Cyclone Ilsa battered the western coast of Australia with wind windspeeds reaching recording-breaking 218km/h—a feat set 10 years ago in the same place.

The tropical cyclone made a landfall between De Grey and Pardoo Roadhouse as a highest-severity category 5 storm on Monday, according to the Australian Bureau of Meteorology. Category 5 storm is considered to be really dangerous.

But it was later downgraded to category 4 Atlantic hurricane, after it reached the coast near Pardoo Roadhouse around 140km east of Port Hedland. Eventually, Western Australia’s acting emergency services minister, Sue Ellery, announced that the storm was further downgraded category 2 system

According to the weather department, Ilsa set a record for a 10-minute-sustained wind speed of 218km/h at Bedout Island just off the coast. The previous record holder was Cyclone George in 2007 which had windspeeds of 194km/h at the same location.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CycloneIlsa?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CycloneIlsa</a> has set a new preliminary Australian ten-minute sustained wind speed record of 218km/h at Bedout Island! Cyclone George was the previous record holder with 194km/h back in 2007 at the very same location! For the latest <a href="https://t.co/6laIpVWtSM">https://t.co/6laIpVWtSM</a> <a href="https://t.co/m3jsJCadko">pic.twitter.com/m3jsJCadko</a>
— Bureau of Meteorology, Western Australia (@BOM_WA) <a href="https://twitter.com/BOM_WA/status/1646513163763089412?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2023</a></blockquote>
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No casualties were reported so far as residents in some areas were urged to seek shelter immediately, as the storm – currently with gusts of up to 285km/h – made its approach, reports Guardian newspaper.

<h2>Climate time bomb is ticking, expect more floods, cyclones and droughts</h2>

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“That is going to cause a heap of damage. Any houses that aren’t built to code are going to suffer extensive damage ... Fortunately, it looks like the system is going to cross in a relatively unpopulated part of the coast,” said Todd Smith, a Bureau of Meteorology spokesman, reports Guardian.

Officials are assessing the damage the cyclone caused on Western Australia, though they believe that the winds had the potential to cause significant damage to trees, buildings, power lines and other infrastructure.

They were planning to survey the damage from the air when it was safe enough to fly helicopters over the area, reports CNN.

According to local media reports, the cyclone skipped past the main population centres, including the town of Port Hedland, an important hub for the mining industry and home to about 16,000 people, mostly mine workers.

“The fact that the cyclone took a south-eastward shift in the track late yesterday afternoon really means that Port Hedland dodged a bullet last night. Most of the impacts as we’ve seen are further to the east, and the impacts in Port Hedland were really light with the system tracking about 150km further along the track,” Smith added.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Cyclone Ilsa battered the western coast of Australia with wind windspeeds reaching recording-breaking 218km/h—a feat set 10 years ago in the same place. The tropical cyclone made a landfall between De Grey and Pardoo Roadhouse as a highest-severity category 5 storm on Monday, according to the Australian Bureau of Meteorology.

Cyclone Ilsa battered the western coast of Australia with wind windspeeds reaching recording-breaking 218km/h—a feat set 10 years ago in the same place. The tropical cyclone made a landfall between De Grey and Pardoo Roadhouse as a highest-severity category 5 storm on Monday, according to the Australian Bureau of Meteorology. Category 5 storm is considered to be really dangerous. But it was later downgraded to category 4 Atlantic hurricane, after it reached the coast near Pardoo Roadhouse around 140km east of Port Hedland. Eventually, Western Australia’s acting emergency services minister, Sue Ellery, announced that the storm was further downgraded category 2 system According to the weather department, Ilsa set a record for a 10-minute-sustained wind speed of 218km/h at Bedout Island just off the coast. The previous record holder was Cyclone George in 2007 which had windspeeds of 194km/h at the same location. #CycloneIlsa has set a new preliminary Australian ten-minute sustained wind speed record of 218km/h at Bedout Island! Cyclone George was the previous record holder with 194km/h back in 2007 at the very same location! For the latest https://t.co/6laIpVWtSM pic.twitter.com/m3jsJCadko — Bureau of Meteorology, Western Australia (@BOM_WA) April 13, 2023 × No casualties were reported so far as residents in some areas were urged to seek shelter immediately, as the storm – currently with gusts of up to 285km/h – made its approach, reports Guardian newspaper. Climate time bomb is ticking, expect more floods, cyclones and droughts “That is going to cause a heap of damage. Any houses that aren’t built to code are going to suffer extensive damage ... Fortunately, it looks like the system is going to cross in a relatively unpopulated part of the coast,” said Todd Smith, a Bureau of Meteorology spokesman, reports Guardian. Officials are assessing the damage the cyclone caused on Western Australia, though they believe that the winds had the potential to cause significant damage to trees, buildings, power lines and other infrastructure. They were planning to survey the damage from the air when it was safe enough to fly helicopters over the area, reports CNN. According to local media reports, the cyclone skipped past the main population centres, including the town of Port Hedland, an important hub for the mining industry and home to about 16,000 people, mostly mine workers. “The fact that the cyclone took a south-eastward shift in the track late yesterday afternoon really means that Port Hedland dodged a bullet last night. Most of the impacts as we’ve seen are further to the east, and the impacts in Port Hedland were really light with the system tracking about 150km further along the track,” Smith added. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Cyclone Ilsa batters Western Australia, breaks decade-old wind record, brings trail of destruction

In what may come as a huge breakthrough in sustainable energy development, a team of researchers at the Monash University in Melbourne have found a way to generate limitless electricity out of thin air.

In what may come as a huge breakthrough in sustainable energy development, a team of researchers at the Monash University in Melbourne have found a way to generate limitless electricity out of thin air. The scientists discovered a hydrogen-consuming enzyme from a common soil bacterium that uses the atmosphere as an energy source to generate electrical current. Led by Monash’s Dr Rhys Grinter, PhD student Ashleigh Kropp, and Professor Chris Greening, from the Biomedicine Discovery Institute, the research findings were published in the new edition of the journal Nature. Hydrogen gas scavenger The enzyme discovered is called Huc (pronounced “Huck”) and is made by Mycobacterium smegmatis bacteria, allowing it to survive in harsh conditions. “We’ve known for some time that bacteria can use the trace hydrogen in the air as a source of energy to help them grow and survive, including in Antarctic soils, volcanic craters, and deep in the ocean," said Professor Rhys Grinter. Huc acts as a hydrogen gas scavenger, devouring the gas below atmospheric levels to produce its magic. “Huc is extremely effective. Unlike all other known enzymes and chemical catalysts, it uses hydrogen at amounts below atmospheric levels – as little as 0.00005 per cent of the air we breathe," added Grinter. Notably, Mycobacterium smegmatis was discovered in 1985 by Sigmund Lustgarten, an Austrian doctor who was looking into skin diseases. The particular bacterium resides in the soil and is relatively unharmful - not causing any disease. It has been well-studied due to its use as a model for organism for tuberculosis. Grinter explained that to separate Huc from M. smegmatis, they had to develop a series of new methods, which included growing the bacteria from scratch and later breaking them open and using chemistry to isolate the single component. ALSO READ | South Korean scientists create an 'artificial sun' in pursuit of unlimited clean energy What next for Huc? The scientists added that Huc can be stored for long periods without losing its ability to generate electricity. During the experiments, it was flash-frozen in liquid N2 and stored at −80 degrees Celsius with purification yielding 10–20 micrograms of the Huc complex. Getting down to the brass tacks, the scientists said the early applications of Huc include powering small air-powered devices which could act as an alternative to solar-powered devices. The next step involved is to scale up the production so that Huc can be produced in sufficient quantities to be used at a meaningful scale. “Once we produce Huc in sufficient quantities, the sky is quite literally the limit for using it to produce clean energy," said Grinter. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Limitless energy? Scientists discover enzyme to make electricity out of thin air

FIFA has predicted the women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand will be a "watershed" moment that propels the game to another level, with the target to eventually rival the men's version.

Women's football is already enjoying a surge in popularity in some countries, and the tournament looks set to spark further global interest.

With 100 days till kick-off, FIFA's chief women's football officer Sarai Bareman told NewsCorp Australia in comments published Tuesday that more than two billion viewers were expected to tune in, double the previous tournament in France, won by the United States.

Record attendance is also predicted, with 650,000 tickets already snapped up. The next phase of sales opened Tuesday.

Bareman said she believed the event would be a major turning point and a driver for social change, creating role models for young girls and helping promote gender equality.

"People will be saying, 'That was the watershed moment that changed everything and took the game to the next level'," she said.

