News Update: Wednesday, 17 January 2024
Eureka Free Press: Your pro-freedom Australian news source.
Australian MPs call on UK gov’t to stop Julian Assange’s extradition
https://dissenter.com/feed/622a914103f2255b96d3a0b0/item/65a6509ecdc721ccacbbab69
A group of Australian lawmakers wrote a letter to U.K. Home Secretary James Cleverly to stop the US extradition of Julian Assange and drop all charges against the WikiLeaks founder. In a letter, the co-convenors of the Australian Bring Julian Assange Home Parliamentary Group said: “Mr. Assange is an Australian citizen who has been in HM Prison Belmarsh since April 2019. He has significant health issues, exacerbated to a dangerous degree by his prolonged incarceration, that are of very real concern to us as his elected representatives.”
Albo gov’t signs $37m contract with military industrial complex’s Lockheed Martin
The Albanese government has inked a $37m contract with United States defence contractor Lockheed Martin to develop an initial batch of guided multiple launch rocket system missiles capable of travelling up to 150km when fired from the high mobility artillery rocket system. The move comes days after Canberra got the green light from the Biden administration to buy $372m in support systems to enable the Australian Defence Forces to operate potent US-made Tomahawk missiles.
Aussies ‘fed up’ with having to debate about Australia Day
Australians are “fed up” with having a “divisive debate” about Australia Day every single year, according to IPA Deputy Executive Director Daniel Wild. He said: “Fewer than one in five want to change the date. The rest don’t know or don’t have an opinion. It shows yet again how this divisive debate that no one really wants to have is being driven by a small minority of activists.”
Aust to pour million in more foreign aid to the Middle East
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12971013/Penny-Wong-tens-millions-aid-Gaza.html
Australia will provide some $ 21.5 million to conflict-torn Middle East amid a growing refugee crisis brought about by the Israel-Hamas war. The aid package will include $ 4 million for the Red Cross and $ 6 million for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, along with support for refugee programs in neighbouring Jordan and Lebanon.
More than 500 proposals sent to regulate AI in Australia amid growing public mistrust
The Australian federal government has received at least 500 submissions and requests to regulate Artificial Intelligence amid increasing public mistrust. The calls include asking tech companies to watermark or indicate that a piece of content was created by AI.
Expert: Australia ‘half a decade behind’ the UK on energy
Australia is now “half a decade behind” the UK and other countries as London bares plans for a nuclear power expansion, according to Australia's Environment Editor Graham Lloyd. In Australia, a majority of voters in Energy Minister Chris Bowen's own electorate believe Australia's ban on developing nuclear energy should be lifted.
Chinese scientists create a mutant coronavirus strain with 100% kill rate
Scientists from the Chinese Communist Party have developed a coronavirus strain that is 100 percent lethal in mice — despite concerns such research could fuel another pandemic. Experts and infectious disease experts around the world have called out the report, calling it a “terrible study and scientifically totally pointless.”
Bolt: Albo gov’t weakening Australia by ‘dividing us with race politics’
The Albanese government continues to weaken Australian by “dividing people with race politics,” according to Sky News host Andrew Bolt. He said: “It's not just the lack of action in supporting important allies like the US and Israel. It's not just the lack of guts in standing up to China. And it's not just the lack of action in recruiting the soldiers, sailors and airmen we need. Trashing our history and our national identity, flying flags of various races with the Australian flag off to one side, and letting 81 councils stop celebrating Australia day with citizenship ceremonies."
450,000 Aussies now need to pay up to $150 for a single vape
Under new tougher laws, Australians are set to fork out up to $150 for vaping. A new report from the Health Department predicts about 450,000 people will need prescriptions for nicotine vapes each year, requiring almost one million additional visits to the doctor.
Report: 17% rise in heart attacks linked to excess deaths in 2023
https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/new-study-highlights-the-silent-global-scandal-of-excess-deaths/
Excess deaths, which refer to the number of deaths from all causes during the COVID-19 pandemic, were linked to a 17% increase in heart attacks in Australia in 2023. Despite crippling lockdowns, Australia’s death rate in 2023 was also six percent higher than expected.
Australia rejects Ukraine’s call to donate decommissioned MRH-90 Taipan helicopters
https://dissenter.com/feed/622a914103f2255b96d3a0b0/item/65a4eeb3cdc721ccac96963d
https://www.rt.com/news/590654-australia-scraps-helicopters-ukraine/
Canberra will scrap dozens of military helicopters which Ukraine and its supporters wanted to be donated to Kyiv. The Defence Department has said it “will dispose of the remaining airframes and systems in an environmentally friendly and cost-effective manner.”
Spike in violence seen in Australia, New Zealand as Mexican cartels arrive
Australia and New Zealand have seen an increase in crimes and violent attacks following the arrival of Mexican cartels. In a report, the cartels “not only increase the supply of illicit drugs in Australia, but encourage turf wars, increase the amount of guns in the country, tax border security resources and threaten the stability and good governance of South Pacific transit spots.”
Aussies rage after alcohol detected in prune juice being sold in supermarkets
Australians lashed out at Cools and Woolworths after discovering a brand of prune juice containing alcohol as a result of fermentation. The product has been available for sale at Coles and Woolworths stores in NSW, Queensland, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia and has a best-before date of December 4, 2025.
Australia’s climate change dep’t fails to prove it is effective at reducing emissions
Australia’s Climate Change Department’s own reporting methods have been found ineffective in reducing carbon emissions, a new audit showed. According to the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO), the agency had not delivered the strategies and plans needed to help the government achieve its emissions reduction targets.
Australian Catholic clergy says blessing gay relationships means being OK with sin
The Australian Confraternity of Catholic Clergy said in a statement that homosexual relationships are “intrinsically incompatible with the divine plan” and that blessings “can never be bestowed on sinful acts.” The statement came as Catholic bishops across the world continue to be divided in their stance regarding the offering of blessings to same-sex couples following the December 18 decree approving such blessing issued by Pope Francis.