World

“Lockdowns can’t go forever”: Australian PM attacks state leaders

Published

1 year ago

August 23, 2021

Australian prime Minister Scott Morrison has said that the country “has to move forward” and ditch lockdowns as soon as it reach 70 percent vaccination rate

The Australian Prime Minister has lashed out at state leaders who have threatened to enforce restrictions beyond 70% vaccination.

Several states have threatened to keep their borders closed even after achieving this vaccination rate amid the country’s Delta outbreak.

‘It does puzzle me – it puzzles me – why anyone would want to go against a plan that has been so carefully prepared,’ he said.

‘This is not a sustainable way to live in this country, without those freedoms that we all cherish,’ he said about lockdowns in Melbourne and Sydney.

“We will live with this virus, like we live with other infectious diseases”

“There will be risks,” he said. “If not when we hit 70 or 80 per cent, then when?”

Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison

This comes after Morrison saying this morning that Australians should start to change their perceptions about Covid-19.

He also said that the nation should expect a rise in infections once vaccination levels increase and restrictions are eased.

Today, Melbourne and the state ofVictoria recorded 71 new local COVID-19 cases, the highest daily number in this outbreak

On Sunday, Sydney and the state of New South Wales recorded 830 new coronavirus infections – the highest daily number ever for Australia during the pandemic.

Compared with many other nations, Australia has had a fairly successful Covid strategy – with around 44 thousand positive cases and just under 1 thousand deaths.

But frustration is growing around lockdowns and coronavirus-related restrictions.

Protestors gather in Australia’s major cities to rally against the nation’s lockdown measure

People are letting off flares now on Lonsdale Street in the CBD for the anti-lockdown protest, choppers are overhead. @theage pic.twitter.com/xbkNbeuPIS
— Cassie Morgan (@cassieemorgan) August 21, 2021

MELBOURNE PROTEST

BREAKING 🚨 Massive police presence across Sydney, Australia — multiple arrests are being made during anti lockdown protests #sydneyprotest pic.twitter.com/FiD8koBswH
— Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) August 21, 2021

SYDNEY PROTEST

Anti-lockdown protest in Brisbane, Australia. pic.twitter.com/ksRQeOECOj
— Marie Oakes (@TheMarieOakes) August 21, 2021

BRISBANE PROTEST

Over the weekend, thousands of protestors gathered in various locations right around the country, demanding change.

Morrison says he recognises the “heavy toll” that the strict coronavirus elimination measures have on residents and businesses… but the end is in sight.

He says that lockdowns are “sadly necessary for now”, and his government will “keep providing health and income support to get people through”.

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William Howard

William is an Executive News Producer at TICKER NEWS, responsible for the production and direction of news bulletins. William is also the presenter of the hourly Weather + Climate segment. With qualifications in Journalism and Law (LLB), William previously worked at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) before moving to TICKER NEWS. He was also an intern at the Seven Network's 'Sunrise'. A creative-minded individual, William has a passion for broadcast journalism and reporting on global politics and international affairs.

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World

Balloon diplomacy blows China off course

Published

22 hours ago

February 4, 2023

ticker NEWS

China claims an “airship” that is flying over the United States is for civilian meteorological and other scientific purposes and voiced regret that it strayed into U.S. airspace.

U.S. officials said on Thursday that a Chinese spy balloon has been flying over the United States for a couple of days, in what would be a brazen act just days ahead of a planned trip to Beijing by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

In a statement late on Friday, China’s foreign ministry also said that it would continue to maintain communications with the United States to properly handle the unexpected situation.

“The airship is from China and is civilian in nature, used for meteorological and other scientific research. Due to the influence of westerly winds and its limited control capability, the airship deviated from its intended course,” it said.

“China regrets that the airship strayed into the United States by mistake due to force majeure. China will continue to maintain communication with the U.S. side to properly handle this accident,” it said.

World

U.S. announces longer-range rocket for Ukraine

Published

22 hours ago

February 4, 2023

ticker NEWS

A new rocket that would double Ukraine’s strike range in its war with Russia was included in a $2.175 billion U.S. military aid package.

The new weapon, the Ground Launched Small Diameter Bomb (GLSDB), will allow Ukraine’s military to hit targets at twice the distance reachable by the rockets it now fires from the U.S.-supplied High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS).

The 151 km (94 mile) GLSDB will put all of Russia’s supply lines in eastern Ukraine within reach, as well as part of Russian-occupied Crimea, which Moscow annexed in 2014.

“As part of the USAI package, we will be providing Ground Launched Small Diameter Bomb to Ukraine,” Brigadier General Patrick Ryder told a news briefing at the Pentagon. USAI stands for Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI).

Friday’s aid pledge opens the door to many more deliveries of the Ground Launched Small Diameter Bombs (GLSDB).

When the new rockets arrive, it will mark the first time Ukraine has seen its rocket range grow exponentially since U.S. furnished HIMARS in late-June 2022.

HIMARS have a 77 km (48 mile) range and were instrumental in Ukraine’s counter offensive against Russian forces, which invaded on Feb. 24, 2022.