Category Archives: headline

1ST Anniversary: WHO Declared Pandemic One-Year-Ago Today, Brazil-2,000 Deaths in Day, World Stats

On March 11, 2020 the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 to be a pandemic. Since then:

  • Over 116 million cases and 2.5 million deaths across nearly 200 countries
  • The US has the highest number of deaths, with 522,818 now recorded
  • Over 319 million vaccines have been given.

IN CHINA:

Premier Li Keqiang says China will continue to work with the World Health Organization (WHO) in trying to find the origins of Covid-19, Reuters reports.

Keqiang was speaking in response to a question on U.S. criticism that it was not transparent in sharing data on early cases with a WHO investigation earlier this year.

Speaking at a media briefing to mark the end of China’s annual session of parliament, he said China had “acted in a fact-based manner and with an open, transparent and cooperative approach”.

Keqiang also denied that the government’s 2021 goal for economic growth of more than 6% is not a low target. In 2019, China recorded 6.0% GDP growth, it’s slowest rate of increase in thirty years.

Analysts say the relatively low target will allow policymakers to curb market risks as the country’s economy moves beyond the pandemic.

Hungary reports record high 8,312 daily tally of new Covid cases

The post 1ST Anniversary: WHO Declared Pandemic One-Year-Ago Today, Brazil-2,000 Deaths in Day, World Stats appeared first on The St Kitts Nevis Observer.

Fears $1.2 billion post-JobKeeper stimulus won't be enough

Gaps in the government's post-JobKeeper stimulus plan have been criticised as the March 28 end date draws closer.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison unveiled a $1.2 billion tourism package as part of its bid to drive economic recovery in pandemic-hit industries and regions.

The top factor for rebooting the economy will be re-opening international borders, putting extra pressure on the vaccine rollout.

READ MORE: Government's $1.2 billion 'ticket to recovery'

But even so, it's a while away.

"It's probably unlikely that normal international travel will be in place this year," Health Secretary Professor Brendan Murphy said.

In the meantime, Australian travellers will have access to 800,000 half-price airfares to 13 tourism-reliant regions, subsidised by the government as part of the package announced last night.

Other headline measures include bigger loans to JobKeeper-reliant small businesses — including a two-year repayment holiday — and direct assistance to help Qantas and Virgin keep workers employed and planes ready to fly overseas again.

Qantas CEO Alan Joyce has hailed the package as ticking "all the boxes" – but the feeling isn't universal.

Rex Airlines

READ MORE: How to get your half-price ticket and what destinations will count

Rex deputy chairman John Sharp said the bulk of the funds the government spend would "end up in Qantas' pocket".

There are no eligible flights within state borders, and while a ticket from Sydney to Avalon in Victoria will be discounted, one from Sydney to Melbourne will not.

"It's distorting the biggest airline market in Australia," Mr Sharp said.

Anger that Federal travel plan only benefits one town in NSW

The government is also offering $5 million in loans to small and medium-sized businesses.

But some employers still fear what could happen after JobKeeper ends on March 28.

About a million Australians are still on the wage subsidy, 20 percent of them working in accommodation, food and transport.

READ MORE: Treasurer rejects JobKeeper extension for struggling tourism sector

The tourism industry has warned 300,000 jobs could be at risk.

"We're going to see businesses close, they're only open because of JobKeeper," Peter Strong from the Council of Small Businesses said.

Among those businesses saying they're at risk are the country's pubs.

"Our sector, post March 28, is very worried about the level of redundancies," Stephen Ferguson from the Australian Hotels Association said.

Family mourns aged care worker, as police investigate her final day

The sister of a woman allegedly murdered and buried in a shallow grave said she will miss the aged care worker until her "last breath".

Jasmeen Kaur's Adelaide family have set up a shrine to the 21-year-old who police now believe was "taken by force" before her alleged murder.

"I miss her in every second of my life… she will always be a part of me," Ms Kaur's sister said.

The 21-year-old's body was found buried in a shallow grave in the Flinders Ranges in South Australia, more than 400 kilometres from where she was last seen leaving work.

