book, and that’s going to come with a lot of obligations and a lot of threats to Australia.” Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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Michael Daley announces run for Labor leadership: ‘I want to be your premier in 2023’

Former NSW Labor leader Michael Daley has announced he is running for the party’s leadership after Jodi McKay’s departure in the wake of the Upper Hunter by-election loss. “I am announcing today that I will nominate tomorrow to be the leader of the Labor Party in NSW,” he said on Sunday. “I was very sad to see Jodi resign on Friday – it should not have come to that.” Mr Daley said his intention was to look after the “ordinary” people of NSW who had been “forgotten”. “I want to be your premier in 2023 because I think about you every single day,” he said. “People who have given up on being able to afford a home not only just in Sydney but on the Central Coast, in the Hunter and down through the Illawarra, people who are struggling to pay the rent." Mr Daley is expected to go head-to-head with Chris Minns for the leadership, two years after losing the state election. Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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Australia has to ‘take a hit to our lifestyle’ over climate change not China or India

Australia with its “little proportion” of greenhouse gases will have to “take a hit to our lifestyles”, not major emitters China and India, says Sky News host James Morrow. The International Energy Agency has suggested Australians should travel overseas less and reduce the speed at which they drive in order to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. “No one is saying that China – which can blow straight through 2030 without cutting its emissions – is going to have to take a hit to its lifestyle,” Mr Morrow said. “No one is saying India’s having to take a hit to its lifestyles. “No, Australia, with our tiny little proportion of greenhouse gases, we’re going to have to take a hit to our lifestyles.” Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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‘Bungling, incompetent’ Andrews government plunges state into ‘heartless’ lockdown

Sky News host Rowan Dean says Victoria’s recent lockdown was the most “heartless and disgraceful” decision from a “heartless bungling and incompetent” government. Victoria was plunged into a seven-day state-wide lockdown on Thursday after Melbourne’s northern suburbs cluster grew to 26. The cluster has since grown to over forty, while Victorian health authorities have expanded the list of exposure sites to 174. The lockdown resulted in funerals across the state reduced to a capacity of only ten, while a ceremony for an eight-year-old boy in Warrnambool failed to receive an exemption. Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said he was unaware of the “thinking around” the decision to deny the exemption for the funeral but said it was likely due to “equity reasons”. Sky News host Rita Panahi said the decision was “heartbreaking, cruel” and plain “indecent”. Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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Vaccine rollout ‘not a race’: McCormack

Acting Prime Minister Michael McCormack has repeated Scott Morrison's line it is "not a race" to get people vaccinated, despite a fresh coronavirus outbreak in Melbourne. The comments come a day after Health Minister Greg Hunt denied the federal government had given the public the impression there was no rush to get vaccinated. Mr McCormack, who is the acting prime minister as Scott Morrison is away in New Zealand, told Sky News the rollout has to be phased in systematically. “It’s not a race, it has to be systematic, it has to be rolled out in way that Australians obviously need to know that they have to get the jab,” Mr McCormack said. “But we can’t have everybody going to get it at the same time, and that’s why there has been a phased in system.” Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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‘Plenty of Democrats’ are ‘very worried’ about Biden’s $6 trillion budget

US President Joe Biden will struggle to get his $6 trillion budget through the Senate since “plenty of Democrats” are “very worried” about tax increases it may require, according to American Principals Project Director of Policy Jon Schweppe. “It’s going to be very difficult because as you may know the Senate is split 50-50 between Republicans and Democrats which means the Democrats have very little margin for error,” he said. “Plenty of Democrats in the Senate have already expressed concerns about some of the tax increases that might be necessary for this, they’re very worried about it. “We’ll see, the Biden administration is looking for a huge deal here, no one’s quite sure what’s going to happen yet”. Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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The Veronicas to release two new albums

Australian twins and singing duo The Veronicas have been busy during the pandemic preparing for an impressive return to the music scene. The ARIA winners are releasing not one, but two new albums and the sisters will soon embark on their first national tour in six years. The albums are called ‘Godzilla’ and ‘Human’ with singer Jessica Origliasso describing ‘Godzilla’ as “experimental” and ‘Human’ as their “singer-songwriter roots”. “We’re sort of old fashioned with the way we make records, nowadays the last sort of five, six, years of how music’s changed people create music and put it out straight away now whereas the old school way was write 100 songs and pick your favourite 14,” she told Sky News. The Veronicas have released several hits in the past and these albums will be their first since the released self-titled album ‘The Veronicas’ in 2014. Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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Belarus leader visits Russia amid EU tensions

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has met his strongest ally Russian President Vladimir Putin at his residence in the Black Sea. Belarus is becoming increasingly isolated from the rest of Europe after a commercial passenger flight from Greece to Lithuania was diverted and a journalist on board was arrested. Belarus is facing further criticism after the death of a political prisoner one month after he was sentenced to five years in jail. Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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More Tier 1 exposure sites listed for Melbourne outbreaks

