News from Australia and across Oceania

[tayser]

Is that mob who produced it supposedly mainstream? Cos it was really shit and glossed over a lot of things.

 

[AlbertC]

Australia fires: 'Catastrophic' alerts in South Australia and Victoria

Heat and winds are threatening to widen Australia's bushfire crisis, with three states warned to expect their worst conditions of the season so far.

Soaring temperatures in South Australia prompted "catastrophic" alerts - the highest danger rating - on Wednesday.

Parts of Victoria have been issued the same warning for Thursday, while the threat in Tasmania is also increasing.

Australia fires: 'Catastrophic' alerts in South Australia and Victoria

The warnings for South Australia and Victoria come as massive fires ravage other parts of the nation.

www.bbc.com

 

[AlbertC]

Australia fires: record-breaking temperatures fuel bushfires across the country

Temperatures top 40C in Victoria’s north as up to 11 properties hit by fire in South Australia, while NSW and Tasmania face difficult conditions

Ben Doherty and agencies
Thu 21 Nov 2019 08.58 GMT First published on Wed 20 Nov 2019 20.27 GMT

Australia fires: record-breaking temperatures fuel bushfires across the country

Temperatures top 40C in Victoria’s north, up to 11 properties hit by fire in South Australia and NSW and Tasmania face difficult conditions

www.theguardian.com

Massive Mildura dust storm leaves Victorian town 'unliveable' amid 40C heat

Residents say such storms now occur on a weekly basis, as topsoil from drought-ravaged farms is blown through the town

Follow latest updates on Victoria, NSW and South Australia bushfires

Naaman Zhou
Thu 21 Nov 2019 05.38 GMT Last modified on Thu 21 Nov 2019 06.08 GMT

Massive Mildura dust storm leaves Victorian town 'unliveable' amid 40C heat

Residents say such storms now occur on a weekly basis, as topsoil from drought-ravaged farms is blown through the town

www.theguardian.com

 

[tayser]

An article that highlights succinctly how the Liberal flunkies in Canberra are completely useless, all the while states - from both sides of politics - just get on with the job.

Smoke and mirrors: Taylor to meet states as global expert laments Australian “tragedy”

Energy ministers head to Perth for the first COAG energy council meeting in almost a year, with frustrations amongst State and Territory ministers high.

reneweconomy.com.au

 

[AlvinofDiaspar]

The truly scary thing is that the *real* summer hasn't even started yet.

AoD

 

[tayser]

For those who are interested in foreign policy, espionage and all that finery

Power and Paranoia: Why the Chinese government aggressively pushed beyond its borders

Power and Paranoia: Why the Chinese government aggressively pushes beyond its borders

The Chinese government’s covert operations in Australia are considerable. Can Australia push back without economic consequences?

www.theage.com.au

 

[jje1000]

Not sure I see how melting pot vs mosaic is all that key here.

There could be a return to a debate on dual citizenships I suppose...........

But truthfully I have no real issue with that either.

What we're talking about here is some combination of actively planting foreign national agents into another state; or co opting someone with ties or who desires ties to a different state and is willing to advance said state's national interests in their current country.

That's really not about enjoying some familiar/traditional foods, or speaking a second or third language.

Its about being (or seeming to be) on the payroll of a foreign government.

It definitely can be an issue depending on the topic- though I strongly believe it lies mainly in the first generation and foreign students.

But then again, ethnic enclaves can also create barriers towards larger societal participation even among second generations, though I think this is less of an issue with East Asians in particular.

New research shows Chinese migrants don't always side with China and are happy to promote Australia

In a recent survey, a majority of Chinese migrants said they rarely share negative stories about Australia on their social media platforms, and actually side with Australia more on human rights.

theconversation.com

 

[Johnny Au]

It would be interesting if Chinese Australians developed a taste for Vegemite.

 

[AlbertC]

It would be interesting if Chinese Australians developed a taste for Vegemite.

And on that note:

Iconic Australian spread Vegemite to go global

Vegemite will soon make history by being made available for shipping from Australia to the United States, United Kingdom and Canada. Until now Vegemite has only been available for purchase in Australia and New Zealand.

Iconic Australian spread Vegemite to go global

Vegemite will soon make history by being made available for shipping from Australia to the United States, United Kingdom and Canada. Until now Vegemite has only been available for purchase in Australia and New Zealand. 'Mitey Aussie Care Packages' will also be available to send to friends...

www.news.com.au

 

[AlvinofDiaspar]

Defecting Chinese spy offers information trove to Australian government

Wang “William” Liqiang is the first Chinese operative to ever blow his cover and he has taken his story to ASIO.

www.theage.com.au

AoD

 

[AlbertC]

An Apocalyptic Wall of Dust Swallowed an Outback Town in Australia Yesterday

BY CARLY CASSELLA

NOVEMBER 22, 2019

www.sciencealert.com/a-red-wall-of-apocalyptic-dust-swallows-an-outback-town-in-australia/amp

Australia bushfires: Which animals typically fare best and worst?

22 November 2019

Koalas yelping for help, beehives caught in the path of danger, food chains interrupted: Australia's bushfire crisis is having a destructive effect on the nation's wildlife, writes Gary Nunn in Sydney.

Which animals fare best and worst in fires? - BBC News

As Australian forests burn, some species are better equipped to survive danger and habitat loss.

www.bbc.com

 

[tayser]

Are there any equivalents in Canada to this? Scanlon Foundation has relatively quickly (over a decade) become a touchstone annual survey for Australia's view on everything - and that now because it's been running for over a decade, tracking changes will become just as interesting.

Results of 2019's survey discussed here:

It's the climate, not immigration, that keeps Australians awake at night | David Marr

The Scanlon Foundation’s annual report on social cohesion finds a country still largely welcoming of migrants, although 40% admit negative feelings towards Muslims

www.theguardian.com

 

[AlbertC]

Australia bushfires: Firefighter accused of arson in 'ultimate betrayal'

A volunteer firefighter in Australia has been charged with deliberately lighting blazes during the nation's bushfire crisis.

Australia bushfires: Firefighter accused of arson in 'ultimate betrayal'

The allegations are the "ultimate betrayal" to crews desperately fighting bushfires, chiefs say.

www.bbc.com

 

[AlbertC]

BoM summer outlook warns Australia to prepare for severe fire danger

The hot and dry weather, which has led to bushfires across the country, shows no signs of abating

Lisa Cox
Thu 28 Nov 2019 00.50 GMT Last modified on Thu 28 Nov 2019 01.11 GMT

BoM summer outlook warns Australia to prepare for severe fire danger

The hot and dry weather, which has led to bushfires across the country, shows no signs of abating

www.theguardian.com

 

[AlbertC]

Why Australia is expecting a long and dangerous summer

Already ravaged by bushfires and drought, Australia is about to enter its hottest season amid forecasts that bring more concern.

Why Australia is expecting a long and dangerous summer

Already ravaged by bushfires and drought, the nation is not forecast to experience much relief.

www.bbc.com