The Lowy Institute, an Australian think tank, released its 2020 “Asia Power Index” on Sunday, which shows that the United States is still the most influential country in Asia. However, in the face of China’s rise and improper handling of the COVID-19 epidemic, America’s global prestige has been declining.
Tag: Australia
China’s Coal Ban May Cost Australia $15 Billion a Year
China’s coal ban may cost Australia US$15 billion a year.” As many foreign media hyped the news that “China suspends coal imports from Australia”, “Australia News Network” 18th issue published an article by Tariq Brook, a well-known Australian journalist. According to the article, if China announces the ban, it will mark the “biggest escalation” in the China-Australian trade conflict.
China to Stop Buying Australian Cotton
Following reports that China has suspended imports of Australian coal a few days ago, there is now news that China requires cotton mills to stop buying Australian cotton. Reuters reported that this is the latest manifestation of the deterioration of relations between the two countries.
MH17 — Tensions Increasing Between Russia and the Netherlands
Russia’s Ambassador to the Netherlands, Alexander Shulgin, was summoned to the Dutch Foreign Ministry after Russia decided not to participate in trilateral consultations on the crash of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 (MH17) in 2014. That’s according to a message from the Kingdom’s Foreign Minister, Stef Blok, to the Dutch Parliament.
Cheng Lei, Australian-Chinese Anchor, Detained in Beijing
The Australian government has confirmed that Cheng Lei, a presenter for China’s state-run CGTN television network, and an Australian citizen, has been detained by China for two weeks. At present, the reason for her arrest is still unknown. Since the beginning of this year, several Australian citizens have been arrested and sentenced heavily in China.
Victoria Unveils New Childcare Changes
As part of a series of tightening measures, the Victorian government will help reduce the number of children participating in child care services. The federal government will also provide additional funding to child care services, the federal government announced on Thursday.
Coronavirus — Victoria Declares Disaster as Cases Soar
The Australian state of Victoria declared a state of disaster on August 2, due to the rapid spread of the coronavirus pandemic, and announced the most drastic movement-limiting decisions taken since the beginning of the health emergency. A whopping 671 new infections and seven deaths were recorded in the last 24 hours.
Australian Bill Would Force Tech to Pay for News
The Australian Government has proposed a bill which would require Facebook and Google to pay for news. Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said the code would “create a level playing field” between the two.” Many news outlets have been shut down this year due to declining revenues.
Three Billion Animals Killed in Australian Wildfires
Scientists say that about three billion animals either died or had to flee due to the massive fires in the forests of Australia. The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) set up a commission on this, which found in its report that “the fire in Australia’s wilderness last year was the most dangerous tragedy in modern history for wildlife.”
ScoMo Announces Help for Hong Kongers
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Thursday announced that the government will provide temporary visas for Hong Kong students in Australia and help them become permanent residents of the country. There are currently about 10,000 Hong Kongers staying in Australia on a temporary or student visa.
Coronavirus — Australia’s Two Largest States Close Borders
Australia’s most populated states of Victoria and New South Wales are set to close their common border as of today at midnight following a spike in COVID-19 cases, government officials announced. This is following the registration by Victoria of 127 new infections in the last 24 hours.
Australia to Provide Safe Haven to Hongkongers
After the United Kingdom said it would provide citizenship for Hong Kong citizens holding a British National Overseas (BNO) Passport, the Australian government also sent a signal that it intends to provide visa convenience to Hongkongers who are worried about their own safety.
Australian Politician’s Office Raided “Amid China Probe”
Jodi McKay, leader of the New South Wales Labor Party, said on Friday that media reports that raids on the home and office of fellow NSW politician Shaoquett Moselmane involved possible allegations of Chinese government interference were “dreadfully concerning.” His Sydney residence was searched and a warrant was also issued for his parliamentary office.
George Floyd — Protests Go International, Brother Pleads for Peace
Protests against the death of George Floyd have received international support, with many countries joining in as demonstrations continue across US cities. In London and Berlin, thousands protested outside the US embassies. The demonstrations began with the protestors taking a knee for nine minutes.
Australian Journalists Assaulted by US Police Covering Floyd Protests
Australia will investigate the attack by US police on two Australian journalists that were covering protests in the United States against the brutal murder of George Floyd, an African-American. The Australian Foreign Affairs Minister, Marise Payne, made the announcement today, stating that the incident was a serious one and it raises serious concern.
Hong Kong — West Condemns China’s National Security Law
China’s authoritative decision to impose a national security law on Hong Kong continues to receive international condemnation, fueled by stern warnings of dire consequences from Western countries. The United Kingdom, United States, Canada, and Australia accused Beijing of violating its international obligations towards Hong Kong.
