SYDNEY — A support package to help keep struggling southeastern Australia’s New South Wales businesses afloat during Sydney’s worsening coronavirus outbreak is set to be unveiled. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the federal and New South Wales governments have been finalizing the details of cash flow support for businesses. Social services and union groups have called on more support for native citizens in Sydney and others in lockdown. The Australian Council of Social Service, an organization that advocates for action to reduce poverty and inequality, wants a top-up and an expansion of the federal disaster payment scheme. People can claim up to AU$500 ($373) a week…
Author: zenger.news
SYDNEY — Three Australian newspapers — that were sued by former special forces soldier Ben Roberts-Smith over allegations he was involved in war crimes, murders, and bullying in Afghanistan — want to resume hearing on July 26 to take evidence from Afghan villagers via audio-visual link from Kabul. The 10-week Federal Court hearing was adjourned during its fourth week on June 29 amid a worsening Covid-19 outbreak in the New South Wales capital. Barrister Bruce McClintock SC, representing the war veteran, said at least 20 people would have to be in the courtroom in Sydney if the defamation trial is to…
GOLD COAST, Australia — The mayor of Gold Coast (south of Brisbane) Tom Tait has urged the premiers of the states of Queensland and New South Wales—just south of the Gold Coast periphery—to make sure the border closure doesn’t impact locals too harshly. As the Covid-19 outbreak in Greater Sydney intensifies, there’s growing concern that the Queensland government will close its New South Wales border Victoria, South Australia, and Western Australia have already closed their borders to New South Wales, but the Sunshine State of the Southern Hemisphere is only restricting entry for travelers from Greater Sydney. With National Rugby League…
SYDNEY — Southeastern Australia’s New South Wales retailers and social services bodies have welcomed financial support measures and eviction moratoriums as Sydney gear up for an expected extension of its coronavirus lockdown. The state government expanded its business grants and either cut or deferred payroll taxes for most companies, while workers who have lost eight or more hours a week as a result of the lockdown will be able to apply for up to AU$600 ($447.9) per week in federal support. New South Wales recorded 89 new local coronavirus cases on July 13, following 112 new local infections on the previous…
SYDNEY — John Ghanem was about to celebrate his fifth birthday on July 13. However, it marked the second day of the inquest for the newborn, who died due to a catastrophic mix-up in southeastern Australia’s Sydney hospital. He died less than an hour after delivery when he was ventilated with nitrous oxide from a hospital gas outlet marked “oxygen.” “Already in a difficult week for John’s family, this will be an even more difficult day for that reason,” said Donna Ward, counsel assisting the inquest. The court heard that John’s distraught parents were too affected by the first day of the inquest,…
SYDNEY — Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced federal support for states enduring long lockdowns, saying it is in the national interest to be more generous. The Sydney lockdown is expected to be extended into its fourth week on July 16 as cases head towards 800 since mid-June, including two deaths. The support package “will go for as long as the lockdown requires”, the prime minister said on July 13. “It is in the national interest that we ensure that a lockdown will be effective.” A cash flow boost to businesses about to enter their fourth week of lockdown will…
CANBERRA, Australia — Western Australia’s corruption watchdog has been ordered to return documents seized during an investigation into the misuse of parliamentary entitlements. A Supreme Court judge has delivered his judgment after hearing proceedings between the Corruption and Crime Commission and former Legislative Council president Kate Doust. The latest development in a feud between Doust and senior members of the McGowan government opposed their Labor colleague over the Corruption and Crime Commission dispute. The Corruption and Crime Commission in 2019 seized a parliamentary laptop and two hard drives belonging to disgraced former Liberal Member of Parliament, Phil Edman. They were subsequently obtained by the powerful procedures and…
SYDNEY — The federal government has accused the south-eastern Australian state, Victoria, of “whinging” and politicizing the coronavirus pandemic after the state’s premier raising questions about its response to the crisis in New South Wales. New South Wales is in the midst of an outbreak in Greater Sydney and surrounding regions that have already claimed the lives of two people and infected almost 680 people. Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced he revamped federal support for states enduring long lockdowns in the wake of the Sydney crisis, saying it is in the national interest to be more generous. “While New South Wales deserved every support possible,…
NEW DELHI — As Hollywood fans devour the devilish Cruella de Vil in a live-action avatar in Emma Stone-starrer “Cruella”, in India, animation studios are drawing inspiration from popular live-action Bollywood franchises and characters to cater to a growing audience. “Dabangg – The Animated Series”, an adaptation and re-imagination of the Salman Khan-starrer, three-film franchise “Dabangg” that grossed over INR 650 crore ($87.3 million) worldwide, is the latest entrant in the space that has witnessed a surge over the past five years. “Animation has opened up yet another dimension for this character,” said Khan. “I hope that all children, along with their families,…
As U.S. gasoline prices continue rising, consumer demand appears to finally be letting up and prices could eventually fall below $3 per gallon by the autumn, analysts told Zenger. Travel club AAA reported a national average retail price of $3.15 for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline on Tuesday, slightly higher than last week. Much of the price has been supported by pent-up demand, the reopening of the U.S. economy and higher commodity prices. Gas prices at multi-year highs did little to dent consumer demand, particular during the long July 4 holiday weekend. Federal data on implied demand for gasoline…