Updated every two hours - showing: 1477 stories from 41 sources!
Latest News
Taskforce to examine RAT price-gouging
Federal police have launched an investigation into the price-gouging of rapid antigen tests. A specialist taskforce has been set up by the AFP, after investigations began in NSW and Queensland following referrals from the consumer watchdog. Retailers caught price-gouging on the tests have been warned they will face five years
Defence in focus for Australia-Britain talks
Australia and Britain’s defence and foreign affairs ministers will meet in Sydney for AUKMIN talks aimed at finding better ways to cooperate. Friday’s session is the first 2+2 ministerial discussion in the country since the start of the pandemic. Foreign Minister Marise Payne and Defence Minister Peter Dutton both met
Teen completes bid to fly around the world
A British-Belgian teenager has become the youngest woman to fly solo around the globe and the first person to do it in a microlight plane after a five-month, five-continent odyssey in her Shark ultralight. Nineteen-year-old Zara Rutherford landed back at Kortrijk-Wevelgem Airport in Belgium after flying 51,000 kilometres over 52
Boris Johnson’s govt accused of ‘blackmail’
A senior Conservative MP has accused the British government of intimidating and attempting to “blackmail” politicians they suspect of wanting to force Prime Minister Boris Johnson out of power. Mr Johnson faces growing calls to step down over a series of scandals, including admitting he had attended a party at
Report: Retired Pope Benedict failed to act on sexual abuse claims while Archbishop
A report prompted by sexual abuse allegations in the German Catholic Church accuses Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI of misconduct on four counts during his time as archbishop of Munich and Freising between 1977 and 1982. Benedict — known then as Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger — has denied any wrongdoing. Munich law
'I don't fall into male or female': AFLW player Tori Groves-Little on coming out as non-binary
Ahead of the AFLW’s annual pride round, two players — Carlton’s Darcy Vescio and Gold Coast Sun Tori Groves-Little — announce they identify as non-binary.
Taskforce to examine RAT price-gouging
Federal police have launched an investigation into the price-gouging of rapid antigen tests. A specialist taskforce has been set up by the AFP, after investigations began in NSW and Queensland following referrals from the consumer watchdog. Retailers caught price-gouging on the tests have been warned they will face five years
Defence in focus for Australia-Britain talks
Australia and Britain’s defence and foreign affairs ministers will meet in Sydney for AUKMIN talks aimed at finding better ways to cooperate. Friday’s session is the first 2+2 ministerial discussion in the country since the start of the pandemic. Foreign Minister Marise Payne and Defence Minister Peter Dutton both met
Teen completes bid to fly around the world
A British-Belgian teenager has become the youngest woman to fly solo around the globe and the first person to do it in a microlight plane after a five-month, five-continent odyssey in her Shark ultralight. Nineteen-year-old Zara Rutherford landed back at Kortrijk-Wevelgem Airport in Belgium after flying 51,000 kilometres over 52
Boris Johnson’s govt accused of ‘blackmail’
A senior Conservative MP has accused the British government of intimidating and attempting to “blackmail” politicians they suspect of wanting to force Prime Minister Boris Johnson out of power. Mr Johnson faces growing calls to step down over a series of scandals, including admitting he had attended a party at
Report: Retired Pope Benedict failed to act on sexual abuse claims while Archbishop
A report prompted by sexual abuse allegations in the German Catholic Church accuses Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI of misconduct on four counts during his time as archbishop of Munich and Freising between 1977 and 1982. Benedict — known then as Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger — has denied any wrongdoing. Munich law
'I don't fall into male or female': AFLW player Tori Groves-Little on coming out as non-binary
Ahead of the AFLW’s annual pride round, two players — Carlton’s Darcy Vescio and Gold Coast Sun Tori Groves-Little — announce they identify as non-binary.