China Facing Growing Global Criticism over Coronavirus
More world leaders are blaming China for its lackluster handling of the coronavirus crisis, which has led to over 3.5 million infections worldwide. It has been criticized for not being forthright with international health agencies, such as the World Health Organization, and the international community, especially during the early stages.
Coronavirus: Australia Launches “COVIDSafe” App to Trace Contacts
The Australian government released the new coronavirus tracing application, “COVIDSafe.” Within a few hours of its release, over 1 million people have downloaded it. COVIDSafe uses Bluetooth to encrypt and record a “digital handshake” when users approach each other within 1.5 meters.
Australian Drug Driver Filmed and Abused Dying Police Officers
A court in Australia has heard that a Porsche driver, who has a criminal record, had abused one of the policemen killed by a truck on Wednesday as they carried out their duties. The driver, Richard Pusey, had been stopped by police officers for over speeding. The Melbourne court was told that leading senior constable, Lynette Taylor, was heard calling for help when the accused driver went to where the police officer lay and started filming.
What Are Some Penalties in Australia If You Are Charged for Reckless Driving?
The instances where a human has suffered a grievous injury or even death have been present in the Australian road accident scenario. According to the available statistics, there were 1146 road deaths in Australia in 2018. The year before saw the death rate of 4.98 per 100000 individuals in the Australian road and traffic setting. The prosecution of these cases is usually representative of the government. However, you can always call upon a reckless driving lawyer to present your case and defend your position in court.
The Benefits of Professional Year Program in Adelaide
Australia, for the past few years is facing a dearth of skilled workers in various parts of the nation. But, this shortage of skilled workers has to be compensated, or else a country like Australia has to face its dire consequences. Keeping that factor in mind Australia has framed the Professional Year Program (PYP) for its international students. The total duration of this course is 44 weeks divided into two separate segments i.e. 32 weeks for the course training and 12 weeks for internship respectively.
Coronavirus: India Under Lockdown, Spain Calls in NATO
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced a nationwide lockdown to prevent the spread of coronavirus, which will begin Wednesday. The lockdown, which began at midnight local time, will run for 20 days. In a televised address, Mr. Modi said “there will be a complete ban on travel outside the home.” Soon after the announcement, the country started buying necessities.
Coronavirus: Canada, Australia Pull Out of Tokyo Olympics
Due to the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus pandemic, Canada and Australia have refused to participate in the Tokyo Olympics this summer. On Monday, the National Olympic Committee of Canada announced that it would not send athletes to the Games in 2020 due to the risk of contracting viral pneumonia COVID-19.
Coronavirus: Infections Slow in South Korea, Australia Tightens Controls
In South Korea, the number of new coronaviruses infected is gradually declining. On Sunday, March 15, authorities reported 76 new cases. Such a low rate of new infections was last observed in South Korea more than three weeks ago. Thus, the number of cases in this country reached 8,162, and 75 people have died from the effects of the infection.
US Proposes Blue Dots Agreement to Counter One Belt One Road Initiative in Asia
This week there was a discussion in Russia about the possible countermeasures the US is planning against China’s One Belt One Road Initiative. Interestingly, due to the coronavirus and China, the stock markets are experiencing a turmoil.
The reason for the discussions is to develop additional strategies between Russia and China pertaining to the One Belt, One Road initiative, despite the virus outbreak. US Secretary Mike Pompeo also announced that US President Donald Trump has invited Southeast Asian leaders for a meeting in Las Vegas next month. The summit is supposed to take place March 12, 2020.
Australian Bushfires Brought Under Control by Rain
The New South Wales Rural Fire Service has announced it was able to control all forest fires in the state with the help of rainy days. Meanwhile, the Bureau of Meteorology issued a strong warning Monday to the entire coastal area of New South Wales. In parts of the state, the danger of flooding was life-threatening. Some of the suburbs of Sydney, the state capital, had to be evacuated.
Australians Protest, Call for PM’s Resignation, Over Bushfires
Angered by the massive bushfires ravaging Australia, thousands of Australians took to the streets in the country’s major cities on Friday to call for the resignation of Australia’s conservative Prime Minister, Scott Morrison. They accuse him of being slow to respond to the current environmental crisis.
Australian Bushfires Death Toll Rises to 23
Australia’s death toll from fires has risen to 23, with more than 1,500 homes destroyed, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Saturday. “We are facing another extremely difficult next 24 hours,” Morrison said at a televised news conference. “In recent times, particularly over the course of the balance of this week, we have seen this disaster escalate to an entirely new level.”
