Sydney began a two-week lockdown on Sunday as a cluster of cases of the highly infectious coronavirus Delta variant rose to 110 in Australia's largest city, while an outbreak in the northern city of Darwin prompted a hard two-day stay-at-home order. 
 
"Given how contagious this strain of the virus is, we do anticipate that in the next few days, case numbers are likely to increase beyond what we have seen today," News South Wales state Premier Gladys Berejiklian told a news briefing in Sydney. 
 
Australia has been more successful in managing the pandemic than many other advanced economies through swift border closures, social distancing rules and high compliance, reporting just over 30,450 cases and 910 COVID-19 deaths. 
 
But the country has confronted an increasing number of small outbreaks in recent months. These have been contained so far through speedy contact tracing, isolation of thousands of people at a time or snap hard lockdowns. 
 
Thirty new infections reported by Sydney on Sunday took the number of Delta variant cases linked to a cluster in the Bondi neighbourhood to 110. Two other cases were under investigation. 
 
The rapid increase in cases and exposure sites persuaded the state government to reluctantly impose a lockdown, under which people can only leave home for essential shopping, work, education, exercise and medical care. 
 
Contact tracers were racing to get in touch with airline passengers after discovering that an attendant on several flights across the country had become infected in Sydney. 
 
Northern Territory, home to some of Australia's most famous ancient Aboriginal culture and a strong mining sector, which saw its first coronavirus case in months on Saturday, reported four locally acquired infections, unrelated to the Sydney outbreak. 
 
The Delta variant infections started with a worker at a gold mine owned by Newmont Corp, now in lockdown. 
 
As authorities have not been able to track down all close contacts of the miner, an immediate 48-hour hard lockdown on Darwin and some surroundings was imposed. 
 
"I would rather regret us going too hard, too early than go too easy and risk it all," Chief Minister Michael Gunner said at a news briefing. 
 
Neighbouring Queensland reported on Sunday two locally acquired COVID-19 cases, with authorities saying both infections were of the Alpha variant, first detected in the United Kingdom in September of 2020. 
 
Western Australia reported one community case, that state authorities suspected was the Delta variant. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

Sydney began a two-week lockdown on Sunday as a cluster of cases of the highly infectious coronavirus Delta variant rose to 110 in Australia's largest city, while an outbreak in the northern city of Darwin prompted a hard two-day stay-at-home order.

Sydney began a two-week lockdown on Sunday as a cluster of cases of the highly infectious coronavirus Delta variant rose to 110 in Australia's largest city, while an outbreak in the northern city of Darwin prompted a hard two-day stay-at-home order. "Given how contagious this strain of the virus is, we do anticipate that in the next few days, case numbers are likely to increase beyond what we have seen today," News South Wales state Premier Gladys Berejiklian told a news briefing in Sydney. Australia has been more successful in managing the pandemic than many other advanced economies through swift border closures, social distancing rules and high compliance, reporting just over 30,450 cases and 910 COVID-19 deaths. But the country has confronted an increasing number of small outbreaks in recent months. These have been contained so far through speedy contact tracing, isolation of thousands of people at a time or snap hard lockdowns. Thirty new infections reported by Sydney on Sunday took the number of Delta variant cases linked to a cluster in the Bondi neighbourhood to 110. Two other cases were under investigation. The rapid increase in cases and exposure sites persuaded the state government to reluctantly impose a lockdown, under which people can only leave home for essential shopping, work, education, exercise and medical care. Contact tracers were racing to get in touch with airline passengers after discovering that an attendant on several flights across the country had become infected in Sydney. Northern Territory, home to some of Australia's most famous ancient Aboriginal culture and a strong mining sector, which saw its first coronavirus case in months on Saturday, reported four locally acquired infections, unrelated to the Sydney outbreak. The Delta variant infections started with a worker at a gold mine owned by Newmont Corp, now in lockdown. As authorities have not been able to track down all close contacts of the miner, an immediate 48-hour hard lockdown on Darwin and some surroundings was imposed. "I would rather regret us going too hard, too early than go too easy and risk it all," Chief Minister Michael Gunner said at a news briefing. Neighbouring Queensland reported on Sunday two locally acquired COVID-19 cases, with authorities saying both infections were of the Alpha variant, first detected in the United Kingdom in September of 2020. Western Australia reported one community case, that state authorities suspected was the Delta variant. (With inputs from agencies)

Australia's Sydney and Darwin in COVID-19 lockdowns

A skydiving instructor and their customer died Sunday after falling from a plane before a tandem jump in Australia.

Police said two people died in the accident at Goulburn, about two hours' drive southwest of Sydney, after the aircraft began experiencing "difficulty".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-airs-old-election-grievances-at-campaign-style-rally-394254">Also Read |&nbsp;Trump airs old election grievances at campaign-style rally</a>

"Two parachutists fell from the aircraft and landed near the runway of the airport. They were located unresponsive and unable to be revived," police said in a statement.

Scott Marshall, from Adrenaline Skydive Goulburn, told The Daily Telegraph newspaper it was a "horrible day" for all those impacted by the tragedy.

"Sadly, a tandem master and passenger lost their lives. My heart goes out to their families," he said.

The incident will be investigated by police and the Australian Transport Safety Bureau.

A skydiving instructor and their customer died Sunday after falling from a plane before a tandem jump in Australia. Police said two people died in the accident at Goulburn, about two hours' drive southwest of Sydney, after the aircraft began experiencing "difficulty".

A skydiving instructor and their customer died Sunday after falling from a plane before a tandem jump in Australia. Police said two people died in the accident at Goulburn, about two hours' drive southwest of Sydney, after the aircraft began experiencing "difficulty". Also Read | Trump airs old election grievances at campaign-style rally "Two parachutists fell from the aircraft and landed near the runway of the airport. They were located unresponsive and unable to be revived," police said in a statement. Scott Marshall, from Adrenaline Skydive Goulburn, told The Daily Telegraph newspaper it was a "horrible day" for all those impacted by the tragedy. "Sadly, a tandem master and passenger lost their lives. My heart goes out to their families," he said. The incident will be investigated by police and the Australian Transport Safety Bureau.

Two skydivers die after falling from plane in Australia

Central Sydney's streets were deserted on Saturday as Australia's largest city began a week-long lockdown to contain the highly contagious Delta coronavirus variant, with authorities warning broader restrictions could follow.

Central Sydney's streets were deserted on Saturday as Australia's largest city began a week-long lockdown to contain the highly contagious Delta coronavirus variant, with authorities warning broader restrictions could follow. More than 80 Covid-19 cases have been reported so far in an infection surge linked to an international flight crew transported to a quarantine hotel from the airport. The flare-up was a shock for a city that had returned to relative normality after months with very few local cases. The sudden curbs took effect at midnight, affecting an estimated one million people across Sydney's business district and affluent eastern suburbs. But the spread of the outbreak beyond the four neighbourhoods already under lockdown was spurring "growing and more intense concern", New South Wales state health minister Brad Hazzard said. "The Delta variant is proving to be a very formidable foe," he told reporters. "No matter what defensive steps were taking at the moment, the virus seems to understand how to counter-attack." Health officials have been alarmed by the rapid spread of the Delta variant first seen in India, noting instances of people passing on the virus during fleeting encounters in shops and then quickly infecting close family contacts. They have flagged a string of new possible virus exposure sites, including a popular city bar, in addition to the scores of businesses and public places already identified as risks. State Premier Gladys Berejiklian said a crisis meeting with public health officials would be held later Saturday to decide whether expanding the lockdown to other areas of Sydney was needed. "I am putting everybody on notice that we may need to extend that during the course of the day or tomorrow," Berejiklian said. Sydney residents subject to the current restrictions have been ordered to stay home for at least a week, only venturing out to purchase essential goods, obtain medical care, exercise, go to school or if they are unable to work from home. An earlier ban on people leaving the city was also extended on Friday, as traces of the virus were detected in sewage in the far-flung outback town of Bourke, about nine hours drive northwest of Sydney. It is the latest in a string of snap "circuit-breaker" lockdowns across major cities around Australia, with most cases linked to returning travellers held in hotel quarantine. Australia has been among the world's most successful countries in containing Covid-19, with just over 30,000 cases and 910 deaths in a population of about 25 million.

Sydney flags broader lockdown as Delta variant cases swell

New Zealand announced a three-day suspension of its quarantine-free travel arrangement with Australia on Saturday, with Wellington citing "multiple" outbreaks of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">COVID-19</a> in the neighbouring country.

The announcement comes as a two-week lockdown begins in Sydney to contain a rapidly spreading outbreak of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kappa-delta-who-releases-greek-nomenclature-for-covid-variants-including-ones-found-in-india-388657">Delta coronavirus variant</a>.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sydney-flags-broader-lockdown-as-delta-variant-cases-swell-394050">Sydney flags broader lockdown as Delta variant cases swell</a>

More than 80 cases have been reported so far in Australia's largest city, while a handful of community cases have also been recorded in the Northern Territory, Victoria and Queensland in recent days.

"But given the high level of transmissibility of what appears to be the Delta variant, and the fact that there are now multiple community clusters (in Australia), it is the right thing to do to keep COVID-19 out of New Zealand," said New Zealand's COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins.

Hipkins said he understood the inconvenience the pause would cause and added that New Zealand remained committed to quarantine-free travel with Australia.&nbsp;

He added that the suspension would give officials time to consider measures "to make the bubble safer, such as pre-departure testing for all flights" between the two countries.

New Zealand has previously paused the bubble arrangement five times with individual states but this is the first time it has put a blanket halt to quarantine-free travel from all of Australia.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-zealand-australia-travel-bubble-faces-disruption-due-to-fresh-covid-cases-382361">New Zealand-Australia travel bubble faces disruption due to fresh Covid cases</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/australia-and-new-zealand">Both countries</a> have been among the world's most successful in containing COVID-19. New Zealand has recorded just 26 COVID-19 deaths in a population of five million, and Australia has had fewer than 1,000 deaths in a population of 25 million.&nbsp;

The trans-Tasman travel bubble opened in mid-April, more than a year after both countries closed their international borders due to the pandemic. It has been hailed as a major milestone in restarting the global travel industry.

New Zealand announced a three-day suspension of its quarantine-free travel arrangement with Australia on Saturday, with Wellington citing "multiple" outbreaks of COVID-19 in the neighbouring country.

