Libs at a loss on campaign policy costs. Mathias Cormann in dark on OECD secretary-general job ‘for another month’ Hong Kong braced for exodus after Beijing crackdown. NSW Greens MP David Shoebridge, police chief Mick Fuller clash over Christian Porter rape claims. PoliticsNow: Chief medical officer Paul Kelly answers concerns over AstraZeneca vaccine. The lockdowns weren’t worth it. Linda Reynolds to pay damages to Brittany Higgins over ‘lying cow’ comment.
AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine faces suspensions over blood clot fears. Several countries suspended the use of AstraZeneca's vaccine on Thursday over blood clot fears, prompting Europe's medical agency to quickly reassure the public there were no known health risks linked to the jab.
The melee over the vaccine came as the world marked one year since the pandemic was officially declared, and threatened to dim hopes that inoculations are the ticket to returning to normal life. The virus has now killed more than 2.6 million people, subjected billions to anti-Covid restrictions, and left the global economy in tatters - an outcome unimaginable at the outset of the crisis. Third-degree murder added to charges against US policeman on trial for George Floyd's death.
A Minnesota judge on Thursday added an additional murder charge against Derek Chauvin, the police officer on trial for the death of George Floyd.
Mr Chauvin, 44, is already facing charges of second-degree murder and manslaughter in connection with Mr Floyd's 25 May, 2020 death in Minneapolis. Prosecutors had asked the Hennepin County judge hearing the case to reinstate a third-degree murder charge against Mr Chauvin in the high-profile trial. World-first trial aims to export Australian hydrogen to Japan. Australian-made hydrogen will be exported to Japan under a world-first trial taking a big step forward for the emerging industry.
The Hydrogen Energy Supply Chain projects will see hydrogen made from coal in Victoria's Latrobe Valley. This is not the 'green' hydrogen environmentalists have been calling for, but the project will aim to store its carbon dioxide emissions so they are not in the atmosphere. Eurovision organisers reject song entry from Belarus band mocking of anti-government protests.
A rumbling political crisis in Belarus spilled over into the Eurovision Song Contest on Thursday, after the event’s organisers rejected the country’s entry by a band which has mocked protests against President Alexander Lukashenko.
Featuring lyrics such as “I will teach you to toe the line”, the entry had sparked a backlash from opposition figures and fuelled calls by a European Parliament politician for Belarus to be suspended from the popular competition. The entry, by Galasy ZMesta, had received 5,800 likes and more than 40,000 dislikes on the competition’s official YouTube page since Tuesday, with more than half a million views. It has now been taken down from the site.
The European Broadcasting Union rejected the song and threatened Belarus with disqualification if it did not submit a modified version of the entry or submit a new song. “It was concluded that the song puts the non-political nature of the Contest in question,” the EBU said in a statement. UN chief warns three dozen countries are 'just one step away' from a declaration of famine. Millions of people around the world risk dying of hunger and the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change are increasing the threat, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said.
"Without immediate action, millions of people will reach the brink of extreme hunger and death," Guterres told the Security Council during a meeting on the links between food and security. Guterres said over 30 million people in more than three dozen countries are "just one step away" from a declaration of famine. "Climate shocks and the COVID-19 pandemic are adding fuel to the flames. I have one simple message: if you don't feed people, you feed conflict," he said. At the end of 2020, more than 88 million people were suffering from acute hunger due to conflict and instability, a 20 percent increase in one year, he said, pointing to a worsening trend in 2021.
EU threatens China with 'additional steps' over Hong Kong electoral reform. The European Union warned China it could take "additional steps" as it condemned a vote by Beijing's rubber-stamp parliament for sweeping changes to Hong Kong's electoral system.
"The National People's Congress of the People's Republic of China adopted today a decision that will have a significant impact on democratic accountability and political pluralism in Hong Kong," EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said in a statement on behalf of the 27-nation bloc. Thursday's vote includes powers to veto candidates running in the city as Beijing moves decisively to dismantle Hong Kong's democratic pillars after huge protests in the financial hub.
