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☆ How a lonely mountain lion led to the creation of the world’s largest wildlife overpass
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-08 | by ( Martha Shade | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

A photo of P-22 mountain lion National Park Service“A mountain lion lived in L.A. and people didn’t fear him,” said Pratt, who has memorialized P-22 on her arm with a tattoo. The idea of a wildlife overpass was garnering interest, but funding it was another issue. A rendering of the completed Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Overpass Courtesy National Wildlife FederationEngineers are also taking into account animals’ fear of bright lights. And that’s exactly what needs to happen at the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Overpass, where the freeway bisects the local cougar habitat. He has inspired the building of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing.

Persons: he’s, ”, Beth Pratt, Pratt, Alan Ruck —, Ferris, Leonardo DiCaprio, Rainn Wilson, Barbra Streisand, David Crosby, ” Pratt, “, Watts, Wallis Annenberg, don’t, ” It’s, Martha Shade, koalas, We’ve, ’ Organizations: CNN, National Wildlife Federation, Hollywood, Service, Wallis Annenberg, Wildlife Federation Engineers, National Park Service, Banff National, grizzlies, Federal, Administration Locations: California, Los Angeles, L.A, HBO’s, Watts, South Los Angeles, Beverly, France, Europe, Netherlands, Brignoles, Queensland, Australia, Canada, Banff, Pratt

☆ Australia Voice referendum: Far from uniting the nation, the vote has revealed its priorities and prejudices
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-07 | by ( Hilary Whiteman | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

There would be a referendum within his first term to recognize Indigenous Australians in the constitution and create a permanent body – a Voice to Parliament – to allow them to speak directly to government. Yes voters are much younger, live in the inner-city and voted for the Labor Party or Greens. Paul Smith, Director Government and Social Australia, at YouGov says the young-old divide in this referendum indicates a generational difference in world view. Daniel Morrison-Bird has been door-knocking for months in Perth, Western Australia to convince people to vote Yes. Gerber said far from dividing the country, the Voice is an invitation from Indigenous Australians to form a closer relationship.

Persons: Anthony Albanese, –, ” Albanese, “, ”, Paul Strangio, Bianca De Marchi, Strangio, they’re pigeonholed, ’ ”, Paul Smith, Smith, Axel Bruns, Bruns, Asanka Ratnayake, D’sa, D’Sa, Daniel Morrison, Bird, they’ve, Morrison, “ You’ll, I’ve, He’s, “ I’ve, it’s, Paula Gerber, ” “, Gerber, “ We’ve Organizations: Australia CNN —, Australian, Monash University, Qantas, Liberal, National Party coalition, Labor Party, Greens, Government, Social Australia, Torres Strait Islanders, Digital Media Research, Queensland University of Technology, Sky News, Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation, Voice Advisory Group, Corporation, Wungening Aboriginal Corporation, Indigenous Locations: Brisbane, Australia, United States, Britain, Sydney, Corporates, YouGov, Melbourne, United Kingdom, Portuguese, Australian, Perth, Western Australia

☆ Global miner BHP to focus on cost cuts, patient on M&A
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-05 | by ( Melanie Burton | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

MELBOURNE (Reuters) -Global miner BHP Group is focused on cutting costs to drive growth while being patient on buying assets, its chief development officer Johan van Jaarsveld said on Thursday in Melbourne. A view of a new nickel sulphate plant that global miner BHP Group is building to service the battery industry at its Nickel West operations, south of Perth, Australia August 2, 2019. REUTERS/Melanie Burton/File photo“This is a cyclical industry, and you sometimes are going to have to wait for 10 years or may be more to get the right opportunity at the right price,” van Jaarsveld said. “BHP’s Oz Minerals Brazil is not on the market,” van Jaarsveld said. We are looking at what we have got,” adding “you don’t want to sell assets, potentially and then somebody else make a big discovery.”