New Zealand announced a three-day suspension of its quarantine-free travel arrangement with Australia on Saturday, with Wellington citing "multiple" outbreaks of COVID-19 in the neighbouring country. The announcement comes as a two-week lockdown begins in Sydney to contain a rapidly spreading outbreak of the Delta coronavirus variant. Also read | Sydney flags broader lockdown as Delta variant cases swell More than 80 cases have been reported so far in Australia's largest city, while a handful of community cases have also been recorded in the Northern Territory, Victoria and Queensland in recent days. "But given the high level of transmissibility of what appears to be the Delta variant, and the fact that there are now multiple community clusters (in Australia), it is the right thing to do to keep COVID-19 out of New Zealand," said New Zealand's COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins. Hipkins said he understood the inconvenience the pause would cause and added that New Zealand remained committed to quarantine-free travel with Australia. He added that the suspension would give officials time to consider measures "to make the bubble safer, such as pre-departure testing for all flights" between the two countries. New Zealand has previously paused the bubble arrangement five times with individual states but this is the first time it has put a blanket halt to quarantine-free travel from all of Australia. Also read | New Zealand-Australia travel bubble faces disruption due to fresh Covid cases Both countries have been among the world's most successful in containing COVID-19. New Zealand has recorded just 26 COVID-19 deaths in a population of five million, and Australia has had fewer than 1,000 deaths in a population of 25 million. The trans-Tasman travel bubble opened in mid-April, more than a year after both countries closed their international borders due to the pandemic. It has been hailed as a major milestone in restarting the global travel industry.

New Zealand suspends travel bubble with Australia

Residents of four neighbourhoods of central&nbsp;Sydney&nbsp;were ordered to remain at home for a week on Friday to contain a growing outbreak of the highly contagious Delta variant of Covid-19.

Several dozen cases have been reported this week, linked to a limousine driver infected when he transported an international flight crew from&nbsp;Sydney&nbsp;airport to a quarantine&nbsp;hotel.

The decision to lock down from midnight Friday came as the cluster grew to 65, with state premier Gladys Berejiklian ordering anyone who lived or worked in the affected areas over the past fortnight to stay at home.

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Workers in the city's central business district were included in the restrictions over fears commuters were potentially spreading the virus into other parts of the city, Berejiklian said.

"We've done better than expected in terms of contact tracing and getting on top of all those links," she said.

"But what this does is make sure that we haven't missed any chains of community transmission."

Those under the lockdown orders would only be allowed to leave home for essential reasons, including buying food or if they were unable to work from home.

An earlier ban on Sydneysiders leaving the city was also extended until next Friday as traces of the virus were detected in sewage in the far-flung outback town of Bourke, about nine hours drive northwest of&nbsp;Sydney.

Australia has been among the world's most successful countries in containing Covid-19, with just over 30,000 cases and 910 deaths.

But the virus has repeatedly escaped Australian hotels used to quarantine returning travellers, and health experts say the outbreaks will continue until large numbers of Australians are vaccinated.

Residents of four neighbourhoods of central Sydney were ordered to remain at home for a week on Friday to contain a growing outbreak of the highly contagious Delta variant of Covid-19.

Residents of four neighbourhoods of central Sydney were ordered to remain at home for a week on Friday to contain a growing outbreak of the highly contagious Delta variant of Covid-19. Several dozen cases have been reported this week, linked to a limousine driver infected when he transported an international flight crew from Sydney airport to a quarantine hotel. The decision to lock down from midnight Friday came as the cluster grew to 65, with state premier Gladys Berejiklian ordering anyone who lived or worked in the affected areas over the past fortnight to stay at home. Also Read | Deaths outnumber births in Britain for the first time since 1976 Workers in the city's central business district were included in the restrictions over fears commuters were potentially spreading the virus into other parts of the city, Berejiklian said. "We've done better than expected in terms of contact tracing and getting on top of all those links," she said. "But what this does is make sure that we haven't missed any chains of community transmission." Those under the lockdown orders would only be allowed to leave home for essential reasons, including buying food or if they were unable to work from home. An earlier ban on Sydneysiders leaving the city was also extended until next Friday as traces of the virus were detected in sewage in the far-flung outback town of Bourke, about nine hours drive northwest of Sydney. Australia has been among the world's most successful countries in containing Covid-19, with just over 30,000 cases and 910 deaths. But the virus has repeatedly escaped Australian hotels used to quarantine returning travellers, and health experts say the outbreaks will continue until large numbers of Australians are vaccinated.

Lockdown ordered in central Sydney areas hit by Covid surge

Erratic weather has triggered animal invasions in Australia. Fields in Victoria were blanketed by spider webs, while a New South Wales prison was evicted after a mice plague. Palki Sharma gets you a report.

Gravitas: Raining mice & spider webs in Australia

A UNESCO panel has recommended that the Great Barrier Reef be stripped of its World Heritage Site tag. Australia is blaming the China-led panel for settling a political score at UNESCO. Palki Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas: Great Barrier Reef downgraded, Australia blames China

Australians` trust in China has plunged and for the first time more people view Beijing as a security threat than a economic partner, a widely watched poll published on Wednesday showed. 
 
The Lowy Institute`s annual poll shows more than 60% of Australians see China as a security threat, up significantly from 2018 when 18% of respondents had the same view. 
 
"Views of China are to some extent inseparable from the crackdown in Hong Kong, the detention of Uighurs, the disappearance of Australian citizens in China," said Natasha Kassam, Director, Public Opinion and Foreign Policy Program, at the Lowy Institute. 
 
The results indicate Australia`s conservative government has public support for its assertive approach to China despite a series of trade implications. 
 
Relations with China, already rocky after Australia banned Huawei from its nascent 5G broadband networking in 2018, cooled further after Canberra called in 2020 for an independent investigation into the origins of the coronavirus pandemic, first reported in central China in 2019. 
 
China responded by imposing tariffs on Australian commodities, including wine and barley and limited imports of Australian beef, coal and grapes, moves described by the United States as “economic coercion”. 
 
China is Australia’s largest trading partner. In the 12 months to March, Australia exported A$149 billion ($112.45 billion) worth of goods to China, down 0.6% from the previous year. Exports, however, have been supported by strong prices for iron ore, the largest single item in trade with China.

Australians` trust in China has plunged and for the first time more people view Beijing as a security threat than a economic partner, a widely watched poll published on Wednesday showed.

Australians` trust in China has plunged and for the first time more people view Beijing as a security threat than a economic partner, a widely watched poll published on Wednesday showed. The Lowy Institute`s annual poll shows more than 60% of Australians see China as a security threat, up significantly from 2018 when 18% of respondents had the same view. "Views of China are to some extent inseparable from the crackdown in Hong Kong, the detention of Uighurs, the disappearance of Australian citizens in China," said Natasha Kassam, Director, Public Opinion and Foreign Policy Program, at the Lowy Institute. The results indicate Australia`s conservative government has public support for its assertive approach to China despite a series of trade implications. Relations with China, already rocky after Australia banned Huawei from its nascent 5G broadband networking in 2018, cooled further after Canberra called in 2020 for an independent investigation into the origins of the coronavirus pandemic, first reported in central China in 2019. China responded by imposing tariffs on Australian commodities, including wine and barley and limited imports of Australian beef, coal and grapes, moves described by the United States as “economic coercion”. China is Australia’s largest trading partner. In the 12 months to March, Australia exported A$149 billion ($112.45 billion) worth of goods to China, down 0.6% from the previous year. Exports, however, have been supported by strong prices for iron ore, the largest single item in trade with China.

Australians' trust in China plummets amid bilateral tensions: Poll

China is insecure and defensive which means it perceives threats where there are none, Australia's most senior diplomat said on Wednesday. 
 
Frances Adamson, Secretary of Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, said China seeks to project strength, but the reality is somewhat different. 
 
"Few really grasp that this great power is still dogged by insecurity as much as driven by ambition. That it has a deeply defensive mindset - perceiving external threats even as it pushes its interests over those of others," Adamson said in a speech in Canberra before she leaves office this week. 
 
"It is too ready to suspect containment instead of judging issues on their individual merits." 
 
Relations with China, already rocky after Australia banned Huawei from its nascent 5G broadband networking in 2018, cooled further after Canberra in 2020 called for an independent investigation into the origins of the coronavirus pandemic, first reported in central China in 2019. 
 
China responded by imposing tariffs on Australian commodities, including wine and barley and limited imports of Australian beef, coal and grapes, moves described by the United States as 'economic coercion'. 
 
China is Australia’s largest trading partner. In the 12 months to March, Australia exported A$149 billion ($112.45 billion) worth of goods to China, down 0.6% from the previous year. Exports, however, have been supported by strong prices for iron ore, the largest single item in trade with China. 
 
Adamson's speech came just hours after a widely watched poll showed Australians' trust in China has plunged and for the first time more people view Beijing as a security threat than a economic partner. 
 
The Lowy Institute's annual poll shows more than 60% of Australians see China as a security threat, up significantly from 2018 when 18% of respondents had the same view. 
 
"Views of China are to some extent inseparable from the crackdown in Hong Kong, the detention of Uighurs, the disappearance of Australian citizens in China," said Natasha Kassam, Director, Public Opinion and Foreign Policy Program, at the Lowy Institute. 
 
The results indicate Australia's conservative government has public support for its assertive approach to China despite a series of trade implications.

(With inputs from agencies)

China is insecure and defensive which means it perceives threats where there are none, Australia's most senior diplomat said on Wednesday. Frances Adamson, Secretary of Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, said China seeks to project strength, but the reality is somewhat different.