Victorian Health Minister Martin Foley says there have been five new locally acquired cases of the virus in the state with vaccination and testing has been at its highest ever level three days in a row. “Currently there are 45 active cases of coronavirus in Victoria in total, yesterday we recorded five new locally acquired cases, four at the City of Whittlesea end of the outbreak and further one linked to the Port Melbourne workplace outbreak,” he said. Mr Foley said the City of Whittlesea outbreak was directly linked to an asymptomatic man who went to work while he was infectious. The man visited several grocery stores in the northern and eastern suburbs on the 18th and 19th of May, another grocery store, and a car wash. Mr Foley encouraged Victorians to check exposure site websites. Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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US intelligence report into UFOs to be released next month

Political analyst Professor Joe Siracusa says the report from United States intelligence about UFOs is due to be released in June. “We’ve got these pictures coming in and we find out there was a specifically designated unit in the Pentagon looking at these kinds of things and a senator from Florida has decided that maybe there should be a report,” he told Sky News. “There’s going to be a report next month with indications of what we’re looking at and there hundreds, probably thousands, of photos.” Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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Heavy Rain and Wind Lash Central Texas Amid Severe Thunderstorm Warnings

Heavy rain and intense winds lashed parts of central Texas, amid severe thunderstorm warnings on Friday, May 28. Footage uploaded Perry Jefferies shows strong rain and wind battering a home in the city of Gatesville. The National Weather Service issued severe storm warnings for the area, cautioning residents of possible hail and wind gusts of up to 65mph. Credit: @perryjefferies / peripheryart.com via Storyful Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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It is ‘not by accident’ states can avoid lockdowns: Berejiklian

New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian says it is “not by accident” states can avoid lockdowns and come back stronger, in a speech made to the Liberal Council in Canberra. “We have had unfortunately one lockdown in New South Wales about a year ago but we used that time to build up our systems, we quadrupled our health capacity, we made sure our contact tracers were well resourced,” she said. Ms Berejiklian said the approach of New South Wales was one of the “whole of government” and this strategy allowed health experts to be able to focus on the spread of the virus and how to contain it. “It’s not by accident you can weather these storms, you do need efficient systems in place and we use the time well when we’re imposing those burdens on our citizens.” Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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Media announcements won’t help famers experiencing ‘worst mouse plague in decades’

Concrete action and not more media announcements are needed from the state government to deal with the estimated one billion mice plaguing NSW, according to Frontier Services National Director Jannine Jackson. The Berejiklian government has committed $50 million to helping small businesses and residents by providing access to free mouse bait and workshops and funding to help researchers develop new mouse control technologies. “We’re really happy that the government is noticing that there is a plague but there is no way to access it [the support package],” Ms Jackson said. “We’re basically been told that it will be at least July before there’s any detail … behind that announcement. “At the moment we need more than just announcements, we need action. “This has been going on for way, way too long. “Media announcements are not going to help farmers and people on the ground that are facing the worst plague in decades”. Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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Powerful Waves Lash Coastline of Lake Erie in Ohio

Strong winds propelled powerful waves onto Lake Erie’s Ohio shoreline on May 28, as the National Weather Service (NWS) warned of hazardous beach conditions. Footage captured by Twitter user @rmrmmm, who said they took it in Lorain, shows large waves rolling onto the shoreline. The NWS issued a gale warning for most of Lake Erie’s US coastline on Friday, along with a beach hazard statement for the entire shoreline. A wind advisory was also put into effect for the lakeshore counties of northern Ohio and northwest Pennsylvania until Saturday at 10am, with wind gusts potentially reaching up to 55 mph. Credit: @rmrmmm via Storyful Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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Victorian family denied funeral exemption

A Victorian family has been denied a funeral exemption for their eight-year-old son who drowned at a school camp last week amid Victoria’s fourth lockdown. Cooper Onyett’s mother requested his funeral – which was held this morning – be able to go ahead with more than 10 attendees. She told Victoria Health the family was happy to hold the funeral outdoors with all attendees wearing face masks – however, the request was denied. Chief Health Officer Dr Brett Sutton addressed the incident today, saying “I think these are the most difficult decisions for the exemptions teams to make and it’ll be weighing extremely heavily on them”. “But our thoughts are with the family at such extraordinarily difficult times.” Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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Important for Victorians to ‘try and keep the big perspective’

Beyond Blue’s lead clinical advisor Dr Grant Blashki is important for those struggling through Victoria’s lockdown to “keep the big perspective” since Australia is the “absolute envy of the world”. “I think it’s a pretty tough morning for a lot of Victorians,” he said. “Some people are feeling pretty angry, some people are feeling pretty lousy sitting around their kitchen table explain to kids why they’re not back at school today. “So it’s not a great vibe in Victoria today. “It’s not much fun at the moment and it’s not perfect but Victorians have done this unfortunately before, we know what to do and we know it works”. Dr Blashki told Sky News Beyond Blue has set up a specific coronavirus mental wellbeing service which has counsellors but can also refer people to financial services, education experts and parenting experts. He also recommend people should do things like take a bit of a break from social media, keep up a daily routine and set some boundaries between work and home life t
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Vaccines are ‘game changers’ for Victoria