What Ivanka knew? Trump’s daughter asked to co-operate with Capitol Hill riot investigation
Donald Trump’s daughter has been formally asked to co-operate with an investigation onto the deadly Capitol Hill riots and will be questioned in particular about a key phone call she overhead while in the inner circle. The US House of Representatives’ panel investigating the January 6, 2021 attack has formally
Remarkable tale of ‘Aquaman’s’ survival as first foreign aid arrives in Tonga
A Tongan man who says he was in the water for around 27 hours after being swept out to sea during Saturday’s devastating tsunami has been hailed a ‘real life Aquaman’. The eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano on Saturday killed at least three people, sent tsunami waves rolling
Updated every two hours - showing: 1477 stories from 41 sources!
Today’s Commentary from Independent Media
Scott Morrison: The Prime Minister of mad ideas
From kids driving forklifts to crippling foreign relations, Scott Morrison has made some truly questionable decisions of late. read now…
My WA or the highway
Good morning, early birds. Western Australia will no longer be opening its borders on February 5, and Google says they’re trying to stop Clive Palmer’s United Australia Party from posting
We are all angry about Charlise’s death, but where is the action?
To say I was angry when I woke to the news of Charlise Mutten’s horrific and avoidable death is an understatement. But only 24 hours after we heard of Charlise’s passing, news breaks of the body of a three month old baby found in a freezer in
Australia set to wind back critical discrimination protections for women before next CEDAW report
In 2023, the Australian government is due to report to the Committee on the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) about how we’re going at ending discrimination against women and girls in Australia. Australia’s last appearance before the Committee was a bit torrid by
The Spectator Australia
The Spectator Australia https://www.spectator.com.au The oldest continuously published magazine in the English language. Thu, 20 Jan 2022 12:34:01 +1100 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.3 Cover 22 January 2022 AU https://www.spectator.com.au/2022/01/cover-22-january-2022-au/ https://www.spectator.com.au/2022/01/cover-22-january-2022-au/#respond Wed, 19 Jan 2022 17:00:00 +0000 https://www.spectator.com.au/?p=10709407 What to read next: Bridge | The Battle for Britain | Hating
Grattan on Friday: Scott Morrison’s ministerial team looks far from match-fit
It sounded a touch desperate – Prime Minister Scott Morrison imploring backpackers to “come on down” to Australia, as the Omicron crisis escalated. “Enjoy a holiday here”, said the one-time managing director of Tourism Australia, and “at the same time join our workforce and help us”. The backpacker flow
Liberty Sinks Slowly in the West
The State of Western Australia has just introduced one the most draconian proof-of-vaccination requirements in the entire world. The state government had already introduced forced vaccinations, including booster shots, for at least 75 per cent of the local workforce. But now, anyone over the age of 16 who refuses
Is Macron Being A Pr*ck? France’s New Vaccine Law
The French Parliament has approved a new law that effectively prevents citizens who are not vaccinated against Covid-19 from going out in public. I want to look at a couple of reports on the law and then consider whether this new law crosses a line. No Jab? No Social Life
After the seven hottest years on record, Labor lessens its climate ambition
In 2015, the Climate Change Authority recommended emissions reduction targets for the government to take to the Paris climate conference: a 2025 target of 30 per cent below 2000 levels further reductions by 2030 of 40 to 60 per cent below 2000 levels In response, Labor proposed an emissions reduction
Hypocrisy, ‘God powers’ and Djokovic
Regardless of the entitled Serbian tennis player’s behaviour, Sue Bolton argues that the Immigration Minister’s decision to kick him of the country should be cause for concern.
Queensland’s ‘Path to Treaty’ has some lessons for the rest of Australia
After decades of calls, a patchwork of treaty processes are being developed across Australia. However, without a history of treaty-making or treaty law in Australia, serious questions arise about the best approach. Getting treaties right is crucial for First Nations peoples’ well-being and for building a reflective, assured, and
Public servants can swap holidays like Australia Day but not all agencies promote it
Experts says day-in-lieu clauses should receive more promotion in public services and managers should remove any workplace barriers to it. The post Public servants can swap holidays like Australia Day but not all agencies promote it appeared first on The Mandarin.