China is insecure and defensive which means it perceives threats where there are none, Australia's most senior diplomat said on Wednesday. Frances Adamson, Secretary of Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, said China seeks to project strength, but the reality is somewhat different. "Few really grasp that this great power is still dogged by insecurity as much as driven by ambition. That it has a deeply defensive mindset - perceiving external threats even as it pushes its interests over those of others," Adamson said in a speech in Canberra before she leaves office this week. "It is too ready to suspect containment instead of judging issues on their individual merits." Relations with China, already rocky after Australia banned Huawei from its nascent 5G broadband networking in 2018, cooled further after Canberra in 2020 called for an independent investigation into the origins of the coronavirus pandemic, first reported in central China in 2019. China responded by imposing tariffs on Australian commodities, including wine and barley and limited imports of Australian beef, coal and grapes, moves described by the United States as 'economic coercion'. China is Australia’s largest trading partner. In the 12 months to March, Australia exported A$149 billion ($112.45 billion) worth of goods to China, down 0.6% from the previous year. Exports, however, have been supported by strong prices for iron ore, the largest single item in trade with China. Adamson's speech came just hours after a widely watched poll showed Australians' trust in China has plunged and for the first time more people view Beijing as a security threat than a economic partner. The Lowy Institute's annual poll shows more than 60% of Australians see China as a security threat, up significantly from 2018 when 18% of respondents had the same view. "Views of China are to some extent inseparable from the crackdown in Hong Kong, the detention of Uighurs, the disappearance of Australian citizens in China," said Natasha Kassam, Director, Public Opinion and Foreign Policy Program, at the Lowy Institute. The results indicate Australia's conservative government has public support for its assertive approach to China despite a series of trade implications. (With inputs from agencies)

China is gripped by insecurity, Australia's most senior diplomat says

With Australia taking China to WTO over wine tariffs, Molly Gambhir speaks to Australian Trade Minister Dan Tehan on the trade war with China, COVID-19 origin probe and India-Australia economic ties.

Exclusive: Australia to file formal complaint against China says Trade Minister Dan Tehan

Australia said it will strongly oppose a China-chaired UNESCO plan to list the Great Barrier Reef as a heritage site “in danger” over deterioration caused by climate change.

Australia hits back at China-chaired UNESCO over Barrier Reef's heritage status

The Australian government has rejected plans for a $36 billion wind, solar and hydrogen project in a remote area of Western Australia, leaving what would have been one of the world's largest green energy projects in limbo for now. 
 
In a decision dated June 15, published on the environment department's website, Environment Minister Sussan Ley ruled that the project, the Asian Renewable Energy Hub (AREH), 'will have clearly unacceptable impacts' on internationally recognised wetlands and migratory bird species. 
 
The AREH project, located in the state's Pilbara region, was designed to initially build 15 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy capacity, eventually to be expanded to 26 GW and produce green hydrogen and ammonia for export. 
 
The government had awarded the project fast-track approval status last September, touting the jobs, clean energy for local industry and large-scale export opportunity that it would bring. AREH is being developed by privately owned InterContinental Energy, renewables developer CWP Energy Asia, top global wind turbine maker Vestas and a Macquarie Group fund. 
 
The environment minister cited the expansion plan in the rejection decision. The project's original plan won environmental approval last December. 
 
The proposed enlargement came with a port facility for ammonia; a town that would be home to 8,000 people including project workers; expanded solar arrays; ammonia, hydrogen and desalination plants and storage facilities; and a pipeline route for transporting ammonia, seawater and brine through wetlands. 
 
"We are now working to understand the minister's concerns, and will engage further with the minister and her department as we continue to work on the detailed design and engineering aspects of the project," the AREH consortium said in a statement. The project, on the drawing board since 2014, originally planned to generate wind and solar power and transmit it via an undersea cable to Asia, but last year changed plans, aiming to use clean power to split water to produce hydrogen and ammonia for export. 
 
Australia's Clean Energy Council on Monday said it expects the government will work with AREH to assess and address any environmental impacts. "If the government is to be taken seriously on developing a hydrogen economy, companies prioritising genuinely zero emissions projects should be assisted to reach a final investment decision," said Dan Gocher, climate and environment director at the Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

The Australian government has rejected plans for a $36 billion wind, solar and hydrogen project in a remote area of Western Australia, leaving what would have been one of the world's largest green energy projects in limbo for now.

The Australian government has rejected plans for a $36 billion wind, solar and hydrogen project in a remote area of Western Australia, leaving what would have been one of the world's largest green energy projects in limbo for now. In a decision dated June 15, published on the environment department's website, Environment Minister Sussan Ley ruled that the project, the Asian Renewable Energy Hub (AREH), 'will have clearly unacceptable impacts' on internationally recognised wetlands and migratory bird species. The AREH project, located in the state's Pilbara region, was designed to initially build 15 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy capacity, eventually to be expanded to 26 GW and produce green hydrogen and ammonia for export. The government had awarded the project fast-track approval status last September, touting the jobs, clean energy for local industry and large-scale export opportunity that it would bring. AREH is being developed by privately owned InterContinental Energy, renewables developer CWP Energy Asia, top global wind turbine maker Vestas and a Macquarie Group fund. The environment minister cited the expansion plan in the rejection decision. The project's original plan won environmental approval last December. The proposed enlargement came with a port facility for ammonia; a town that would be home to 8,000 people including project workers; expanded solar arrays; ammonia, hydrogen and desalination plants and storage facilities; and a pipeline route for transporting ammonia, seawater and brine through wetlands. "We are now working to understand the minister's concerns, and will engage further with the minister and her department as we continue to work on the detailed design and engineering aspects of the project," the AREH consortium said in a statement. The project, on the drawing board since 2014, originally planned to generate wind and solar power and transmit it via an undersea cable to Asia, but last year changed plans, aiming to use clean power to split water to produce hydrogen and ammonia for export. Australia's Clean Energy Council on Monday said it expects the government will work with AREH to assess and address any environmental impacts. "If the government is to be taken seriously on developing a hydrogen economy, companies prioritising genuinely zero emissions projects should be assisted to reach a final investment decision," said Dan Gocher, climate and environment director at the Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility. (With inputs from agencies)

Australia rejects $36 billion wind, solar, hydrogen project

Australian states and territories will get more doses of COVID-19 vaccines soon, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Monday, as authorities look to avoid further delays in an immunisation drive that has hit several roadblocks. 
 
Australian states have been asking for increased supplies of vaccines after Australia last week announced a policy shift that recommended AstraZeneca shots for people only above 60 years due to clot concerns, throwing the rollout into disarray. 
 
"They are all getting additional doses ... it scales up again in July when the additional Pfizer doses go out," Morrison told radio station 2GB on Monday. Morrison did not specify the number of shots each state would get. 
 
Australia`s nationwide vaccination programme missed several initial targets due to patchy international vaccine supplies while changing medical advice on AstraZeneca doses further slowed down an already sluggish programme. 
 
Only 4% of Australia`s adult population of 20 million have been fully vaccinated while more than 25% have had at least their first dose. 
 
To accelerate the rollout drive, the federal government plans to distribute around 2.3 million doses of Pfizer vaccine in June to the states and territories, and looks to ramp it up to 3.4 million through July. 
 
Australia has to rely on overseas shipments for its Pfizer shots while the AstraZeneca ones are produced locally. 
 
Morrison has called a meeting of the national cabinet, the group of federal, state and territory leaders, on Monday, three weeks earlier than scheduled amid the turmoil in its vaccination programme. The next meeting was scheduled on July 9. 
 
The government`s promise of more doses for states come as New South Wales (NSW), Australia`s most populous state, fights to contain a latest outbreak, which grew to nine cases over the weekend. 
 
Victoria state on Monday reported one new locally acquired case linked to an existing cluster while Queensland, which reported one new infection on Sunday, reported no new cases. NSW is expected to report its latest numbers later on Monday.

Australian states and territories will get more doses of COVID-19 vaccines soon, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Monday, as authorities look to avoid further delays in an immunisation drive that has hit several roadblocks.

Australian states and territories will get more doses of COVID-19 vaccines soon, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Monday, as authorities look to avoid further delays in an immunisation drive that has hit several roadblocks. Australian states have been asking for increased supplies of vaccines after Australia last week announced a policy shift that recommended AstraZeneca shots for people only above 60 years due to clot concerns, throwing the rollout into disarray. "They are all getting additional doses ... it scales up again in July when the additional Pfizer doses go out," Morrison told radio station 2GB on Monday. Morrison did not specify the number of shots each state would get. Australia`s nationwide vaccination programme missed several initial targets due to patchy international vaccine supplies while changing medical advice on AstraZeneca doses further slowed down an already sluggish programme. Only 4% of Australia`s adult population of 20 million have been fully vaccinated while more than 25% have had at least their first dose. To accelerate the rollout drive, the federal government plans to distribute around 2.3 million doses of Pfizer vaccine in June to the states and territories, and looks to ramp it up to 3.4 million through July. Australia has to rely on overseas shipments for its Pfizer shots while the AstraZeneca ones are produced locally. Morrison has called a meeting of the national cabinet, the group of federal, state and territory leaders, on Monday, three weeks earlier than scheduled amid the turmoil in its vaccination programme. The next meeting was scheduled on July 9. The government`s promise of more doses for states come as New South Wales (NSW), Australia`s most populous state, fights to contain a latest outbreak, which grew to nine cases over the weekend. Victoria state on Monday reported one new locally acquired case linked to an existing cluster while Queensland, which reported one new infection on Sunday, reported no new cases. NSW is expected to report its latest numbers later on Monday.

Australian PM promises more COVID-19 shots to states amid rollout delays

Barnaby Joyce will be Australia's new deputy prime minister after winning a leadership contest in the government's junior coalition partner on Monday, local media reported. 
 
Joyce was previously Australia's deputy prime minister from 2016 to 2018 but resigned after a row over an extramarital affair with a former staff member. 
 
Meanwhile, Australian states and territories will get more doses of COVID-19 vaccines soon, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Monday, as authorities look to avoid further delays in an immunisation drive that has hit several roadblocks.

Australian states have been asking for increased supplies of vaccines after Australia last week announced a policy shift that recommended AstraZeneca shots for people only above 60 years due to clot concerns, throwing the rollout into disarray.

"They are all getting additional doses ... it scales up again in July when the additional Pfizer doses go out," Morrison told radio station 2GB on Monday. Morrison did not specify the number of shots each state would get.

Australia's nationwide vaccination programme missed several initial targets due to patchy international vaccine supplies while changing medical advice on AstraZeneca doses further slowed down an already sluggish programme.

Only 4% of Australia's adult population of 20 million have been fully vaccinated while more than 25% have had at least their first dose.

To accelerate the rollout drive, the federal government plans to distribute around 2.3 million doses of Pfizer vaccine in June to the states and territories, and looks to ramp it up to 3.4 million through July.