Victorian Health Professor Ben Cowie has spruiked the efficacy of both the AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines as he warns getting vaccinated is Victoria’s only way out of the health crisis. “These vaccines are game changers,” he told the media. “Both the AstraZeneca and the Pfizer vaccine are highly effective at preventing serious illness, preventing hospitalisation and preventing death. “The real world data coming out of Europe shows us that these are our way out of this situation and they will protect our health system and protect the lives of Victorians as we do so.” Probed on the number of Victorians needed to be vaccinated to achieve herd immunity, Professor Cowie said the concept was “a complicated one”. “This relates not just to the amount of vaccines we’re delivering, it also comes back to how the difference emerging variants of concern of coronavirus interplay with the vaccine based immunity,” he said. “So I can’t give you a figure and I think anyone who did would be challenging
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‘The best thing you can do as an Australian is get vaccinated’: AMA President

AMA President Dr Omar Khorshid is urging Australians to go and get their COVID-19 vaccine as soon as they become eligible. He said it was pleasing to see more than half of people over 70 had received their first jab, but flagged Victoria’s recent outbreak was a “wake up call” for all Australians. “The events of the last few days have demonstrated that COVID is a real and present threat to all of us, all the time,” he said. “For the rest of us this is a wake-up call, it’s a reminder that COVID is real, it is here now and the best thing that you can do as an Australian, not just for your own health but for the health of the people around you, is to go ad get your vaccine as soon as it’s available to you.” Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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Morrison government commits $2.6m to doctors mental health support

Health Minister Greg Hunt has announced the Commonwealth will commit $2.6 million for doctors and medical professionals’ mental health. Mr Hunt said if it weren’t for doctors and nurses throughout the pandemic, Australia could have been in a “very different place”. “Our doctors and nurses and allied health professionals have been the frontline; they have worked relentless hours, they have saved lives and protected lives,” he said. The announcement would see the Commonwealth commit $2.6 million towards mental health services for doctors and frontline medical professionals. “Their stresses have been great, their pressures have been ongoing, and their needs have been silent in so many ways, and it is our privilege to be able to support our medical professionals,” Mr Hunt said. The health minister also announced the Commonwealth will open up expressions of interests for up to 900 additional general practices to enter into the Commonwealth rollout program. “I think that is a very important
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Holgate inquiry provides ‘strong basis’ for financial sustainability of Australia Post

Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie says the Senate inquiry into the departure of former Australia Post CEO Christine Holgate “provides a strong basis for the future financial sustainability of Australia Post”. “Particularly [for] the 2,500 licensees right across rural and regional Australia who really loved the way the former CEO Christine Holgate managed the business, included them in decision making and really did some great deals to underpin their financial sustainability going forward,” she said. Ms Holgate exited Australia Post last year after it was revealed four executives had been awarded Cartier watches with a total worth of $20,000 but she has since been cleared of misusing taxpayer funds. "I back the fact that we’ve got a Commonwealth-owned entity in Australia Post that has an obligation to the community to deliver letters," Ms McKenzie said. “One of the recommendations I was very strong on making was that shouldn’t be the only thing that Australia Post has to do i
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Labor continues to point finger at PM over Victorian outbreak

Federal Labor continues to point the finger at the prime minister for Victoria’s latest outbreak, arguing lacklustre vaccination rates are at the heart of the growing cluster. Victoria recorded 26 locally-acquired cases coming from Melbourne’s northern suburbs cluster, but concerns heightened after the list of exposure sites numbered over 70 across the entire state. Labor heavyhitters such as Shadow Home Affairs Minister Kristina Kenneally took aim at Prime Minister Scott Morrison over vaccination rates in Victoria. “About half of the people who are over 70 are vaccinated – that’s one of our most vulnerable groups,” she said. “We’ve got aged care facilities where they haven’t got a single dose”. Labor also targeted the prime minister during Question Time on Wednesday blaming him for the recent outbreak, but Mr Morrison attacked the opposition for its lack of bipartisanship when fighting the pandemic. “That’s what we’ve seen from the Labor Party all the way through this; in every opport
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Richards murder trial

Jim Pearson, Diane Beattie and Megan Beattie leave the Cairns Supreme Court after Joshua James Richards, 30, was found guilty of murdering their son and brother with a bow and arrow in 2018. They did not speak to waiting media. VIDEO: Brendan Radke - Cairns Post Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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Protesters March Over Brooklyn Bridge on Anniversary of George Floyd’s Death

A crowd marched over the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City to commemorate the first anniversary of George Floyd’s death on May 25. Floyd was killed by former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin in May 2020, setting off a wave of racial justice protests nationwide. Chauvin was convicted of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter, in April 2021 and was due to be sentenced in June. On Tuesday evening, the New York City Police Department reported street closures in Manhattan due to demonstrations. Credit: C Kenny Lin via Storyful Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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NSW sexual assault reforms ‘symbolic’ rather than practical

