Australia & Pacifics

Australia’s Largest Battery To Boost Green Energy Uptake

SYDNEY, Nov 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) – Australian officials granted approval today, for one of the world’s largest lithium-ion batteries, to be built in the State of Victoria, helping drive the region’s renewable energy push and COVID-19 recovery.

Expected to be roughly as large as a medium-sized football stadium, the Tesla type battery will be the largest in the country and help Victoria meet its renewable energy target of 25 percent by the end of 2020.

New Zealand Reports Four New Cases Of COVID-19

WELLINGTON, Nov 2 (NNN-XINHUA) – New Zealand reported four new cases of COVID-19 from managed isolation, and no community cases.

One case is an international mariner, staying at the Sudima in Christchurch, detected at day 15 testing, as a close contact of a day-six case. The person is now in quarantine, according to the Ministry of Health.

One case arrived on Oct. 19 from Milan via Singapore and tested positive to routine testing at around day 12. The person is now in the Auckland quarantine facility, said a ministry statement.

Australia "on track" to open domestic borders by December: health minister

CANBERRA, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- Australia remains "on track" to have domestic borders open by Christmas, Health Minister Greg Hunt has revealed.

As of Monday afternoon, there had been 27,602 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Australia, and the number of new cases in the last 24 hours is eight, according to the latest figures from the Australian government Department of Health.

Australia reports no new local corona cases in months

Canberra, Nov 1 (AP/PTI) Australia has recorded no new locally transmitted coronavirus infection for the first time in five months.

In Melbourne, the capital of Victoria state, which had the highest number of cases in the country, residents were enjoying the first weekend of cafes, restaurants and pubs reopening to walk-in customers.

The city only has one mystery case without a known source. There are 61 active cases left across the state, down from 70 on Saturday.

New Zealand requires compulsory testing for arriving int’l maritime crew

WELLINGTON, Oct 30 (NNN-XINHUA) — The New Zealand government is moving to provide further protection against the chance of COVID-19 entering New Zealand through the maritime border.

After consulting with the maritime sector on tightening of the requirements for international maritime crew entering the country, Health Minister Chris Hipkins said on Friday that mandatory testing would be required for all replacement maritime crew arriving in New Zealand, regardless of the time they spend in transit.

Australia wildfires probe recommends climate risk forecasts

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — An investigation into Australia’s catastrophic wildfire season on Friday recommended greater efforts to forecast the impacts of climate change on specific parts of the country, warning fire behavior was becoming more extreme.

The Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements began in February while wildfires were ravaging vast swathes of the nation’s southeast in a fire season that is now known as Black Summer.

New Zealand votes to legalize euthanasia but not marijuana

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — New Zealanders voted to legalize euthanasia in a binding referendum, but preliminary results released Friday showed they likely would not legalize recreational marijuana use.

With about 83% of votes counted, New Zealanders emphatically endorsed the euthanasia measure with 65% voting in favor and 34% voting against.

Australian Greens organise Round Table on Human Rights Violations in India

A Round Table meet on Human Rights in India was organised at the New South Wales Parliament in Sydney by members of the Australian Greens that included Federal Senator Janet Rice, New South Wales Member of Parliament David Shoebrodge and former Senator Lee Rhiannon, in collaboration with The Humanism Project, an Australian based human rights and political advocacy group.

Australia: Most of 1,100 refugees in US deal have resettled

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — The United States is expected to have resettled more than 1,100 refugees by early next year under a deal President Donald Trump reluctantly honored with Australia, an Australian official said on Monday.

President Barack Obama’s administration struck a deal in 2016 to accept up to 1,250 refugees from Iran, Bangladesh, Somalia and Myanmar whom Australia had banished to Pacific island camps.

Trump condemned the deal as “dumb” but agreed to honor the U.S. commitment, subject to “extreme vetting” of the refugees.

Australia: Melbourne eases restrictions after cases drop

Melbourne, Oct 18 (AP/PTI) Australia's second-largest city, Melbourne, has loosened lockdown restrictions as new and active COVID-19 continue to decline.

From midnight Sunday, Melbourne residents will no longer face limits on the time they can spend away from their homes for education or recreation. Previous restrictions allowing Melburnians to travel only 5 kilometers (3 miles) from home will increase at midnight to 25 kilometers (15 miles).

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