Australia's first human trials of a potential COVID-19 vaccine have begun in Melbourne, with about 130 people involved in the program.Clinical research organisation Nucleus Network will be in charge of the early stages of testing the vaccine NVX-CoV2373, before the trial expands to Brisbane within a week.The participants are healthy people between 18 and 59 years old.Infectious diseases physician and microbiologist Paul Griffin said the trial was "the first critical step" to creating a potential safe vaccine against COVID-19.Victoria's Parliamentary Secretary for Medical Research, Frank...…Australia's first human trials of a potential COVID-19 vaccine have begun in Melbourne, with about 130 people involved in the program.Clinical research organisation Nucleus Network will be in charge of the early stages of testing the vaccine NVX-CoV2373, before the trial expands to Brisbane within a week.The participants are healthy people between 18 and 59 years old.Infectious diseases physician and microbiologist Paul Griffin said the trial was "the first critical step" to creating a potential safe vaccine against COVID-19.Victoria's Parliamentary Secretary for Medical Research, Frank...WW…

The US ambassador to Australia has played down a suggestion from his Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that his nation could "simply disconnect" from Australia if Victoria's trade deal with Beijing threatened its telecommunication security.On Sunday morning, Mr Pompeo said while he was not aware of the detail of Victoria's agreement, it could impact his nation's Five Eyes intelligence-sharing partnership with Australia.In an interview with Sky News, Mr Pompeo warned increased the Chinese communist regime's ability to do "harm".China's trillion-dollar Belt and Road initiative (BRI) is a global...…The US ambassador to Australia has played down a suggestion from his Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that his nation could "simply disconnect" from Australia if Victoria's trade deal with Beijing threatened its telecommunication security.On Sunday morning, Mr Pompeo said while he was not aware of the detail of Victoria's agreement, it could impact his nation's Five Eyes intelligence-sharing partnership with Australia.In an interview with Sky News, Mr Pompeo warned increased the Chinese communist regime's ability to do "harm".China's trillion-dollar Belt and Road initiative (BRI) is a global...WW…

Three years ago, Kelvin Smith decided to do something quite unusual — play a piano in the most spectacular outdoor settings he could think of.Mr Smith describes himself as a pianist who just does things differently.With his passion for nature, the 41-year-old thought Tasmania was the perfect venue for his quirky quest. Originally from Gippsland in Victoria, Mr Smith was one of 11 children and the rule in their house growing up was they had to start playing the piano at the age of 10 but could quit at any time.He took it up and loved it for a couple of years before exams and theory put him...…Three years ago, Kelvin Smith decided to do something quite unusual — play a piano in the most spectacular outdoor settings he could think of.Mr Smith describes himself as a pianist who just does things differently.With his passion for nature, the 41-year-old thought Tasmania was the perfect venue for his quirky quest. Originally from Gippsland in Victoria, Mr Smith was one of 11 children and the rule in their house growing up was they had to start playing the piano at the age of 10 but could quit at any time.He took it up and loved it for a couple of years before exams and theory put him...WW…

Hundreds of deaths from "coronavirus-like symptoms" have raised fears COVID-19 is rapidly spreading undetected throughout war-torn Yemen, where the United Nations and medical workers say the health care system "has in effect collapsed".According to official numbers, Yemen have confirmed 212 infections and 39 deaths, but with one of lowest rates of testing in the world, aid workers fear this figure is "just the tip of the iceberg".Medicins Sans Frontieres (MSF) reported on Friday as many as 80 people were dying at home per day — up from a pre-outbreak norm of 10 — in the city of Aden, where...…Hundreds of deaths from "coronavirus-like symptoms" have raised fears COVID-19 is rapidly spreading undetected throughout war-torn Yemen, where the United Nations and medical workers say the health care system "has in effect collapsed".According to official numbers, Yemen have confirmed 212 infections and 39 deaths, but with one of lowest rates of testing in the world, aid workers fear this figure is "just the tip of the iceberg".Medicins Sans Frontieres (MSF) reported on Friday as many as 80 people were dying at home per day — up from a pre-outbreak norm of 10 — in the city of Aden, where...WW…

