Australia Archives | Rush Hour Daily

World Leaders Talking to Joe Biden About Virus, Other Issues

Several foreign leaders spoke to President-elect Joe Biden about the cooperation on issues like coronavirus outbreak, climate change, and many other matters. Thursday’s calls with international leaders come as President…

By Kibria Ahmad November 12, 2020

Passengers ‘Strip Searched’ After Baby Found At Doha Airport

After a newborn infant was found abandoned at the Doha airport, more than a dozen women were subjected to humiliating and invasive internal exams in Qatar. The Australian media reported…

By Kibria Ahmad October 26, 2020

Passengers ‘Strip Searched’ After Baby Found At Doha Airport

Coronavirus: Melbourne Lockdown Extended By Two Weeks

Authorities in Melbourne have extended the strict lockdown measures by two weeks, citing that the new coronavirus infections have not dropped enough. Daniel Andrews, the premier of the state of…

By Kibria Ahmad September 6, 2020

Authorities in the Australian city of Melbourne have extended the strict lockdown measures by two weeks, citing that the new coronavirus infections have not dropped enough. Daniel Andrews, the premier of the state of Victoria said that with a slight relaxation the lockdown would continue until September 28. From October the officials plan gradual ease in restrictions. Meanwhile, Victoria remains the epicenter of the outbreak in Australia. According to health authorities, it accounts for 93 percent of the country’s total cases with more than 753 fatalities so far. Overall, Australia has recorded a total of 28,000 confirmed infections in a population of 25 million. On July 9, the greater Melbourne area entered the second lockdown following the rise in new infections. Moreover, a 5 kilometers travel limit and a nighttime curfew were also imposed while public places and businesses closed. In the new changes made by the local authorities, the nighttime curfew will be extended, meanwhile, individuals will be allowed to form a bubble and visit each other. Officials have said that the restrictions will not apply to such meetings. While talking to a news conference, Andrew said "There is only one option and that is to do this in a series of steady and safe steps. You can't run out of lockdown. Because all you are doing is running into a third wave and we'll all be locked up again." He further added that after the new deadline ends and if the daily average of new infections is between 30 to 50, the city is expected to enter the third stage of lockdown with more restrictions eased. Under stage three, public gatherings will be allowed to five people from two households and schools will also reopen for some students and specialist educational institutions. Outside the greater area of Melbourne, in the rest will have restrictions eased quite quicker. Public gatherings will be allowed, with religious and sports activities that can be conducted outdoors albeit with the limit of five people. The decision to extend the lockdown comes a day after many people across the country joined the anti-lockdown rallies. In defiance of the social distancing measures, in the city of Melbourne, nearly 300 people took to streets.

Coronavirus: Australia in First Recession For Nearly 30 Years

The Australian economy has plunged into a recession for the first time in 30 years, as it suffers the economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic. Compared to the last three…

By Kibria Ahmad September 2, 2020

Coronavirus: Australia in First Recession For Nearly 30 Years

Scott Morrison Says Christchurch Shooter Can Serve in Australia

Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison has said on Friday that the government was open to discussions with New Zealand that whether Australian mass murderer Brenton Tarrant, who has been jailed…

By Kibria Ahmad August 28, 2020