"And that's in every aspect -- commercially, participation, popularity and growth.&nbsp;

"I think people will really look back and choose the women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand as that watershed moment where the growth, which is already exponential, just took off to the absolute next level."

Bareman, a New Zealand-born former Samoan international, said the ultimate goal was to grow the tournament to rival the men's and get females on equal footing in terms of pay.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/real-madrids-karim-benzema-raring-to-go-against-chelsea-581170">Real Madrid's Karim Benzema raring to go against Chelsea</a>

"We know the men's World Cup is the primary source of revenue for FIFA and football, and that generates in excess of $US5 billion per edition, and that's a clear target for women's football," she said.

"We want to get to that level. The first World Cup for men was in 1930, it wasn't until 61 years later the first women's World Cup was introduced, we're still in our infancy as a product.

"But we have to look at what's happening in the men's game as an inspiration and a target, for me it's got to be in the billions and we have to keep pushing until we get to that level."

The tournament, which will take place in five Australian and four New Zealand cities, has been expanded from 24 to 32 teams for the first time.

It kicks off when New Zealand face Norway in Auckland and Australia meet Ireland in Sydney.&nbsp;

Despite Bareman's upbeat outlook, some broadcasters have reportedly made low-ball offers for rights to screen the event, a move slammed by&nbsp;FIFA president Gianni Infantino as "not acceptable".

The concerns are around some games being played at night or the early hours of the morning in lucrative markets in Europe and the Americas.

Bareman told NewsCorp that broadcasters underbidding could miss out entirely.

"We do have to hold the line and make sure that for the good of the next generations of female footballers, that they are given the opportunities afforded their male counterparts," she said. "We can only do that by ensuring its commercial value is recognised.

"It could be the case (some countries miss out), we're still in the negotiation phase right now which is typical, often these things do come down to the wire so that's nothing unusual."

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FIFA has predicted the women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand will be a "watershed" moment that propels the game to another level, with the target to eventually rival the men's version.

FIFA has predicted the women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand will be a "watershed" moment that propels the game to another level, with the target to eventually rival the men's version. Women's football is already enjoying a surge in popularity in some countries, and the tournament looks set to spark further global interest. With 100 days till kick-off, FIFA's chief women's football officer Sarai Bareman told NewsCorp Australia in comments published Tuesday that more than two billion viewers were expected to tune in, double the previous tournament in France, won by the United States. Record attendance is also predicted, with 650,000 tickets already snapped up. The next phase of sales opened Tuesday. Bareman said she believed the event would be a major turning point and a driver for social change, creating role models for young girls and helping promote gender equality. "People will be saying, 'That was the watershed moment that changed everything and took the game to the next level'," she said. "And that's in every aspect -- commercially, participation, popularity and growth. "I think people will really look back and choose the women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand as that watershed moment where the growth, which is already exponential, just took off to the absolute next level." Bareman, a New Zealand-born former Samoan international, said the ultimate goal was to grow the tournament to rival the men's and get females on equal footing in terms of pay. Also Read: Real Madrid's Karim Benzema raring to go against Chelsea "We know the men's World Cup is the primary source of revenue for FIFA and football, and that generates in excess of $US5 billion per edition, and that's a clear target for women's football," she said. "We want to get to that level. The first World Cup for men was in 1930, it wasn't until 61 years later the first women's World Cup was introduced, we're still in our infancy as a product. "But we have to look at what's happening in the men's game as an inspiration and a target, for me it's got to be in the billions and we have to keep pushing until we get to that level." The tournament, which will take place in five Australian and four New Zealand cities, has been expanded from 24 to 32 teams for the first time. It kicks off when New Zealand face Norway in Auckland and Australia meet Ireland in Sydney. Despite Bareman's upbeat outlook, some broadcasters have reportedly made low-ball offers for rights to screen the event, a move slammed by FIFA president Gianni Infantino as "not acceptable". The concerns are around some games being played at night or the early hours of the morning in lucrative markets in Europe and the Americas. Bareman told NewsCorp that broadcasters underbidding could miss out entirely. "We do have to hold the line and make sure that for the good of the next generations of female footballers, that they are given the opportunities afforded their male counterparts," she said. "We can only do that by ensuring its commercial value is recognised. "It could be the case (some countries miss out), we're still in the negotiation phase right now which is typical, often these things do come down to the wire so that's nothing unusual." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

FIFA predicts Women's World Cup to be 'watershed' and iconic for game

Across the world, dozens of nations have changed their laws to allow people to light up. Another nation that is about to be added to the list is Australia. The Australian Greens are planning to introduce a bill aiming to legalise cannabis. The legislation, if passed, would allow for the regulation and sale of approved cannabis strains. The cannabis will be used for recreational consumption in Australia. The bill is currently out for public consultation. To get anywhere, the bill would need government support to replenish the existing law.

Is Australia all set to legalise cannabis? Watch all details here

Welcome to the land down under! In this episode of our travel show, we take you on a journey through the stunning region of Victoria, Australia. We start our adventure on the picturesque Phillip Island, where we explore the breathtaking natural beauty of this island paradise. For those seeking an adrenaline rush, we take to the skies with Phillip Island Helicopters. From above, we get a bird's eye view of the island's spectacular coastline and rolling hills. But the adventure doesn't end there! We visit the historic Churchill Island, where we learn about the fascinating history of the island and its early settlers, as well as experience traditional farming activities such as sheep shearing and cow milking. We visit Seal Rocks, where we encounter some of the most adorable ocean creatures, making for a truly unforgettable experience. As the sun sets, we go to the world-renowned Penguin Parade. Here, we witness hundreds of little penguins waddling ashore after a long day of fishing in the ocean. The sight of these cute little creatures is sure to warm your heart. Victoria's Phillip Island has something for everyone with its natural beauty, wildlife encounters, delicious cuisine, and rich history. Join us on this unforgettable journey through this stunning region and discover why it's a must-visit destination in Australia.

A slice of paradise: Australia’s Phillip Island | WION Traveller

Over the weekend, a regional cafe in Australia’s New South Wales garnered criticism after a report by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) did a story on how they were forced to hire children as young as 11 years. This comes as the Australian state NSW does not have a minimum working age but you have to be at least 11 years old before you can receive a tax file number.

Speaking to ABC News, the owners of Long Track Pantry in the small Australian town of Jugiong, Huw and Juliet Robb said that they opened the cafe a few years ago and faced an employee shortage. Notably, the population of the town is 200 out of which the school kids make up the majority of the factory’s 100-strong workforce, reported ABC.&nbsp;

The school children are paid award wages and mostly work in the hospitality side of the business which includes, washing dishes, making jams and relishes and serving customers. While different states and territories across the country have provisions and laws in place to prevent child labour some of them do not stipulate a minimum age.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the Australian government had been considering a recommendation to make the minimum working age 15 or 13 for “light work” with some exceptions for those below 13, reported the Guardian. The&nbsp;report sparked outrage as one-star reviews of Long Track Pantry appeared over the weekend on Google while many accused the cafe of “child labour”, added the media report.&nbsp;

One Twitter user wrote, “Understandably, I’ve stopped at this cafe and purchased many of their products. Blissfully unaware that I’m supporting child labour.”&nbsp;

However, many even came to the cafe’s defence saying that children were paid award wages while political and economics writer Tim Colebatch said it was “common sense” and how he got his first job at the age of nine, adding that “it was a great learning experience”.&nbsp;

According to the owners, of the Jugiong jam factory where the children work, they are onboarded with strict training programs devised by staff members with teaching backgrounds, reported ABC News. Additionally, staff members in their late teens or early 20 teach kids who start off by dishwashing and food preparation before they are given “customer-facing roles”.&nbsp;

“So many of our managers now are the ones that have started at 11,” told the factory head of wellbeing and culture Treen Brooker to ABC News. As of last year, about 214,500 children aged 15 and under were legally working in Australia, reported the Guardian citing an employment and workplace relations survey.&nbsp; 
 
The Australian government is yet to ratify the International Labour Organization (ILO) convention concerning the minimum age for admission to employment and would be the 176th country to do so. This also comes after a parliamentary committee, last month, while recommending the government to sign the treaty also said that working may be beneficial for young people.&nbsp; 
 
However, it added, that evidence also suggests “except in cases where a youth works only a few hours per week, child and youth labor is harmful to development, educational success and health”. 
 
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Over the weekend, a regional cafe in Australia’s New South Wales garnered criticism after a report by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) did a story on how they were forced to hire children as young as 11 years.