"The European Union regrets that the fundamental freedoms, democratic principles and the political pluralism that are central to Hong Kong's identity and prosperity are under increasing pressure by the authorities," the statement said. Rules are being eased for people flying into NSW from New Zealand. Rules are being eased for people flying into NSW from New Zealand, with arrivals no longer required to quarantine.
The new rules apply from 12.01am on Friday, NSW Health said in a statement late on Thursday. People who have been in Auckland for the past 14 days will be exempt from hotel quarantine provided they seek testing for COVID-19 after arriving in NSW. They must self-isolate in their accommodation until they receive a negative result. UN fears 'crimes against humanity' in Myanmar as death toll reaches 70. Myanmar's military is likely committing "crimes against humanity" in its attempt to stay in power, a UN expert said Thursday, as the junta claimed that ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi accepted illegal payments of cash and gold.
At least 70 people have reportedly been "murdered" since the February 1 coup, said Thomas Andrews, the UN's top expert on rights in Myanmar. The country is "controlled by a murderous, illegal regime" that was likely committing "crimes against humanity," Andrews told the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. These crimes likely include "acts of murder, enforced disappearance, persecution, torture" carried out with "the knowledge of senior leadership", including junta leader Min Aung Hlaing, Andrews said. While stressing that such offences can only be determined in a court of law, he said there was clear evidence that the junta's crimes were "widespread" and part of a "coordinated campaign".
Cash and gold? International lawyer urges United Nations to immediately intervene in Australian Osama Al-Hasani’s extradition. A London-based lawyer has urged the United Nations to take immediate action to halt an Australian citizen's imminent deportation from Morocco to Saudi Arabia, warning that his life is at risk if the transfer goes ahead.
Businessman and former Melbourne imam Osama Al-Hasani was arrested at his wife’s home in Tangier, Morocco, on 8 February, hours after arriving from his home in the United Kingdom to visit his four-month-old baby. The 42-year-old is currently being held in Tiflet Prison 2, about 60 kilometres east of Morocco’s capital, Rabat, and could be transferred to Saudi Arabia “at any moment”, his lawyer said after a Moroccan court approved the extradition request on Thursday. "There is no information [the family] have been given about when he might be extradited ... there are concerns that he could be extradited at any time and without any notification," the family's international lawyer, Haydee Dijkstal, told SBS News on Thursday. Supplied. Australia breaking news today, live coronavirus updates and latest headlines March 12, 2021: Denmark, Iceland and Norway suspend AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine after reports of blood clots; Australia likely to miss vaccination deadline; Victoria records.
Coronavirus Vaccine: AstraZeneca vaccine rollout to continue in Australia, Home Affairs Minister says, 'Cool heads need to prevail' New York Governor Andrew Cuomo facing growing calls for his resignation as police get groping report. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo's grip on power appears increasingly threatened as a majority of state legislators called for his resignation and police in the state capital said they stood ready to investigate a groping allegation.
The firestorm around the Democrat grew a day after the Times Union of Albany reported that an unidentified aide had claimed Mr Cuomo reached under her shirt and fondled her at his official residence late last year. Mr Cuomo said he never touched anyone inappropriately. A lawyer for the governor said today that she reported the allegation to Albany police after the woman involved declined to do so herself. “In this case, the person is represented by counsel and when counsel confirmed the client did not want to make a report, the state notified the police department and gave them the attorney’s information," Beth Garvey, the governor’s acting counsel, said. She said the state was obligated to do so under state law. Coronavirus US vaccine: Every American adult to be eligible for jab vaccine by May 1. Every adult in America will be eligible to be vaccinated by May 1 under an ambitious plan by President Joe Biden to open up the country. Delivering a primetime address a year on from the beginning of the pandemic, Mr Biden said the ramping up of vaccinations should see family and friends able to gather for Independence Day on July 4.