Australia has to rely on overseas shipments for its Pfizer shots while the AstraZeneca ones are produced locally.

Morrison has called a meeting of the national cabinet, the group of federal, state and territory leaders, on Monday, three weeks earlier than scheduled amid the turmoil in its vaccination programme. The next meeting was scheduled on July 9.

The government's promise of more doses for states come as New South Wales (NSW), Australia's most populous state, fights to contain a latest outbreak, which grew to nine cases over the weekend.

Victoria state on Monday reported one new locally acquired case linked to an existing cluster while Queensland, which reported one new infection on Sunday, reported no new cases. NSW is expected to report its latest numbers later on Monday.

(With inputs from agencies)

Barnaby Joyce will be Australia's new deputy prime minister after winning a leadership contest in the government's junior coalition partner on Monday, local media reported.

Barnaby Joyce will be Australia's new deputy prime minister after winning a leadership contest in the government's junior coalition partner on Monday, local media reported. Joyce was previously Australia's deputy prime minister from 2016 to 2018 but resigned after a row over an extramarital affair with a former staff member. Meanwhile, Australian states and territories will get more doses of COVID-19 vaccines soon, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Monday, as authorities look to avoid further delays in an immunisation drive that has hit several roadblocks. Australian states have been asking for increased supplies of vaccines after Australia last week announced a policy shift that recommended AstraZeneca shots for people only above 60 years due to clot concerns, throwing the rollout into disarray. "They are all getting additional doses ... it scales up again in July when the additional Pfizer doses go out," Morrison told radio station 2GB on Monday. Morrison did not specify the number of shots each state would get. Australia's nationwide vaccination programme missed several initial targets due to patchy international vaccine supplies while changing medical advice on AstraZeneca doses further slowed down an already sluggish programme. Only 4% of Australia's adult population of 20 million have been fully vaccinated while more than 25% have had at least their first dose. To accelerate the rollout drive, the federal government plans to distribute around 2.3 million doses of Pfizer vaccine in June to the states and territories, and looks to ramp it up to 3.4 million through July. Australia has to rely on overseas shipments for its Pfizer shots while the AstraZeneca ones are produced locally. Morrison has called a meeting of the national cabinet, the group of federal, state and territory leaders, on Monday, three weeks earlier than scheduled amid the turmoil in its vaccination programme. The next meeting was scheduled on July 9. The government's promise of more doses for states come as New South Wales (NSW), Australia's most populous state, fights to contain a latest outbreak, which grew to nine cases over the weekend. Victoria state on Monday reported one new locally acquired case linked to an existing cluster while Queensland, which reported one new infection on Sunday, reported no new cases. NSW is expected to report its latest numbers later on Monday. (With inputs from agencies)

Barnaby Joyce to be Australia's new deputy prime minister: Reports

After bushfires destroyed their habitat, the already struggling populations of Koalas can now soon be listed as endangered in Queensland, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory

A federal panel of experts specialising in threatened species has recommended that the once-thriving marsupial’s status be upgraded from vulnerable to endangered in each of the three jurisdictions.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/habitat-loss-in-an-australian-state-may-drive-koalas-to-extinction-by-2050-309664">Habitat loss in an Australian state may drive koalas to extinction by 2050</a>

A member International Fund for Animal Welfare, Josey Sharrad describes this move as bittersweet. She says that this move “confirms our fears koalas are on the road to extinction and need greater protections if they are going to survive into the future,”.

“Koalas were living on a knife-edge before the fires, with numbers in severe decline due to land clearing, drought, disease, car strikes and dog attacks.

“The bushfires were the final straw, hitting at the heart of already struggling koala populations and critical habitat.”, she added.

According to estimates, at least 6,400 koalas were killed in the Black Summer bushfires, leading to a decline between 33 per cent and 61 per cent in New South Wales (NSW), and unless urgent action is taken, the marsupials can go extinct in this region by 2050.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thing-of-the-past-experts-fear-australias-iconic-koala-could-go-extinct-by-2050-309749">Thing of the past? Experts fear Australia's iconic koala could go extinct by 2050</a>

In Queensland, since 2001 there has been at least a 50 per cent drop in the koala population mostly due to deforestation, drought and bushfires.

Koala populations in the three jurisdictions were listed as vulnerable in 2012, and since then they have suffered due to many reasons, including as a consequence of land clearing.

Public submissions have been invited on the question of whether the status of their native animal should be&nbsp;changed from vulnerable to endangered in all three jurisdictions.

After weighing public submissions, the panel on threatened species will be providing its final advice to the federal environment minister by 30 October.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/artificial-intelligence-for-conservation-australian-researchers-to-test-koala-facial-recognition-389160">Artificial Intelligence for conservation: Australian researchers to test koala 'facial recognition'</a>

According to Sharrad a national koala recovery plan has long been overdue.

Urging the governments to take immediate action to address the key threats that are driving koalas towards extinction, she said that “Koalas are an iconic species loved the world over. We simply cannot afford to let them go extinct on our watch.”

Along with the International Fund for Animal Welfare, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and Humane Society International (HSI) have also nominated Koala’s addition to the endangered animals' list, and HSI says that this might be the last hope for the diminishing populations.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australia-gears-up-for-the-great-koala-count-using-drones-droppings-and-dogs-348189">Australia gears up for the great Koala count, using drones, droppings and dogs</a>

An $18 million plan to help protect the distressed native species was announced earlier this year, by the federal government.

Sussan Ley, Australia’s environment minister, said that a national audit would help in deciding where support and funding are to be directed, but critics complain that the koala census was not enough to save the marsupial.

The audit is expected to cost $2 million, and the rest of the package will go towards medical support, health research, and habitat restoration.

After bushfires destroyed their habitat, the already struggling populations of Koalas can now soon be listed as endangered in Queensland, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory A federal panel of experts specialising in threatened species has recommended that the once-thriving marsupial’s status be upgraded from vulnerable to endangered in each of the three jurisdictions.

After bushfires destroyed their habitat, the already struggling populations of Koalas can now soon be listed as endangered in Queensland, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory A federal panel of experts specialising in threatened species has recommended that the once-thriving marsupial’s status be upgraded from vulnerable to endangered in each of the three jurisdictions. Also read | Habitat loss in an Australian state may drive koalas to extinction by 2050 A member International Fund for Animal Welfare, Josey Sharrad describes this move as bittersweet. She says that this move “confirms our fears koalas are on the road to extinction and need greater protections if they are going to survive into the future,”. “Koalas were living on a knife-edge before the fires, with numbers in severe decline due to land clearing, drought, disease, car strikes and dog attacks. “The bushfires were the final straw, hitting at the heart of already struggling koala populations and critical habitat.”, she added. According to estimates, at least 6,400 koalas were killed in the Black Summer bushfires, leading to a decline between 33 per cent and 61 per cent in New South Wales (NSW), and unless urgent action is taken, the marsupials can go extinct in this region by 2050. Also read | Thing of the past? Experts fear Australia's iconic koala could go extinct by 2050 In Queensland, since 2001 there has been at least a 50 per cent drop in the koala population mostly due to deforestation, drought and bushfires. Koala populations in the three jurisdictions were listed as vulnerable in 2012, and since then they have suffered due to many reasons, including as a consequence of land clearing. Public submissions have been invited on the question of whether the status of their native animal should be changed from vulnerable to endangered in all three jurisdictions. After weighing public submissions, the panel on threatened species will be providing its final advice to the federal environment minister by 30 October. Also read | Artificial Intelligence for conservation: Australian researchers to test koala 'facial recognition' According to Sharrad a national koala recovery plan has long been overdue. Urging the governments to take immediate action to address the key threats that are driving koalas towards extinction, she said that “Koalas are an iconic species loved the world over. We simply cannot afford to let them go extinct on our watch.” Along with the International Fund for Animal Welfare, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and Humane Society International (HSI) have also nominated Koala’s addition to the endangered animals' list, and HSI says that this might be the last hope for the diminishing populations. Also read | Australia gears up for the great Koala count, using drones, droppings and dogs An $18 million plan to help protect the distressed native species was announced earlier this year, by the federal government. Sussan Ley, Australia’s environment minister, said that a national audit would help in deciding where support and funding are to be directed, but critics complain that the koala census was not enough to save the marsupial. The audit is expected to cost $2 million, and the rest of the package will go towards medical support, health research, and habitat restoration.

Koalas may get an unfortunate bump up: From vulnerable to endangered

Australia is set to lodge a formal complaint with the World Trade Organization over China's imposition of anti-dumping duties on Australian wine exports. Watch this report to know more.

Australia taking China to World Trade Organization over wine duties

Many multinationals' websites have been experiencing online outages around the world, according to the monitoring&nbsp;site Downdetector.

They include the websites of major US Airlines companies like Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, American Airlines and Delta Air Lines.&nbsp; 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/several-global-media-websites-go-down-white-house-uk-govt-sites-go-dark-too-390160">Also read: Several global media websites go down; White House, UK govt sites go dark too</a> 
 
According to Downdetector, over a thousand user complaints showed problems with Southwest Airlines, with over 400 user complaints indicating the same for Delta Air Lines. For the other two airlines, the figure was roughly 300.&nbsp;

Major Australian banks have also reported problems with their websites and mobile apps. The companies stated that they were looking into the situation right now.&nbsp; 
 
The Commonwealth Bank, Westpac, and ANZ and Virgin Australia all tweeted about the disruptions.

A range of banks was scrambling to determine the source of an outage that was impacting internet banking and access to online apps across the country.

"We understand that some of our customers are currently experiencing issues accessing our services," the country's largest financial firm Commonwealth Bank told AFP. "This issue is affecting multiple organizations, including many of the major banks."

The outages in Australia began around 2:10 p.m. local time (0510 GMT), according to Downdetector. 
 
Earlier on June 8, the websites of global media organisations including The Guardian newspaper, Financial Times of London and CNN international went down. All the pages showed 'error 503' for several minutes. The UK government's website gov. The UK had also gone down. Reports said the BBC website had also gone down but returned later.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Many multinationals' websites have been experiencing online outages around the world, according to the monitoring site Downdetector. They include the websites of major US Airlines companies like Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, American Airlines and Delta Air Lines.