READ MORE: Man denies killing aged care worker after body found in shallow grave

Facts alleged by the police today include a detailed timeline of Ms Kaur's last movements before her alleged murder in an effort piece together her final moments.

A man, who cannot be named, was charged with her murder after he led detectives to her grave on Sunday morning. The man denies the being involved in her death.

Today Detective Superintendent Des Bray outlined what police allege was Ms Kaur's last day alive as he asked the public to come forward with information in an effort to help fill in the gaps.

Ms Kaur, originally from India, had been living with her aunt and uncle in Adelaide and working as an aged care worker as she studied to become a nurse.

Jasmeen Kaur timeline adealide flinders ranges

Police allege that the 21-year-old finished her shift at Southern Cross Homes in the Adelaide suburb of North Plympton on March 5 at 10pm and left her car in the car park.

"We believe it to be extremely unlikely that Jasmeen left willingly with anybody and are investigating that possibility that she was taken by force," Detective Superintendent Bray said.

Police allege that she is believed to have left with an Indian man aged about 20, described as having "a neatly trimmed beard and moustache, and neatly dressed".

They say he was driving a 2009 blue metallic Commodore with the number plates S267CJ, which he had borrowed off a friend.

"We're ask anybody who might have seen either that vehicle, or a similar person loitering in the car park, apparently waiting for someone or in contact with Jasmeen," Detective Superintendent Bray said.

"It's also possible that people may have seen that person in the weeks leading up to her death attempting to make observations at those premises."

Police allege this car was then picked up on a Safe-T-Cam at Virginia, about 30 kilometres north from her work, at 10.46pm and that the car continued north along the highway to Willaston near Gawler.

"Now what we think happened there is that the offender has travelled down South Road, and missed the turn off at Virginia and has gone the wrong way, then done a U-turn, come back to Port Wakefield Road and commenced to travel north," Detective Superintendent Bray said.

Police allege that at 12.09 the Commodore passed through another Safe-T-Cam at Two Wells and another camera picked it up at 12.40am Port Wakefield.

They then say that nearly three hours later the car is seen passing through another camera more than 300 kilometres away at Stirling North.

"A 3.07am the vehicle went through Safe-T-Cams Stirling North – this is particularly critical, we'd like to know whether in fact the offender immediately turned right to travel to the Flinders (Ranges) or whether perhaps went to a service station in Port Augusta to get fuel or drinks or the like," Detective Superintendent Bray said.

Her Camry was still parked in the carpark.

"There's no evidence at this stage to indicate he did but that's certainly something we'd like to know, if anybody possibly saw a young Indian couple or they may have just seen this young Indian male in that vehicle," he added.

Police say that after that there is a gap or about 11 hours.

They allege that the car was next seen travelling back through the same camera at Stirling North at 2.27pm on Saturday March 6.

"And if you take out travelling time that leaves about eight hours to bury Jasmeen, and a considerable amount of time unaccounted for so we're trying to track where he went in that time," Detective Superintendent Bray said.

Police allege a man was driving this 2009 blue metallic Commodore with the number plates S267CJ, which he had borrowed off a friend.

On the same day, police confirmed that Ms Kaur was reported missing by her aunt and uncle when her employer called her family to ask why she had not turned up for her shift.

On the morning of March 7, her body was found in a shallow grave near Moralana Creek.

Detective Superintendent Bray also revealed today that police are trying to recover some of the 23-year-old's missing property – a brown bag, black slip-on shoes, and a plate and a knife.

He said the knife is not involved in her murder.

Detective Superintendent Bray alleges that police "know exactly how she died but we can't say."

Ms Kaur's body was found buried in a shallow grave in the Flinders Ranges in South Australia, more than 400 kilometres from where she was last seen leaving work.

Police also say that they are also aware of a motive, but they will not release that information.

The man charged with her murder fronted Port Augusta Magistrates Court via videolink on Tuesday and denied killing Ms Kaur after leading police to her body.

He was initially charged with failing to report a death to the coroner, but the charge was upgraded to murder after Major Crime detectives arrived on the scene.

The court has suppressed the accused's identity while the investigation is ongoing.