A South Australian judge has questioned claims made by an online child groomer that he was not sexually aroused by his "collection" of child abuse images and videos but got addicted to "that material". Michael Wayne Young, 31, is awaiting sentencing in the District Court after pleading guilty to possessing child exploitation material and grooming children online.He was arrested by the Australian Federal Police last August after a tip-off from Canadian authorities.The court was told that police did not analyse all of the 72,000 videos and images found on his phone but more than 2,000 viewed...…A South Australian judge has questioned claims made by an online child groomer that he was not sexually aroused by his "collection" of child abuse images and videos but got addicted to "that material". Michael Wayne Young, 31, is awaiting sentencing in the District Court after pleading guilty to possessing child exploitation material and grooming children online.He was arrested by the Australian Federal Police last August after a tip-off from Canadian authorities.The court was told that police did not analyse all of the 72,000 videos and images found on his phone but more than 2,000 viewed...WW…

For many Australians, eating fruit and vegetables is a tough sell.Government data shows only 7 per cent of adults and 5 per cent of children eat sufficient serves of vegetables, while half of adults and two-thirds of children eat enough fruit.A new national body has been established to change our consumption habits and help the farmers who grow fresh produce.The Fruit and Vegetable Consortium is made up of 11 members including Nutrition Australia, AUSVEG, the Cancer Council of Victoria and various government bodies.Its chair, Lucinda Hancock, said there was a need for a consolidated...…For many Australians, eating fruit and vegetables is a tough sell.Government data shows only 7 per cent of adults and 5 per cent of children eat sufficient serves of vegetables, while half of adults and two-thirds of children eat enough fruit.A new national body has been established to change our consumption habits and help the farmers who grow fresh produce.The Fruit and Vegetable Consortium is made up of 11 members including Nutrition Australia, AUSVEG, the Cancer Council of Victoria and various government bodies.Its chair, Lucinda Hancock, said there was a need for a consolidated...WW…

A US Navy warship has successfully tested a new high-energy laser weapon that can destroy aircraft and drones mid-flight, the US Navy says.A statement released on Friday by US Pacific Fleet Public Affairs included footage of the moment USS Portland "successfully disabled an unmanned aerial vehicle … with a Solid State Laser".The Technology Maturation Laser Weapon System Demonstrator (LWSD) was developed by the Office of Naval Research.The laser test was carried out on May 16 in the Pacific, the Navy said, without giving a specific location.The post on Twitter shows the laser emanating from...…A US Navy warship has successfully tested a new high-energy laser weapon that can destroy aircraft and drones mid-flight, the US Navy says.A statement released on Friday by US Pacific Fleet Public Affairs included footage of the moment USS Portland "successfully disabled an unmanned aerial vehicle … with a Solid State Laser".The Technology Maturation Laser Weapon System Demonstrator (LWSD) was developed by the Office of Naval Research.The laser test was carried out on May 16 in the Pacific, the Navy said, without giving a specific location.The post on Twitter shows the laser emanating from...WW…

Former Papua New Guinea prime minister Peter O'Neill has been arrested and taken in for questioning over allegations of misappropriation and corruption.Mr O'Neill was arrested by police at Jackson's International Airport in Port Moresby on Saturday afternoon after flying back from Brisbane where he had been stranded because of COVID-19 lockdowns.Police say the investigation surrounds the purchase of two generators from Israel for 50 million kina ($21.8 million) when Mr O'Neill was leading the country.In a statement, Assistant Commissioner of Crimes Hodges Ette alleged Mr O'Neill directed...…Former Papua New Guinea prime minister Peter O'Neill has been arrested and taken in for questioning over allegations of misappropriation and corruption.Mr O'Neill was arrested by police at Jackson's International Airport in Port Moresby on Saturday afternoon after flying back from Brisbane where he had been stranded because of COVID-19 lockdowns.Police say the investigation surrounds the purchase of two generators from Israel for 50 million kina ($21.8 million) when Mr O'Neill was leading the country.In a statement, Assistant Commissioner of Crimes Hodges Ette alleged Mr O'Neill directed...WW…