Many multinationals' websites have been experiencing online outages around the world, according to the monitoring site Downdetector. They include the websites of major US Airlines companies like Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, American Airlines and Delta Air Lines. Also read: Several global media websites go down; White House, UK govt sites go dark too According to Downdetector, over a thousand user complaints showed problems with Southwest Airlines, with over 400 user complaints indicating the same for Delta Air Lines. For the other two airlines, the figure was roughly 300. Major Australian banks have also reported problems with their websites and mobile apps. The companies stated that they were looking into the situation right now. The Commonwealth Bank, Westpac, and ANZ and Virgin Australia all tweeted about the disruptions. A range of banks was scrambling to determine the source of an outage that was impacting internet banking and access to online apps across the country. "We understand that some of our customers are currently experiencing issues accessing our services," the country's largest financial firm Commonwealth Bank told AFP. "This issue is affecting multiple organizations, including many of the major banks." The outages in Australia began around 2:10 p.m. local time (0510 GMT), according to Downdetector. Earlier on June 8, the websites of global media organisations including The Guardian newspaper, Financial Times of London and CNN international went down. All the pages showed 'error 503' for several minutes. The UK government's website gov. The UK had also gone down. Reports said the BBC website had also gone down but returned later. (With inputs from agencies)

Many US airlines and Australian banks hit by online outage

Police in South Australia urged drivers on Wednesday to step up efforts to protect their cars, as thieves target the catalytic converters that scrub exhaust emissions, amid a surge in prices of precious metals. 
 
The converters, which strip particulate matter from emissions, contain high volumes of the precious metals platinum and palladium, whose prices touched records this year. 
 
"Thefts have occurred in residential driveways, public carparks and on main roads with public presence not seeming to deter offenders," state police said in a statement, adding that the devices were then sold on the secondhand market. 
 
After several arrests, they are encouraging owners to mark or engrave the devices with the vehicle identification number, as well as making them harder to remove, for instance by welding in the retaining bolts. 
 
Other measures include parking in locked or well-lit areas, near walls or fences with the car bonnet facing a solid object to discourage access to the converter. 
 
Prices of platinum are up 38% from a year ago at $1,173 an ounce, while palladium is up 43% at $2,758 an ounce.

Police in South Australia urged drivers on Wednesday to step up efforts to protect their cars, as thieves target the catalytic converters that scrub exhaust emissions, amid a surge in prices of precious metals.

Police in South Australia urged drivers on Wednesday to step up efforts to protect their cars, as thieves target the catalytic converters that scrub exhaust emissions, amid a surge in prices of precious metals. The converters, which strip particulate matter from emissions, contain high volumes of the precious metals platinum and palladium, whose prices touched records this year. "Thefts have occurred in residential driveways, public carparks and on main roads with public presence not seeming to deter offenders," state police said in a statement, adding that the devices were then sold on the secondhand market. After several arrests, they are encouraging owners to mark or engrave the devices with the vehicle identification number, as well as making them harder to remove, for instance by welding in the retaining bolts. Other measures include parking in locked or well-lit areas, near walls or fences with the car bonnet facing a solid object to discourage access to the converter. Prices of platinum are up 38% from a year ago at $1,173 an ounce, while palladium is up 43% at $2,758 an ounce.

Pricey metals lure Australian thieves to strip cars of catalytic converters

Britain and Australia have agreed a trade deal after talks between their prime ministers ironed out outstanding issues, Australian Minister for Trade Dan Tehan said on Tuesday. 
 
The agreement will be Britain's first trade deal since Brexit, and comes as London seeks to expand commercial and diplomatic links in the Indo-Pacific region. 
 
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and his British counterpart Boris Johnson overcame sticking points during talks after the Group of Seven meeting in Britain over the weekend, which Morrison had attended as a guest. 
 
"Both prime ministers have held a positive meeting in London overnight and have resolved outstanding issues” in relation to the trade pact, Tehan said in a statement. 
 
Britain is Australia's eighth-largest trading partner, with two-way trade worth A$26.9 billion ($20.7 billion). Prior to Britain joining the then European common market in 1973, Britain was Australia's most lucrative trading market. 
 
A formal announcement would be made later on Tuesday, Tehan said. 
 
The deal will be keenly scrutinised by British farmers, who fear they could be forced out of business if the deal eliminates tariffs on lamb and beef imports from Australia. 
 
Australian Minister for Trade David Littleproud declined to reveal specifics but said Australian farmers would benefit from the deal. 
 
“Overall, this is going to be a great win for Australian agriculture," Littleproud told 4BC Radio 
 
Though details have still to emerge, some official estimates say the agreement could add 500 million pounds ($705.7 million) to British economic output over the long term. 
 
For Australia, however, analysts questioned the importance for an economy already focused on Asia. 
 
"This free trade agreement is more about symbolism than immediately tangible material benefits," said Ben Wellings, senior lecturer in politics and international relations at Monash University.

Britain and Australia have agreed a trade deal after talks between their prime ministers ironed out outstanding issues, Australian Minister for Trade Dan Tehan said on Tuesday.

Britain and Australia have agreed a trade deal after talks between their prime ministers ironed out outstanding issues, Australian Minister for Trade Dan Tehan said on Tuesday. The agreement will be Britain's first trade deal since Brexit, and comes as London seeks to expand commercial and diplomatic links in the Indo-Pacific region. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and his British counterpart Boris Johnson overcame sticking points during talks after the Group of Seven meeting in Britain over the weekend, which Morrison had attended as a guest. "Both prime ministers have held a positive meeting in London overnight and have resolved outstanding issues” in relation to the trade pact, Tehan said in a statement. Britain is Australia's eighth-largest trading partner, with two-way trade worth A$26.9 billion ($20.7 billion). Prior to Britain joining the then European common market in 1973, Britain was Australia's most lucrative trading market. A formal announcement would be made later on Tuesday, Tehan said. The deal will be keenly scrutinised by British farmers, who fear they could be forced out of business if the deal eliminates tariffs on lamb and beef imports from Australia. Australian Minister for Trade David Littleproud declined to reveal specifics but said Australian farmers would benefit from the deal. “Overall, this is going to be a great win for Australian agriculture," Littleproud told 4BC Radio Though details have still to emerge, some official estimates say the agreement could add 500 million pounds ($705.7 million) to British economic output over the long term. For Australia, however, analysts questioned the importance for an economy already focused on Asia. "This free trade agreement is more about symbolism than immediately tangible material benefits," said Ben Wellings, senior lecturer in politics and international relations at Monash University.

Australia touts 'great win' in Britain's first post-Brexit trade deal

Australia's Victoria state expects to announce further easing of COVID-19 restrictions this week, acting Premier James Merlino said on Sunday, as the state reported one new locally acquired infection for a second straight day. 
 
The latest infection was a close contact of a previously reported case and had already been quarantined, Victoria's health department said. 
 
Australia's second-most-populous state has recorded 92 cases in its latest wave of COVID-19 infections, which triggered a two-week snap lockdown late last month. Victoria emerged from the lockdown on Friday as new cases declined, but some physical distancing rules remain. 
 
"My expectation is by later in the week, we will be in a position to announce further easing of restrictions for regional Victoria and ... for metropolitan Melbourne," Merlino said. 
 
Merlino added he was keen to get people back to attending sporting events and theatre, though he had no announcement to make yet in that regard. 
 
Under existing curbs, Melbourne residents can only travel up to 25 kilometres (15.5 miles) from home while outdoor gatherings are limited to 10 people. Masks are required indoors and outdoors at all public spaces. 
 
More than 3,000 primary close contacts of infected cases are already in quarantine with about 122 exposure sites listed on the Victorian government website. 
 
Australia has fared much better than many other developed countries during the pandemic, with more than 22,300 local COVID-19 cases and 910 deaths since March 2020, mostly in Victorian aged-care homes. 
 
Snap lockdowns, internal border controls and tough social distancing rules have helped it contain prior outbreaks. 
 
New South Wales, Australia's most populous state, and neighbouring Queensland are on high alert after an infected woman and her husband travelled from Victoria through several country towns in both states. 
 
With no new cases on Sunday, New South Wales, which includes the largest city, Sydney, has not reported any locally acquired infection in more than a month, while Queensland last reported cases in late March.

Australia's Victoria state expects to announce further easing of COVID-19 restrictions this week, acting Premier James Merlino said on Sunday, as the state reported one new locally acquired infection for a second straight day.

Australia's Victoria state expects to announce further easing of COVID-19 restrictions this week, acting Premier James Merlino said on Sunday, as the state reported one new locally acquired infection for a second straight day. The latest infection was a close contact of a previously reported case and had already been quarantined, Victoria's health department said. Australia's second-most-populous state has recorded 92 cases in its latest wave of COVID-19 infections, which triggered a two-week snap lockdown late last month. Victoria emerged from the lockdown on Friday as new cases declined, but some physical distancing rules remain. "My expectation is by later in the week, we will be in a position to announce further easing of restrictions for regional Victoria and ... for metropolitan Melbourne," Merlino said. Merlino added he was keen to get people back to attending sporting events and theatre, though he had no announcement to make yet in that regard. Under existing curbs, Melbourne residents can only travel up to 25 kilometres (15.5 miles) from home while outdoor gatherings are limited to 10 people. Masks are required indoors and outdoors at all public spaces. More than 3,000 primary close contacts of infected cases are already in quarantine with about 122 exposure sites listed on the Victorian government website. Australia has fared much better than many other developed countries during the pandemic, with more than 22,300 local COVID-19 cases and 910 deaths since March 2020, mostly in Victorian aged-care homes. Snap lockdowns, internal border controls and tough social distancing rules have helped it contain prior outbreaks. New South Wales, Australia's most populous state, and neighbouring Queensland are on high alert after an infected woman and her husband travelled from Victoria through several country towns in both states. With no new cases on Sunday, New South Wales, which includes the largest city, Sydney, has not reported any locally acquired infection in more than a month, while Queensland last reported cases in late March.

Australia's Victoria state expects further easing of COVID-19 curbs

In what is considered the 'deadliest' alleged atrocity involving Australian Special Forces, unarmed civilians were shot in cold blood to cover tracks. Nearly one year ago, ABC Investigations revealed how Australian special forces killed up to 10 unarmed Afghan civilians during a 2012 raid in Kandahar Province.