He will remain behind bars until his next appearance in December

Australia facing extended COVID-19 vaccine rollout after delays

Australians were initially told the country would be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by October.

But a 12-week wait between AstraZeneca shots, and a sluggish start to the program, could see the finish line pushed to Christmas.

"We don't know if we will be able to deliver two doses by the end of October," Health Secretary Professor Brendan Murphy said.

WA's frontline workers receive AstraZeneca vaccine.

READ MORE: What needs to happen for international travel to resume

"But with 12 weeks, that will be difficult."

By the end of April, 5000 GPs and clinics are set to be up and running, but there's still no date for when the next phase of jabs – for anybody over 50 – will start.

"We don't know what the vaccine supply situation will be like," Professor Murphy said.

READ MORE: NSW Premier receives AstraZeneca jab

NSW's hospital hubs are flying, so the federal government has declared they will keep vaccinating all year.

But with state hubs staying open for the rest of the year, the federal government is expected to stump up more cash.

Teachers are among those who are tired of waiting.

READ MORE: Australia's vaccination rollout passes 100,000 mark

"With children not being vaccinated under the schedule, further protection for our students and their teachers is to ensure teachers are vaccinated," Amber Flohm from the NSW Teachers Federation said.

Australia's leaders have committed to a steady, "safe" approach, in contrast to the US, where an industrial style program is delivering two million doses a day.

US: $1.9 Trillion Relief Deal Ready for Biden’s Signature

The House passed President Biden’s sweeping $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package Wednesday. The President will sign it Friday.

The bill passed in a starkly partisan 220-211 vote, sending the legislation to the White House and clinching Democrats’ first big legislative victory in the Biden era.  A key aspect of the measure will dole out single  $1.400 payments to most US taxpayers and retirees.

No Republican lawmakers backed the legislation, which will become law as much of the nation marks one year of lockdowns from the COVID-19 era. Just one Democrat, Rep. Jared Golden (Maine), opposed the measure.

Defense connections: The bill includes an extension of what’s known as Section 3610 authorities, which allows the Pentagon to reimburse contractors for delays and other added costs due to the pandemic. The extension goes to Sept. 30.

The bill also included a key priority for veterans by closing the so-called 90/10 loophole that incentivized for-profit schools to target GI Bill recipients. Under federal law, for-profit schools have to collect at least 10 percent of their revenue from sources other than federal education funds, but GI Bill funding wasn’t being counted toward that.

What’s next: Biden has said he will sign the measure as soon as it reaches his desk, with the White House saying he’s expected to sign it on Friday. The president is set to address the nation Thursday evening on the coronavirus pandemic.

 

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UK News Assn. Head Resigns Over Meghan Markle Comments

Guardian (UK)

The executive director of the Society of Editors has resigned after a rolling series of withdrawals from the National Press Awards over claims that there is no racism in the press made his position untenable.

Ian Murray, executive director of the SoE, issued a statement saying he was stepping down from his position on Wednesday evening. It came amid growing pressure after host Charlene White’s withdrawal was followed by a string of nominees saying they did not wish to be considered at the ceremony

“Since the statement was issued, the SoE has been heavily criticised,” Murray said. “While I do not agree that the society’s statement was in any way intended to defend racism, I accept it could have been much clearer in its condemnation of bigotry and has clearly caused upset.

“As executive director, I lead the society, and as such must take the blame, and so I have decided it is best for the board and membership that I step aside so that the organisation can start to rebuild its reputation.”

Murray said he was stepping aside “with a heavy heart”, adding he was “proud” of the SoE’s work “defending media freedom over the three years I have been at the helm, as well as the initiatives we have created and continue to create on diversity in the newsroom”.

Alison Gow, SoE president, thanked Murray for his contribution and praised his work as a campaigner on journalistic rights and freedoms. She added: “The society is committed to representing all journalists and upholding journalism; I am clear on what our mission must be, and we will strive as an organisation to listen and hear everyone’s views, and be strong advocates and allies for all those we represent.”

