Weltnachrichten – AU – Morgenpost: John Howard waves Trump, Christmas warning, drought unbroken

Thursday: Former Prime Minister says Donald Trump is unable to administer Covid’s US Republican elections. Plus: Israel approves the extradition of Malka Leifer

Good morning, this is Richard Parkin to be with you on Thursday the 17th. December brings the most important stories and must-reads.

John Howard has torn Donald Trump’s failure to tackle the coronavirus pandemic, saying his inability to tackle the crisis cost Republicans « halfway decent » in the US election. During a question-and-answer session in Canberra, the former prime minister said, “Every time [Trump] had a press conference, he wrote a political suicide note. The 81-year-old contrasted Trump’s approach with that of the Australian heads of state and government. A social attitudes poll confirmed the high approval ratings of executives like Scott Morrison, Mark McGowan and Annastacia Palaszczuk based on their perceived management of the Covid-19 threat.

Families should wear masks and try to celebrate Christmas outdoors, the World Health Organization has advised as many nations around the world struggle over how to deal with restrictions during the Christmas season. With 952 fatalities, Germany recorded the worst number in a day to date, while more than 400 people died daily in the last 11 days. The Netherlands have reported record infections and the Danish Prime Minister has confirmed a tough lockdown for Christmas and the New Year. In the US, Congress is about to reach an agreement on a coronavirus aid package worth 908 billion. USD, as the nation was just under 200 yesterday. 000 new infections recorded.

NSW has reported three new cases of Covid-19, raising fears of a new outbreak after weeks of no community transmission of the virus. In a warning released Wednesday night, NSW Health said that two new cases – a woman in her sixties and a man in her seventies – were living on Sydney’s northern beaches and that no link to other cases had been established. The announcement came after the state registered its first new case in weeks when a 45-year-old man from southwest Sydney returned a positive test Wednesday morning. He worked as a driver of a delivery truck that shuttled the flight crew between Sydney Airport and their accommodation.

Much of NSW is teetering after a night of heavy rain and thunderstorms and continues a week of wild weather and mayhem. The record rainfall caused by a weather pattern in La Niña has left many across the state and Queensland in the hope that an eight-year drought may have broken. But temperatures between 44. 2C and 48. 7C in central Queensland last month means the drought remains firmly in place for many. « We’ve always had extreme heat, but the problem now is that we’re getting longer, hotter periods, » Angus Emmott, a Graz native, told Guardian Australia. “The water sources and the soil moisture simply disappear faster. « And the Bureau of Meteorology remains cautious as well: » La Niña certainly increases the likelihood of above-average rain, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that every month will be wet everywhere. ”

The alleged child molester Malka Leifer could be brought back to court within two months of the Israeli Justice Minister’s signature of an extradition warrant. Prosecutors have been campaigning for the former teacher to be personally tried for more than a decade.

The coalition’s economic forecast ahead of Christmas is expected to be better than expected, despite the ongoing trade feud with China that dwarfs export forecasts for rosy iron ore.

Some 7. According to reports, 2 million Medicare-subsidized mental health services were delivered between March and September of this year, with mental health hotlines seeing a more than 20% increase due to the coronavirus.

A judge who assisted George Pell during his trial has been appointed by the Morrison government to serve as the special investigator on allegations that Australian special forces soldiers have committed war crimes in Afghanistan.

Fourteen people were convicted in connection with the 2015 Charlie Hebdo terrorist attacks after a 54-day marathon hearing. Those in the dock were accomplices on a number of lesser charges, as the three attackers were killed at the time.

The value of Bitcoin, the world’s most famous cryptocurrency, has an all-time high of more than 20. Reached $ 000 as major investment firms became interested in its quick profit potential.

The Saudi Arabian Prosecutor recommends the maximum sentence for women’s rights activist Loujain al-Hathloul, possibly a 20-year prison sentence for crimes such as driving a car. Amnesty International condemned the decision, saying: “A regime that views women’s activism as terrorism is deeply broken. ”

In a robbery on the house of a French treasure hunter, an amazing treasure of more than 27. 400 archaeological treasures discovered, including necklaces from the Bronze and Iron Ages, Roman brooches and treasures of the Merovingian kings.

Refugees from Manus Island and Nauru are being relocated to Europe and Canada without the involvement of the Australian government. Hannah Ryan and Michael Green report that the United Nations Refugee Agency, a Canadian nonprofit, and an army of volunteers are stepping in to help these refugees finally find peace with security. Nearly 100 people are nearing the final stage of admission in Canada, and European nations such as Norway, Denmark and France are also taking in survivors of the offshore processing regime.

2020 was a rich year for Australian writers. From the cross-generational saga of a Greek-Australian family and their café empire to the « perfect vacation reading » that vacillates between hilarious one-liners and « ongoing grief for their characters », Guardian Australia’s staff and critics bring you the best Australian of the year Books.

Almost as many Australians are back to work as at the start of the pandemic. This is just one of the indicators that suggest that 2021 could be rosier than many predict, writes Greg Jericho. Before you reach for the champagne, however, there are some signs that suggest a full recovery or something resembling “normal” is still some way off.

After fleeing the danger in their homeland, mother and children have been offered permanent protection, but the father remains in the balance. In this episode of Full Story – a continuation of our Temporary series – Sisonke Msimang continues to delve into the true stories of people looking for a safe haven in Australia.

Unfortunately, your browser does not support audio. However, you can download it here and listen to https: // audio. guim. co. uk / 2020/05 / 05-61553-gnl. fw. 200505. jf. ch7DW. mp3

Full Story is Guardian Australia’s daily news podcast. Subscribe to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any other podcasting app for free.

Lisa De Vanna has always been one who did things in her own way. But after 15 years at the top, the Matildas striker has finally found space for reflection, family and a completely new football adventure, as she tells Samantha Lewis.

West Bromwich Albion appears poised to give veteran manager Sam Allardyce a shock after Slaven Bilic became the Premier League’s first coach victim of the 2020-21 season and the team hit 19th. Seated.

Grocery delivery drivers would be protected through a compensation scheme funded by a customer levy on grocery orders in a landmark proposal before the New South Wales government, reports the Sydney Morning Herald. Crown’s Herald Casino license in Melbourne is under scrutiny following « explosive admissions of money laundering, » Herald Sun reports. . A Victorian review was filed following the results of NSW Commissioner Patricia Bergin’s investigation into Crown’s Barangaroo business. And the WA Bikie gangs, according to the Western Australian, are faced with full force after the murder of a local chief.

Economists are waiting for new labor force statistics showing an increase in employment of 40. 000 expected in November.

It’s the 649 kg question. The Marshall Islands police have committed their biggest drug bankruptcy – they found more than half a ton of cocaine in a boat that had more than 5 years of experience in a remote atoll. 000 km off the northeast coast of Australia was found. The question is: who does it belong to? The “ghost boat” is believed to have migrated for several years, possibly from South or Central America. Bad news for its former owners – the tiny Pacific nation’s legal and regulatory department burned the lot.

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Donald Trump, John Howard