In what is considered the 'deadliest' alleged atrocity involving Australian Special Forces, unarmed civilians were shot in cold blood to cover tracks. Nearly one year ago, ABC Investigations revealed how Australian special forces killed up to 10 unarmed Afghan civilians during a 2012 raid in Kandahar Province. More details have emerged about the same. As a part of the investigation, ABC contacted some of the men of the Zulu 1 patrol. Violating the Australian Rules of Engagement, the SAS patrol commander, Sergeant T, ordered the American door gunner to fire around the Afghans below the chopper to stop them from scattering. Soon after the Black Hawk set down in the field, Sergeant T himself opened fire at the farmers in the field. Also Read | Afghanistan soldiers conduct operation against Taliban An Australian Special Operations officer, deployed to Afghanistan, alongside the Special Air Service Regiment (SAS), agreed to speak with ABC Investigations on the condition of staying anonymous. One of the men on that patrol returned to the base and told the officer what unfolded in that field. ABC quoted the officer saying, "He told me from his perspective what happened, which was that the patrol commander had accidentally shot one of this group of farmer. And then they made the decision that they couldn’t leave anyone behind to tell [what happened]". This is when the officers decided to kill all of the farmers. The man told the officer that there was a very young person, about 13 or 14. "He described shooting someone as they hid within the tractor wheel, cowering. I can’t remember if that was the 14-year-old … I believe he said he shot more than one, but I can’t remember the exact details. “Honestly, it just sounded like a bit of a spree", quoted ABC. The SAS soldier who was on the raid and who made the admission to the Special Operations officer is now known as Soldier C. The raid is termed as the worst one-day death toll uncovered till the date of alleged unlawful killings by Australian soldiers in Afghanistan.

Australia: New information unveiled on the deadliest alleged war crimes in Afghanistan

Two&nbsp;Australian states are on <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">COVID-19</a> alert after an infected woman and her husband travelled from Victoria, the epicentre of the country's latest outbreak, through the states of New South Wales and into Queensland, visiting dozens of sites en route.

Authorities in New South Wales and Queensland are rushing to trace close contacts and locate virus hotspots, officials said on Thursday. The couple may face criminal charges for breaching COVID-19 border restrictions.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australia-reports-second-death-possibly-due-to-blood-clots-after-astrazeneca-shot-390585">Australia reports second death 'possibly' due to blood clots after AstraZeneca shot</a>

The 44-year-old woman tested positive for COVID-19 once in Queensland, authorities said late on Wednesday, and her husband has since tested positive.

Queensland state Health Minister Yvette D'Ath told reporters in Brisbane on Thursday that the couple's tests suggested they were likely at the end of their infectious period. Queensland has issued alerts for parts of the Sunshine Coast, a popular tourist spot, and two regional areas.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australias-melbourne-eyes-way-out-of-covid-19-lockdown-as-cases-ease-390045">Australia's Melbourne eyes way out of COVID-19 lockdown as cases ease</a>

On Thursday, Victoria reported four new locally acquired cases, versus one case a day earlier, taking the total infections in the latest outbreak to 90. The new cases, all from the same household, come as Melbourne prepares to come out of a two-week lockdown on Thursday night, although some curbs on travel and gatherings remain.

Two Australian states are on COVID-19 alert after an infected woman and her husband travelled from Victoria, the epicentre of the country's latest outbreak, through the states of New South Wales and into Queensland, visiting dozens of sites en route.

Two Australian states are on COVID-19 alert after an infected woman and her husband travelled from Victoria, the epicentre of the country's latest outbreak, through the states of New South Wales and into Queensland, visiting dozens of sites en route. Authorities in New South Wales and Queensland are rushing to trace close contacts and locate virus hotspots, officials said on Thursday. The couple may face criminal charges for breaching COVID-19 border restrictions. Also read | Australia reports second death 'possibly' due to blood clots after AstraZeneca shot The 44-year-old woman tested positive for COVID-19 once in Queensland, authorities said late on Wednesday, and her husband has since tested positive. Queensland state Health Minister Yvette D'Ath told reporters in Brisbane on Thursday that the couple's tests suggested they were likely at the end of their infectious period. Queensland has issued alerts for parts of the Sunshine Coast, a popular tourist spot, and two regional areas. Also read | Australia's Melbourne eyes way out of COVID-19 lockdown as cases ease On Thursday, Victoria reported four new locally acquired cases, versus one case a day earlier, taking the total infections in the latest outbreak to 90. The new cases, all from the same household, come as Melbourne prepares to come out of a two-week lockdown on Thursday night, although some curbs on travel and gatherings remain.

Two Australian states on COVID-19 alert after infected woman's interstate travel

Australia has discovered a new species of dinosaur. It is the largest ever to have been identified on the continent. How enormous is it? What doors has it opened for future discoveries? WION's Palki Sharma gets you a report.

Gravitas | Meet Cooper: Australia's largest dinosaur

Japan's Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said on Wednesday he aimed to hold talks with Australia's foreign and defence ministers on strengthening bilateral cooperation to raise the two countries' security ties to new levels. 
 
Motegi made the comment at the start of a meeting, via video conferencing, between foreign and defence ministers from Japan and Australia. 
 
Meanwhile, Japan and Australia said on Wednesday they had 'serious concerns' about reported human rights abuses against Uyghur and other Muslim minorities in China's Xinjiang region.

In a joint statement, they also expressed concern about recent moves that they said weakened Hong Kong's democratic institutions, and grave concerns about the ongoing crisis in Myanmar.

The meeting, between the foreign and defence ministers of both nations, took place via video conferencing.

Japan's Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said on Wednesday he aimed to hold talks with Australia's foreign and defence ministers on strengthening bilateral cooperation to raise the two countries' security ties to new levels.

Japan's Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said on Wednesday he aimed to hold talks with Australia's foreign and defence ministers on strengthening bilateral cooperation to raise the two countries' security ties to new levels. Motegi made the comment at the start of a meeting, via video conferencing, between foreign and defence ministers from Japan and Australia. Meanwhile, Japan and Australia said on Wednesday they had 'serious concerns' about reported human rights abuses against Uyghur and other Muslim minorities in China's Xinjiang region. In a joint statement, they also expressed concern about recent moves that they said weakened Hong Kong's democratic institutions, and grave concerns about the ongoing crisis in Myanmar. The meeting, between the foreign and defence ministers of both nations, took place via video conferencing.

Japan minister says aims to raise security ties with Australia to new levels

A measure of Australian business conditions extended its blistering run to reach all-time highs in May with sales, profits and employment all up strongly, a sign the economy has the momentum to cope with a coronavirus lockdown.

Australia business activity climbs to fresh highs in May, says survey

Australian police arrested more than 200 people involved in organised crime after infiltrating an encrypted messaging app that opened up nearly 25 million messages about "industrial scale" drug imports and murder plots, officials said on Tuesday. 
 
They said the joint operation between Australia and the US&nbsp;Federal Bureau of Investigation, which begun in 2018, has ensnared criminals in Australia, Asia, South America and the Middle East involved in the global narcotics trade. 
 
"[It] has struck a heavy blow against organised crime – not just in this country, but one that will echo around organised crime around the world. This is a watershed moment in Australian law enforcement history," Australia`s Prime Minister Scott Morrison told reporters in Sydney. 
 
Australia did not detail any arrests in other countries but said Interpol and the FBI would hold news conferences later on Tuesday. 
 
The plan, which was conceived by Australian law officers and the FBI in 2018, saw officials in the United States take control of a messaging app called ANOM, which authorities said was popular with organised criminals. 
 
When an Australian underworld figure begun distributing the app to his associates as a secure means to communicate, law enforcement authorities could monitor all their messages. 
 
"We have been in the back pockets of organised crime," Australian Federal Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw told reporters at the same press briefing. 
 
"All they talk about is drugs, violence, hits on each other, innocent people who are going to be murdered." 
 
Kershaw said one murder plot involved plans to target a cafe with a machine gun, while a family of five was also targeted. Authorities said they were able to prevent these attacks. 
 
A totalof 224 people were arrested on Monday and 104 firearms seized as well as almost A$45 million ($34.9 million) in cash. 
 
A total of 525 charges have already been laid but authorities expect more in the coming weeks.

Australian police arrested more than 200 people involved in organised crime after infiltrating an encrypted messaging app that opened up nearly 25 million messages about "industrial scale" drug imports and murder plots, officials said on Tuesday.

Australian police arrested more than 200 people involved in organised crime after infiltrating an encrypted messaging app that opened up nearly 25 million messages about "industrial scale" drug imports and murder plots, officials said on Tuesday. They said the joint operation between Australia and the US Federal Bureau of Investigation, which begun in 2018, has ensnared criminals in Australia, Asia, South America and the Middle East involved in the global narcotics trade. "[It] has struck a heavy blow against organised crime – not just in this country, but one that will echo around organised crime around the world. This is a watershed moment in Australian law enforcement history," Australia`s Prime Minister Scott Morrison told reporters in Sydney. Australia did not detail any arrests in other countries but said Interpol and the FBI would hold news conferences later on Tuesday. The plan, which was conceived by Australian law officers and the FBI in 2018, saw officials in the United States take control of a messaging app called ANOM, which authorities said was popular with organised criminals. When an Australian underworld figure begun distributing the app to his associates as a secure means to communicate, law enforcement authorities could monitor all their messages. "We have been in the back pockets of organised crime," Australian Federal Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw told reporters at the same press briefing. "All they talk about is drugs, violence, hits on each other, innocent people who are going to be murdered." Kershaw said one murder plot involved plans to target a cafe with a machine gun, while a family of five was also targeted. Authorities said they were able to prevent these attacks. A totalof 224 people were arrested on Monday and 104 firearms seized as well as almost A$45 million ($34.9 million) in cash. A total of 525 charges have already been laid but authorities expect more in the coming weeks.

Australian police arrest over 200 after cracking underworld messaging app

Australia`s Victoria state authorities said plans to ease COVID-19 restrictions in state capital, Melbourne, this week remained "on track" as new locally acquired coronavirus cases fell on Tuesday. 
 
Victoria, Australia`s second-most-populous state, was plunged into a snap one-week hard lockdown on May 27 to contain a virus outbreak, forcing its 7 million residents to remain home except for essential business. 
 
The lockdown was extended in Melbourne until June 10, while some restrictions were relaxed in other regions in the state. 
 