Over the weekend, a regional cafe in Australia’s New South Wales garnered criticism after a report by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) did a story on how they were forced to hire children as young as 11 years. This comes as the Australian state NSW does not have a minimum working age but you have to be at least 11 years old before you can receive a tax file number. Speaking to ABC News, the owners of Long Track Pantry in the small Australian town of Jugiong, Huw and Juliet Robb said that they opened the cafe a few years ago and faced an employee shortage. Notably, the population of the town is 200 out of which the school kids make up the majority of the factory’s 100-strong workforce, reported ABC. The school children are paid award wages and mostly work in the hospitality side of the business which includes, washing dishes, making jams and relishes and serving customers. While different states and territories across the country have provisions and laws in place to prevent child labour some of them do not stipulate a minimum age. Meanwhile, the Australian government had been considering a recommendation to make the minimum working age 15 or 13 for “light work” with some exceptions for those below 13, reported the Guardian. The report sparked outrage as one-star reviews of Long Track Pantry appeared over the weekend on Google while many accused the cafe of “child labour”, added the media report. One Twitter user wrote, “Understandably, I’ve stopped at this cafe and purchased many of their products. Blissfully unaware that I’m supporting child labour.” However, many even came to the cafe’s defence saying that children were paid award wages while political and economics writer Tim Colebatch said it was “common sense” and how he got his first job at the age of nine, adding that “it was a great learning experience”. According to the owners, of the Jugiong jam factory where the children work, they are onboarded with strict training programs devised by staff members with teaching backgrounds, reported ABC News. Additionally, staff members in their late teens or early 20 teach kids who start off by dishwashing and food preparation before they are given “customer-facing roles”. “So many of our managers now are the ones that have started at 11,” told the factory head of wellbeing and culture Treen Brooker to ABC News. As of last year, about 214,500 children aged 15 and under were legally working in Australia, reported the Guardian citing an employment and workplace relations survey. The Australian government is yet to ratify the International Labour Organization (ILO) convention concerning the minimum age for admission to employment and would be the 176th country to do so. This also comes after a parliamentary committee, last month, while recommending the government to sign the treaty also said that working may be beneficial for young people. However, it added, that evidence also suggests “except in cases where a youth works only a few hours per week, child and youth labor is harmful to development, educational success and health”. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Australia: Cafe hires 11-year-olds sparks criticism over minimum age for workers

Experts and conservationists have been advocating for the removal of shark nets permanently from all east coast beaches in Australia. It has been understood that shark nets are more or less ineffective and harmful to other endangered species.&nbsp;

The shark nets, supposed to act as a physical barrier, are aimed at preventing sharks from reaching the shallow swimming areas of the surf beaches.&nbsp;

But over a period of time, such shark meshes have been apparently leading to the killing of other marine animals like whales, turtles, dolphins, dugongs, etc. There has been an evident environmental impact also.&nbsp;

A report by Sky News revealed that Queensland has 26 shark nets in place all year round, and New South Wales has 51 nets, which get removed during the whale migration season.&nbsp;

Sky News mentioned in the report that it travelled off Sydney's coast to gather information about the shark nets at Manly in northern Sydney and found that the meshes were only 150 metres long, while the beach is half a mile. The same was at Bondi beach also, the nets don't cover the entire length of it, only a small part.&nbsp;

This has been a major concern as several reports have mentioned that the shark mesh nets are not a complete barrier to sharks, which might reach beaches as they are not permanently set in the water, and do not cover the whole length of the beach.&nbsp;

The meshing schemes and their maintenance are managed by the state governments. But according to reports, the N.S.W. Fisheries Scientific Committee has listed shark meshing as a Key Threatening Process.&nbsp;

As quoted by Sky, Lawrence Chlebeck, who is a biologist for the Humane Society International, explained: "Sharks can swim above, around and underneath the nets. In fact, 40% of sharks are caught on the inside of the nets, trying to make their way back out to open water."&nbsp; 
 
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Experts and conservationists have been advocating for the removal of shark nets permanently from all east coast beaches in Australia. It has been understood that shark nets are more or less ineffective and harmful to other endangered species.

Experts and conservationists have been advocating for the removal of shark nets permanently from all east coast beaches in Australia. It has been understood that shark nets are more or less ineffective and harmful to other endangered species. The shark nets, supposed to act as a physical barrier, are aimed at preventing sharks from reaching the shallow swimming areas of the surf beaches. But over a period of time, such shark meshes have been apparently leading to the killing of other marine animals like whales, turtles, dolphins, dugongs, etc. There has been an evident environmental impact also. A report by Sky News revealed that Queensland has 26 shark nets in place all year round, and New South Wales has 51 nets, which get removed during the whale migration season. Sky News mentioned in the report that it travelled off Sydney's coast to gather information about the shark nets at Manly in northern Sydney and found that the meshes were only 150 metres long, while the beach is half a mile. The same was at Bondi beach also, the nets don't cover the entire length of it, only a small part. This has been a major concern as several reports have mentioned that the shark mesh nets are not a complete barrier to sharks, which might reach beaches as they are not permanently set in the water, and do not cover the whole length of the beach. The meshing schemes and their maintenance are managed by the state governments. But according to reports, the N.S.W. Fisheries Scientific Committee has listed shark meshing as a Key Threatening Process. As quoted by Sky, Lawrence Chlebeck, who is a biologist for the Humane Society International, explained: "Sharks can swim above, around and underneath the nets. In fact, 40% of sharks are caught on the inside of the nets, trying to make their way back out to open water." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Experts advocate for removing shark nets from Australia’s beaches permanently

Days after Australia announced it was banning TikTok on government devices in the country, China's commerce ministry has released a statement saying the decision was 'discriminatory' — one that harmed the interest of Australian businesses.

Days after Australia announced it was banning TikTok on government devices in the country, China's commerce ministry has released a statement saying the decision was 'discriminatory' — one that harmed the interest of Australian businesses. It urged Canberra to look into the matter again and treat all firms fairly. "Australia treated TikTok differently from other social media platforms and adopted discriminatory restrictive measures, which are not conducive to maintaining Australia's national security," read the statement. "We urge the Australian side to earnestly abide by the rules of the market economy and the principles of fair competition, and provide Chinese companies with a fair, transparent and non-discriminatory business environment." ALSO READ | Australia to ban TikTok on government devices: Reports Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Beijing had "lodged stern representations with the Australian side". Notably, earlier this week, reports stated that Australia had joined the likes of the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and New Zealand amongst others in banning the short-video app. Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus informed the decision was taken after receiving advice from the country's intelligence agencies. "TikTok poses significant security and privacy risks to non-corporate commonwealth entities arising from extensive collection of user data and exposure to extrajudicial directions from a foreign government that conflict with Australian law," read Australia's protective security direction. WATCH | Australia to ban TikTok on government devices: Reports × TikTok Australia's General Manager Lee Hunter in a statement said that the company was “extremely disappointed” by the decision if confirmed. “We stress that there is no evidence to suggest that TikTok is in any way a security risk to Australians and should not be treated differently to other social media platforms,” said Hunter, as per media reports. ALSO READ | US lawmakers to go ahead with the proposal banning TikTok use nationwide In December last year, TikTok acknowledged that it has knowingly collected user data to spy on journalists. India was one of the first countries to issue a blanket ban on the Chinese app. Since then, more and more countries have joined the bandwagon and booted TikTok out. Last month, US lawmakers said they were moving forward with the plan to impose a nationwide ban on the app, having already banned it on federal devices. Kevin McCarthy, the US House of Representatives speaker said the lawmakers were moving ahead to address the national security concerns posed by the app, alleging that the Chinese government had access to users' data. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

‘Australia treated TikTok...’: China requests fair treatment after app is banned

An Australian opposition leader's claim that scientists are not considering the role of gravity in the heating of Earth received massive flak from scientists worldwide. Queensland senator Gerard Rennick said that it is "categorically false" for scientists to argue that Carbon dioxide traps heat in the same way that a greenhouse.&nbsp;

Rennick posted a video in which he can be heard saying that, "scientists ignore the fact that gravity plays a role in heating the earth… That’s why ‘Net Zero’ CO2 emissions won’t stop ‘Climate Change’."

In an article linked to his tweet, Rennick asserted that CO2 was not responsible for heating of the plant. Climate Change was "junk science", he added.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/facebook-advertisers-promoted-false-claims-about-climate-change-during-cop26-summit-430321">Facebook advertisers promoted false claims about climate change during COP26 summit</a>

Dr Chris Colose, a climate scientist at NASA, replied on Twitter that Rennick’s question "do gases trap convection", "doesn’t even make sense as a statement. Nor does it discount the importance of [greenhouse gases]."

