VIRUS NEWSWIRE

John Farnham insists he’s NOT ‘the voice’ of Melbourne’s anti-lockdown movement after his iconic song was used in city’s ‘biggest rally yet’ John Farnham’s manager has slammed use of Aussie anthem during protest rally  50 protesters performed to You’re The Voice at a Melbourne shopping centre Singalong lasted five minutes before group scattered when police arrived Glenn Wheatley says the use of the song during rally is offensive to Farnham By Kylie Stevens and Tita … Read more

Covid-Organics was launched in Madagascar in April after being tested on fewer than 20 people over three weeks The World Health Organization (WHO) has agreed rules for the testing of African herbal remedies to fight Covid-19. Sound science would be the sole basis for safe and effective traditional therapies to be adopted, it said. Any traditional remedies that are judged effective could be fast-tracked for large-scale manufacturing. Madagascar’s leader has been promoting an untested product … Read more

WASHINGTON (AP) — As the coronavirus pandemic began bearing down on the United States in March, President Donald Trump set out his expectations. If the U.S. could keep the death toll between 100,000 to 200,000 people, Trump said, it would indicate that his administration had “done a very good job.” In the coming days, the number of U.S. deaths is set to clear the outer band of the president’s projections: 200,000, according to the official … Read more

Trump, who had been facing a potentially historic deficit with women voters in part because of their disapproval of his handling of the coronavirus pandemic, addressed Ginsburg’s death moments after he stepped on stage at his campaign rally in Fayetteville, North Carolina, Saturday night, calling her “a legal giant” whose “landmark rulings, fierce devotion to justice, and her courageous battle against cancer inspire all Americans.” As the crowd began chanting “Fill That Seat!” Trump said … Read more

FILE PHOTO: People wait in line in Prague to be tested for COVID-19 More PRAGUE (Reuters) – The Czech government could declare a state of emergency if a recent spike in coronavirus cases continues in the coming days, Health Minister Adam Vojtech said. The Czech Republic’s daily count of new coronavirus cases has reached record highs in recent days and the country of 10.7 million had reported a total of 48,306 cases as of Saturday, … Read more

FILE PHOTO: Arrivals at the premiere of the HBO series Watchmen in Los Angeles More By Jill Serjeant LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Television shows “Succession,” “Watchmen” and “Schitt’s Creek” look set for multiple wins at Sunday’s Emmy awards, but the biggest buzz may be around the virtual ceremony and its potential for pajamas, alpacas, and designer Hazmat suits. Jimmy Kimmel hosts television’s highest honors in a live awards show that promises to be full of … Read more

They say diamonds are a girl’s best friend, but what about an entire planet made of diamonds? Newly published research suggests that some exoplanets in deep space largely comprised of carbon could turn into diamonds. The research, published in The Planetary Science Journal, suggests that these “carbon-rich” planets could have the right conditions, such as water, heat and pressure, to turn the carbon into diamonds. These planets could also form other minerals that are found … Read more

Military jets flew over central London and a memorial service was held at Westminster Abbey to mark the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Britain By The Associated Press September 20, 2020, 12:14 PM • 2 min read LONDON — Military jets flew over central London and a memorial service was held at Westminster Abbey on Sunday to mark the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, a major air campaign against Nazi Germany during … Read more

Trump promises to nominate woman within a week ‘I will fight!’: mourners’ vow at supreme court vigil Robert Reich: For McConnell, power trumps principle Obituary: ‘Formidably clever with a superhuman capacity for work’ Sign up for our First Thing newsletter LIVE Updated Two women embrace in front of the supreme court buidling, paying their respects to Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Photograph: Alex Edelman/AFP/Getty Images Key events Show 8.55am EDT08:55 Mourners at vigil vow to fight … Read more

The most-downloaded app of 2010 made the photographs you took on your phone look way cooler. Vintage-effect filters, artful vignettes and a square-frame layout gave your ordinary snaps a pleasingly nostalgic Polaroid appeal. But 10 years later, barely anyone remembers Hipstamatic. It was a different photo-sharing app, which launched snapping at Hipstamatic’s heels on 6 October 2010, that went on to change the world. Last month more than 1 billion people posted photos on Instagram. … Read more