Two new locally acquired cases, both linked to existing clusters, were reported on Tuesday, down from 11 a day earlier. 
 
"While we never want to see new cases, it is reassuring that we are again seeing these cases with clear links to existing outbreaks," Victoria state Acting Premier James Merlino told reporters in Melbourne. 
 
Merlino said contact tracers have linked the source of the highly infectious Delta virus variant to an overseas traveller who entered hotel quarantine in Melbourne on May 8. 
 
But officials said that it was still unclear how the Delta variant was transmitted into the community and that further tests would be needed. 
 
Though case numbers remained in single digits on almost all days through the lockdown, the emergence of the highly contagious Delta variant, first detected in India, late last week had stoked concerns of a major spike in infections. 
 
The Delta variant has been classified by the World Health Organization as among the four COVID-19 variants of concern because of evidence that it spreads more easily, and that it most likely caused the latest devastating wave of COVID-19 in India. 
 
Australia has fared better than many other developed countries in containing COVID-19, largely with snap lockdowns, regional border restrictions and tough social distancing rules. It has reported just under 30,200 cases and 910 deaths since the pandemic began.

Australia`s Victoria state authorities said plans to ease COVID-19 restrictions in state capital, Melbourne, this week remained "on track" as new locally acquired coronavirus cases fell on Tuesday.

Australia`s Victoria state authorities said plans to ease COVID-19 restrictions in state capital, Melbourne, this week remained "on track" as new locally acquired coronavirus cases fell on Tuesday. Victoria, Australia`s second-most-populous state, was plunged into a snap one-week hard lockdown on May 27 to contain a virus outbreak, forcing its 7 million residents to remain home except for essential business. The lockdown was extended in Melbourne until June 10, while some restrictions were relaxed in other regions in the state. Two new locally acquired cases, both linked to existing clusters, were reported on Tuesday, down from 11 a day earlier. "While we never want to see new cases, it is reassuring that we are again seeing these cases with clear links to existing outbreaks," Victoria state Acting Premier James Merlino told reporters in Melbourne. Merlino said contact tracers have linked the source of the highly infectious Delta virus variant to an overseas traveller who entered hotel quarantine in Melbourne on May 8. But officials said that it was still unclear how the Delta variant was transmitted into the community and that further tests would be needed. Though case numbers remained in single digits on almost all days through the lockdown, the emergence of the highly contagious Delta variant, first detected in India, late last week had stoked concerns of a major spike in infections. The Delta variant has been classified by the World Health Organization as among the four COVID-19 variants of concern because of evidence that it spreads more easily, and that it most likely caused the latest devastating wave of COVID-19 in India. Australia has fared better than many other developed countries in containing COVID-19, largely with snap lockdowns, regional border restrictions and tough social distancing rules. It has reported just under 30,200 cases and 910 deaths since the pandemic began.

Australia's Melbourne eyes way out of COVID-19 lockdown as cases ease

Team India's heroics in Australia will be remembered for a long time in the world of cricket. India, without many of its star players, managed to end Australia's streak at the Gabba. Rishabh Pant's stellar performance, not only breached the fortress but also won an important series for India.&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/cricket-ian-chappell-disagrees-with-manjrekar-explains-why-ashwin-is-among-best-389732">Ian Chappell disagrees with Manjrekar, explains why Ashwin is among best</a>

Australian batsman Usman Khwaja, who did not feature in the series, said that he followed the series closely and felt that India outplayed Australians in their home conditions and deserved to win.&nbsp;

"I don’t know. I just think that in Sydney also we had a game we probably should have won, could have won. Our bowlers couldn’t finish it off unfortunately and the same thing happened in Gabba. I thought we had enough runs to defend but if a team chases that many runs on the final day, it doesn’t matter where it is, they deserve to win. Because it’s not easy to chase runs in the fourth innings, no matter where you are in the world," Khawaja told Cricwick.

"I think at the end of the day, India were the better team. They played our fast bowlers better than we thought they would. They blunted our pace attack, they blunted Nathan Lyon and our bowlers couldn’t finish it off. It’s as simple as that. That can happen. That’s the beauty of cricket. I actually thought that was really good for the game."

Team India had begun their Test series with a catastrophic loss against Australia as Virat and Co. were bundled out on record-low 36 runs in Adelaide. With Virat Kohli leaving his team for paternity leave, it was an uphill task for Team India under the captaincy of Ajinkya Rahane to revive the series.&nbsp;

However, Team India won the very next Test match in Melbourne and equalled the series. Sydney was a big challenge for Team India, as the visitors survived the Test after R Ashwin and Hanuma Vihari held on to the strike to help Rahane and Co. draw the match.&nbsp;

In the series decider, India were set to face Australians in the fort of Gabba. India won the match, after Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant's gritty knocks and sealed the series, increasing their chances to book a berth in the World Test Championship finals.&nbsp;

"In Australia there was a bit of outrage because obviously, we hadn’t lost in 13 years. But that’s the beauty of the game. What’s the point if you can’t lose somewhere? Both teams can win, right? Obviously, it was disappointing as an Australian fan but it was great for the game. To do it at the Gabba, no one ever expected it, particularly from India," Khawaja added.

Team India's heroics in Australia will be remembered for a long time in the world of cricket. India, without many of its star players, managed to end Australia's streak at the Gabba.

Team India's heroics in Australia will be remembered for a long time in the world of cricket. India, without many of its star players, managed to end Australia's streak at the Gabba. Rishabh Pant's stellar performance, not only breached the fortress but also won an important series for India. ALSO READ: Ian Chappell disagrees with Manjrekar, explains why Ashwin is among best Australian batsman Usman Khwaja, who did not feature in the series, said that he followed the series closely and felt that India outplayed Australians in their home conditions and deserved to win. "I don’t know. I just think that in Sydney also we had a game we probably should have won, could have won. Our bowlers couldn’t finish it off unfortunately and the same thing happened in Gabba. I thought we had enough runs to defend but if a team chases that many runs on the final day, it doesn’t matter where it is, they deserve to win. Because it’s not easy to chase runs in the fourth innings, no matter where you are in the world," Khawaja told Cricwick. "I think at the end of the day, India were the better team. They played our fast bowlers better than we thought they would. They blunted our pace attack, they blunted Nathan Lyon and our bowlers couldn’t finish it off. It’s as simple as that. That can happen. That’s the beauty of cricket. I actually thought that was really good for the game." Team India had begun their Test series with a catastrophic loss against Australia as Virat and Co. were bundled out on record-low 36 runs in Adelaide. With Virat Kohli leaving his team for paternity leave, it was an uphill task for Team India under the captaincy of Ajinkya Rahane to revive the series. However, Team India won the very next Test match in Melbourne and equalled the series. Sydney was a big challenge for Team India, as the visitors survived the Test after R Ashwin and Hanuma Vihari held on to the strike to help Rahane and Co. draw the match. In the series decider, India were set to face Australians in the fort of Gabba. India won the match, after Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant's gritty knocks and sealed the series, increasing their chances to book a berth in the World Test Championship finals. "In Australia there was a bit of outrage because obviously, we hadn’t lost in 13 years. But that’s the beauty of the game. What’s the point if you can’t lose somewhere? Both teams can win, right? Obviously, it was disappointing as an Australian fan but it was great for the game. To do it at the Gabba, no one ever expected it, particularly from India," Khawaja added.

'They were the better team', Usman Khwaja on Team India's win at Gabba

Australia`s second most populous state Victoria on Sunday reported two new locally acquired COVID-19 cases, with the low number raising hopes that a hard lockdown in the state`s capital Melbourne will be eased on June 10. 
 
The two new local infections bring Victoria`s total cases to 72, including two recovered cases, in the outbreak that began in late May after a man who tested negative in hotel quarantine in Adelaide returned to Melbourne and tested positive. 
 
The daily rise was down from five new cases reported on Saturday and both cases were linked to existing clusters, which authorities said meant Melbourne`s restrictions would probably be eased on Thursday. 
 
"If we can, we will lift it early, but at this stage our expectation is that it will continue to Thursday," Victoria`s deputy chief health officer Allen Cheng told reporters. 
 
Health authorities remain worried about the emergence of the highly infectious Delta variant, which has now extended to 10 cases, as the source has yet to be identified and there has been no genomic match so far with any other cases in Australia. 
 
The Delta variant, which has been classified by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as among the four COVID-19 variants of concern due to evidence that it spreads more easily, likely caused the latest devastating outbreak in India. 
 
"The last thing we want to see is this variant of the virus getting out and becoming uncontrollable," state deputy premier James Merlino said. 
 
A family that travelled to a beach town in New South Wales state were the first in Melbourne to be infected by the Delta variant. 
 
"We are concerned about who it was who might have given them the infection and therefore could there be other infections related to that," Cheng said. 
 
Australia has been relatively successful in controlling the virus with snap lockdowns, tight border restrictions and social distancing. Victoria has accounted for two-thirds of the more than 30,100 COVID-19 cases and 90% of the 910 deaths in the country since the pandemic began last year. 
 
Merlino on Sunday announced A$32 million ($25 million) in assistance to regional tourism and accommodation operators to make up for a disrupted ski season, adding to A$460 million committed last week to businesses affected by the lockdown.

Australia`s second most populous state Victoria on Sunday reported two new locally acquired COVID-19 cases, with the low number raising hopes that a hard lockdown in the state`s capital Melbourne will be eased on June 10.

Australia`s second most populous state Victoria on Sunday reported two new locally acquired COVID-19 cases, with the low number raising hopes that a hard lockdown in the state`s capital Melbourne will be eased on June 10. The two new local infections bring Victoria`s total cases to 72, including two recovered cases, in the outbreak that began in late May after a man who tested negative in hotel quarantine in Adelaide returned to Melbourne and tested positive. The daily rise was down from five new cases reported on Saturday and both cases were linked to existing clusters, which authorities said meant Melbourne`s restrictions would probably be eased on Thursday. "If we can, we will lift it early, but at this stage our expectation is that it will continue to Thursday," Victoria`s deputy chief health officer Allen Cheng told reporters. Health authorities remain worried about the emergence of the highly infectious Delta variant, which has now extended to 10 cases, as the source has yet to be identified and there has been no genomic match so far with any other cases in Australia. The Delta variant, which has been classified by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as among the four COVID-19 variants of concern due to evidence that it spreads more easily, likely caused the latest devastating outbreak in India. "The last thing we want to see is this variant of the virus getting out and becoming uncontrollable," state deputy premier James Merlino said. A family that travelled to a beach town in New South Wales state were the first in Melbourne to be infected by the Delta variant. "We are concerned about who it was who might have given them the infection and therefore could there be other infections related to that," Cheng said. Australia has been relatively successful in controlling the virus with snap lockdowns, tight border restrictions and social distancing. Victoria has accounted for two-thirds of the more than 30,100 COVID-19 cases and 90% of the 910 deaths in the country since the pandemic began last year. Merlino on Sunday announced A$32 million ($25 million) in assistance to regional tourism and accommodation operators to make up for a disrupted ski season, adding to A$460 million committed last week to businesses affected by the lockdown.