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;New IPCC report on climate change

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Mann described Rennick’s statement as "gibberish" and a "stringing together of scientific terms reminiscent of monkeys typing on a typewriter".

When Rennick accused Mann of "cancelling gravity" while describing the greenhouse effect, Mann showed a mathematical explanation of how air temperatures change with rise in altitude.&nbsp;

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p.s. "canceling gravity"? Given your extensive background in atmospheric physics, surely you're aware of what "g" stands for in this derivation? 😆<a href="https://t.co/vsPEMxko13">https://t.co/vsPEMxko13</a>
— Prof Michael E. Mann (@MichaelEMann) <a href="https://twitter.com/MichaelEMann/status/1642641142767386627?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 2, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Another expert, Associate Prof Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick, a climate scientist at the University of New South Wales Canberra, pointed to Rennick’s areas of expertise, which does not include climate science.

"He has got no expertise whatsoever. It’s a bit like me going and doing someone else’s taxes. I wouldn’t. There’s no point," she was quoted as saying by The Guardian.&nbsp;

The volume of greenhouse gases, causing the planet to heat up, has doubled between 2005 and 2019, according to a 2021 peer-reviewed study. Scientists also point to the "knowledge gap that exists currently in the world" over climate science, and have urged the authorities to take steps to rectify the same.&nbsp;

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An Australian opposition leader's claim that scientists are not considering the role of gravity in the heating of Earth received massive flak from scientists worldwide.

An Australian opposition leader's claim that scientists are not considering the role of gravity in the heating of Earth received massive flak from scientists worldwide. Queensland senator Gerard Rennick said that it is "categorically false" for scientists to argue that Carbon dioxide traps heat in the same way that a greenhouse. Rennick posted a video in which he can be heard saying that, "scientists ignore the fact that gravity plays a role in heating the earth… That’s why ‘Net Zero’ CO2 emissions won’t stop ‘Climate Change’." In an article linked to his tweet, Rennick asserted that CO2 was not responsible for heating of the plant. Climate Change was "junk science", he added. ALSO READ | Facebook advertisers promoted false claims about climate change during COP26 summit Dr Chris Colose, a climate scientist at NASA, replied on Twitter that Rennick’s question "do gases trap convection", "doesn’t even make sense as a statement. Nor does it discount the importance of [greenhouse gases]." ALSO WATCH | New IPCC report on climate change × Mann described Rennick’s statement as "gibberish" and a "stringing together of scientific terms reminiscent of monkeys typing on a typewriter". When Rennick accused Mann of "cancelling gravity" while describing the greenhouse effect, Mann showed a mathematical explanation of how air temperatures change with rise in altitude. p.s. "canceling gravity"? Given your extensive background in atmospheric physics, surely you're aware of what "g" stands for in this derivation? 😆https://t.co/vsPEMxko13 — Prof Michael E. Mann (@MichaelEMann) April 2, 2023 × Another expert, Associate Prof Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick, a climate scientist at the University of New South Wales Canberra, pointed to Rennick’s areas of expertise, which does not include climate science. "He has got no expertise whatsoever. It’s a bit like me going and doing someone else’s taxes. I wouldn’t. There’s no point," she was quoted as saying by The Guardian. The volume of greenhouse gases, causing the planet to heat up, has doubled between 2005 and 2019, according to a 2021 peer-reviewed study. Scientists also point to the "knowledge gap that exists currently in the world" over climate science, and have urged the authorities to take steps to rectify the same. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Lawmaker says gravity has role in climate change, faces scorn from scientists

Australia has taken its first formal step towards holding a referendum to recognize its indigenous people in its Constitution. It is interesting to note that Australia's aboriginal people have not even been mentioned in the 122-year-old Constitution. The referendum will be held between October and December this year. Mohammed Saleh gets you the details of how a first world Constitution has not even provided constitutionally equality to its indigenous people.

When will aboriginal people get equality & dignity in Australia? | World at War

Explore Australia's Melbourne city with WION Traveller. Join WION's Johan Castell as he travels through Victoria's Melbourne and features the best things to do while visiting the city, hosted by Visit Victoria. We show you what a tour to the Melbourne Cricket Ground looks like, and visit the heritage Queen Victoria Market and take a tour with the official tour guide Mercellez. A visit to the Brighton Bathing Boxes and digging into their background is also included. Let's not forget the food available in the city, we go on a long foodie's tour of the city that lasts an entire afternoon before finishing off at the upmarket Farmer's Daughters restaurant in the Central Business District of Melbourne.

Exploring Melbourne - Highlights of visiting Victoria | WION Traveller

The Australian government said on Tuesday (April 4) that it will ban TikTok on government devices, joining a growing list of Western countries that are cracking down on the&nbsp;Chinese-owned app because of national security fears.

Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus said the decision followed advice from the country's intelligence agencies and would begin "as soon as practicable", according to a report by the news agency AFP.&nbsp;

More details will be added.&nbsp;

The Australian government said on Tuesday (April 4) that it will ban TikTok on government devices, joining a growing list of Western countries that are cracking down on the Chinese-owned app because of national security fears.

The Australian government said on Tuesday (April 4) that it will ban TikTok on government devices, joining a growing list of Western countries that are cracking down on the Chinese-owned app because of national security fears. Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus said the decision followed advice from the country's intelligence agencies and would begin "as soon as practicable", according to a report by the news agency AFP. More details will be added.

Australia to ban TikTok on government devices

Former rugby star Jarryd Hayne has been found guilty of sexually assaulting a woman after deliberations made by the third jury in this case. In 2021, the first jury gave Hayne five years and nine months in prison; however, the verdict was overturned by the New South Wales Court of Criminal Appeal last year. Now, the third jury has again found him guilty of assaulting a woman back in 2018.

<h2>Who is Jarryd Hayne?</h2>

Jarryd Hayne was a rugby superstar in Australia, playing for the Parramatta Eels in the National Rugby League (NRL). He won numerous awards and accolades, including the Dally M Medal for the NRL's best player twice. He also represented the Australian national rugby league team and helped them win the Rugby League World Cup in 2013.

In 2015, Hayne announced that he was leaving rugby league to pursue a career in the National Football League (NFL) in the United States. He signed with the San Francisco 49ers as a running back but struggled to make an impact and was released after just one season.

<h2>What are the sexual assault allegations against Jarryd Hayne?</h2>

In 2018, Hayne was accused of sexually assaulting a woman at her home in Newcastle, Australia. He had met the woman on social media, and they had arranged to meet up after a friend's bachelor party. Hayne pleaded not guilty to the charges, but after three trials, he has been found guilty of sexual assault. Hayne will be sentenced at a later date, but his bail was continued after the verdict was reached.

<h2>Civil Lawsuit in California</h2>

In addition to the sexual assault allegations in Australia, Hayne was also accused of sexual assault in a civil lawsuit brought by a woman in California in 2016. The alleged incident occurred in 2015, but police decided not to charge Hayne.

Hayne denied the allegations, saying he "unequivocally and vehemently" denied them. The case was settled in 2019 before going to trial.

Former rugby star Jarryd Hayne has been found guilty of sexually assaulting a woman after deliberations made by the third jury in this case. In 2021, the first jury gave Hayne five years and nine months in prison; however, the verdict was overturned by the New South Wales Court of Criminal Appeal last year.

Former rugby star Jarryd Hayne has been found guilty of sexually assaulting a woman after deliberations made by the third jury in this case. In 2021, the first jury gave Hayne five years and nine months in prison; however, the verdict was overturned by the New South Wales Court of Criminal Appeal last year. Now, the third jury has again found him guilty of assaulting a woman back in 2018. Who is Jarryd Hayne? Jarryd Hayne was a rugby superstar in Australia, playing for the Parramatta Eels in the National Rugby League (NRL). He won numerous awards and accolades, including the Dally M Medal for the NRL's best player twice. He also represented the Australian national rugby league team and helped them win the Rugby League World Cup in 2013. In 2015, Hayne announced that he was leaving rugby league to pursue a career in the National Football League (NFL) in the United States. He signed with the San Francisco 49ers as a running back but struggled to make an impact and was released after just one season. What are the sexual assault allegations against Jarryd Hayne? In 2018, Hayne was accused of sexually assaulting a woman at her home in Newcastle, Australia. He had met the woman on social media, and they had arranged to meet up after a friend's bachelor party. Hayne pleaded not guilty to the charges, but after three trials, he has been found guilty of sexual assault. Hayne will be sentenced at a later date, but his bail was continued after the verdict was reached. Civil Lawsuit in California In addition to the sexual assault allegations in Australia, Hayne was also accused of sexual assault in a civil lawsuit brought by a woman in California in 2016. The alleged incident occurred in 2015, but police decided not to charge Hayne. Hayne denied the allegations, saying he "unequivocally and vehemently" denied them. The case was settled in 2019 before going to trial.