The Chinese city of Wuhan completed almost 1.5 million tests for the novel coronavirus in one day, as authorities undertake a testing blitz to avoid new clusters.In Spain, where deaths have surpassed those in China and which was previously the epicentre of Europe's outbreak, far-right groups took to the streets to protest restrictions on social gatherings as the Prime Minister announced the country will reopen for tourism in July.Malaysia, meanwhile, reported a second cluster of coronavirus cases in its immigration detention centres, after the arrests of thousands of undocumented migrants...…The Chinese city of Wuhan completed almost 1.5 million tests for the novel coronavirus in one day, as authorities undertake a testing blitz to avoid new clusters.In Spain, where deaths have surpassed those in China and which was previously the epicentre of Europe's outbreak, far-right groups took to the streets to protest restrictions on social gatherings as the Prime Minister announced the country will reopen for tourism in July.Malaysia, meanwhile, reported a second cluster of coronavirus cases in its immigration detention centres, after the arrests of thousands of undocumented migrants...WW…

State bans on coal seam gas development would be scrapped and the Federal Government would underwrite gas prices and massively subsidise costs and investment for gas companies, under confidential plans for a "gas-led manufacturing recovery" post-COVID-19.The draft plans, obtained by the ABC, call for the scrapping of "green and red tape" on gas development, including a relaxation of Australian standards for equipment used in gas infrastructure and a loosening of environmental regulations and approval processes.They are set out in an interim report from the manufacturing taskforce of the...…State bans on coal seam gas development would be scrapped and the Federal Government would underwrite gas prices and massively subsidise costs and investment for gas companies, under confidential plans for a "gas-led manufacturing recovery" post-COVID-19.The draft plans, obtained by the ABC, call for the scrapping of "green and red tape" on gas development, including a relaxation of Australian standards for equipment used in gas infrastructure and a loosening of environmental regulations and approval processes.They are set out in an interim report from the manufacturing taskforce of the...WW…

In the past week, a rebadged conspiracy theory has been breathlessly promoted by the US President and conservative media pundits: OBAMAGATE!It's not worth discussing at length.But in summary, the story is essentially an updated version of a long-running fringe theory that the Obama administration and the nefarious "deep state" illegally sabotaged Donald Trump from the very start, partly by entrapping his former national security adviser Michael Flynn in the Russia scandal.There is Even Trump, when asked for more details, has struggled to specify what criminal activity took place:"It's been...…In the past week, a rebadged conspiracy theory has been breathlessly promoted by the US President and conservative media pundits: OBAMAGATE!It's not worth discussing at length.But in summary, the story is essentially an updated version of a long-running fringe theory that the Obama administration and the nefarious "deep state" illegally sabotaged Donald Trump from the very start, partly by entrapping his former national security adviser Michael Flynn in the Russia scandal.There is Even Trump, when asked for more details, has struggled to specify what criminal activity took place:"It's been...WW…

Astronomers have gazed into what appears to be a planetary maternity ward — within a huge disk of dense gas and dust surrounding a newly formed star — a planet in the process of being born.The large young planet is believed to be forming around a star called AB Aurigae, which is about 2.4 times the mass of the sun and located in our Milky Way galaxy, 520 light-years from Earth. Scientists used the European Southern Observatory's (ESO) to observe the spiral structure within the swirling disk around AB Aurigae. They detected a "twist" pattern of gas and dust in the spiral structure marking...…Astronomers have gazed into what appears to be a planetary maternity ward — within a huge disk of dense gas and dust surrounding a newly formed star — a planet in the process of being born.The large young planet is believed to be forming around a star called AB Aurigae, which is about 2.4 times the mass of the sun and located in our Milky Way galaxy, 520 light-years from Earth. Scientists used the European Southern Observatory's (ESO) to observe the spiral structure within the swirling disk around AB Aurigae. They detected a "twist" pattern of gas and dust in the spiral structure marking...WW…

