Australia
France may block vaccine shipments – health minister
The comments by French Health Minister Olivier Véran came the day after Rome invoked European Union powers to block the export of 250,000 COVID-19 AstraZeneca vaccine doses to Australia, in a dramatic escalation of a dispute between the bloc and the drug giant.
WHO: End to pandemic not likely in 2021
“I think it will be very premature and unrealistic to think that we are going to finish with this virus by the end of the year,” Michael Ryan, director of the WHO’s health emergencies programme, said at a briefing on Tuesday.
Australian attorney-general denies historical rape claim
Australian Attorney-General Christian Porter, the country’s chief law officer, identified himself on Wednesday as the subject of a historical rape allegation, declaring his innocence and strongly denying the claim.
Australian police close investigation into ‘rape’ by cabinet minister
Australian police said on Tuesday an investigation into a rape allegation against an unidentified cabinet minister was closed after authorities concluded there was insufficient
Chinese investment in Australia plummets 61 percent
The Australian National University’s Chinese Investment in Australia Database (CHIIA) recorded just over $780m (A$1bn ; £550m) in investment.
IOC deputy chief: Vaccines ‘encouraged’ but not compulsory for athletes at Tokyo
Athletes are being encouraged to get vaccinated against COVID-19 ahead of the Tokyo Olympics but it will not be compulsory, IOC Vice President John Coates said on Thursday.
Australian parliament passes media reforms after last-ditch changes
Australia’s parliament passed a law on Thursday to make Alphabet Inc’s Google and Facebook Inc pay media companies for content on their platforms in reforms that countries such as Britain and Canada are looking to replicate.
IOC approves Brisbane as preferred host of 2032 Olympic Games
The IOC is set to open exclusive negotiations – or “targeted dialogue” – with Australian officials over staging the Games in 11 years’ time following the Executive Board’s decision to approve a recommendation from the Future Host Summer Commission during its remote meeting.
Facebook to invest $1 billion in news industry after Australia row
Facebook Inc on Wednesday pledged to invest at least 1 billion dollars in the news industry over the next three years, days after a high-profile stand-off with the Australian government over paying news outlets for content.
Australia’s competition chief claims victory after Facebook standoff
The architect of Australian media reforms being watched around the world claimed victory on Wednesday, even as critics said concessions to the laws forcing Big Tech to pay for news content have given Facebook and Google a get-out clause.
Google wants to give Africans N35 million each for news-business ideas, amid Australian war
Applications have just opened for a new round of a Google-funded scheme to help media organisations in the African region improve their revenues – as tech giants fight it out with Australia about funding news.
Facebook to restore Australian news pages after tweaks to media laws
Facebook will restore Australian news pages after Canberra offered amendments to a proposed law designed to force tech giants to pay for media content displayed on their platforms, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said on Tuesday.
Instagram adding easier access to support for eating disorders
Instagram says that currently, it tries to blur out potentially triggering content in search results, and it does direct people to generalized crisis support, but it should now direct users to resources specifically designed around eating disorders.
Novak Djokovic wins ninth Australian Open title, 18th grand slam
Novak Djokovic became King of Melbourne for a record-extending ninth time and re-established his credentials in the Greatest Of All Time conversation.
Australia premier vaccinated as rollout begins
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has received the coronavirus vaccine as the country prepares to start inoculations this week.
Australian woman to lodge police complaint over ‘rape’ in parliament – media
A woman who says she was raped by a colleague in Australia’s parliament two years ago said in a statement given to Australian media on Friday that she would lodge a formal complaint with police to open an investigation into the incident.
Facebook ‘unfriends’ Australia as news pages go dark in test for global publishing
Facebook faced an angry backlash on Thursday after blocking news feeds in Australia in a surprise escalation of a dispute with the government which could be a test for the future of online publishing worldwide.
Facebook blocks news content in Australia
Facebook has blocked Australian users from sharing or viewing news content on the platform, causing much alarm over public access to key information.
FIFA announces appointment of chief operating officers for Women’s World Cup 2023
On Tuesday, world football governing body, FIFA, announced the appointment of two Chief Operating Officers (COOs) in Australia and New Zealand respectively for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 that will be jointly hosted by both countries.
Hotel Rwanda ‘hero’ goes on trial amid global calls for release
Paul Rusesabagina, the polarising hero of the hit movie "Hotel Rwanda," went on trial on Wednesday on charges including terrorism that drew international calls for his release.
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala says her performance at WTO will open doors for Africans, women
Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the newly appointed Director-General of the World Trade Organisation says her performance at the organisation will open doors for Africans and women to head international organisations.
Australia seeks hefty fines from media over breach of gag order in Cardinal Pell...
Prosecutors asked an Australian court to set hefty penalties for media firms that pleaded guilty to breaching a 2018 suppression order on reporting of the conviction of former Vatican treasurer George Pell for child sexual assault.
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Nigerian Army appoints new GOCs, PSO, others
The Nigerian Army has announced the appointment of new General Officers Commanding, Principal Staff Officers, commandant of tri-service institution and army training centres, corps commanders, among other positions to man the various divisions, units and commands of the service.
Rivers governor: Good infrastructure reward for people’s resistance when army ‘tried to rig’ election
Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has said the construction of eight flyover bridges in Port Harcourt alongside other critical infrastructure is in a mark of appreciation to the people of Rivers whom he commended for, in his words, having resisted ‘the Army and other security agencies [when they] tried to rig [the 2019] election’ in the state.
ASUSS lauds Nigerian government over recognition as legal trade union
The Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS) has commended the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity for granting recognition to the trade union in spite of an alleged deregistration plot against it by a rival union.
Boko Haram: Nigerian Army commanding officer, four others laid to rest in Borno
The Nigerian Army has buried a commanding officer and four other soldiers killed in the attack on the military base in Marte local government of Borno state.
Bruno Fernandes hits back at critics ahead of Manchester derby
Bruno Fernandes has responded to critics who claim he hasn’t done enough in the big games this season.
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PDP felicitates with ex-President Obasanjo at 83
The PDP described President Obasanjo as a patriotic leader, global figure and exceptionally energetic administrator, “who has made immeasurable contributions, both as a military leader and as democratically elected President, for the survival, unity, stability and development of our dear nation.”
Senate president: Drug barons funding terrorists in Nigeria
Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, on Thursday, blamed the lingering insecurity in Nigeria on the funding activities of drug barons who provide support to insurgent groups.
France may block vaccine shipments – health minister
The comments by French Health Minister Olivier Véran came the day after Rome invoked European Union powers to block the export of 250,000 COVID-19 AstraZeneca vaccine doses to Australia, in a dramatic escalation of a dispute between the bloc and the drug giant.
President Buhari: Zamfara schoolgirls kidnappers must face justice
President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed “overwhelming joy” over the release of the abducted students of Government Girls Science Secondary School, Jangebe in Zamfara State.
MCSN appoints King Sunny Ade as ‘president’
The Board of the Musical Copyright Society Nigeria Ltd/Gte (MCSN) has appointed music maestro, Sunday Adeniyi Adegeye, popularly known as King Sunny Ade as the Honourary President of the Society.