Cost of toll roads take Sydneysiders for a ride
Road infrastructure is becoming less accessible, as market forces seek to monopolise a system that is intended on being available to all. read now…
Socialists pledge to hold Newcastle Council to account
Communities will keep up the pressure on the Labor majority elected to the Newcastle Council, reports Kerry Smith.
Furore escalates over Robert’s ARC veto
Two members of the ARC’s college of experts have quit in protest at what they say is Stuart Robert’s inappropriate project grants overreach. The post Furore escalates over Robert’s ARC veto appeared first on The Mandarin.
Boris Johnson and ‘Partygate’: he who lives by the Brexit sword, dies by the Brexit sword
Kirsty Wigglesworth/APBoris Johnson’s time as the United Kingdom’s prime minister is under immediate threat. Johnson, who likes a classical analogy, will know that civil servant Sue Grey’s imminent report into the “Partygate” scandal is the bureaucratic equivalent of the Sword of Damocles hanging over his head. Johnson
Navy stikes contract for first of four regional maintenance centres
The Royal Australian Navy has struck a major contract for a regional maintenance centre in Cairns, the first of four new strategic sites. The post Navy stikes contract for first of four regional maintenance centres appeared first on The Mandarin.
Schools can expect a year of disruption. Here are 7 ways they can help support the well-being of students and staff
ShutterstockThere’s just over a week to go before term one starts across the country – except in Queensland which has pushed back the start of the school year. We are yet to see states and territory plans for how to open schools safely, and to minimise the inevitable
Omicron is overwhelming Australia’s hospital system. 3 emergency measures aim to ease the burden
Public hospitals – never with much spare capacity – have been severely stressed by the latest COVID wave. The current Omicron outbreak has loaded even heavier demands on hospital beds, both for those who need oxygen and for the severely ill in intensive care wards, as well as those who
Labor, Greens win majority on Parramatta City Council
The Labor-Greens majority in the City of Parramatta is going to face some big challenges, writes Kerry Smith.
Rapid Antigen Tests: Short Supply and High Price Leads to Crime and Thriving Black Market
A man has been charged over the alleged theft of 42,000 Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) valued at approximately $500,00 from a freight depot in Botany in Sydney’s south-east at around 3.20pm on Tuesday, 18 January 2022. Three men were arrested at a storage depot in...
Ten’s Celebrity bounces back against Nine’s tennis coverage
A dip in the Australian Open’s viewers saw Ten’s ‘star-studded’ reality TV challenge creep up the ratings ladder. The post Ten’s Celebrity bounces back against Nine’s tennis coverage appeared first
Ecuador: Digital rights activist Ola Bini goes to trial
The trial of Swedish software developer and digital rights activist Ola Bini, began on January 19 in Ecuador, reports People’s Dispatch.
The TGA’s Vaping Ban and Aboriginal Health
In April 2020, Quadrant contributor Dr Anthony Dillon wrote in Our Coming Bleak Winter and Beyond: “Until political leaders find the courage to reclaim responsibility for the state of the nation, the [COVID] virus and far more damaging policies imposed to combat it cannot, and will not, be separated.”
Latest News
Taskforce to examine RAT price-gouging
Federal police have launched an investigation into the price-gouging of rapid antigen tests. A specialist taskforce has been set up by the AFP, after investigations began in NSW and Queensland following referrals from the consumer watchdog. Retailers caught price-gouging on the tests have been warned they will face five years
Defence in focus for Australia-Britain talks
Australia and Britain’s defence and foreign affairs ministers will meet in Sydney for AUKMIN talks aimed at finding better ways to cooperate. Friday’s session is the first 2+2 ministerial discussion in the country since the start of the pandemic. Foreign Minister Marise Payne and Defence Minister Peter Dutton both met
Teen completes bid to fly around the world
A British-Belgian teenager has become the youngest woman to fly solo around the globe and the first person to do it in a microlight plane after a five-month, five-continent odyssey in her Shark ultralight. Nineteen-year-old Zara Rutherford landed back at Kortrijk-Wevelgem Airport in Belgium after flying 51,000 kilometres over 52
Boris Johnson’s govt accused of ‘blackmail’
A senior Conservative MP has accused the British government of intimidating and attempting to “blackmail” politicians they suspect of wanting to force Prime Minister Boris Johnson out of power. Mr Johnson faces growing calls to step down over a series of scandals, including admitting he had attended a party at
Report: Retired Pope Benedict failed to act on sexual abuse claims while Archbishop
A report prompted by sexual abuse allegations in the German Catholic Church accuses Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI of misconduct on four counts during his time as archbishop of Munich and Freising between 1977 and 1982. Benedict — known then as Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger — has denied any wrongdoing. Munich law
'I don't fall into male or female': AFLW player Tori Groves-Little on coming out as non-binary
Ahead of the AFLW’s annual pride round, two players — Carlton’s Darcy Vescio and Gold Coast Sun Tori Groves-Little — announce they identify as non-binary.