Australian Fires Kill Two, Thousands Seek Refuge on the Beach
At least two people have died, five are missing, and thousands have opted for refuge on beaches due to wildfires that are devastating southeastern Australia, officials said on Tuesday. Several dozen new fire outbreaks erupted on Tuesday.
“Following the tragic death last night of a volunteer firefighter, police confirmed two deaths in Cobargo. A third person is missing,” Gladys Berijiklian, the state’s head of government, told a news conference.
Sydney Faces “Catastrophic” Threat as Fires Rage
Australian оffісіаlѕ have wаrnеd оf thе роtеntіаl “catastrophic” thrеаt роѕеd bу natural fіrеѕ in the ѕuburbѕ of Sуdnеу, thе соuntrу’ѕ lаrgеѕt city. Vulnеrаblе residents wеrе wаrnеd to leave thе аrеа аnd ѕееk rеfugе in ѕhорріng malls. At lеаѕt thrее people have dіеd іn Auѕtrаlіа’ѕ wildfires in recent days аnd thоuѕаndѕ have flеd their hоmеѕ. On Sundау, mоrе thаn fіvе nаturаl fіrеѕ continued іn thе two states оf Nеw Sоuth Wales and Quееnѕlаnd.
Weatherboard Housing Style: Tips and Materials
Weatherboard is a conventional archetypal housing design in Australia. The design features a lightweight lap siding and bevel siding made of timber, acrylic, fibre- cement and vinyl. The clapboards are locally available, and they shield the house from external factors such as heat and noise. Besides insulating, weatherboards are used to give your home a glamorous look.
Uluru Mountain Closed to Climbers After Final Friday Ascents
In Australia, Friday was the lаѕt day for tourists to climb Uluru mountain. Clіmbіng the mountain іѕ now рrоhіbіtеd іn оrdеr to hоnоr thе wіll of thе nаtіvеѕ of thе аrеа. This huge rосk, also knоwn as Aуеrѕ Rock, wіll bе реrmаnеntlу off limits begining Sаturdау. Uluru Mountain is a rеd sandstone rосk lосаtеd іn thе Nоrthеrn Territory іn сеntrаl Auѕtrаlіа. Uluru іѕ four mеtеrѕ hіgh аnd is knоwn іntеrnаtіоnаllу fоr іtѕ rеd color. Thе Uluru Rосk Mountains аrе ѕасrеd tо the Ananguѕ, natives оf thе аrеа. They hаvе long bееn саllіng fоr tоurіѕtѕ to ѕtор сlіmbіng thе rock.
What to Consider When Moving Interstate in Australia
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, during 2017-2018, almost 393,000 people moved interstate, up by 4.3% from the previous year. Further, about 43% of Australians moved their home in the past 5 years. So, moving interstate is a likely decision for most of Australia’s population. Nonetheless, whether you’re moving for lifestyle or work, just like the states vary, so do the challenges you’ll face when moving. Either way, here’s a list of the top 5 tips to guarantee a seamless relocation experience whenever you decide to change the scenery in Australia.
Jolie King & Mark Firkin, Australian “Spies,” Released by Iran
An Australian couple that was detained in Iran has been released, albeit as a result of “very difficult negotiations” with Tehran, Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne said on Saturday. Jolie King and Mark Firkin, from the city of Perth on the west coast of Australia, have subsequently been sent back to their homeland.
Australia Confirms Citizens Detained in Iran for Unknown Reasons
Australia confirmed on Wednesday that three of its citizens are being held in Iran. Two women with dual Australian-British citizenship and the Australian boyfriend of one of them are being held for unknown reasons. The Australian government confirms that it is taking steps to pursue the case.
Cardinal Pell’s Sexual Abuse Petition Rejected, Sentenced to Six Years
Australian Cardinal George Pell would be compelled to serve his full six-year prison sentence, after a court rejected the appeal to his conviction for sexually abusing minors on Wednesday.
Australia Joins the US Coalition Plan in Persian Gulf
Australia has said it is ready to join the US-led coalition to protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. On Wednesday, August 21, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said his country plans to join the US-led international coalition in the Persian Gulf and protect oil tankers and merchant ships “against threats posed by Iran.”
Chinese and Hong Kong Protests Hit the University of Queensland in Australia
On Wednesday, hundreds of Chinese students at the University of Queensland in Australia got physical during a rally in support of Hong Kong. Pro-China and pro-Hong Kong Chinese students clashed verbally with sporadic physical violence. Students at the school believe that this conflict may lead to more confrontation between the two sides.
