News

Army activated to drive ambulances as Australia marks grim COVID milestone

Published

4 years ago

October 8, 2021

The city that holds the title of having the longest lockdown in the world is becoming overwhelmed as COVID cases spike

Melbourne along with the state of Victoria has recorded 1,838 new local COVID-19 cases and five further deaths after confirmation that Australian Defence Force personnel will start driving ambulances in the state.

The army has officially been activated as the health care system battles with record admissions.

Today’s number of cases for the past 24 hours is a new daily record for any state or territory in Australia

The spike comes as Ambulance Victoria metro regional director Jerome Peyton told an Australian media outlet that paramedics were experiencing soaring emergency calls driven by the pandemic.

Ticker Health co-host and Medical Doctor, Dr. Kieran Kennedy says the health care network is trying to deal with rising cases everyday while still trying to support regular treatments such as cancer and mental health admissions.

"The hospital system is really starting to feel the pinch" #tickerHEALTH co-host and Medical Doctor, Kieran Kennedy on Melbourne COVID crisis, following a grim new record in #Australia pic.twitter.com/CtyKkmY1Vy
— ticker NEWS (@tickerNEWSco) October 7, 2021

“Logistical nightmare”

Kennedy says it is currently a logistical nightmare to try and seperate services within hospitals, stating it is becoming a challenge to “seperate COVID positive people or close contacts with those that aren’t.”

“It’s obviously people with COVID who need ICU, and need specialist treatment”
Kennedy told Ticker News.

In the past two weeks, Ambulance Victoria had reported four of its five busiest days in history.

Victoria’s Triple Zero call system was also experiencing near record levels of demand.

Major changes to ambulances:

For the first time in Ambulance Victoria’s history, two paramedics will no longer be deployed to each ambulance.

Instead, a paramedic will be joined by a driver from the Australian Defence Force member, St John Ambulance Australia member, State Emergency Service, or a student paramedic.

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Ukraine and Russia set for U.S.-brokered peace talks in Abu Dhabi

Published

7 hours ago

February 2, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has confirmed that new peace talks with Russia will take place in Abu Dhabi later this week. The discussions are part of U.S.-led efforts to find a path toward ending the ongoing war.

Zelenskyy emphasised that Ukraine is prepared for meaningful dialogue aimed at achieving peace. The announcement comes after weeks of uncertainty over the timing of the meeting.

U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff described prior discussions with Russian officials as productive, though major disagreements over territorial issues remain unresolved.

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News

Tensions rise as Iran threatens conflict and U.S. increases naval forces

Iran warns of regional conflict, labels European armies terrorists; U.S. boosts naval presence as both sides consider negotiations.

Published

8 hours ago

February 2, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Iran warns of regional conflict, labels European armies terrorists; U.S. boosts naval presence as both sides consider negotiations.

Iran has warned of a potential regional conflict if the U.S. launches an attack, while labelling European armies as terrorists. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei insisted that threats from President Trump will not intimidate the Iranian people.

The U.S. has ramped up its naval presence in the Middle East in response to mounting threats, amid speculation over Iran’s next moves. Iranian officials have denied claims of imminent naval exercises in the Strait of Hormuz, adding to global uncertainty.

#MiddleEastCrisis #IranUS #Geopolitics #NavalTensions #Trump #AyatollahKhamenei #EuropeanUnion #GlobalConflict

News

Carlos Alcaraz becomes youngest man to complete career Grand Slam

Carlos Alcaraz, at 22, stuns tennis by winning the Australian Open, defeating Djokovic, and celebrating with a kangaroo tattoo.

Published

8 hours ago

February 2, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Carlos Alcaraz, at 22, stuns tennis by winning the Australian Open, defeating Djokovic, and celebrating with a kangaroo tattoo.

Carlos Alcaraz has stunned the tennis world by winning the Australian Open, becoming the youngest man to complete a Career Grand Slam at just 22 years old.

The world number one beat Novak Djokovic in a thrilling four-set match, finishing 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5. Djokovic missed out on claiming his 25th Grand Slam title. To mark the milestone, Alcaraz revealed he plans to add a new tattoo of a kangaroo on his leg, joining his existing Eiffel Tower and Wimbledon strawberry tattoos.

#CarlosAlcaraz #AustralianOpen #GrandSlam #TennisHistory #NovakDjokovic #SportsNews #TennisTattoo #YoungChampion