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Showing posts from October 4, 2020

Victoria records nine new cases of coronavirus overnight and no deaths as Dan Andrews threatens to extend restrictions after heatwave bad behaviour

Victoria recorded nine new coronavirus infections and no deaths overnight as Premier Daniel Andrews pleaded for residents to 'stay the course'. The 14-day rolling average of COVID-19 infections dropped to 11.6 for metropolitan Melbourne on Monday, while regional Victoria rose from 0.2 to 0.3.    Mr Andrews implored residents to continue following the rules after large groups at beaches and parks flouted coronavirus restrictions in recent days. 'We are so, so close. Let's not any of us do anything that might undermine the very positive numbers,' he told reporters on Sunday. Victoria reported nine new coronavirus infetions on Monday. Pictured: Police patrol at St Kilda Beach in Melbourne during hot weather on Saturday Three women sunbathe in their COVIDSafe bubbles at St Kilda on Saturday 'Once we get them low, we can keep them low and we can open up again. 'If we don't do anything silly or anything selfish right now.' Police patrolled St Kilda Beach a

Queen praises 'trusted and reliable' news for providing 'vital' service during coronavirus pandemic

The Queen says the pandemic has shown the importance of the news industry as it provides 'trusted, reliable sources of information' in a dramatically changing world. She highlighted the 'vital' public service role it has played, particularly given the proliferation of social media. The sovereign also described the news industry's efforts to support communities as 'invaluable', thanks to campaigns, fundraising efforts and volunteering drives. In a message to mark the launch of Journalism Matters Week, run by the News Media Association trade body, she writes: 'The Covid-19 pandemic has once again demonstrated what an important public service the established news media provides, both nationally and regionally. The Queen has said that the pandemic has shown the importance of the news industry as it provides 'trusted, reliable sources of information' in a dramatically changing world 'As our world has changed dramatically, having trusted, reliable

How a cold could help ward off Covid-19: Rhinovirus can jump-start body's antiviral defences and equip immune system to ward off other illness, scientists say

Suffering  a common cold could provide protection against contracting Covid, scientists believe. Experts at Yale University in the US have found that coming under attack from rhinovirus - the most frequent cause of common cold - jump-starts the body's antiviral defences, equipping the immune system to ward off other viruses.  They are now investigating whether it does the same against coronavirus. The body fights off rhinovirus by producing interferon.  Previously scientists were not sure whether interferon produced in response to one virus would recognise another but the Yale study suggests exposure to rhinovirus created an immune response against flu, suggesting it would protect against other viruses. Experts at Yale University believe that suffering from a common cold could provide protection against contracting the Covid-19 virus (file photo) They are now looking at whether introduction of the cold virus before infection by the Covid-19 virus offers similar protection.  Dr Elle

Stop being mean to our hardy snowflakes! Leading headteacher hails 'resilience' of young people in the face of coronavirus and says they are most resilient generation since World War Two

Headteacher Sally-Anne Huang says young people are very resilient Young people should not be called 'snowflakes' because they are among the most resilient generation since the Second World War, a leading headteacher says today. Sally-Anne Huang, High Master of St Paul's School in south-west London, believes what young people have gone through this year is 'turning them into a remarkable and powerful generation'. In a speech to the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference, which represents 296 leading private schools, chairman Mrs Huang, 48, says she fears that the biggest scar left by 2020 may be the divide between generations. 'I, for one, am tired of hearing the young described as snowflakes. I cannot think of a group of young people out of wartime, of whom more has been asked or from whom more has been taken than those in our nation's schools in 2020.  'Anyone who was with 18-year-olds in March when they suddenly learned that not just their

Civilians are killed and injured as major cities are shelled in growing conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia

Azerbaijan's second-largest city, Ganja, has been hit by heavy shelling today as the country's forces exchanged heavy rocket and artillery fire with Armenia over disputed territory. Fighting over Nagorno-Karabakh has intensified between the two nations' forces in the last week, with the breakaway region's capital and Azerbaijan's Ganja both hit today. Armenia said that Nagorno-Karabakh's main city Stepanakert, which has been under shelling since Friday, was hit again today with regular explosions and clouds of black smoke rising in parts of the city.  Azerbaijan's defence ministry said meanwhile that Armenian forces had shelled Ganja, a city of more than 330,000 in western Azerbaijan, with footage showing buildings in ruins. People help an injured man in a bomb shelter during shelling by Azerbaijan's artillery during a military conflict in Stepanakert The two sides accused each other of targeting civilian areas, as the conflict widened a week after heavy

Man, 28, is left in a critical condition after being stabbed at a SERVO near a popular holiday spot

A man has been left in a critical condition after being stabbed in the shoulder at a service station near a popular holiday spot. The 28-year-old was treated at the scene after the attack at the service station in Long Jetty on New South Wales' central coast about 4am on Monday morning. A group were seen running from the area before officers arrived at the scene, NSW Police said. A man has been left in a critical condition after being stabbed in the shoulder at a service station in Long Jetty (stock image)  The 28-year-old was taken to John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle in a critical condition, police said The man was treated at the scene before being taken to John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle in a critical condition.  'A search of the area has commenced, and inquiries are continuing,' a NSW Police spokesman said. Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.  