A senior health official has urged people not to flock to Blackpool “just because you can”, after huge crowds descended on the seaside resort over the weekend. Day-trippers said they had “never seen Blackpool so busy” on Saturday as people poured into the town hours after it was excluded from new coronavirus restrictions, which apply to most of north-west England. Footage on social media showed crowds along the promenade and visitors reported queues for attractions, … Read more

The latest coronavirus news from Canada and around the world Sunday. Web links to longer stories if available. Sunday 7:32 a.m.: Election administrators in British Columbia are ready with hand sanitizer for voters and personal protective equipment for polling station workers as part of a pandemic plan similar to one used recently in New Brunswick. Elections B.C. spokesman Andrew Watson said staff have consulted with their counterparts in the eastern province, where voters were the … Read more

Conservative MPs irked by the government’s sweeping lockdown measures are plotting a rebellion when emergency Covid legislation is renewed this month, led by the party grandee Sir Graham Brady. Many Tories have publicly expressed their frustration at aspects of the restrictions. Some are also concerned the emergency law passed six months ago leaves too much power in the hands of ministers. There is also irritation at policy being announced in late-night briefings to journalists instead … Read more

The first signs of the impact of Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s absence may come in a flurry of election-related disputes expected to reach the Supreme Court on an emergency basis in the coming weeks. Until Friday, Chief Justice John Roberts or other justices had the power to issue or deny emergency relief by joining with the court’s four liberals. It didn’t happen often, but it did sometimes happen. Advertisement With the court shorthanded for the time … Read more

Australia’s latest lockdown business fatality: Celebrity milliner who has dressed the likes of Jennifer Hawkins and Princess Mary shuts her store after 23 years Celebrity milliner Nerida Winter has shuttered her Sydney store after 23 years The hat and accessories giant has dressed Jennifer Hawkins and Nicole Richie  Cancellation of 2020 Spring Racing Carnival caused huge decrease in demand Despite the closure, the designer’s mainstay is her elite private client book By Alice Murphy For … Read more

‘1984 on steroids’: Daniel Andrews prepares to give police even MORE powers to enforce lockdown – but protects ‘super-spreader’ families and refuses to issue them with fines VIC has recorded 14 new cases and five deaths as the Premier comes under fire Opposition leader Michael Obrien has blasted the Premier for ‘double standards’ VIC police fined 21 and arrested 16 demonstrators at a Melbourne rally Saturday Meanwhile, Mr Andrews refused to fine five families behind … Read more

Shamed anti-vaxxer nurse sparks violent clashes at mass rally of virus deniers in Trafalgar Square after she calls police officers ‘dirty dogs’ Kate Shemirani, 54, branded police officers ‘dirty dogs’ in Trafalgar Square She mocked them for wearing face masks before trouble erupted in London Shemirani repeatedly urged male demonstrators to confront groups of officers  By Mark Hookham For The Mail On Sunday Published: 19:25 EDT, 19 September 2020 | Updated: 05:44 EDT, 20 September … Read more

Boy, 13, tests positive to coronavirus in Perth hotel quarantine – just days ahead of Western Australia increasing the number of overseas arrivals A 13-year-old boy has tested positive to coronavirus in Perth hotel quarantine He had recently returned from overseas and is a close contact of another case Western Australia set to increase its arrivals by 200 per week on September 27 More quarantine hotels will need to be set up to accommodate the … Read more

‘I’m trying to answer’: Scott Morrison snaps during heated interview as he refuses to say whether Australia’s unemployment has peaked – with cuts to JobKeeper looming next week Prime Minister was asked if he thought the worst was over for job losses here But three times he refused to give a straight answer, instead talking around it Also said the situation depended on what happened with pandemic overseas Likely also thinking about $150-a-week cut to … Read more

British billionaire Lord Alan Sugar and his wife AVOID hotel quarantine after arriving in Sydney – as they’re granted permission to isolate privately ahead of filming Celebrity Apprentice By Mary Mrad For Daily Mail Australia Published: 02:47 EDT, 20 September 2020 | Updated: 03:34 EDT, 20 September 2020 British billionaire Lord Alan Sugar and his wife Ann Simons were given special treatment upon their arrival in Australia on Thursday. The couple were granted permission by … Read more