The World Health Organization, which has come under repeated fire from US President Donald Trump, has said the science is still unclear on an old malaria drug he's taking to try to defend against COVID-19.It recommends the drug's use only in controlled clinical trials.This story will be regularly updated throughout Thursday.About 10,000 Iranian health workers have been infected with COVID-19, the semi-official ILNA news agency has quoted a deputy health minister as saying.Health services are stretched thin in Iran, the Middle East country hardest hit by the respiratory pandemic, with 7,249...…The World Health Organization, which has come under repeated fire from US President Donald Trump, has said the science is still unclear on an old malaria drug he's taking to try to defend against COVID-19.It recommends the drug's use only in controlled clinical trials.This story will be regularly updated throughout Thursday.About 10,000 Iranian health workers have been infected with COVID-19, the semi-official ILNA news agency has quoted a deputy health minister as saying.Health services are stretched thin in Iran, the Middle East country hardest hit by the respiratory pandemic, with 7,249...WW…

Mirabai Nicholson-McKellar felt the first effects of COVID-19 more than two months ago.She developed symptoms in mid-March after returning from Germany."I had a mild dry cough but I also had shortness of breath," she told 7.30.She tested positive for COVID-19.The 35-year-old Byron Bay filmmaker thought she had recovered and on April 25 she received a letter from NSW Health.She had gone 72 hours without symptoms and was free to leave isolation."It was very exciting," she said."I got to leave the house for the first time in several weeks, and I actually went down to the ocean and had a...…Mirabai Nicholson-McKellar felt the first effects of COVID-19 more than two months ago.She developed symptoms in mid-March after returning from Germany."I had a mild dry cough but I also had shortness of breath," she told 7.30.She tested positive for COVID-19.The 35-year-old Byron Bay filmmaker thought she had recovered and on April 25 she received a letter from NSW Health.She had gone 72 hours without symptoms and was free to leave isolation."It was very exciting," she said."I got to leave the house for the first time in several weeks, and I actually went down to the ocean and had a...WW…

The number of people claiming unemployment benefits in Britain in April has leapt to the highest level in nearly 24 years, giving the clearest sign yet of the hit to jobs from the coronavirus pandemic.Data published on Tuesday showed the number of unemployed people claiming benefits rose by 856,500 to 2.1 million.This is biggest-ever month-on-month jump — a 69 per cent increase from March.It was the highest level since July 1996, when Britain's economy was still recovering from a deep recession caused by its failed bid to stay in the European Exchange Rate Mechanism, which had pushed...…The number of people claiming unemployment benefits in Britain in April has leapt to the highest level in nearly 24 years, giving the clearest sign yet of the hit to jobs from the coronavirus pandemic.Data published on Tuesday showed the number of unemployed people claiming benefits rose by 856,500 to 2.1 million.This is biggest-ever month-on-month jump — a 69 per cent increase from March.It was the highest level since July 1996, when Britain's economy was still recovering from a deep recession caused by its failed bid to stay in the European Exchange Rate Mechanism, which had pushed...WW…

New vision of Tasmania's last-known thylacine has been unearthed by tiger enthusiasts digging through the National Film and Sound Archives (NFSA).The 21-second clip, which shows the male thylacine, sometimes referred to as Benjamin, in its enclosure in , is believed to be the last footage of the animal.It was shot in 1935 and aired in travelogue Tasmania The Wonderland months before the animal's death in 1936, reportedly from catching a cold after its enclosure inadvertently locked it out at night."This is the only one in captivity in the world," the film's narrator says, as onlookers are...…New vision of Tasmania's last-known thylacine has been unearthed by tiger enthusiasts digging through the National Film and Sound Archives (NFSA).The 21-second clip, which shows the male thylacine, sometimes referred to as Benjamin, in its enclosure in , is believed to be the last footage of the animal.It was shot in 1935 and aired in travelogue Tasmania The Wonderland months before the animal's death in 1936, reportedly from catching a cold after its enclosure inadvertently locked it out at night."This is the only one in captivity in the world," the film's narrator says, as onlookers are...WW…