World News
'Unethical and illegal': Rapid antigen test price gouging to be investigated
AFP assistant commissioner of the crime command, Nigel Ryan, said there would be a zero-tolerance approach to retailers.Read More”The AFP will use its full powers to crack down on RAT price gouging,” he said.”Not only is price gouging of RATs unethical but it is illegal,
Victoria’s triple-zero ambulance call centre operating with skeleton staff as wait times balloon
Marty Smyth, the chief executive of ESTA – Victoria’s 24-hour emergency call-taking and dispatch services for police, fire and ambulance – resigned just days after Mr Panagiotopoulos’s death.Read MoreVictorian Premier Daniel Andrews described the incident as “unacceptable” on 9 December, vowing to fix the issue,
US charges second man in killing of Haitian President Moise
Dual Haitian-Chilean citizen is second man charged in the US over plot to assassinate Jovenel Moise in July last year.The United States Justice Department has announced charges against a second man it accuses of being involved in the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moise last year. Rodolphe Jaar, 49, a
Wall Street rally fizzles as Fed tightening fears spook investors – Reuters
Wall Street rally fizzles as Fed tightening fears spook investors Reuters
Rare, pristine coral reef found at unusual depth off Tahiti coast
Scientists discover a coral reef at a greater depth than most and seemingly untouched by climate change or human activities.
COVID leaves lasting scars as Biden marks first year in office
Washington, DC – Sabila Khan says she is frustrated and tired.She lost her father, Shaqat Khan, to the coronavirus in 2020, and feels disappointed by what she says is an overwhelming push to “normalise” the pandemic in the United States, despite rising cases and deaths due to the Omicron variant. “I
'Unethical and illegal': Rapid antigen test price gouging to be investigated
AFP assistant commissioner of the crime command, Nigel Ryan, said there would be a zero-tolerance approach to retailers.Read More”The AFP will use its full powers to crack down on RAT price gouging,” he said.”Not only is price gouging of RATs unethical but it is illegal,
Victoria’s triple-zero ambulance call centre operating with skeleton staff as wait times balloon
Marty Smyth, the chief executive of ESTA – Victoria’s 24-hour emergency call-taking and dispatch services for police, fire and ambulance – resigned just days after Mr Panagiotopoulos’s death.Read MoreVictorian Premier Daniel Andrews described the incident as “unacceptable” on 9 December, vowing to fix the issue,
US charges second man in killing of Haitian President Moise
Dual Haitian-Chilean citizen is second man charged in the US over plot to assassinate Jovenel Moise in July last year.The United States Justice Department has announced charges against a second man it accuses of being involved in the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moise last year. Rodolphe Jaar, 49, a
Wall Street rally fizzles as Fed tightening fears spook investors – Reuters
Wall Street rally fizzles as Fed tightening fears spook investors Reuters
Rare, pristine coral reef found at unusual depth off Tahiti coast
Scientists discover a coral reef at a greater depth than most and seemingly untouched by climate change or human activities.
