Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold his first-ever ‘virtual’ bilateral summit with his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison on June 4. The Ministry of External Affairs issued a press release on the event, stating that the virtual summit is being held as PM Morrison’s visit to India could not take place amid the Covid-19 pandemic. “This is the first time that ...

From Thursday, June 4, people wanting to buy a new home or substantially renovate their existing home will be able to access a $25,000 government grant after Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced details of his new «HomeBuilder» scheme. The scheme will be run by the states and territories and while Mr Morrison›s spokesman said there had been discussions with the ...

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has called for the global economy to be put into “controlled hibernation” during the coronavirus emergency, in a virtual meeting of Group of 20 (G20) finance ministers and central bank governors last night. The meeting saw the economic leaders of the world’s top economies discuss a new plan to address the risk of debt vulnerabilities in low-income ...

Donald Trump’s intemperate outbursts may be a sign of a leader cracking under the pressure, if it weren’t for the authoritarian tone As reporters waited languidly on plastic chairs a few feet apart, absorbing birdsong and soft spring sunshine, the White House rose garden was an oasis of calm in a stricken nation. But once Donald Trump began taking questions, ...

The Australian Border Force (ABF) commissioner has tipped a bucket on the NSW Government over its handling of the arrival of a coronavirus-stricken cruise ship in Sydney last week. As the cases of COVID-19 passed 1,000 in NSW today, Premier Gladys Berejiklian said «all of us have to take responsibility» about why the Ruby Princess was allowed to dock. Later ...

There are two inconvenient truths being largely overlooked as our nation discusses the link between climate change and natural disasters. The first is that regional Australians will wear the bulk of the destruction and suffering linked to our changing climate. The second, and perhaps more painful truth to realise as the impact of climate change worsens, is that metropolitan Australia’s ...

More than 100 fires are burning in NSW, and dozens more in Queensland, Victoria and South Australia sh has been falling in the backyard of Kazan Brown’s home on the eastern edge of the Blue Mountains for three weeks. A heavy veil of smoke has turned the sun red and blocked out the stars. The smoke is scratching her throat ...

Muslim victims of Myanmar ‘clearances’ voice outrage as peace prize winner dismisses atrocity chargesWhen Aung San Suu Kyi rose to denounce genocide charges against her country at the “world court” last week, three victims of Myanmar’s ethnic violence were sitting close behind the Nobel peace prize winner – disbelieving and seething with anger. Hamida Khatun, Yousuf Ali and Hasina Begum ...

The number of Aussies aged over 100 grew by more than 30 per cent between 2013 and 2018, with Victoria showing a significant leap in centenarians. In total, there are 4828 centenarians in Australia, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics 2018 census data. That number was up from 3623 in 2013. According to latest figures, New South Wales has the ...

With the country facing water and climate emergencies, the last thing we need is more spin from leaders in thrall to the big end of town A mega fire from the Hunter region threatened our largest city while its residents sucked in polluted air and saw ash coming from the sky. An apocalyptic vision of what is in store in ...