Who is Jarryd Hayne? Know everything about the sexual assault case against the former NFL star

Australia will soon join the list of countries which have banned TikTok on government devices, reported the Australian media, late Monday (April 3). The ban follows other countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, and so on, who have also recently banned the Chinese-owned short video app.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has reportedly agreed to impose a ban on the use of TikTok on government devices following a&nbsp;security&nbsp;review by the Department of Home Affairs, reported The Australian, as per Reuters. An announcement about the same is expected sometime this week, said the media reports. &nbsp;

According to The Age newspaper, based in the city of Melbourne, Victoria state will also ban TikTok from government phones, citing a state government official as saying Victoria would follow the federal government’s guidance on the matter. Meanwhile, Tiktok Australia general manager Lee Hunter in a statement said that the company is “extremely disappointed” by the decision if confirmed.&nbsp;

He added that they were also disappointed to learn about the possible decision from the media “despite our repeated offers to engage with government constructively about this policy.”&nbsp;

“We stress that there is no evidence to suggest that TikTok is in any way a security risk to Australians and should not be treated differently to other social media platforms,” said Hunter, as per media reports.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, reports also suggest that TikTok is considering separation from parent company ByteDance as it is under scrutiny in the US over the app and the alleged national security risks it poses, said a report last month.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
 
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Australia will soon join the list of countries which have banned TikTok on government devices, reported the Australian media, late Monday (April 3). The ban follows other countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, and so on, who have also recently banned the Chinese-owned short video app.

Australia will soon join the list of countries which have banned TikTok on government devices, reported the Australian media, late Monday (April 3). The ban follows other countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, and so on, who have also recently banned the Chinese-owned short video app. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has reportedly agreed to impose a ban on the use of TikTok on government devices following a security review by the Department of Home Affairs, reported The Australian, as per Reuters. An announcement about the same is expected sometime this week, said the media reports. According to The Age newspaper, based in the city of Melbourne, Victoria state will also ban TikTok from government phones, citing a state government official as saying Victoria would follow the federal government’s guidance on the matter. Meanwhile, Tiktok Australia general manager Lee Hunter in a statement said that the company is “extremely disappointed” by the decision if confirmed. He added that they were also disappointed to learn about the possible decision from the media “despite our repeated offers to engage with government constructively about this policy.” “We stress that there is no evidence to suggest that TikTok is in any way a security risk to Australians and should not be treated differently to other social media platforms,” said Hunter, as per media reports. Meanwhile, reports also suggest that TikTok is considering separation from parent company ByteDance as it is under scrutiny in the US over the app and the alleged national security risks it poses, said a report last month. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Australia to ban TikTok on government devices: Reports

Australia's largest city Sydney finds itself at the receiving end of flash floods. Incessant rains have caused massive flooding across the city making daily life a nightmare. According to the reports, heavy rains have submerged several roads in the city.

Australia: Heavy rains in Sydney causes flash floods; jammed roads halts the largest city

The Australian government on Thursday took the first formal step towards holding a referendum to recognise Indigenous people in the constitution and set up an Indigenous "Voice to Parliament" to advise lawmakers on matters that impact their lives.

Australia govt introduces Indigenous referendum bill in parliament

Australian parliament on Thursday passed the most significant climate-related laws to target the country's worst polluters amid growing concern over fossil fuel exports. The so-called Safeguard Mechanism will force coal mines and oil refineries to curb emissions by about five per cent each year.&nbsp;

The passing of laws is a stepping stone for Australia as the nation has pledged to reach net zero emissions by 2050. The laws apply to 215 major industrial facilities, each producing more than 100,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases a year.&nbsp;

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese tweeted, "Our Safeguard Mechanism to limit emissions and act on climate change passed Parliament this afternoon." Albanese added, "After a decade of inaction, Australia is now on a path to net zero."&nbsp;

The deal was finalised after weeks of confidential negotiation between the Labour government and the Greens, which is a minor party with 15 parliamentarians, but their support was needed to pass the laws.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-66-unaccompanied-minors-still-missing-after-vanishing-from-brighton-asylum-hotel-577301">UK: 66 unaccompanied minors still missing after vanishing from Brighton asylum hotel</a>&nbsp;

The left-wing Greens party were sceptical over the law being able to stop some new gas and coal development proposals and prevention of further industry expansion.&nbsp;

However, they agreed to back the plan after persuading the government to put a hard cap on emissions. Greens leader Adam Bandt said the move compelled oil and gas corporations to slash their emissions "for the first time ever in law".&nbsp;

WATCH | What is threatening dolphin population?&nbsp;

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Australia's Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen told MPs: "What the parliament has done today is safeguard our climate, safeguard our economy and safeguard our future."&nbsp;

"What the parliament has done today is brought an end to 10 years of dysfunction and 10 years of delay."

Aluminium smelters, coal mines, oil refineries and other large polluters will be forced to cut their emissions by 4.9 per cent each year.&nbsp;

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pool-part-at-sunaks-greenpeace-activists-gather-outside-uk-pms-home-in-protest-of-his-energy-draining-pool-577216">Pool party at Sunak's? Greenpeace activists gather outside UK PM's home in protest of his energy-draining pool</a>&nbsp;

University of New South Wales sustainability expert Tommy Wiedmann told the news agency AFP, "It's the first time greenhouse gas emissions reduction has been written into Australian law."&nbsp;

"That's obviously a good thing. We have a climate policy now," Wiedmann added.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
 
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Australian parliament on Thursday passed the most significant climate-related laws to target the country's worst polluters amid growing concern over fossil fuel exports.

Australian parliament on Thursday passed the most significant climate-related laws to target the country's worst polluters amid growing concern over fossil fuel exports. The so-called Safeguard Mechanism will force coal mines and oil refineries to curb emissions by about five per cent each year. The passing of laws is a stepping stone for Australia as the nation has pledged to reach net zero emissions by 2050. The laws apply to 215 major industrial facilities, each producing more than 100,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases a year. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese tweeted, "Our Safeguard Mechanism to limit emissions and act on climate change passed Parliament this afternoon." Albanese added, "After a decade of inaction, Australia is now on a path to net zero." The deal was finalised after weeks of confidential negotiation between the Labour government and the Greens, which is a minor party with 15 parliamentarians, but their support was needed to pass the laws. ALSO READ | UK: 66 unaccompanied minors still missing after vanishing from Brighton asylum hotel The left-wing Greens party were sceptical over the law being able to stop some new gas and coal development proposals and prevention of further industry expansion. However, they agreed to back the plan after persuading the government to put a hard cap on emissions. Greens leader Adam Bandt said the move compelled oil and gas corporations to slash their emissions "for the first time ever in law". WATCH | What is threatening dolphin population? × Australia's Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen told MPs: "What the parliament has done today is safeguard our climate, safeguard our economy and safeguard our future." "What the parliament has done today is brought an end to 10 years of dysfunction and 10 years of delay." Aluminium smelters, coal mines, oil refineries and other large polluters will be forced to cut their emissions by 4.9 per cent each year. ALSO READ | Pool party at Sunak's? Greenpeace activists gather outside UK PM's home in protest of his energy-draining pool University of New South Wales sustainability expert Tommy Wiedmann told the news agency AFP, "It's the first time greenhouse gas emissions reduction has been written into Australian law." "That's obviously a good thing. We have a climate policy now," Wiedmann added. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Safeguard Mechanism: Australian parliament passes law to make big polluters curb emissions

Police officers in Australia's Sydney rushed into action after they received emergency calls over a man walking the streets carrying what appeared to be an AK-47 assault rifle. However, the officers soon discovered the weapon was in fact a bong made to look like an AK-47. A bong is filtration device which is used for smoking cannabis, tobacco, etc.&nbsp;A statement released by the New South Wales (NSW) police said that the man, aged 50, was arrested and charged with possessing an unauthorised firearm and intimidation.

"About 5.30 pm (Wednesday 29 March 2023), officers attached to The Hills Police Area Command responded to numerous 000 calls of a male seen allegedly carrying a large firearm on Windsor Road in Rouse Hill," the statement said.&nbsp;

The police commenced a search of the area and conducted a review of the CCTV footage from surrounding businesses, which led officers to an unlocked and unattended vehicle in a nearby church car park.