Encrypted messages, ‘scouts’ in the city and rogue police officers: Inside the ‘biggest ever’ anti-lockdown rally set to take place in Melbourne Anti-lockdown protesters have organised the ‘biggest ever’ protest on Sunday Organisers claim the co-ordination and planning is more sophisticated than ever Protesters have been ordered to start smaller protests close to the CBD at 7am Almost 700 demonstrators will then rush together for the main event at 1pm Organisers said scouts and rogue … Read more

Fears of a coronavirus explosion across Sydney as it’s revealed taxi driver worked for eight days while infectious – as NSW records two new COVID-19 cases and one death Taxi driver may have driven around Sydney for eight days while infectious A warning was issued by NSW Health on Saturday night over the infected driver NSW Health is working to identify the passengers in contact with the driver The state recorded two new cases and … Read more

So much for the ‘biggest rally yet’: Bizarre scenes inside Melbourne’s most famous mall as a small handful of anti-lockdown protesters gather to sing ‘You’re the Voice’ – after promising crowds of 700 in the CBD Anti-lockdown protesters organised a protest touted as ‘the biggest yet’ planned for Melbourne on Sunday Almost 700 demonstrators were expected at a main event at 1pm, proceeded by smaller rallies starting at 7am But the ‘main event’ had a … Read more

AFL star Harley Bennell is investigated over possible COVID-19 breach after ‘leaving his team’s hub for a drinking session’ Melbourne Demons player was still in quarantine but went to the pub off-site Reported to the AFL which could send him home and fine him $10,000 Team still has a chance to make the finals after Saturday’s win over Essendon  By Nic White For Daily Mail Australia Published: 01:18 EDT, 20 September 2020 | Updated: 02:44 … Read more

As President Donald Trump continues to tout the progress of coronavirus vaccine development, going so far this week as to promise delivery to everyone in the U.S. by next spring, a majority of Americans report having no confidence at all in him to confirm the safety of a potential inoculation, according to a ABC News/Ipsos poll released Sunday. Fewer than 1 in 10 (9%) Americans have a great deal of confidence in Trump to confirm … Read more

The national housing strategy will need new tools to move more quickly from ideas to finished projects during the COVID-19 pandemic, says the head of the federal housing agency. The Canada Housing and Mortgage Corp. is a key overseer of the decade-long national housing strategy, which includes tens of billions in federal and provincial funding and financing. It has been criticized for the slow turnaround time on some of its national housing strategy programs, including … Read more

The latest headlines in your inbox twice a day Monday – Friday plus breaking news updates Sadiq Khan has reportedly warned Boris Johnson that London needs to have coronavirus restrictions rolled out as early as Monday to avoid a huge surge in cases. The Mayor of London is in favour of new restrictions, including 10pm curfews on pubs, to stop the spread of the disease. He is also said to be preparing to urge Londoners … Read more

California Can California’s tourism industry survive a year unlike any other? Attractions from Big Sur to Disneyland reel in the face of the pandemic and historic wildfires California Highway 1 winds along the Big Sur coastline. Photograph: Alamy Summers are always busy in Big Sur, the picturesque region in northern California known for towering forests that give way to sweeping cliffs and sandy beaches. But this summer has been unlike any other, as the state … Read more

The wave of rallies for racial justice that swept America this summer arrived in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, with dueling marches in support of Black Lives Matter and of law enforcement – and dueling online petitions to “defund the police” and “defend the police”. Then the local police chief, Mark DiLuzio, shared a racist post on Facebook – not realizing at the time, DiLuzio later said, that the image he shared had objectionable language attached. The post … Read more

The latest headlines in your inbox twice a day Monday – Friday plus breaking news updates Doctors are calling for an urgent tightening up of coronavirus restrictions in England to avoid another fully-blown national lockdown. Unless current Covid-19 infection rates are swiftly reduced, the NHS will “once again be crippled”, the British Medical Association (BMA) warned on Saturday. The intervention comes just hours after Boris Johnson admitted that a second wave of the pandemic had … Read more