Earlier on Wednesday, the directors of the society had issued a new statement, saying that Murray’s response to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s interview, headlined “UK media not bigoted”, “did not reflect what we all know: that there is a lot of work to be done in the media to improve diversity and inclusion”.

But with even some members of the board saying they felt the situation was “ludicrous” and made them “very angry”, that proved insufficient to draw a line under the story. Many, including some of the 236 journalists of colour from the Guardian, Metro, the New York Times, the BBC and others, who signed an open letter expressing their dismay, said that the move was too little too late.

It is understood that several members of the board spoke to Murray on Wednesday. One said that the decision became inevitable after people began abandoning awards – a key source of funding for the industry body. Another said the move was necessary because of “anger and dismay at damage to the society, and our industry” but that finances were not a factor.

White, an ITV news anchor, was the first person to withdraw from the Awards ceremony, saying in a message to Murray: “Perhaps it’s best for you to look elsewhere for a host for your awards this year. Perhaps someone whose views align with yours: that the UK press is the one institution in the entire country who has a perfect record on race.”

Rachel Oldroyd, editor of the Bureau of Investigative Journalism – which was the first outlet to withdraw nominees from the awards over the controversy – said: “This is not about an individual, but about us all helping our industry bring about the change it clearly needs. We cannot begin to make those changes if we don’t face the problems that are there. Perhaps we could start by appointing a person of colour to run the Society of Editors.” She said the Bureau of Investigative Journalism as yet had no plans to restore its entries.

Then Aasma Day, the north of England correspondent at HuffPost, withdrew her entry from the Reporting Diversity category, saying the statement “makes a total mockery of this award”, and the Yorkshire Post withdrew its nominations in the overall categories.

Others angered by the statement suggested that it was not nominees for the awards who should be required to act. “My view is that Ian Murray is the one who needs to withdraw his ridiculous statement,” said Stephen Bush, political editor of the New Statesman. “It shouldn’t fall on nominees to have to withdraw.”

The SoE will now hope that Murray’s departure will be seen as an indication of how seriously the issue has been taken – and will encourage those who withdrew to return to the shortlists.

Murray had said on Monday that the statements made by Harry and Meghan about the press were “not acceptable” and made without “supporting evidence”, insisting that the UK media “has a proud record of calling out racism”. In the piece headlined “UK media not bigoted”, he said the tone of tabloid coverage was simply driven by “holding a spotlight up to those in positions of power, celebrity or influence”.

In the later statement, the board – not Murray – said the SoE would “reflect on the reaction our statement prompted and work towards being part of the solution”.

 

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Police hunt passenger over dramatic bus fire

Police are searching for a woman suspected of lighting a fire that destroyed a bus and forced the evacuation of a driver and nine passengers on the NSW Mid North Coast.

A dozen fire crews rushed to the corner of Lake and West streets in Forster after the bus fire was called in about 1.15pm on Thursday.

The blaze, which police were told started as a small fire in the onboard toilet after a passenger argued with the bus driver, had already taken hold when they arrived.

READ MORE: Fire engulfs bus in Sydney's Inner West

Dramatic photos appear to show flames burning at least twice as high as the bus, near power lines, and black smoke billowing above.

Chief Inspector Tony Moodie said a passenger was the first to notice smoke and warned the bus driver, who pulled over just down the road from the Forster police station.

The Forster officer-in-charge said the driver evacuated all nine passengers before finding parts of the toilet area alight. But by the time he had grabbed a fire extinguisher from the front, "the fire was quickly engulfing the bus".

"You can see that the fire really engulfed the bus and completely destroyed the inside of it so the fact that they all got off, no one was injured, is probably good work by all involved," Chief Inspector Moodie said.

Fire and Rescue NSW said the fire was quickly extinguished but not before the 60-seat bus was destroyed. The driver was assessed at the scene but not taken to hospital.

Police are treating the blaze as deliberately lit.

Chief Inspector Moodie said police were looking for a suspect in her mid-20s, who they believed may have argued with the driver when boarding before starting the fire.

The fire damaged power lines above the bus, knocking out power to the surrounding streets, including the local police station, for much of the day.

Chief Inspector Moodie said electricity had been restored by about 5pm.