The sexual assault reforms in New South Wales are “symbolic” rather than practical according to National Criminal Justice Spokesman Greg Barns SC. It comes as the Berejiklian government prepares to adopt 44 recommendations outlined by the NSW Law Reform Commission’s review of consent in relation to sexual offences. Mr Barnes said the reforms might have some educational value but the overall impact was unlikely to be significant. “Whilst it might have use in terms of educating the community about the issue of the consent, our view at the alliance is it is probably going to have very little change in terms of court proceedings.” Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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Red Cross scales up operations as COVID spreads from India to neighbouring countries

Local charities in Nepal and Bangladesh are scaling up their COVID response as the crisis spills over the borders from India including an outbreak at the Mount Everest base camp. Australian Red Cross International Director Michael Annear told Sky News “our concern is right across the whole South Asia region where at the moment we see 3.5 million active cases”. “Particularly we’re concerned about the impact in Nepal at this point in time where in the recent weeks we’ve seen the daily peak number of cases reaching more than 9,000. “The number of positive test results coming back in early March was around 2 per cent whereas today we’re seeing 40 per cent across the country”. Mr Annear said the charity is supporting the efforts of the local authorities to “help reinforce the work that they’re doing in provision of health and community awareness”. Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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Queensland scientists make COVID drug breakthrough

Queensland researchers have developed two new drugs which could prevent COVID-19 infection and transmission even if the recipient has not been vaccinated. QIMR Berghofer Senior Researcher Professor Sudha Rao told Sky News the findings which were published yesterday detailed the “previously unknown” way the SARS-CoV-2 virus which causes COVID-19 enters human cells and replicates. “What this means is that we’ve made two drugs, one that acts very much like a cloak around the human cell, or a padlock to prevent the virus from entering. “If the virus does enter then the second drug prevents that from replicating”. Professor Rao said the “early intervention drugs” could work alongside the vaccines and would be beneficial for the members of the community who are unable to take vaccines. She said human testing will hopefully begin over the next few months “with the aim to get these drugs into humans hopefully towards next year”. Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.
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Stars snap entirely in cheating feud

The cheating feud between NBA WAG Larsa Pippen and Instagram influencer Montana Yao has gone ballistic with threats to reveal unflattering DMs following another series of scathing public accusations. Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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NSW residents advised to reconsider travelling to Victoria

NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard has suggested state residents reconsider travelling to Victoria while health authorities are still investigating the source of a new coronavirus outbreak. ”It might be wise, it might be precautionary not to travel to Melbourne or Victoria but particularly Greater Melbourne until the Victorian government is able to provide greater clarity on what is happening in Victoria,” he said on Wednesday. “Obviously there will be some who’ve essential business and you’ve got to weigh up those relative matters but if you don’t really need to go to Greater Melbourne at the moment it might be an idea to leave it for a few days until we get some clarity.” Victoria recorded six new infections overnight – taking the total cluster to 15 cases. Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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Tokyo Olympics will be ‘safe and secure’

Japanese authorities have allayed fears of a potential COVID outbreak at the Tokyo Olympics, reassuring the public that the Games will be "safe and secure". Data released last week showed that 83 per cent of Japanese citizens said the Games should be postponed or scrapped with billionaire businessman Masayoshi Son the latest high-profile figure to support its cancellation. However, the Wall Street Journal’s Japan Editor Alastair Gale says the Japanese government is confident that the provisions in place for the Games will mitigate the possibility of a potential outbreak. “So far the Japanese government has been very consistent in saying the games will go ahead and they are confident it will be safe and secure,” he said. “You’re seeing opposition harden here but you’re not seeing anything from the government that indicates that they’re going to turn against the Games. “I think they’re thinking we’ve got two months to go, the coronavirus numbers here are starting to come down.
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Events held across US to mark the anniversary of George Floyd’s death

Members of George Floyd’s family are meeting with President Joe Biden to drum up support for the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act which they view as his legacy on the one-year anniversary of his death. Events being held across the country include marches, singing and poetry recitations. People have also observed nine minutes and 29 seconds of silence to mark the length of time former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on Floyd’s neck, killing him. Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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Dark Storm Clouds Roll Over West Bengal’s Halisahar Ahead of Cyclone Yaas Landfall

Dark storm clouds rolled across Halisahar, West Bengal, on Tuesday, May 25, bringing strong winds and rain ahead of Cyclone Yaas’s expected landfall. More than one million people had evacuated from India’s east coast as of the early hours of Wednesday, according to news reports. On Tuesday, two people were electrocuted and at least 80 houses were damaged in the Hooghly and North 24 Parganas districts due to extreme weather, according to The Times of India. Multiple airports were closed due to expected bad weather in the region. This video shared by Kolkata resident Niladri Talukder shows ominous clouds moving over Halisahar as the cyclone nears Paradip. The India Meteorological Department forecast the cyclone to cross between Dhamra and Balasore on Odisha’s coast around noon on Wednesday, with wind speeds of 130 to 140 kmph (approximately 81 to 87 mph). Credit: Niladri Talukder via Storyful Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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EXCLUSIVE: Christian Porter opens up about his ‘faith’ in the legal system