'Unethical and illegal': Rapid antigen test price gouging to be investigated
AFP assistant commissioner of the crime command, Nigel Ryan, said there would be a zero-tolerance approach to retailers.Read More”The AFP will use its full powers to crack down on RAT price gouging,” he said.”Not only is price gouging of RATs unethical but it is illegal,
Victoria’s triple-zero ambulance call centre operating with skeleton staff as wait times balloon
Marty Smyth, the chief executive of ESTA – Victoria’s 24-hour emergency call-taking and dispatch services for police, fire and ambulance – resigned just days after Mr Panagiotopoulos’s death.Read MoreVictorian Premier Daniel Andrews described the incident as “unacceptable” on 9 December, vowing to fix the issue,
US charges second man in killing of Haitian President Moise
Dual Haitian-Chilean citizen is second man charged in the US over plot to assassinate Jovenel Moise in July last year.The United States Justice Department has announced charges against a second man it accuses of being involved in the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moise last year. Rodolphe Jaar, 49, a
Wall Street rally fizzles as Fed tightening fears spook investors – Reuters
Wall Street rally fizzles as Fed tightening fears spook investors Reuters
'Unethical and illegal': Rapid antigen test price gouging to be investigated
AFP assistant commissioner of the crime command, Nigel Ryan, said there would be a zero-tolerance approach to retailers.Read More”The AFP will use its full powers to crack down on RAT price gouging,” he said.”Not only is price gouging of RATs unethical but it is illegal,
Victoria’s triple-zero ambulance call centre operating with skeleton staff as wait times balloon
Marty Smyth, the chief executive of ESTA – Victoria’s 24-hour emergency call-taking and dispatch services for police, fire and ambulance – resigned just days after Mr Panagiotopoulos’s death.Read MoreVictorian Premier Daniel Andrews described the incident as “unacceptable” on 9 December, vowing to fix the issue,
US charges second man in killing of Haitian President Moise
Dual Haitian-Chilean citizen is second man charged in the US over plot to assassinate Jovenel Moise in July last year.The United States Justice Department has announced charges against a second man it accuses of being involved in the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moise last year. Rodolphe Jaar, 49, a
'Unethical and illegal': Rapid antigen test price gouging to be investigated
AFP assistant commissioner of the crime command, Nigel Ryan, said there would be a zero-tolerance approach to retailers.Read More”The AFP will use its full powers to crack down on RAT price gouging,” he said.”Not only is price gouging of RATs unethical but it is illegal,
Victoria’s triple-zero ambulance call centre operating with skeleton staff as wait times balloon
Marty Smyth, the chief executive of ESTA – Victoria’s 24-hour emergency call-taking and dispatch services for police, fire and ambulance – resigned just days after Mr Panagiotopoulos’s death.Read MoreVictorian Premier Daniel Andrews described the incident as “unacceptable” on 9 December, vowing to fix the issue,
US charges second man in killing of Haitian President Moise
Dual Haitian-Chilean citizen is second man charged in the US over plot to assassinate Jovenel Moise in July last year.The United States Justice Department has announced charges against a second man it accuses of being involved in the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moise last year. Rodolphe Jaar, 49, a
Wall Street rally fizzles as Fed tightening fears spook investors – Reuters
Wall Street rally fizzles as Fed tightening fears spook investors Reuters
World News
'Unethical and illegal': Rapid antigen test price gouging to be investigated
AFP assistant commissioner of the crime command, Nigel Ryan, said there would be a zero-tolerance approach to retailers.Read More”The AFP will use its full powers to crack down on RAT price gouging,” he said.”Not only is price gouging of RATs unethical but it is illegal,
Victoria’s triple-zero ambulance call centre operating with skeleton staff as wait times balloon
Marty Smyth, the chief executive of ESTA – Victoria’s 24-hour emergency call-taking and dispatch services for police, fire and ambulance – resigned just days after Mr Panagiotopoulos’s death.Read MoreVictorian Premier Daniel Andrews described the incident as “unacceptable” on 9 December, vowing to fix the issue,
US charges second man in killing of Haitian President Moise
Dual Haitian-Chilean citizen is second man charged in the US over plot to assassinate Jovenel Moise in July last year.The United States Justice Department has announced charges against a second man it accuses of being involved in the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moise last year. Rodolphe Jaar, 49, a
Wall Street rally fizzles as Fed tightening fears spook investors – Reuters
Wall Street rally fizzles as Fed tightening fears spook investors Reuters
Rare, pristine coral reef found at unusual depth off Tahiti coast
Scientists discover a coral reef at a greater depth than most and seemingly untouched by climate change or human activities.