China has imposed a massive 80 per cent tariff on Australian barley imports from today, saying the product has been imported against trade rules.The import tax will remain in place for five years, and is expected to wipe out Australian sales into the lucrative market.Typically, at least half of Australia's barley exports would be bound for China, trade that was estimated to be worth $1.5 billion in 2018 but due to drought fell to $600 million in 2019.In a statement announcing the decision, China's Ministry of Commerce said its "domestic industry had suffered substantial damage"."The...…China has imposed a massive 80 per cent tariff on Australian barley imports from today, saying the product has been imported against trade rules.The import tax will remain in place for five years, and is expected to wipe out Australian sales into the lucrative market.Typically, at least half of Australia's barley exports would be bound for China, trade that was estimated to be worth $1.5 billion in 2018 but due to drought fell to $600 million in 2019.In a statement announcing the decision, China's Ministry of Commerce said its "domestic industry had suffered substantial damage"."The...WW…

Academic experts claim Indonesia's Government has ignored their scientific advice regarding the coronavirus pandemic, as the province of Bali looks to reopen in the coming months.The hashtag #IndonesiaTerserah (Whatever, Indonesia) has trended on social media, with many Indonesians including medical workers expressing their frustration at what they see as an inconsistent government response.Others have rallied against sections of the community not observing social-distancing measures."This hashtag was started by agitated medical workers who felt that their fight on the front line … not...…Academic experts claim Indonesia's Government has ignored their scientific advice regarding the coronavirus pandemic, as the province of Bali looks to reopen in the coming months.The hashtag #IndonesiaTerserah (Whatever, Indonesia) has trended on social media, with many Indonesians including medical workers expressing their frustration at what they see as an inconsistent government response.Others have rallied against sections of the community not observing social-distancing measures."This hashtag was started by agitated medical workers who felt that their fight on the front line … not...WW…

An East Timor veteran suffering long term health issues after taking part in a controversial drug trial is horrified that the Australian Defence Force (ADF) is once again trialling on its personnel, this time for COVID-19. Wayne Karakyriacos said he feels betrayed by Defence for pushing ahead with a new clinical trial when he and other veterans are still struggling mentally and physically from past trials. "Twenty years I've been suffering with an acquired brain injury," he told 7.30. "Still to this day, I haven't been contacted by Defence or anyone from the department to follow up to see...…An East Timor veteran suffering long term health issues after taking part in a controversial drug trial is horrified that the Australian Defence Force (ADF) is once again trialling on its personnel, this time for COVID-19. Wayne Karakyriacos said he feels betrayed by Defence for pushing ahead with a new clinical trial when he and other veterans are still struggling mentally and physically from past trials. "Twenty years I've been suffering with an acquired brain injury," he told 7.30. "Still to this day, I haven't been contacted by Defence or anyone from the department to follow up to see...WW…

US Democrats have launched an investigation into President Donald Trump's move to oust the State Department's internal watchdog, accusing the President of escalating his fight against any oversight of his administration.Mr Trump announced the planned removal of Inspector-General Steve Linick in a letter to House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi late on Friday night, making Mr Linick the latest government inspector-general to be ousted in recent weeks under the Republican president.On Saturday, senior Democrats on the House and Senate Foreign Relations Committees, House panel chairman...…US Democrats have launched an investigation into President Donald Trump's move to oust the State Department's internal watchdog, accusing the President of escalating his fight against any oversight of his administration.Mr Trump announced the planned removal of Inspector-General Steve Linick in a letter to House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi late on Friday night, making Mr Linick the latest government inspector-general to be ousted in recent weeks under the Republican president.On Saturday, senior Democrats on the House and Senate Foreign Relations Committees, House panel chairman...WW…

A coalition of 62 countries has backed a joint Australian and European Union push for an independent inquiry into the coronavirus outbreak ahead of a crucial World Health Assembly (WHA) meeting on Monday in Geneva. into how the coronavirus started.That , which . But international support for the idea has been steadily growing.The Morrison Government has now swung its diplomatic firepower behind the European Union, which has also been pressing for an investigation while taking a more conciliatory line with Beijing.European nations and Australia have been rallying support for a draft EU...…A coalition of 62 countries has backed a joint Australian and European Union push for an independent inquiry into the coronavirus outbreak ahead of a crucial World Health Assembly (WHA) meeting on Monday in Geneva. into how the coronavirus started.That , which . But international support for the idea has been steadily growing.The Morrison Government has now swung its diplomatic firepower behind the European Union, which has also been pressing for an investigation while taking a more conciliatory line with Beijing.European nations and Australia have been rallying support for a draft EU...WW…