UNVEILED: The $7.5BILLION cash splash on new roads and rail projects as part of plan to get 30,000 Australians back to work - here's what will be built where you live

More than $7.5billion will be spent on shovel-ready road and infrastructure projects as part of a plan to get 30,000 Australians back to work. The spending bonanza will be included in the 2020/21 Budget handed down in Canberra on Tuesday night.   The funding boost will be one of the most significant measures Treasurer Josh Frydenberg delivers - pouring billions of dollars into major roads, bridges and rail networks across as the country. 'We have been working closely with state and territory governments to invest in the infrastructure that is ready to go and can help rebuild our economy and create more jobs,' Prime Minister Scott Morrison said ahead of the Budget.  'These projects will keep commuters safe on the road, get people home to their loved ones sooner and provide better transport links for urban and regional communities.'   More than $7.5billion will be spent on shovel-ready road and infrastructure projects as part of a plan to get 30,000 Australians back to wo

Paedophile who was deported after assault on girl, 14, sneaked back into Britain and molested a colleague after landing job as a CARE WORKER

A deported paedophile sneaked back into Britain using a false identity and sexually harassed a care worker for four months. Mother-of-two Rebecca Watson, 30, was left 'paralysed with fear' after being repeatedly groped by Juan Guerra Landazuri at the home where they worked. The Ecuadorian had got a job as a support worker helping vulnerable teenagers, despite being convicted of indecently assaulting a girl under 14. He had been deported to his homeland, but returned to the UK illegally with a new name while posing as a Spanish national. Mother-of-two Rebecca Watson , 30, was 'paralysed with fear' after being repeatedly groped by Juan Guerra Landazuri at Lincolns Care in Ipswich, where they both worked He landed a job at Lincolns Care in Ipswich and began harassing Mrs Watson.  An employment tribunal heard that when she tried to tell her boss, he asked her to 'brush it under the carpet'. She said: 'I felt absolutely disgusted, but I was told he was "Span

Queen had secret plan for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to live in Africa: Her Majesty wanted to offer both honour and responsibility to the couple... in the hope they would find happiness just as she had as a newlywed in Malta

In the first part of our serialisation of his new book on Saturday, Robert Lacey — a distinguished royal historian and adviser to TV's The Crown — told how Harry and Meghan's behaviour left the Royal Family 'hopping' mad.  Today, he reveals how William feared Harry was rushing into marriage and that the Queen suggested the couple move to Africa for a year or two to enjoy time together.  Producing the September issue of Vogue that Meghan guest edited in the first half of 2019 took seven months — months which, according to the magazine's editor Edward Enninful, were intensive, filled with meetings, phone calls, texts and emails. In addition, his guest editor also gave birth to her first child.  In the same seven months, January to July 2019, the Court Circular showed the Duchess of Sussex carrying out just 22 royal engagements, less than one per week — though this period did include Meghan's maternity leave, along with a three-day tour to Morocco with Harry. But w

Extraordinary legal row erupts between owners of a luxury Airbnb who are SUING a disgruntled guest after they launched a foul-mouthed tirade about the award-winning accommodation online

A bitter feud has broken out between the owners of a luxury Airbnb and an angry customer who had her stay cancelled due to COVID-19. Dave Penman is suing Kaleen Dalliston for defamation after she slammed his Clifftop at Hepburn holiday rental in a series of posts on Facebook and TripAdvisor. Clifftop at Hepburn in Victoria's spa country was crowned Australia's number one holiday home in 2020 according to their Airbnb page. Dave Penman is suing Kaleen Dalliston after she slammed his Clifftop at Hepburn holiday rental in Victoria Ms Dalliston was due to stay at the $495/night luxury location in August but her holiday was cancelled amid COVID-19 The luxurious accommodation costs $495 per night and was designed by Daylesford architect Robin Larsen for 'sophisticated travellers who value high design, natural beauty and wellness with an indulgent twist'. Ms Dalliston was due to stay at Clifftop at Hepburn in August and when she was not refunded she went online to warn other

The taste of freedom: George Pell is spotted enjoying a refreshing drink with a colleague at a cafe in Rome

Cardinal George Pell has enjoyed a refreshing iced drink with a younger colleague at a cafe in Rome after making his first trip to the city since he was jailed and then exonerated of child sex abuse charges. The 79-year-old - whose convictions for sexually assaulting two choirboys in the 1990s were quashed by Australia's High Court in April - flew into the Italian capital on Wednesday. The former archbishop of Melbourne does not yet have a meeting scheduled with Pope Francis, according to a Vatican spokesman. Pell on Sunday was pictured dressed in clerical clothing as he sat with the colleague in a restaurant's outdoor seating area in the Italian capital. Cardinal George Pell has a drink with a younger colleague at a cafe in Rome as he made his first return to the Italian city since his child sex abuse convictions were quashed The reason for Pell's exemption to leave Australia remains unclear. Australians must have compassionate personal reasons or be travelling on official