"With the assistance of Polair, officers found a man in nearby grassland. He was arrested and taken to Castle Hill Police Station where he was charged with possessing an unauthorised firearm and intimidation," the statement added.&nbsp;

The NSW police further said the man was refused bail to appear before the Parramatta Local Court on Thursday.&nbsp; 
 
(With inputs from agencies) 
 
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Police officers in Australia's Sydney rushed into action after they received emergency calls over a man walking the streets carrying what appeared to be an AK-47 assault rifle.

Police officers in Australia's Sydney rushed into action after they received emergency calls over a man walking the streets carrying what appeared to be an AK-47 assault rifle. However, the officers soon discovered the weapon was in fact a bong made to look like an AK-47. A bong is filtration device which is used for smoking cannabis, tobacco, etc. A statement released by the New South Wales (NSW) police said that the man, aged 50, was arrested and charged with possessing an unauthorised firearm and intimidation. "About 5.30 pm (Wednesday 29 March 2023), officers attached to The Hills Police Area Command responded to numerous 000 calls of a male seen allegedly carrying a large firearm on Windsor Road in Rouse Hill," the statement said. The police commenced a search of the area and conducted a review of the CCTV footage from surrounding businesses, which led officers to an unlocked and unattended vehicle in a nearby church car park. "With the assistance of Polair, officers found a man in nearby grassland. He was arrested and taken to Castle Hill Police Station where he was charged with possessing an unauthorised firearm and intimidation," the statement added. The NSW police further said the man was refused bail to appear before the Parramatta Local Court on Thursday. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Australia: Cops arrest 50-year-old man carrying an AK-47-shaped bong after emergency calls

Christmas came early for a man in Australia who recently discovered a gold nugget worth almost $250,000 in the southeastern state of Victoria. The gold digger found the enormous nugget weighing 4.

Christmas came early for a man in Australia who recently discovered a gold nugget worth almost $250,000 in the southeastern state of Victoria. The gold digger found the enormous nugget weighing 4.6 kilogrammes, with gold making up almost 2.6 kg of the weight, in an area known as the 'Golden Triangle' between Bendigo, Ballarat and St Arnaud. The man only used an amateur metal detector called 'Minelab Equinox 800 detector' worth $800 to make the discovery. The piece has been named 'Lucky Strike Nugget' after it was taken to a prospecting shop by the name 'Lucky Strike Gold'. Shop owner Darren Kamp was in disbelief when he first saw the rock with the unaware owner asking if the find could fetch him even $10,000. “Do you think there’s $10,000 worth in it?” WATCH | Digger unearths archaeological treasure from a burial cave in Israel × Kamp, who often has to deal with customers coming in with false hopes regarding their find, quickly evaluated the piece and said the ballpark figure of the piece of rock in his hand was anywhere north of $100,000. “I looked at him and I said try $100,000," Kamp told The Guardian. “He [owner] said ‘but that’s only half the rock, the other half is at home’.” After getting hold of the entire rock, Kamp arrived at the current figure which is primarily due to the soaring gold prices which are nearing global record highs. “I’ve been prospecting for 43 years. And I haven’t seen a specimen in this amount of gold in my 43 years of prospecting. Maybe in the 1850s there was probably a few found, but in today’s terms it’s very rare," Kamp added. ALSO READ | Australia: Two men dug nuggets worth $250,000 The 'Golden Triangle' has been famous for centuries and has witnessed multiple gold rushes. To this day, people flock to the region to accidentally strike gold using nothing but a metal detector. A $25.50 licence that lasts for 10 years is required to go on such expeditions. Without the license, any gold found goes straight to the crown. According to the geological survey of Victoria, there could be 75 million ounces of gold in the region. Stawell and Bendigo zones hold the greatest potential for gold and at a depth where most modern drilling techniques can be used to reach easily. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

LOTTERY! 4.6 kg gold nugget, worth $250,000, discovered by amateur digger

Latitude Holdings, a company that deals with digital payments and lending, has disclosed that on March 16, a significant information breach resulted in the theft of over 7.9 million Australian and New Zealand driving license numbers.

Australia: Fintech firm Latitude discloses MASSIVE DATA BREACH

The&nbsp;teenagers appealed to the government of Australia&nbsp;to impose tougher restrictions which can help them free themselves from their nicotine addiction, revealed the submissions made to a major consultation on the issue of vaping reforms.

South Australia’s commissioner for children and young people Helen Connolly made a submission to the drug regulator Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) which included comments written by around 950 teenagers between the age of 13-to-19 in a survey conducted by her office regarding vaping.

“All we have to do is go to a cheap servo…and there we can buy a vape without being asked for identification of age. There really needs to be restrictions put in place to make them not so easy to access and then the addiction would be forced to stop. I know many people, me included, would be extremely angry at first when there [sic] in the first few days without nicotine but if adults want children to stop, I truly believe it’s the only way,” a 16-year-old girl wrote.

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/vaping-age-in-the-us-decreasing-intensity-of-use-shooting-up-new-study-says-532537">Vaping age in the US decreasing, intensity of use shooting up, new study says</a>

“Stop treating kids with vaping addiction like they’re awful people because you would help an adult with one but not a child,” said a 15-year-old girl.

“Some of us aren’t doing it to look cool, some of us are genuinely struggling with addictions or are using them as coping mechanisms like a stress reliever,” mentioned a 17-year-old girl in her comments.

Connolly said that on the basis of comments made by the teenagers in the survey, the government should ban nicotine and non-nicotine vaping products from importation unless they are bound for pharmacies.

She added that the products must be tested, certified and labelled properly and should be packed in plain packaging, except for colouring agents and tobacco, which should be prohibited.

“Such a response must avoid punishing children and young people, while ensuring there is information and support available for all children, with particular support for those who may be dependent or addicted to nicotine vapes and may struggle with withdrawals,” she stated.

The TGA published around 4,000 submissions added to the vaping reform inquiry on Thursday. The Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia made a submission, which stated, “The direct comments from students read as a cri-de-coeur.” 
&nbsp;

WATCH | Gravitas: China's vaping devices plague UK

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They quoted a 17-year-old student in the submission saying, “I’ve tried to quit and I couldn’t think straight. I had the worst ever headaches of my life and I found it to be much too difficult to quit.”

Speaking to Guardian Australia, Health Minister Mark Butler&nbsp;said, “The status quo on vaping is completely unacceptable. We know this problem has exploded over the last several years and we know the urgency to act is this year.”

A second tobacco control round table will be held by Butler in April. “Health ministers are determined to take strong action about the explosion of illegal vaping in Australia and stamp out this menace,” he said.&nbsp; 
 
 
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The teenagers appealed to the government of Australia to impose tougher restrictions which can help them free themselves from their nicotine addiction, revealed the submissions made to a major consultation on the issue of vaping reforms.

The teenagers appealed to the government of Australia to impose tougher restrictions which can help them free themselves from their nicotine addiction, revealed the submissions made to a major consultation on the issue of vaping reforms. South Australia’s commissioner for children and young people Helen Connolly made a submission to the drug regulator Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) which included comments written by around 950 teenagers between the age of 13-to-19 in a survey conducted by her office regarding vaping. “All we have to do is go to a cheap servo…and there we can buy a vape without being asked for identification of age. There really needs to be restrictions put in place to make them not so easy to access and then the addiction would be forced to stop. I know many people, me included, would be extremely angry at first when there [sic] in the first few days without nicotine but if adults want children to stop, I truly believe it’s the only way,” a 16-year-old girl wrote. ALSO READ | Vaping age in the US decreasing, intensity of use shooting up, new study says “Stop treating kids with vaping addiction like they’re awful people because you would help an adult with one but not a child,” said a 15-year-old girl. “Some of us aren’t doing it to look cool, some of us are genuinely struggling with addictions or are using them as coping mechanisms like a stress reliever,” mentioned a 17-year-old girl in her comments. Connolly said that on the basis of comments made by the teenagers in the survey, the government should ban nicotine and non-nicotine vaping products from importation unless they are bound for pharmacies. She added that the products must be tested, certified and labelled properly and should be packed in plain packaging, except for colouring agents and tobacco, which should be prohibited. “Such a response must avoid punishing children and young people, while ensuring there is information and support available for all children, with particular support for those who may be dependent or addicted to nicotine vapes and may struggle with withdrawals,” she stated. The TGA published around 4,000 submissions added to the vaping reform inquiry on Thursday. The Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia made a submission, which stated, “The direct comments from students read as a cri-de-coeur.” WATCH | Gravitas: China's vaping devices plague UK They quoted a 17-year-old student in the submission saying, “I’ve tried to quit and I couldn’t think straight. I had the worst ever headaches of my life and I found it to be much too difficult to quit.” Speaking to Guardian Australia, Health Minister Mark Butler said, “The status quo on vaping is completely unacceptable. We know this problem has exploded over the last several years and we know the urgency to act is this year.” A second tobacco control round table will be held by Butler in April. “Health ministers are determined to take strong action about the explosion of illegal vaping in Australia and stamp out this menace,” he said. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Australia: Teenagers urge government to help them fight off vaping addiction

Australian Federal Police (AFP) on Tuesday nabbed five members of a criminal syndicate group for orchestrating a black flight and carrying 52 kilogrammes of illegal methamphetamine worth $15 million into Australia.