Christian Porter has revealed he still has faith in the legal system despite the heavy financial burden of challenging unproven historical sexual assault allegations levelled against him by the ABC’s Louise Milligan. Speaking to Sky News Australia in an exclusive television interview, Mr Porter, who is suing the ABC and Milligan over the allegations, said the saga had not eroded his trust in the legal system. “I’ve got faith in it, I always have done. I had faith in the criminal justice system, I think our civil justice system works very well but what sometimes is missing is a lack of faith in that people don’t use the system,” he said. “At the moment I’m involved in the system and I have faith in the system … it’s not a cheap system for litigants but it is the best system that we’ve got and it’s a very sound system and I think it delivers fair process for people.” Mr Porter was also asked whether he still had faith in the media. “Complaining about media when you’re in politics is like
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The Basketball Show: 2021 Season – Episode 17

This week on The Basketball Show: the Hawks and Kings look to steal a NBL Finals berth, an embarrassing Basketball Australia blunder, plus Brisbane Bullets captain Nathan Sobey opens up about his and the team's future. Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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‘The Garlic Man’ advocates for Australian grown garlic

Australian Garlic Producers Chief Executive Nick Diamantopoulos has told Sky News about the benefits of buying locally grown garlic. He said buying domestically grown garlic can help produce jobs. “Support Australian grown, buy Australian Garlic, you’re helping our children, our future, creating jobs, regional Australia, where unemployment is off the charts,” he said. There are safety benefits to buying Australian garlic as it “complies with all our stringent food safety standards, unlike some imported product potentially”. Australian Garlic Producers works with growers in four states around Australia. Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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Evacuations Ordered as Vegetation Fire Threatens Homes in Jurupa Valley

Residents in California’s Riverside County were ordered to evacuate as a vegetation fire burned in the Jurupa Valley on May 24. The fire had grown to 200 acres by around 5:30 pm, according to the Riverside County Fire Department. Credit: Stella Duran Valderas via Storyful Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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Andrews ‘fully aware and supportive’ of changes

Acting Premier James Merlino says big issues are raised with Daniel Andrews who is “very supportive”. Victoria will reimpose a mask mandate and restrictions on gatherings across Greater Melbourne from 6pm tonight after recording one new local COVID-19 infection overnight. “As I’ve said a number of times whenever there is a big issue that we need to respond to, they’re raised with the premier,” Mr Merlino said. “So he’s fully aware and supportive of the changes we are making.” Mr Andrews, who is recovering from a fall, said he expects to be back in June. Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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NBA responds to explosive LeBron storm

The NBA has released a statement after basketball superstar LeBron James was slammed over his response to questions about the coronavirus vaccine, with an outspoken commentator labelling his conduct “inexcusable”. Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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Freelancer website thrives during COVID-19

CEO of Freelancer Matt Barbie has spoken to Sky News about the advantages of his website during the COVID-19 pandemic. “You’re only limited by your imagination, it’s extremely cost effective”, he said. Mr Barbie described Freelancer as a website which allows people to start any business they can think of and offer a service to the community. “On the internet, you can access people all around the world who need jobs and are highly skilled and highly educated.” He said there is a “massive skill shortage” in Australia right now. The idea for Freelancer was birthed when Mr Barbie set out to create a website for his mother’s business. Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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Maskless Nancy Pelosi is the ‘definition of hypocrisy’

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has been blasted as a 'hypocrite' for going maskless to a White House event after she fined six House Republicans $500 each for not wearing a mask in the chamber last week. A maskless Pelosi was seen on video hugging people at a crowded White House event, despite her enforcing COVID-19 mask mandates on the house floor. A spokesperson for the house speaker said fully vaccinated guests would not be required to wear a mask at the event and non-vaccinated guests were told to wear a face covering and to social distance. Republicans however have been calling out Pelosi's "hypocrisy," arguing she's playing "childish games" when it comes to vaccinations and face coverings. "Either she doesn't understand science, she doesn't understand math, she knows something about the vaccine and she's not telling people, she doesn't trust the vaccine," Fox News commentator Lisa Kennedy said. "Or she is just so pett
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Melbourne cases ‘serve as a warning to NSW community’

NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant has pointed to the latest likely community coronavirus infections recorded in Victoria as an incentive for Australians to get vaccinated. Two likely COVID cases have emerged in Melbourne’s northern suburbs, with health authorities confirming the pair are under investigation and believed to be linked. Commenting on the cases on Monday morning, Dr Chant said “I think it provides a warning to the community”. “Again, we don’t know anything about these cases but again the risk is that there is an incursion and you can see how COVID can be transmitted in the community because for many it is a mild disease and it can go undetected. “It highlights the risk is ever present and so those people that are contemplating delaying vaccination need to consider that this risk is present, and they can’t assume that they will not be exposed to COVID in the coming months.” Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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Small investment to make you thousands