Australia's COVID-19 hotspot reports two new local cases

An&nbsp;Australian&nbsp;court on Friday&nbsp;ordered a dozen&nbsp;media&nbsp;firms to pay a total of A$1.1 million ($842,270) in fines for breaching a suppression&nbsp;order&nbsp;on reporting the conviction of former Vatican treasurer George Pell for child sexual assault.

The 12&nbsp;media&nbsp;outlets, mostly owned by Nine Entertainment Co and Rupert Murdoch's News Corp, pleaded guilty in February to breaching the&nbsp;gag&nbsp;order&nbsp;on reporting on the trial and conviction of the cardinal after the state agreed to drop all charges against journalists and editors.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/no-remorse-prosecutors-call-for-immediate-imprisonment-of-australian-cardinal-george-pell-199943">'No remorse': Prosecutors call for 'immediate imprisonment' of Australian Cardinal George Pell</a>

Supreme Court of Victoria Justice John Dixon convicted the&nbsp;media&nbsp;firms saying they had "frustrated the suppression&nbsp;order&nbsp;as they diminished its purpose or efficacy by reporting information contrary to the terms of the&nbsp;order".

Pell's conviction for abusing two choirboys was overturned in April last year after he was jailed for more than a year. He was the most senior Catholic church official to have gone to prison for child sex assault.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cardinal-pell-freed-after-winning-appeal-over-child-sex-abuse-291028">Cardinal Pell freed after winning appeal over child sex abuse</a>

Reporting on Pell's trial and verdict in 2018 was&nbsp;gagged Australia-wide by the County Court of Victoria to ensure the cardinal received a fair trial on further charges he was due to face. Those charges were later dropped.

After he was convicted by a jury in December 2018, foreign&nbsp;media&nbsp;published the verdict, naming Pell and the charges, despite the suppression&nbsp;order.

Australian&nbsp;media&nbsp;then published reports saying they were unable to cover major news about an unidentified high-profile person, with some pointing out that the news could be found online.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australian-court-delays-final-verdict-on-cardinal-pell-appeal-285810">Australian court delays final verdict on Cardinal Pell appeal</a>

Dixon on Friday said he did not accept the&nbsp;media's argument that their breaches of the suppression&nbsp;order&nbsp;were due to an honest but mistaken belief that their reporting would not contravene the&nbsp;order.

He imposed the heaviest total fine on Nine Entertainment's The Age newspaper, at A$450,000, for two articles and an editorial, while imposing the heaviest single fine on News Corp's news.com.au website, at A$400,000, for an online article.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/child-sex-conviction-wrong-says-lawyers-of-ex-vatican-treasurer-pell-285592">Child sex conviction 'wrong', says lawyers of ex- Vatican treasurer Pell</a>

The Age and News Life&nbsp;Media&nbsp;"deliberately took a risk by intentionally publishing information derived from the trial to advance a particular purpose - a collateral attack on the role of suppression&nbsp;orders in Victoria's criminal justice system - that was obviously in conflict with the purpose of the suppression&nbsp;order," Dixon said in his judgment.

The maximum penalty for a breach of a suppression&nbsp;order&nbsp;is nearly A$500,000 for companies.

Dixon did not accept the state's argument that in publishing their articles the&nbsp;media&nbsp;were trying to pressure the County Court to lift the suppression&nbsp;order&nbsp;in December 2018, which would have made the breach "egregious and extreme".

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australian-court-delays-final-verdict-on-cardinal-pell-appeal-285810">Australian court delays final verdict on Cardinal Pell appeal</a>

In deciding the penalties, Dixon said he had taken into account the&nbsp;media&nbsp;firms' agreement to pay A$650,000 to cover the prosecutor's costs and the&nbsp;media's "sincere and unreserved apology" to the courts.

Nine Entertainment and News Corp's&nbsp;Australian&nbsp;arm were not immediately available for comment.

An Australian court on Friday ordered a dozen media firms to pay a total of A$1.1 million ($842,270) in fines for breaching a suppression order on reporting the conviction of former Vatican treasurer George Pell for child sexual assault.

An Australian court on Friday ordered a dozen media firms to pay a total of A$1.1 million ($842,270) in fines for breaching a suppression order on reporting the conviction of former Vatican treasurer George Pell for child sexual assault. The 12 media outlets, mostly owned by Nine Entertainment Co and Rupert Murdoch's News Corp, pleaded guilty in February to breaching the gag order on reporting on the trial and conviction of the cardinal after the state agreed to drop all charges against journalists and editors. Also Read | 'No remorse': Prosecutors call for 'immediate imprisonment' of Australian Cardinal George Pell Supreme Court of Victoria Justice John Dixon convicted the media firms saying they had "frustrated the suppression order as they diminished its purpose or efficacy by reporting information contrary to the terms of the order". Pell's conviction for abusing two choirboys was overturned in April last year after he was jailed for more than a year. He was the most senior Catholic church official to have gone to prison for child sex assault. Also Read | Cardinal Pell freed after winning appeal over child sex abuse Reporting on Pell's trial and verdict in 2018 was gagged Australia-wide by the County Court of Victoria to ensure the cardinal received a fair trial on further charges he was due to face. Those charges were later dropped. After he was convicted by a jury in December 2018, foreign media published the verdict, naming Pell and the charges, despite the suppression order. Australian media then published reports saying they were unable to cover major news about an unidentified high-profile person, with some pointing out that the news could be found online. Also Read | Australian court delays final verdict on Cardinal Pell appeal Dixon on Friday said he did not accept the media's argument that their breaches of the suppression order were due to an honest but mistaken belief that their reporting would not contravene the order. He imposed the heaviest total fine on Nine Entertainment's The Age newspaper, at A$450,000, for two articles and an editorial, while imposing the heaviest single fine on News Corp's news.com.au website, at A$400,000, for an online article. Also Read | Child sex conviction 'wrong', says lawyers of ex- Vatican treasurer Pell The Age and News Life Media "deliberately took a risk by intentionally publishing information derived from the trial to advance a particular purpose - a collateral attack on the role of suppression orders in Victoria's criminal justice system - that was obviously in conflict with the purpose of the suppression order," Dixon said in his judgment. The maximum penalty for a breach of a suppression order is nearly A$500,000 for companies. Dixon did not accept the state's argument that in publishing their articles the media were trying to pressure the County Court to lift the suppression order in December 2018, which would have made the breach "egregious and extreme". Also Read | Australian court delays final verdict on Cardinal Pell appeal In deciding the penalties, Dixon said he had taken into account the media firms' agreement to pay A$650,000 to cover the prosecutor's costs and the media's "sincere and unreserved apology" to the courts. Nine Entertainment and News Corp's Australian arm were not immediately available for comment.

Australian media fined $840,000 for gag order breach in Pell sex assault case

Australia's&nbsp;Victoria&nbsp;state authorities said on Friday they had detected the highly infectious&nbsp;Delta&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">COVID-19</a>&nbsp;virus&nbsp;variant&nbsp;for the&nbsp;first&nbsp;time&nbsp;in the&nbsp;latest&nbsp;outbreak&nbsp;in Melbourne, stoking concerns of a major spike in&nbsp;cases.

"That&nbsp;variant&nbsp;is the&nbsp;Delta&nbsp;variant, it is now infamous in India and increasingly found in the United Kingdom. It is a&nbsp;variant&nbsp;of significant concern,"&nbsp;Victoria&nbsp;state Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton told reporters in Melbourne.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/only-one-of-three-strains-of-b1617-variant-now-a-variant-of-concern-who-388917">Only one of three strains of B.1.617 variant now a 'variant of concern': WHO</a>

Sutton said the new&nbsp;variant&nbsp;had not been linked to any sequenced&nbsp;COVID-19&nbsp;infection&nbsp;cases&nbsp;across Australia from hotel quarantine or elsewhere.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/who-says-only-one-strain-of-delta-variant-is-now-of-concern-388961/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

In Canberra, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that he had agreed with the&nbsp;Victorian government to develop a new quarantine facility in Melbourne, and wanted to see mandatory <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">vaccination</a> for aged care workers across the country.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australia-victoria-state-lockdown-end-date-in-doubt-after-new-covid-19-cases-388785">Australia: Victoria state lockdown end date in doubt after new COVID-19 cases</a>

Four new locally acquired&nbsp;cases&nbsp;were reported on Friday, versus three a day earlier.

Australia's Victoria state authorities said on Friday they had detected the highly infectious Delta COVID-19 virus variant for the first time in the latest outbreak in Melbourne, stoking concerns of a major spike in cases.

Australia's Victoria state authorities said on Friday they had detected the highly infectious Delta COVID-19 virus variant for the first time in the latest outbreak in Melbourne, stoking concerns of a major spike in cases. "That variant is the Delta variant, it is now infamous in India and increasingly found in the United Kingdom. It is a variant of significant concern," Victoria state Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton told reporters in Melbourne. Also Read | Only one of three strains of B.1.617 variant now a 'variant of concern': WHO Sutton said the new variant had not been linked to any sequenced COVID-19 infection cases across Australia from hotel quarantine or elsewhere. In Canberra, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that he had agreed with the Victorian government to develop a new quarantine facility in Melbourne, and wanted to see mandatory vaccination for aged care workers across the country. Also Read | Australia: Victoria state lockdown end date in doubt after new COVID-19 cases Four new locally acquired cases were reported on Friday, versus three a day earlier.

Australia's Victoria detects two cases of Delta Covid-19 variant for first time in latest outbreak

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