Australian Federal Police (AFP) on Tuesday nabbed five members of a criminal syndicate group for orchestrating a black flight and carrying 52 kilogrammes of illegal methamphetamine worth $15 million into Australia. The five men had flown a twin-engine Beechcraft light aircraft back and forth from Papua New Guines (PNG) to Australia before being apprehended. The AFP officers were already in position when the 'black flight' that could not be detected by radar landed at a remote airstrip in Queensland. Images and videos of the incident released show the officials quickly circling the aircraft and nabbing the perpetrators. "All five men were arrested by specialist AFP and Queensland Police Service members shortly after the plane arrived at the Monto airstrip on Tuesday afternoon (March 21, 2023). Police located and seized five duffle bags concealed in the plane, containing about 52 kg methamphetamine," read the police report. The police released a statement adding that pilots Bernard Hamilton-Alexander, 51 and his co-pilot, John Horvath, 52 took off from Wilton, a rural area south of Sydney on Monday. They took a pitstop at Monto to refuel before landing in the town of Bulolo in Papua New Guinea. ALSO READ: Australia to legalise use of MDMA and magic mushrooms for treating depression There they picked five duffle bags filled with 52 kg of methamphetamine before returning to Monto where the officers were waiting. Four of the five men arrested, all from the state of New South Wales have already been produced before the magistrates' court. The final perpetrator is expected to be produced before the court on Thursday (March 23). The police added that the men charged were Transnational Serious Organised Crime (TSOC) members who routinely handled the import of methamphetamine to rural Queensland from PNG. "If you look at the size of this attempted importation that was essentially stopped, you're talking about 520,000 individual hits or deals. These men have not only allegedly imported a dangerous drug into Australia, but flying at low altitude without proper instructions poses a huge safety risk for other aircraft," said Detective Chief Superintendent Jason Weinstein ALSO READ | Cocaine worth $300 million with batman stickers found floating in New Zealand (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

'Black flight' smugglers caught with 52 kg methamphetamine on remote Australian airstrip

The Australian government on Thursday took a historical step with the referendum to give Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders recognition in the constitution.&nbsp;

An emotional Prime Minister Anthony Albanese addressed the nation and urged the people to back the referendum, what he described as a long overdue vote.&nbsp;

While standing alongside several Indigenous leaders, Albanese spoke televised press conference. He said, "For many ... this moment has been a very long time in the making."&nbsp;

The prime minister choked up during the address and said, "Yet they have shown such patience and optimism through this process, and that spirit of cooperation and thoughtful, respectful dialogue has been so important at arriving at this point in such a united fashion."&nbsp;

Australians are to vote, "yes" or "no" in the referendum question, which will be: "A Proposed Law: to alter the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. Do you approve this proposed alteration?". &nbsp;

Aboriginal people make up about 3.2 per cent of Australia's nearly 26 million population. They were marginalised by British colonial rulers and are not mentioned in the 122-year-old constitution.&nbsp;

They were not granted voting rights until the 1960s and have consistently lagged behind national averages in most socioeconomic measures.&nbsp;

But it gets amended, the Constitution will have a new chapter titled "Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples."&nbsp;

Albanese told reporters: "We urgently need better outcomes because it’s not good enough where we’re at in 2023." &nbsp;

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The Australian government on Thursday took a historical step with the referendum to give Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders recognition in the constitution. An emotional Prime Minister Anthony Albanese addressed the nation and urged the people to back the referendum, what he described as a long overdue vote.

The Australian government on Thursday took a historical step with the referendum to give Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders recognition in the constitution. An emotional Prime Minister Anthony Albanese addressed the nation and urged the people to back the referendum, what he described as a long overdue vote. While standing alongside several Indigenous leaders, Albanese spoke televised press conference. He said, "For many ... this moment has been a very long time in the making." The prime minister choked up during the address and said, "Yet they have shown such patience and optimism through this process, and that spirit of cooperation and thoughtful, respectful dialogue has been so important at arriving at this point in such a united fashion." Australians are to vote, "yes" or "no" in the referendum question, which will be: "A Proposed Law: to alter the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. Do you approve this proposed alteration?". Aboriginal people make up about 3.2 per cent of Australia's nearly 26 million population. They were marginalised by British colonial rulers and are not mentioned in the 122-year-old constitution. They were not granted voting rights until the 1960s and have consistently lagged behind national averages in most socioeconomic measures. But it gets amended, the Constitution will have a new chapter titled "Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples." Albanese told reporters: "We urgently need better outcomes because it’s not good enough where we’re at in 2023." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Emotional Australian PM urges voters to back Aboriginal 'voice'

Australian PM Anthony Albanese on Thursday cried as he outlined key details for a proposed referendum later this year on recognising the country's Indigenous people in its 122-year-old constitution. Albanese said that voting for the establishment of a permanent Indigenous committee in Parliament was "the best chance" for Australia to address the injustices of the past.

Australia PM cries as he talks about vote to recognise Indigenous people

An Australian veteran has been charged with murder following an investigation into alleged war crimes committed in Afghanistan. The now 41-year-old who was later identified as former Special Air Service (SAS) Regiment trooper Oliver Schulz is the first Australian serviceman to be charged with a war crime under the country’s law.&nbsp;

Schulz was arrested in New South Wales and charged with the war crime of murder, said a statement Australian Federal Police. It added, “It will be alleged he murdered an Afghan man while deployed to Afghanistan”. The probe, which was carried out by the Office of the Special Investigator (OSI), was set up in 2021 to investigate the alleged war crimes.&nbsp;

This was following a four-year inquiry led by an Army Reserve major general and NSW Supreme Court judge Paul Brereton. In 2020, they released the Brereton Report which found evidence that Australian troops unlawfully killed 39 Afghan prisoners, farmers and civilians.&nbsp;

Among SAS and Commando Regiments troops who served in Afghanistan between 2005 and 2016, 19 current and former soldiers face a criminal investigation, as per the report. However, Schulz is the first arrest linked to the inquiry.&nbsp;

The 41-year-old is expected to appear before a Sydney court on Tuesday, as per media reports and if convicted he could be facing a potential sentence of life in prison.&nbsp;

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) broadcast a helmet camera video in its documentary Four Corners in 2020 that reportedly showed Schulz who was referred to as Soldier C shooting an Afghan man in a wheat field in Uruzgan province in 2012.&nbsp;

According to reports, more than 30,000 Australian military personnel served in Afghanistan during the 20 years of presence in the country up until the withdrawal two years ago. At least 41 military personnel from the Australian army have been killed while fighting alongside the United States and allied forces against the Taliban, Al-Qaeda and other Islamist groups.&nbsp;

Former colleagues of Benjamin Roberts-Smith, a former corporal who was awarded the Victoria Cross and the Medal for Gallantry for his service in Afghanistan, accused him of unlawful treatment of prisoners as well as illegal killings which he has denied. Meanwhile, the Australian Defence Force (ADF) has blamed these crimes on the “warrior culture” among some of the soldiers which went unchecked.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

&nbsp;

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An Australian veteran has been charged with murder following an investigation into alleged war crimes committed in Afghanistan. The now 41-year-old who was later identified as former Special Air Service (SAS) Regiment trooper Oliver Schulz is the first Australian serviceman to be charged with a war crime under the country’s law.