The average person’s personal finances are all over the place – go on, admit it – because it’s practically a full-time job in itself to keep up to date with it all. It doesn’t help that personal finance includes a cocktail of all the least interesting things about life and business admin: taxes, credit cards, statements, savings, bills, budgets. But if you know exactly what you need to do, you’ll be empowered to get it all under control. You’ll probably also save more, which means you can do much more with your money. Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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‘Woke madness’: California to consider mathematics as inherently racist

The California state education panel is considering whether mathematics is inherently racist and rooted in white supremacy which is just another symptom of “woke madness,” according to Sky News host Rita Panahi. The education panel is set to review framework which argues current mathematic standards which focus on the existence of one correct answer perpetuates white supremacy and further disadvantages minorities. “This equity drive in mathematics is another symptom of woke madness,” Ms Panahi said. Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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Small island nation tries to put an end to ‘China’s glorious dream’ of Pacific control

Australia should welcome and encourage Samoa’s expected new prime minister’s move to abandon the construction of a Chinese-backed port to curb “China’s glorious dream” of owning the Pacific, says Sky News host James Morrow. Samoa’s expected next prime minister, Fiame Naomi Mataʻafa, has pledged to cancel the $128 million development of a new port backed by China calling the move excessive for a small pacific nation already in deep debt to Beijing. Mr Morrow said it was great to see a ”tiny nation” like Samoa stand up for itself against encroaching Chinese soft power. “We should absolutely congratulate them because we want to see more of this because this is the only way really that China’s glorious dream of having control of all the ports and everything else around the pacific is going to be stopped,” he said. Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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‘Disaster-prone’ Chicago Mayor justifies ‘blatant anti-white racism’

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot has celebrated her two-year anniversary by “engaging in a little racism” says Sky News host Rita Panahi. Ms Lightfoot granted one-on-one interviews on the basis of skin colour alone, banning white and Asian journalists. “As a woman of colour, as a Lesbian, it’s important to me that diversity is put front and centre,” she said. Democrat colleague Tusi Gabbard was a standout exception among the silent majority who failed to condemn Ms Lightfoot’s decision. Ms Gabbard condemned the Chicago Mayor’s "blatant anti-white racism" and called on President Biden to condemn the move. However, Ms Panahi noted the majority of Republicans and Democrats failed to respond to the “diversity at all costs” approach which saw many minorities excluded. “Shame on you Lori for engaging in such ugly racism and shame on you for your litany of failures. Chicago is a crime riddled mess," she said. Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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The worrying flaw in Fever’s game

Finding answers to lacklustre opening quarters will be a focus for West Coast Fever coach Stacey Marinkovich in preparation for the clash against competition pacesetters Giants Netball in Perth on May 31. Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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Parts of media and politics ‘prefer to ignore’ violent anti-Israel clashes

Recent anti-Semitic attacks across Europe and the United States shows the “underlying ugly anti-Semitism” which parts of the media and political classes “prefer to ignore,” according to Sky News host Rita Panahi. A ceasefire between Hamas and Israel was reached on Thursday after 11 days of fighting with more than 240 deaths from both sides combined. The conflict gave rise to protests across the globe including violent clashes aimed at Jewish populations in Europe and the United States. Ms Panahi said throughout the conflict and even since the ceasefire there had been “ugly anti-Semitism” throughout cities around the world. “It really just shows that underlying, ugly anti-Semitism that exists in the community,” she said. “It’s the sort of anti-Semitism that the media and most politicians prefer to ignore. “If it was a right-wing group responsible for just one of these attacks, it would be getting saturation media coverage and there’d be all sorts of media analysis about what this means.
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Joe Biden has just given Russia a ‘massive win’

US President Joe Biden has delivered a “massive win” to the Russians after waiving sanctions on the Russian company in charge of building the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, according to Sky News host Rita Panahi. President Biden and Secretary of State Anthony Blinken have previously been ardent opponents to the building of the natural gas pipeline connecting Russian and Germany Secretary Blinken expressed his determination to block the construction of the pipeline during his Senate confirmation hearings. “I am determined to do whatever we can to prevent that completion of Nord Stream 2,” he said. President Biden this week waived sanctions on the company building the pipeline, giving way for the pipeline to go ahead. Ms Panahi said the decision was a “massive win” for the Russians and President Vladimir Putin. Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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Clarke saved Ponting from selectors’ axe

Ricky Ponting has admitted he probably played a couple of years too long as his form tailed off towards the end of his Test career, but Michael Clarke was glad to have the Aussie legend by his side for as long as he did. Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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The reality of Biden’s border crisis: Migrants captured during ride-along