Persons: Johan van Jaarsveld, Melanie Burton, ” van Jaarsveld, Van Jaarsveld, ”, you’ve, you’re, “ Organizations: MELBOURNE, Global, BHP, REUTERS, Teck Resources, Oz Minerals Locations: Melbourne, Perth, Australia, Tanzanian, Indonesia, Teck, Queensland, Brazil, Oz, Oz Minerals Brazil

☆ Fact Check: Australian COVID vaccine with HIV protein misrepresented online
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-05 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

The programme, titled “Horizon Special: The Vaccine”, documented the development, by the University of Queensland and biotechnology company CSL, of a COVID vaccine candidate that never made it to market. The 63-second video begins with a social media narrator saying: “This is utter madness. Explaining the reason behind choosing the HIV protein, Chappell says on-camera that the protein was picked because it’s well understood and presents no risks, including having no role in helping HIV to make copies of itself: “It’s a highly stable structure. VACCINE CANDIDATE DROPPEDThe social media clip fails to acknowledge that the production of the Australian vaccine candidate was halted following the discovery that it temporarily caused false-positive HIV tests due to the presence of the protein. The Australian vaccine candidate contained an HIV protein which posed no safety threat, but led the vaccine candidate to be dropped before ever making it to larger trials because it produced false-positive test results for HIV.

Persons: Keith Chappell, Chappell, ” Chappell, Read Organizations: University of Queensland, CSL, BBC, University of Queensland’s, Reuters, HIV, Thomson Locations: ”

☆ Australia Voice referendum: Cherbourg, a community built on racial segregation, looks to the future
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-30 | by ( Hilary Whiteman | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +16 min

“We’ve got around 260 people waiting on our waiting list,” said Cherbourg Council CEO Chatur Zala. “My community is very, very confused,” said Mayor Elvie Sandow, from her air-conditioned office in the center of Cherbourg. Hilary Whiteman/CNNZala said Cherbourg Council has made gains in recent years, since Mayor Elvie was elected in 2020. “The highest employment rate of any Indigenous community,” he boasted. At the end of the day, I am the voice of Cherbourg because I’m the elected mayor for this community.”I am the voice of Cherbourg because I’m the elected mayor for this community.

Persons: Australia CNN —, “ We’ve, ”, Chatur Zala, –, Elvie Sandow, “ They’re, they’ll, “, “ They’ll, Hilary Whiteman, Erin Johnston, ” Johnston, Michael Blair, Andy Roache, Anthony Albanese, Cherbourg Aunty Ruth Hegarty, Aunty Ruth, Betty McKenzie, You’re, ” Aunty Ruth, Ruth, we’re, Aunty Ruth Hegarty, Moira Bligh, Nyunggai Warren Mundine, Blair Gilchrist, that’s, aren’t, it’s, Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, Richard Milnes, ” Price, “ It’s, Warren, It’s, Jacinta Nampijinpa, CNN Zala, Mayor Elvie, Zala, They’ve, Elvie, “ I’m, I’m, Elvie Sandow Zala, “ That’s, he’ll Organizations: Australia CNN, Torres Strait Islanders, ” Cherbourg, CNN, Australian Electoral Commission, AEC, Indigenous, Nations, Queensland Museum, Opium, Advance, Labor, Conservative Political, Conference, Tourists, Shed, Mayor, Digital Service Center Locations: Cherbourg, Australia, Queensland, Brisbane, Mitchell, Northern, ”, Trust, Canberra, Gujarat, India

SYDNEY, Sept 29 (Reuters) - The blocking of three major deals by Australia's antitrust regulator in the past year was a coincidence, its chair told Reuters, pushing back against concerns among bankers that it has become deal-averse. "There happens to have been a sequence, frankly coincidentally as it turns out, of oppositions," ACCC Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb said in an interview. There are some concerns that it could be blocked as Brookfield owns AusNet, a poles and wires asset in Victoria state. Cass-Gottlieb also said she doubted foreign investors have been dissuaded from pursuing deals in Australia which does not require companies to get formal clearance before proceeding with a takeover. "The recent stream of merger blockages will make foreign investors think twice."

Persons: Gina Cass, Gottlieb, Canada's Brookfield, Cass, Stephen Corones, Hannah Marshall, it's, Byron Kaye, Scott Murdoch, Edwina Gibbs Organizations: Australian Competition, Consumer Commission, Telstra, TPG, ANZ, Transurban, Origin Energy, Brookfield, FOCUS Cass, Investors, Queensland University of Technology, Cass, Marque Lawyers, Thomson Locations: Melbourne, AusNet, Victoria, Australia, Queensland

☆ Australia to retire Taipan helicopter fleet early after crash
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-29 | by ( Renju Jose | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The Taipan fleet will not return to flying operations before the previously planned withdrawal date of December 2024, Defence Minister Richard Marles said. Australia in January said it would buy 40 Black Hawk military helicopters, manufactured by Lockheed Martin (LMT.N), for an estimated A$2.8 billion ($1.80 billion). The Black Hawks are set to replace the Australian army's fleet of Taipan helicopters, which have been plagued for years by maintenance issues. "The first of the 40 Black Hawks that will replace the (Taipan) MRH-90 have arrived and are already flying in Australia. Marles acknowledged there would be "capability challenges" without an operational Taipan fleet and as defence waits for the delivery of more Black Hawks.