An Australian veteran has been charged with murder following an investigation into alleged war crimes committed in Afghanistan. The now 41-year-old who was later identified as former Special Air Service (SAS) Regiment trooper Oliver Schulz is the first Australian serviceman to be charged with a war crime under the country’s law. Schulz was arrested in New South Wales and charged with the war crime of murder, said a statement Australian Federal Police. It added, “It will be alleged he murdered an Afghan man while deployed to Afghanistan”. The probe, which was carried out by the Office of the Special Investigator (OSI), was set up in 2021 to investigate the alleged war crimes. This was following a four-year inquiry led by an Army Reserve major general and NSW Supreme Court judge Paul Brereton. In 2020, they released the Brereton Report which found evidence that Australian troops unlawfully killed 39 Afghan prisoners, farmers and civilians. Among SAS and Commando Regiments troops who served in Afghanistan between 2005 and 2016, 19 current and former soldiers face a criminal investigation, as per the report. However, Schulz is the first arrest linked to the inquiry. The 41-year-old is expected to appear before a Sydney court on Tuesday, as per media reports and if convicted he could be facing a potential sentence of life in prison. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) broadcast a helmet camera video in its documentary Four Corners in 2020 that reportedly showed Schulz who was referred to as Soldier C shooting an Afghan man in a wheat field in Uruzgan province in 2012. According to reports, more than 30,000 Australian military personnel served in Afghanistan during the 20 years of presence in the country up until the withdrawal two years ago. At least 41 military personnel from the Australian army have been killed while fighting alongside the United States and allied forces against the Taliban, Al-Qaeda and other Islamist groups. Former colleagues of Benjamin Roberts-Smith, a former corporal who was awarded the Victoria Cross and the Medal for Gallantry for his service in Afghanistan, accused him of unlawful treatment of prisoners as well as illegal killings which he has denied. Meanwhile, the Australian Defence Force (ADF) has blamed these crimes on the “warrior culture” among some of the soldiers which went unchecked. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Former Australian soldier detained over alleged war crime committed in Afghanistan

Millions of dead fish have been found dead in an Australian river due to dangerously low oxygen levels in the water caused by receding flood waters.

Millions of dead fish found floating in an Australian river | WION Climate Tracker

A former US marine Corps Daniel Duggan, currently in Australian prison, is facing extradition to United States on charges of breaching a US law by providing training to Chinese military pilots to land on aircraft carriers.&nbsp;

Duggan was held by the Australian police authorities upon his arrival from China, where the ex-Marine was staying since 2014. After a hearing on Duggan's extradition, his lawyer Dennis Miralis in his comments outside the court premises flagged the alleged dubiousness with which the Marine was lured into arriving in Australia from China.&nbsp;

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/one-arrested-after-khalistani-extremists-vandalised-indian-high-commission-in-uk-573718">One arrested after Khalistani extremists vandalise Indian High Commission in UK</a>

The lawyer shared that firstly Australian Security and Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) cleared the security and aviation licence for the marine as he was setting off to come to Australia from China but as soon as the Marine's plane landed an arrest warrant was issued and his security clearance was also revoked. &nbsp;

The arrest took place in a rural town in New South Wales state in October. However, Duggan's lawyer is now accusing the Australian security agencies of "luring" him into coming to Australia from China.&nbsp;

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/tiktoks-lesser-known-sibling-capcut-making-waves-in-video-editing-world-573795">TikTok’s lesser-known sibling, CapCut, making waves in US. But is it safe?</a>

In the latest, the extradition case for the 54-year-old was adjourned till May. Lawyers in Duggan's defence is now asking the Australian authorities to provide document evidence that the former US Marine Corps helped in training the Chinese pilots. The lawyer termed the incident "a matter of grave significance."&nbsp;

Watch | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/after-iran-saudi-pact-china-to-play-peacemaker-in-ukraine-war-573689">After Iran-Saudi pact, China to play peacemaker in Ukraine war?</a>

Presently, Duggan is lodged in a high-security prison in Australia. He renounced his US citizenship and had been living in China since 2014. After China, the Marine Corps is living for a decade and has six children in Australia. Duggan has refuted all accusations against him. "The insinuation that I am some sort of spy is an outrage," he said in the statement.

As per earlier reports, UK's air chief said this month that intelligence agencies in Australia and Britain had shared information to warn pilots against working for Beijing.

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A former US marine Corps Daniel Duggan, currently in Australian prison, is facing extradition to United States on charges of breaching a US law by providing training to Chinese military pilots to land on aircraft carriers.

A former US marine Corps Daniel Duggan, currently in Australian prison, is facing extradition to United States on charges of breaching a US law by providing training to Chinese military pilots to land on aircraft carriers. Duggan was held by the Australian police authorities upon his arrival from China, where the ex-Marine was staying since 2014. After a hearing on Duggan's extradition, his lawyer Dennis Miralis in his comments outside the court premises flagged the alleged dubiousness with which the Marine was lured into arriving in Australia from China. Also Read | One arrested after Khalistani extremists vandalise Indian High Commission in UK The lawyer shared that firstly Australian Security and Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) cleared the security and aviation licence for the marine as he was setting off to come to Australia from China but as soon as the Marine's plane landed an arrest warrant was issued and his security clearance was also revoked. The arrest took place in a rural town in New South Wales state in October. However, Duggan's lawyer is now accusing the Australian security agencies of "luring" him into coming to Australia from China. Also Read | TikTok’s lesser-known sibling, CapCut, making waves in US. But is it safe? In the latest, the extradition case for the 54-year-old was adjourned till May. Lawyers in Duggan's defence is now asking the Australian authorities to provide document evidence that the former US Marine Corps helped in training the Chinese pilots. The lawyer termed the incident "a matter of grave significance." Watch | After Iran-Saudi pact, China to play peacemaker in Ukraine war? Presently, Duggan is lodged in a high-security prison in Australia. He renounced his US citizenship and had been living in China since 2014. After China, the Marine Corps is living for a decade and has six children in Australia. Duggan has refuted all accusations against him. "The insinuation that I am some sort of spy is an outrage," he said in the statement. As per earlier reports, UK's air chief said this month that intelligence agencies in Australia and Britain had shared information to warn pilots against working for Beijing. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Accused former US Marine 'lured' into leaving China, got arrested upon arrival in Australia

First-of-its-kind invention, a 60-year-old Indian man has made an 'infinite years' calendar, toppling Australia's record of a calendar designed for 400 years. The calendar is pocket-sized and has 24 pages, which can show dates and days for infinite years.

Pocket-sized calendar made by Indian man marks infinite years

In an unusual incident, hundreds and thousands of dead fish were seen floating in Australia's second-largest river. It occurred near the small town of Menindee, some 600 kilometres away from Sydney.

Millions of fish found floating in river in Australia

Several men dressed in black performed a Nazi salute on a flight of steps in front of Parliament House in Melbourne, Victoria on Saturday (March 18). Citing a report by the Sydney Morning Herald, the news agency Reuters reported on Sunday that pro-transgender rights activists clashed with members of the neo-Nazi group in Melbourne on Saturday after a British anti-transgender activist sought to address supporters at the city's parliament building.

Several men dressed in black performed a Nazi salute on a flight of steps in front of Parliament House in Melbourne, Victoria on Saturday (March 18). Citing a report by the Sydney Morning Herald, the news agency Reuters reported on Sunday that pro-transgender rights activists clashed with members of the neo-Nazi group in Melbourne on Saturday after a British anti-transgender activist sought to address supporters at the city's parliament building. A photograph of several men dressed in black performing the Nazi salute outside parliament was shared on social media. Speaking to Reuters, police said that there were around 300 protesters in total, with around 15 possibly belonging to right-wing groups. According to eyewitness Aaron Craine, the salute was performed as a police officer pushed away former politician Andy Meddick, who was participating in a counter-protest with pro-transgender activists. Craine said that an anti-transgender group initially began the rally, and there were no major clashes between them and pro-transgender activists with police managing to separate the two groups. The neo-Nazi group then appeared, saluting and confronting security as well as the pro-transgender group, the witness added. Victoria's premier condemns salute On Twitter, Victoria's Premier Daniel Andrews said the anti-transgender activists had "gathered to spread hate" in Melbourne. "But yesterday, anti-trans activists gathered to spread hate. And on the steps of our Parliament, some of them performed a Nazi salute," Andrews tweeted. So to every trans Victorian, I say this: Our Government will always support you. And we'll always respect you. Because your rights are not negotiable. — Dan Andrews (@DanielAndrewsMP) March 19, 2023 × Andrews said that these activists were there to say that the trans community did not deserve rights, safety or dignity. "That's what Nazis do. Their evil ideology is to scapegoat minorities - and it's got no place here. And those who stand with them don't, either," he added. The premier further assured transgenders in Victoria that the government would always support and respect them as their rights are not negotiable. In December last year, Victoria passed laws criminalising the public display of Nazi symbols in what the state government said was a move to stamp out antisemitism and hate, Reuters reported. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Australia: Neo-Nazis salute outside Victoria parliament building; state premier condemns it

Pro-transgender rights activists clashed with a far-right Neo-Nazi organization in the city of Melbourne in Australia outside the Parliament building. Several men belonging to the Neo-Nazi group were seen dressed in black and performing a Nazi salute outside the building.

Transgender rights activists clash with Neo-Nazi's in Melbourne

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