COVID leaves lasting scars as Biden marks first year in office
Washington, DC – Sabila Khan says she is frustrated and tired.She lost her father, Shaqat Khan, to the coronavirus in 2020, and feels disappointed by what she says is an overwhelming push to “normalise” the pandemic in the United States, despite rising cases and deaths due to the Omicron variant. “I
Business & The Economy
‘Urgent’ reform needed on electric trucks in Australia
A series of “urgent” reforms are needed to encourage the use of electric trucks in Australia and bring the country into line with much of the rest of the world, with a swift transition to have a “truly massive” impact, according to transport groups. The Electric Vehicle Council and
Experts call for space science boost and Australian-owned satellites
Australia is completely reliant on data from foreign-owned satellites for its weather forecasting, resource and water management and disaster response and this is creating a “sovereign risk”, according to leading scientists. In a new plan for Australian space science released Thursday, scientists say the risk must be addressed over
Welcome to Firstlinks Edition 442
One of the benefits of investing in Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs), besides the low fees for the index options, is the ease of entry and exit. Anyone with a broker account needs no fresh paperwork. Contrast this with the pain of many unlisted funds which still require a...
How to benefit from real estate investment and contribute to ethical outcomes at the same time
Get our newsletter twice a week, for free Around the country, the affordability of housing is a key and growing concern for many people. It’s a problem not only for first home buyers and key workers on minimum wages, who are often the “go to” for sensationalised...
Privacy watchdog to take on more strategic, proactive role
Australia’s privacy watchdog wants to adopt a more strategic and proactive role as part of sweeping reforms to the Privacy Act, calling for more resourcing and powers as part of this process. In its submission to government, the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) also backed calls to
Screen Australia awards grant to former Harvey Weinstein associate for Gender Matters’ initiative
Screen Australia has awarded over $2 million in funding to a company owned by a former associate of Harvey Weinstein.
Environment
Regulator outlines “solar tax” rules, says onus on networks to prove they need it
Australian Energy Regulator publishes draft guidelines for the introduction of solar export tariffs, setting strict rules for networks and safeguards for consumers – but leaving some things open to interpretation. The post Regulator outlines “solar tax” rules, says onus on networks to prove they need it appeared first on RenewEconomy.
Policy gaps on climate impact of fossil fuels, NSW planning authorities concede
NSW planning department recommends expansion of Narrabri coal mine can proceed, despite conceding it’s unclear how to assess its climate change impacts. The post Policy gaps on climate impact of fossil fuels, NSW planning authorities concede appeared first on RenewEconomy.
An energy revolution is possible, but only if leaders get imaginative about how to fund it
If we want to solve climate change, we first need to transform our economic thinking. Relying on research and development to bring down costs is not an option. The post An energy revolution is possible, but only if leaders get imaginative about how to fund it appeared first on RenewEconomy.
A closer look at the Australian carbon market in 2021 – a year of records
We take a closer look at 2021 in the Australian carbon market “by the numbers,” and weigh the implications for 2022 – an election year. The post A closer look at the Australian carbon market in 2021 – a year of records appeared first on RenewEconomy.
Even with La Niña, 2021 ranks as one of hottest years on record
“Extraordinary:” Leading international weather body says 2021 still ranked among seven warmest years on record, despite cooling effects of consecutive La Niña events. The post Even with La Niña, 2021 ranks as one of hottest years on record appeared first on RenewEconomy.
CEFC backs half cut solar cells in new drive to slash cost of PV
Federal government’s green bank makes 32nd solar farm investment, this time for a 200MW Queensland project that is using bifacial panels and half-cut solar cells. The post CEFC backs half cut solar cells in new drive to slash cost of PV appeared first on RenewEconomy.