Persons: Dinuka, Richard Marles, Lockheed Martin, Marles, Italy's Leonardo, Leonardo, Renju Jose, Jamie Freed Organizations: Australian Navy, Australian Landing Helicopter, REUTERS, Rights, United States, Black Hawk, Lockheed, Black Hawks, Australian, Airbus, ABC, Thomson Locations: Canberra, Colombo, Sri Lanka, Australia, France, Norway, Queensland, United States, Sydney

☆ Australia is being plagued by vicious and vindictive swooping magpies, and people say they are terrified
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-29 | by ( Marianne Guenot | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

It's nesting season in Australia and people are on high alert for vicious swooping Australian magpies. AdvertisementAdvertisementIt's springtime in Australia, which means the return of vicious swooping attacks from the Australian magpie. An Australian magpie is shown here. While Australian magpies aren't closely related to their European counterpart, they are also known to be extremely clever. AdvertisementAdvertisementOver 80% of nesting magpies live near humans, which means swooping magpies are much rarer than they could be, Kaplan said in a post in The Conversation in 2017.

Persons: —, …, Mia, Christiaan Nyssen, Gisela Kaplan, Kaplan, gingerly Organizations: Service, BBC, CNN, Canberra Times, SBS Locations: Australia, Australian, Queensland

☆ Global warming will hit Australian crop yields and GDP, treasurer says
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Harvesting machinery can be seen behind a wheat crop in a paddock located on the outskirts of the South Australian town of Jamestown, in Australia, December 1, 2017. Global warming is leading to hotter and more extreme weather in Australia, one of the world's largest exporters of agricultural products. "The latest analysis out of Treasury tells us that disasters and a warming climate have big, economy wide effects," Chalmers told an agricultural conference in Queensland dedicated to drought. "If further action isn't taken, Australian crop yields could be 4 per cent lower by 2063 – costing us about A$1.8 billion in GDP in today's dollars." ($1 = 1.5569 Australian dollars)Reporting by Peter Hobson; Editing by Michael PerryOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: David Gray, Jim Chalmers, Chalmers, Peter Hobson, Michael Perry Organizations: REUTERS, Thomson Locations: Jamestown, Australia, Queensland, decarbonisation

☆ Opinion: Seaweed is nutritious, not slimy. Eating it could save the world.
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( Opinion Vincent Doumeizel | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

It can be a nutritious food, an alternative to plastic, restore our oceans and could even help tackle climate change. UliU/iStockphoto/Getty Images Seaweed has become popular in Western baking in recent years. James MacDonald/Bloomberg/Getty ImagesBut just as we are recognizing its untapped potential, seaweed is becoming increasingly vulnerable. California, Norway and Tasmania have all lost more than 80% of their kelp in recent years, the result of climate change, pollution and overfishing. If we learn to sustainably cultivate our ocean, we can contribute to feeding the entire global population while mitigating climate change and restoring biodiversity.

Persons: Vincent Doumeizel, Derek Davis, Dixie, Prannie Rhatigan, Rhatigan, Kate Waters, Natasha Breen, Jun Lee, Jonas Gratzer, James MacDonald Organizations: United Nations, Food, Lloyd’s Register, CNN, Southside Bakery, Portland Press Herald, Washington Post, University of Queensland, Bloomberg, Legend Press Locations: Portland, US, Washington , DC, Asia, Seoul, South Korea, Australia, Jakarta, British Columbia, Canada, California, Norway, Tasmania

☆ Not much exciting about Aussie banks as high costs pressure earnings - Macquarie
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Australia's "Big Four" banks - among the top seven listed companies in the country - control 75% of the country's A$2 trillion mortgage market. That euphoria is now largely over as high living costs impact borrowers' capacity to repay loans. Macquarie, an investment bank with a small retail banking operation, said banks' cost bases are likely to remain under pressure as more than 70% of their expenses related to personnel. Macquarie added that it expects banks' expenses to grow by around 1% to 7% in fiscal 2023 through to fiscal 2025, with third-biggest lender Westpac Banking Corp (WBC.AX) seen being impacted more than its peers. The regional banks will remain disadvantaged in the current environment as they will have to continue to invest to keep up, Macquarie said, estimating up to 4% higher expenses than consensus.

