PERTH, Australia — Conservationists are urging the West Australian government not to undermine environmental protections in its mission to slash red tape. An additional 150 staff will be hired across five Western Australia government agencies to speed up project approvals as part of an AU$120 million ($88.6 million) plan announced on July 21. They include the Department of Planning, Lands, and Heritage, which oversees applications by resources companies to disturb culturally significant Aboriginal heritage sites. Extra resources have also been allocated to departments of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety; Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions; Water and Environmental Regulation; and Jobs, Tourism, Science, and Innovation. Premier Mark…
Author: zenger.news
MELBOURNE, Australia — More women are putting off having children because of job and financial stress driven by the Covid-19 pandemic, an Australian Institute of Family Studies survey has found. The report published on July 22 says nearly one in five women under the age of 40 had changed their plans about parenting. Lead researcher Lixia Qu said this bucked predictions of a lockdown baby boom at the start of the pandemic, outside of reports by a handful of Victorian hospitals. “The pandemic is likely to achieve the opposite impact,” Qu said. This was driven largely by increased worry about job…
BRISBANE, Australia — Prime Minister Scott Morrison is urging Queenslanders, particularly older people, not to wait for another potential Covid-19 outbreak before getting their vaccine. Queensland declared parts of the regional southeastern state, New South, Wales hotspots on July 22, including Orange, Blayney, and Cabonne, as the government acted to stop the spread of the Delta variant into the state. The prime minister stressed the importance of older people in Queensland getting their vaccine and, if hesitant, to contact their general practitioners and follow health directives. “I’d be saying to everyone in Queensland, don’t wait for what’s happening in another state…
CANBERRA, Australia — Scott Morrison has appealed for Australia’s expert immunization panel to change its AstraZeneca vaccine age recommendation. But the prime minister insists he is following senior scientists’ advice despite lobbying for changes from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation. The advisory group recommends the jab should be administered to people over 60 because of a link to extremely rare but serious blood clots. The prime minister blamed the recommendation for causing a “big problem” that further slowed down his government’s bungled vaccine rollout. He has now revealed making a “constant appeal” to the Australian Technical Advisory Group on…
NEW DELHI — Bollywood actor Sonu Sood on July 21, 2021, penned an emotional tribute on the birth anniversary of his late mother. The “Dabangg” actor shared a series of monochrome throwback pictures on his Instagram handle that appear to be the pictures from his mother’s wedding day as she is seen clad in bridal attire. He also shared a heartfelt note on how much he missed her. “Happy birthday Maa. I wish I could wish you personally every year with a hug & thank you for the lessons of life that you have taught me. I promise to give my best always…
MUMBAI, India — Ever since the first look of Amitabh Bachchan was released from the upcoming film “Chehre,” viewers have been raving about it. The anticipation for the film has been building up, and when the teaser and the film’s trailer were shared a few months back, everyone’s curiosity was piqued further. As the restrictions on shooting have been lifted again, the team of “Chehre” is getting back on the sets to make sure that the audience gets their dose of entertainment with this film very soon. The makers of the mystery thriller film, which is directed by Rumi Jaffery and stars Emraan Hashmi along with…
NEW DELHI — Bollywood actor Randeep Hooda, on July 20, penned a heartfelt note to extend birthday wishes to Naseeruddin Shah, who he says has inspired several generations of actors to dream big. Taking to his Instagram handle, Hooda shared a still from his movie “John Day” featuring himself with Shah and said that he still aspires to that pat on his back. “I don’t know where I would have been in my journey had I not met you @naseeruddin49 bhai… (sic),” he wrote. “I still aspire for that rare pat on the back 20 years hence… of all one feels, the feeling of…
MUMBAI, India — Alia Bhatt, who plays the character “Sita” in the upcoming period action drama film, “RRR,” was back to the movie set on July 21, 2021. In an Instagram ‘story,’ the actor shared two videos of herself. In the first ‘boomerang clip,’ Bhatt could be seen sitting in a car while going to the shoot location of her first Telugu action drama movie. “And finally… Team RRR, here I come!!! @rrrmovie,” Bhatt said in her Instagram story. Bhatt wore a casual look to the shoot. She donned a green cargo jacket with a black T-shirt. To complement her look,…
WASHINGTON — Several common chemicals, including pesticides, ingredients in consumer products, food additives, and drinking water contaminants, could increase the risk of breast cancer, a new study reveals. These chemicals cause cells in breast tissue to produce more of the hormones estrogen or progesterone. The findings of the study appeared in the journal ‘Environmental Health Perspectives.’ Every day, people are exposed to a variety of synthetic chemicals through the products they use or the food they eat. For many of these chemicals, the health effects are unknown. However, this study has found the adverse effects of these chemicals and how they may increase the risk…
MECCA, Saudi Arabia — Dozens of female soldiers have become a part of the security services in a significant stride towards women empowerment that monitors pilgrims in Mecca and Medina, the birthplaces of Islam. For the first time, Saudi female soldiers are standing guard in Mecca (Makkah) as thousands of Muslim pilgrims take part in this year’s Hajj. Women dressed in military khaki uniforms were seen monitoring the security situation in the Grand Mosque in Mecca. Along with khaki, they were sporting a hip-length jacket, loose trousers, and a black beret over a veil covering their hair. People across Twitter hailed the feat. Scores of users…