Rwandan genocide suspect Felicien Kabuga, who is accused of funding militias that massacred about 800,000 people, has been arrested near Paris after 26 years on the run, according to the French justice ministry.The 84-year-old, who is Rwanda's most wanted man and had a $US5 million ($7.7 million) bounty on his head, was living under a false identity in a flat in Asnieres-Sur-Seine, according to the ministry.Kabuga was indicted in 1997 on seven criminal counts including genocide, complicity in genocide and incitement to commit genocide, all in relation to the 1994 Rwanda genocide, according...…Rwandan genocide suspect Felicien Kabuga, who is accused of funding militias that massacred about 800,000 people, has been arrested near Paris after 26 years on the run, according to the French justice ministry.The 84-year-old, who is Rwanda's most wanted man and had a $US5 million ($7.7 million) bounty on his head, was living under a false identity in a flat in Asnieres-Sur-Seine, according to the ministry.Kabuga was indicted in 1997 on seven criminal counts including genocide, complicity in genocide and incitement to commit genocide, all in relation to the 1994 Rwanda genocide, according...WW…

Sophie Matterson recently found herself in tears, apologising to the team of camels she'd just started leading across the continent for taking them "on this awful adventure". But the 31-year-old, who ditched her city job to embark on a solo 5,000km journey from the country's western-most point in Shark Bay to its eastern-most point in Byron Bay, says so far the journey has definitely had its highs.Ms Matterson, by a desire to see more of Australia — and an affinity for camels — recently reached the Murchison in Western Australia's red heart, after a tumultuous month on the road. "Definitely...…Sophie Matterson recently found herself in tears, apologising to the team of camels she'd just started leading across the continent for taking them "on this awful adventure". But the 31-year-old, who ditched her city job to embark on a solo 5,000km journey from the country's western-most point in Shark Bay to its eastern-most point in Byron Bay, says so far the journey has definitely had its highs.Ms Matterson, by a desire to see more of Australia — and an affinity for camels — recently reached the Murchison in Western Australia's red heart, after a tumultuous month on the road. "Definitely...WW…

Cuthbert is the kind of place where social distancing was practiced well before it became a buzzword.Tucked away in a quiet, empty corner of south-west Georgia, the town has one traffic light, two grocery stores and a dozen churches. There are zero skyscrapers or subway cars or international airports.So, when Cuthbert's 3,000 residents first learned about coronavirus — visualised as maps with big red circles around America's urban centres — they thought to themselves, "surely that sort of thing could never happen here". And in that way, Cuthbert's experience foreshadowed what's quickly...…Cuthbert is the kind of place where social distancing was practiced well before it became a buzzword.Tucked away in a quiet, empty corner of south-west Georgia, the town has one traffic light, two grocery stores and a dozen churches. There are zero skyscrapers or subway cars or international airports.So, when Cuthbert's 3,000 residents first learned about coronavirus — visualised as maps with big red circles around America's urban centres — they thought to themselves, "surely that sort of thing could never happen here". And in that way, Cuthbert's experience foreshadowed what's quickly...WW…

Millions of litres of beer is being tipped down the drain in Australia as huge quantities of the liquid gold goes off in kegs.It is news no beer lover wants to hear, but with and most any time soon, the product is "starting to come up against some of its use-by dates".The biggest brewers are trying to repurpose the beer by putting some of it through their wastewater treatment plants, but cannot guarantee some of the product will not be simply dumped.Beer educator and commentator Matt Kirkegaard said he has never seen the industry in such a slump."One of the things that we don't really think...…Millions of litres of beer is being tipped down the drain in Australia as huge quantities of the liquid gold goes off in kegs.It is news no beer lover wants to hear, but with and most any time soon, the product is "starting to come up against some of its use-by dates".The biggest brewers are trying to repurpose the beer by putting some of it through their wastewater treatment plants, but cannot guarantee some of the product will not be simply dumped.Beer educator and commentator Matt Kirkegaard said he has never seen the industry in such a slump."One of the things that we don't really think...WW…