Australia

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — A Chinese-born political adviser on Wednesday lost his challenge in Australia’s highest court against laws banning covert foreign interference in domestic politics.

John Shi Sheng Zhang also lost his High Court challenge in a unanimous decision of seven judges to the validity of search warrants executed by police at his Sydney home and offices last year as part of an investigation into illegal foreign interference on behalf of China.

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — The Australian government released a big-spending economic plan for the next fiscal year on Tuesday that includes hefty investments in defense and national security as relations with China worsen.

The government plans to spend 270 billion Australian dollars ($212 billion) over the next decade on upgrading defense capabilities to “promote an open and peaceful Indo-Pacific,” Treasury Department documents say.

(Reuters) --- Australia will lift a ban on its citizens returning from COVID-ravaged India next week, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Friday, as state officials reported that an outbreak in Sydney appeared to be contained.

Morrison stood by his decision to impose a biosecurity order last month barring all travel to and from India, a policy that drew heavy criticism from lawmakers, expatriates and the Indian diaspora.

Male (Maldives), May 7 (PTI) Australian pace spearhead Pat Cummins believes if hosting the ICC T20 World Cup amidst raging COVID-19 pandemic is a "drain on Indian resources" or is "unsafe", it would be prudent to shift it to the United Arab Emirates.

The postponement of Indian Premier League after multiple cases of COVID-19 inside the bio-bubble has led to a big question-mark on whether the marquee ICC event should be held in India where a third wave is expected around that time.

CANBERRA, May 6 (Xinhua) -- Australia's medical regulator has linked five new cases of blood clotting to the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine.

John Skerritt, head of the Therapeutic Goods Administration, on Thursday announced that five recipients of the AstraZeneca vaccine have developed clotting and low platelets.

The patients included two men in their 70s, one in 60s, and two women in their 50s and 60s.

SYDNEY, May 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) – Australian state of New South Wales (NSW) was on alert, as a new locally acquired COVID-19 case was confirmed in Sydney today.

Urgent investigations into the source of the infection and contact tracing are underway, said the state health department.

It was reported that the patient hadn’t travelled overseas recently, and he didn’t work in a hotel quarantine, border or health role.

Melbourne, May 5 (PTI) Australia pacer Pat Cummins feels the IPL organisers, in hindsight, could have "tweaked a few things" after deciding to host the league in India amidst a raging COVID-19 pandemic.

Cummins, a key part of the Kolkata Knight Riders team, said previous edition held in UAE was incredibly "well-run" and the organisers pushed it "little step further" by organising it at home this year.

The IPL was "indefinitely suspended" on Tuesday, following multiple COVID-19 cases inside the bio-bubble.

(Reuters) --- Australia will create a new disaster relief department to hasten the delivery of government aid, Prime Minister Scott Morrison will say on Wednesday.

Australia has been ravaged by a spate of natural disasters in recent years, including huge bushfires across its east coast and cyclones across the west which bought widespread flooding.

While Australia has offered financial aid, some communities have complained they have been left waiting for assistance with rebuilding.

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — An independent review into gymnastics in Australia has received evidence of a toxic culture that contributed to physical, emotional and sexual abuse of young athletes.

Gymnastics Australia last August asked the Australian Human Rights Commission to examine the sport’s culture and practices following complaints from at least 20 former gymnasts, including Olympic and Commonwealth Games medalists, about physical and mental abuse during their careers.

SYDNEY, Apr 29 (NNN-AGENCIES) – Two men in the Australian state of New South Wales (NSW) died, days after receiving COVID-19 vaccines, as the health authorities are urgently investigating the cause of their deaths, local media reported today.

One man in his 50’s died in a hospital in northeast NSW on Apr 21, due to a massive blood clot in his lungs, eight days after receiving a vaccine. It is believed he had not had prior lung problems.

At this stage it has not been confirmed which brand of vaccine the 55-year-old had received, according to local media 7NEWS.