Frisco Search Warrant Quashed, Aussie Police Wanted Prints in Pair of Press Raids
On Thursday, a judge voided a search warrant used by the San Francisco Police Department to monitor a journalist’s phone. The warrant was then used to gather information in advance of a controversial raid on the apartment and news operation of Bryan Carmody, who published a leaked police report and refused to divulge its source. Meanwhile, more details are emerging down under on a similar raid on Australia’s public broadcaster. In a troubling time worldwide for press freedoms, this week provided much-needed good news, and a dose of disinfecting daylight.
Mexico Wants to Appease Trump and Send National Guard to Southern Border
Negotiations take days in Washington- but still breakthrough is missing. If nothing happens, US tariffs will apply to all imports from Mexico on Monday. The Mexican government is now making concessions.
To appease US President Donald Trump in the migration dispute, Mexico wants to deploy 6,000 National Guardsmen on its Southern border. Mexican Foreign Minister, Marcelo Ebrard said this on Thursday in talks with US officials in Washington. This is to prevent the entry of Central American migrants on their way to the USA. The Mexican government wants to prevent with a set of concessions that Trump raises from Monday to punitive tariffs on Mexican imports.
Police Raids on Media Continue Alarming Trend
If there’s one thing we learned as children, it’s that terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad days can happen anywhere, even in Australia. Evidently, so can attacks on press freedom. Two police raids in two days on the nation’s public broadcaster, ABC, shocked those in and out of the country. For journalists and those concerned with protecting the freedom of the press, the raids are part of an alarming trend across ostensible western democracies.
Is Polling Broken? Australian Miss Continues Losing Streak
At around 9:30 p.m. Saturday night on Australia’s east coast, Antony Green, chief elections analyst at the ABC, made his announcement to a half-stunned, half-delirious nation. “At this stage, we think the Morrison Government has been reelected.” Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s conservative Coalition, widely expected to lose to Bill Shorten’s Labor Party after six turbulent years (and three Prime Ministers), instead won a majority government in the House of Representatives. For Labor, it was a crushing and baffling defeat in an election many thought un-losable. For the polling industry, however, the Coalition’s triumph was catastrophic, the latest high-profile miss over an abysmal and embarrassing three-year span.
As the Prime Ministership Turns: Australians Vote Saturday for Even More Change
Australians will be voting for a new Parliament, and possibly, their fourth Prime Minister in six years this weekend. Liberal incumbent Scott Morrison and Labor leader Bill Shorten have been neck and neck throughout the campaign. However, Aussies don’t seem to like either one of them, with up to a quarter unable to state a preference in the polls. Yet, voting is compulsory Down Under, so they’ll have to vote for one of them.
Australians go to the polls much more often than in other Westminster democracies, at every three years. Still, the frequent changes in party and national leadership have made the country something of an international joke.
International Roundup: Runoffs, Recordings, Reshuffles, and Rolling Blackouts
- In European elections, liberal Zuzana Caputova defeated Socialist Maros Sefcovic in the second round, to become SLOVAKIA’s first woman President. The election took place in the shadow of the murder of an investigative journalist last year. Meanwhile, in UKRAINE, incumbent President Petro Poroshenko trails Volodymyr Zelenskiy, a comedian who portrays Poroshenko on television.
International Roundup: Climate, Coalitions, Comrades and Cease-Fire
- POLAND: Delegates from 196 countries concluded talks at the 24th Conference of the Parties (COP24), Saturday in Katowice, Poland. The agreement will make the Paris climate pact operational by 2020, and aim to limit temperature rises to below 2C.
- YEMEN: After weeklong peace talks in Sweden, the Yemeni government and Houthi rebels agreed to a cease-fire in the port city of Hodeidah, held by the rebels. It is a positive end to the first face-to-face negotiations since the conflict began in 2015.
- AUSTRALIA: Opposition Leader Bill Shorten’s speech to the triennial Labor Party conference was interrupted by protestors upset over the party’s environmental and migrant policies. Shorten is heavily favored to win next year’s federal election and end six years of conservative Coalition rule.
- DR CONGO: Ten days before long-awaited elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a fire destroyed more than two-thirds of the electronic voting machines intended for use in the capital, Kinshasa, on Thursday. These elections have been delayed more than two years, after President Joseph Kabila refused to leave office.
- CUBA: Leaders of Latin American leftist governments gathered in Havana Friday at the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America (ALBA) summit. Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel warned against “right-wing advances” in the region, and expressed solidarity with Venezuela and Nicaragua, both in the midst of political and economic crises.
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