The May deadline was "months ahead of schedule". "It's truly a national effort, just like we saw during World War II. Attorney-General defends Lisa Neville for spending sick leave in Port Douglas. Victoria's Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes has defended Police Minister Lisa Neville for going to Queensland while on sick leave, saying she is free to spend her time off wherever she chooses. Ms Neville was snapped at Zinc restaurant in Port Douglas after receiving advice to take three months' sick leave due to ill health. Ms Symes today said she believes the police minister spending her sick leave in Queensland passed the "pub test". Chinese legislators endorse tighter control over Hong Kong, Australia concerned over move.
Foreign Minister Marise Payne has expressed concern after China’s legislature endorsed the ruling Communist Party’s move to tighten control over Hong Kong by reducing the role of its public in picking the territory’s leaders. The measure adds to a crackdown against a protest movement in Hong Kong calling for greater democracy. Ms Payne said the move weakened democratic institutions in the territory. "Australia is seriously concerned about changes by Beijing to Hong Kong's electoral system, which weaken its democratic institutions," she said.
Coronavirus Victoria: hotel quarantine program costing over $1m a day, despite zero travellers. 'Good Morning Britain's' Alex Beresford Shares His Thoughts On Piers Morgan Exit. On Tuesday, during a discussion on Meghan and Prince Harry’s bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey, Beresford repeatedly pushed back on Morgan’s dismissal of the Duchess of Sussex’s experience of dealing with racism as a working royal. Morgan stormed off the set and ultimately left the show. “There is so much that could be said,” Beresford said in his statement published on Twitter Thursday. “Piers’ departure sincerely wasn’t the conclusion I was hoping for.” “Over the last few years, Piers and I have had a lively, cheeky on-air relationship,” the weather presenter added, noting they were both aware prior to Tuesday’s show how “strongly” their opinions differed on the way Meghan has been treated in the public. Hamilton Is Here To Inspire Australian Theatre To Finally Embrace Diversity.
'More An American Thing': AFL's Nic Naitanui Weighs In On 'Take A Knee' Becoming Australian Norm. Donald Trump Jr’s Attempt To Stay Relevant With Meghan Markle Commentary Backfires. Donald Trump Jr. declared he “actually couldn’t care less” about the fallout from Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s much-talked-about interview with Oprah Winfrey. Māori Politician Has 'Perfect Response' To Palace Racism Claims. Trump Tried To Tweet Without Twitter And It Went South In A Hurry. Lawyers call for Attorney-General Christian Porter to be subjected to the same standard of accountability as others in the legal profession. WA election: Liberal costings 'train wreck' failed to verify estimates, provide analysis of policies. Edith Cowan, Australia's first woman MP, barely recognised 100 years after making history. Donald Trump's rocky departure from Washington sparks debate over making it America's 51st state.
JobKeeper and early super release rorts and overpayments on the rise. Chinese takeover of island near Australian military training area causes unease inside defence and government. NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller held 'high-level' Christian Porter discussions with deputy. COVID live updates: Federal government remains confident in AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine safety, Biden unveils ambitious vaccination plans. Scott Morrison stands by AstraZeneca COVID vaccine rollout after blood clot concerns overseas. US President Joe Biden tells states that all adults must be vaccine-eligible by May 1. Liberal Party donor Huifeng 'Haha' Liu 'engaged in acts of foreign interference': ASIO.
Joe Biden signs $1.9 trillion COVID relief package. 'Disappointing' the Murray River region was not included in aviation stimulus. Biden expected to direct all states expand vaccine eligibility. Quarantine free travel resumes from New Zealand to Australia. Hunter-Illawara new centre for 'green hydrogen hubs' 'Master of spin': PM attempts to smooth over rollout delays with aviation stimulus. Discounted destinations not about 'naughty and nice' premiers: PM. Woke NYC elite school issues new handbook on language, stops the use of ‘mum’ and ‘dad’ Biden declares 'the truth' will beat the virus. COVID Independence Day: Biden says July Fourth could mark the beginnings of freedom. NSW and Queensland at odds over federal domestic tourism package.