Border Protection officers have captured a group of migrants during a ride-along with a sheriff’s deputy at one of the major corridors for human smuggling in the US. Sky News Washington Correspondent Annelise Nielsen visited Falfurrias, Texas, to explore the reality of President Joe Biden’s border crisis. An hour and a half north of the border between the US and Mexico, border officers spotted eight people running into a field and captured six – meaning two eluded authorities and made their way to try to sneak past the checkpoint just a few kilometres north. On cool evenings, local officers said they expect to intercept five similar groups. Brooks County Sheriff’s Deputy Sam Rosas this type of encounter was a “daily thing”. “It happens daily for everyone, border patrol, DPS, local law enforcement in the city of Falfurrias and Brooks County Sheriff’s Office,” he said. “They have a certain point, the GPS coordinates, that they have to get to in a certain amount of time, and they’ve got t
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Labor plays down the Coalition’s major win

Deputy Opposition Leader Richard Marles has played down the Coalition's major win in the Upper Hunter by-election, saying the result will not have implications federally. New South Wales Labor has not conceded defeat in the Upper Hunter yet but the National Party looks set to retain the seat. Mr Marles told Sky News linking the result to Federal Labor would be an over-reaction. The Deputy Labor Leader also denied internal splits over the new Kuri Kuri gas plant played a role in his party's defeat and said divisions over coal and gas are not a concern for Labor going forward. Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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Vic health reported wrong COVID exposure site

Victoria’s health department has admitted one of the exposure sites listed after a man tested positive to COVID-19 was wrong. Last night the state’s health department revealed it had listed Woolworth Epping as an exposure site when it should have been the Woolworths in Epping North. The exposure site is related to a man in his 30s who had undergone two weeks of hotel quarantine in South Australia before travelling back to Victoria and testing positive on May 11. The error was picked up due to wastewater testing which picked up COVID fragments in the Epping North area instead. The updated advice is for anyone who visited Woolworths Epping North between around 5:40pm and 6:40pm on May 8 to come forward for testing and isolate. Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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Curry gets the CIRCUS shot

NBA: Steph Curry has been cooking as the Golden State Warriors play for their season against the Memphis Grizzlies, and this shot is just insane. Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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Joe Biden conducts bilateral talks with South Korean president

US President Joe Biden met his South Korean counterpart at the White House for bilateral talks. Both leaders have pledged to work closely toward the de-nuclearization of the Korean peninsula as well as address the issue of COVID vaccines, trade and climate change. The South Korean President Moon Jae-in is only the second foreign leader to meet the US President in-person due to the coronavirus pandemic. Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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Tensions simmering between Israel and Gaza

The dead are being mourned on the streets of Gaza after 11 days of conflict between Israel and Hamas came to an end. Rocket and air attacks have killed more than 200 people and the majority were Palestinians. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned Hamas its military would respond with a new level of force if the ceasefire is broken. Tensions remain high despite the truce and Palestinians and Israeli police have clashed in Jerusalem. Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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Epstein’s guards lied about his death

Jeffrey Epstein’s guards who appeared to fall asleep on surveillance video while he took his life will skip prison time after they admitted to falsifying records in a plea deal with prosecutors. Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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Inquiry criticises the BBC over Princess Diana interview

Serious failings, unethical practices and woeful incompetence are all phrases to describe the BBC and reporter Martin Bashir after an independent inquiry into a world-first interview with the late Princess Diana. Her son Prince William has criticised the interview for contributing to her fear, paranoia, and isolation. A friend of Diana agreed it fed that paranoia but admitted she had wanted to do it. Simone Simmons was with her when she agreed to speak to Mr Bashir and the BBC but the interview recorded was not the one the princess agreed to. “She had wanted some form of an interview to get back at (Prince) Charles but not one that was so contrived to make her totally paranoid,” Ms Simmons said. Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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Polar Bear Chows Down on Peanut Butter at Brookfield Zoo in Illinois

GoPro footage from the Brookfield Zoo in Illinois shows a polar bear enjoying a peanut butter snack on May 17. The zoo said they put a GoPro inside a protective box “covered with one of Hope’s favorite snacks for some fun.” Five-year-old Hope arrived at Brookfield Zoo in January 2021. Credit: CZS-Brookfield Zoo via Storyful Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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Voluntary Evacuations Issued as Central Florida Wildfire Grows

Voluntary evacuations were issued as a wildfire near Fellsmere, Florida, grew from around 150 acres to 1,600 acres on Friday, May 21. No structures were damaged or destroyed as of Friday afternoon, according to the Fellsmere Police Department. Officials reopened the southbound Interstate 95 highway at 6 pm as crews continued to battle the fire line near power structures. This footage, released by Fellsmere Police Department, shows the progression of the blaze on Friday. Police said the first clip shows the fire at approximately 250 acres near the Indian River County shooting range. The second clip shows the fire nearing 450 acres, which led to the Interstate 95 highway, police said. The third clip shows the fire at approximately 850 acres when the voluntary evacuation notice was issued east of Willow Avenue, and the fourth clip shows crews holding the fire line near 105th Street, according to police. Credit: Fellsmere Police Department via Storyful Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading
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Blues won’t pay Harris

