News

Australian COVID vaccine ad sparks backlash

Published

5 years ago

July 12, 2021

Australia has released new television commercials aimed at promoting the COVID-19 vaccine – but it hasn’t been welcomed by citizens

Australia’s Health Minister says a confronting coronavirus ad depicting a woman on the verge of death is deliberately hard to watch.

The 30-second clip of a woman who looks to be in her 20s or 30s gasping for air on a hospital bed, was filmed last year, but the federal government held off running it as no outbreak was deemed serious enough to warrant it.

The government has been forced to defend the ad reminiscent of the “Grim Reaper” HIV ads in the 1980s, after it prompted a backlash over claims it was too confronting.

“The Delta variant is proving to be very difficult to contain

A more temperate series of ads, depicting arms on ordinary Australians with the moniker “Arm Yourself”, began last week, but Health Minister Greg Hunt said the escalating situation in Sydney called for a more explicit response.

Younger Aussies still not eligible to get the jab

The age of the woman in the ad has sparked controversy, with most younger Australians still ineligible to receive their vaccine.

Currently over 10 people hospitalised in Sydney are under 35.

News

Iran live updates: Rubio warns hardest US strikes yet to come as toll rises

Published

2 hours ago

March 3, 2026

Ahron Young

What’s happening in the Middle East?

President Donald Trump says Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been killed, with Iran now entering a transitional period under a three man leadership council
Trump says U.S. strikes on Iran could last four to five weeks, outlining objectives including destroying missile capabilities, dismantling Iran’s navy and preventing it from obtaining a nuclear weapon
The U.S. military confirms four American service members have been killed, and the White House says U.S. forces have destroyed and sunk nine Iranian naval ships
Iran says it sees “no limit” to its right to self defence and will not negotiate, as missile and drone attacks continue across Israel and Gulf states
More than 500 Iranians have been killed in U.S. and Israeli strikes, with additional deaths reported in Lebanon, Israel and the UAE
Shipping, aviation and energy markets have been disrupted, Qatar has halted LNG production, UAE stock markets have closed temporarily, and oil and gas prices have surged

News

Oil prices surge amid rising Middle East conflict risks

Crude oil surges 7% amid fears of Middle East conflict; Strait of Hormuz disruptions may push Brent over $100.

Published

3 hours ago

March 3, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Crude oil surges 7% amid fears of Middle East conflict; Strait of Hormuz disruptions may push Brent over $100.

Crude oil prices spiked dramatically as investors react to the growing risk of a wider conflict in the Middle East. U.S. crude surged 7.2 percent, trading near $71.84 a barrel, signalling heightened concern across energy markets.

The Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping chokepoint, has come under intense scrutiny. Rising war-risk insurance premiums and suspended tanker traffic are already slowing the movement of oil, creating ripple effects in global supply chains.

JPMorgan has warned that prolonged disruptions over three weeks could force Gulf producers to reduce output, potentially pushing Brent crude prices to between $100 and $120 a barrel. Markets are closely watching for developments that could reshape global energy pricing.

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News

Trump warns of last opportunity to hit Iran as conflict escalates

Trump declares final chance to strike Iran, aiming to dismantle missile systems and prevent nuclear weapons amid U.S. troop losses.

Published

3 hours ago

March 3, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Trump declares final chance to strike Iran, aiming to dismantle missile systems and prevent nuclear weapons amid U.S. troop losses.

President Trump has declared this is the final opportunity to strike Iran as conflict intensifies across the Middle East, outlining four key military objectives including dismantling Iran’s missile capabilities and targeting its navy.

The U.S. says its mission is to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon and to halt its alleged support for terrorist groups abroad, signalling a potentially prolonged campaign in the region.

Four U.S. troops have already been killed, with officials warning further casualties are possible as operations continue.

#Trump #Iran #MiddleEast

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