AFLW: Carlton Blues and AFLW superstar Tayla Harris will be looking for a new club after Carlton refused to meet her contract demands. Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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Apprentice groups call for greater government support

Australian Apprenticeship Employment Network CEO Gary Workman says he believes there is a wider role for government in supporting young apprenticeships entering the workforce for the first time. The Victorian government will spend nearly $41 billion over the next four years to create local jobs as the state budget looks to boost the post-pandemic recovery. “We’d like to see the government provide more support apart from just wage subsidies to try and support employers out there to take in the right young person,” Mr Workman told Sky News. “The environments are fairly complex; we’ve got expectations from a young person and its really their first entry into the world of work and you’ve got employers who have sometimes a very different set of expectations. “And they’re busy trying to get through the work they have on a day-to-day basis.” Some job sectors saw a drop off in workers over the course of the pandemic as the incoming rate of skilled migrants significantly decreased due to intern
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Premier lashed over vaccine ‘cop out’

The Queensland Premier and chief health officer have been slammed for not “leading by example” after a survey revealed more than 40 per cent of Queenslanders were “unlikely” to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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Students vent climate fury: ‘No point’

One of the organisers of the latest School Strike 4 Climate protests says kids don’t see the point in trying hard in class while the Federal Government ignores their call to move to renewable energy. Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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Pro-Israel and Pro-Palestinian Demonstrators Clash in Manhattan

Supporters of Israel and pro-Palestinian demonstrators clashed in midtown Manhattan on May 20, just as a cease-fire was set to take effect in Gaza following eleven days of bloody conflict. This footage, taken on 47th Street in Manhattan’s “Diamond District”, home to many Jewish-owned business, shows large crowds gathered and a heavy police presence. According to reports, fireworks were set off in the area. In a Tweet, the NYPD instructed people to avoid "the area of 6th Avenue and 47th Street in Manhattan, " due to protests in the area. Elsewhere in Manhattan, duelling supporters clashed in Times Square. Credit: @DiggsandCo via Storyful Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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BBC committed ‘fraud’ against Princess Diana

Former BBC reporter Martin Bashir "deceived and induced" Princess Diana's brother to secure a bombshell Panorama interview with her, a report has found. By producing fake bank statements, Mr Bashir made a "serious breach" of BBC guidelines on straight-dealing when he secured the 1995 interview. Mr Bashir has apologised in response to the report's findings and said the faking of bank statements was a "stupid thing to do" and "an action I deeply regret". However, he added he felt it had "no bearing whatsoever on the personal choice by Princess Diana to take part in the interview". BBC director-general Tim Davie has made a "full and unconditional" apology after the findings in Lord Dyson's report were released. The corporation has written apologies to Diana's sons Prince William and Prince Harry, as well as Prince Charles and Earl Spencer. Prince William slammed the BBC, saying the 1995 interview that featured his
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Israel-Hamas ceasefire will last if ‘Hamas stops firing rockets’

The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is now taking effect after an 11-day bombardment and for it to hold “Hamas needs to stop firing rockets”, according to Israel Foreign Affairs Ministry’s Michael Freeman. “It’s an unconditional ceasefire, our terms are very clear, Hamas needs to stop firing rockets and it should be clear to everybody that we’ve stopped this round now, that we had some very clear aims, military aims, that we wanted to achieve and we believe that we’ve achieved those aims,” he told Sky News. “This is unconditional but at the same time if the Hamas fire on us again it should be very, very clear that we will react, that we will not allow any rocket fire whatsoever into Egypt.” Mr Freeman said the ceasefire was “brokered by Egypt” as it has good relations with both Israel and Palestine. “The last thing we want is for rockets to be falling on our communities so we are committed to this and as long as Hamas respect the ceasefire and don’t fire on us, it will hold.” Via ne
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Australia will not be vaccinated until November 2022 ‘at the current rate’

The Grattan Institute's Stephen Duckett says the nation will not be vaccinated until the end of 2022 if the rollout continues “at the current rate”. “That’s way beyond even the budget projection,” he said. “This is just not on, we should actually be trying to change that, so we get more done. “The vaccines are there now, it’s not like it was a month ago”. The Sydney Morning Herald reported AstraZeneca doses were going unused on a mass scale in New South Wales, pointing to one facility which had 3,000 doses sitting in its government fridge but was struggling to do 50 appointments a day. Mr Duckett told Sky News the government should “get the best minds into running a really great campaign to get those vaccinated numbers up” since there is “plenty of AstraZeneca just stored there waiting to be used”. Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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Queensland government launches Work in Paradise campaign

The Queensland government has launched a multimillion-dollar campaign to lure people into the tourism industry and Australians will be offered free flights and cash bonuses under the new Work In Paradise scheme. The offer moves people to regional Queensland and gives them up to $1500 and the campaign is worth $7.5 million. It is hoped it will fill around 4,000 jobs and is only valid from Mackay to Toowoomba including Cairns, the Whitsundays, and Longreach. Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au
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