Persons: Macquarie, Sameer Manekar, Janane Organizations: Macquarie, Westpac Banking Corp, ANZ Group Holdings, CBA, NAB, Adelaide Bank, Bank of Queensland, Thomson Locations: Bendigo, Bengaluru

☆ Not much exciting about Aussie banks as high costs pressure earnings, Macquarie says
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Persons: Loren Elliott, Macquarie, Sameer Manekar, Janane Organizations: Central Business, REUTERS, Macquarie, Westpac Banking Corp, ANZ Group Holdings, CBA, NAB, Adelaide Bank, Bank of Queensland, Thomson Locations: Sydney, Australia, Bendigo, Bengaluru

☆ Total’s green bet on Gautam Adani is a win-win
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( Pranav Kiran | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

On Tuesday, the company said it would invest $300 million to form a joint venture with $19 billion Adani Green Energy (ADNA.NS) to build solar and wind farms in the country. The latest tie-up ought to help Total to hit its target of having 100 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity by 2030. Adani Green Energy and Adani Total Gas (ADAG.NS), in which Total owned stakes of about 20% and 37% at the end of June, have lost about 50% and 80% of their market value since January, and are among the worst performing of the group’s nine core listed entities. Total’s green capacity targets may be more pressing than the risk of further Adani problems. Adani Green will contribute assets to the joint venture, it said in a statement, adding that the deal will help it achieve its target of having 45 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity by 2030.

Persons: Gautam Adani, Carmichael, Hindenburg, Patrick Pouyanné, Adani, Una Galani, Katrina Hamlin Organizations: Reuters, Adani Enterprises, Adani, Green Energy, Australia, GQG, Barclays, Deutsche Bank, Energy, Thomson Locations: Indian, Ahmedabad, Queensland, BENGALURU, –, India

☆ Australia braces for severe bushfires as Sydney swelters under record September heat
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( Tara Subramaniam | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —The threat of intense bushfires looms over New South Wales as record spring temperatures and high winds fan the flames of more than 60 blazes already burning in Australia’s most populous state, authorities have warned. Several cities along the east coast saw record spring temperatures Tuesday, according to Australia’s Bureau of Meterology (BOM). Sydney, the NSW capital, was expected to record its hottest September day ever Wednesday, with BOM forecasting a high of 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit). “The climate influences driving increased risk of bushfire this season are widespread,” said AFAC CEO Rob Webb. On Tuesday, BOM declared an El Niño weather event was underway, which typically results in a warmer, drier spring and summer and an increased risk for bushfires.

Persons: Miriam Bradbury, “, we’ve, ”, Rob Rogers, Rob Webb, climatologist Zhi, Weng Chua, BOM, Karl Braganza Organizations: CNN, Bureau, NSW, Fire Service, Facebook, ABC, Australasian Fire Authorities Council, ”, 9News Locations: New South Wales, Australia’s, Sydney, NSW, Queensland, Tasmania, Australia, Tennant, Northern Territory, New Zealand, ” Australia, El, BOM

☆ Australia: Surfing snake lands pet owner in trouble with wildlife officials
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-18 | by ( Rhea Mogul | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

She’s just cruising waiting for a wave … for the perfect wave,” he said. “The man was brought to our attention when he appeared in local media taking his python into the surf,” said senior wildlife officer Jonathan McDonald. “Snakes are obviously cold-blooded animals, and while they can swim, reptiles generally avoid water,” he said. The non-venomous species lives almost everywhere in Australia except Tasmania and mostly eats smaller animals such as rats, possums, birds and lizards. Fuiza previously told Nine News he believed Shiva enjoyed the water, saying she never hissed while surfing – something she does when annoyed.

Persons: Higor Fiuza, Shiva, Fiuza, “, ”, Jonathan McDonald, Fuiza Organizations: CNN, Nine, Queensland’s Department of Environment, Science, Nine News Locations: Queensland, Australia, Tasmania

☆ Brisbane International to return as Australian Open tune-up event
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Sept 15 (Reuters) - The Brisbane International will return to the calendar for the first time since 2020 as part of the build-up to next year's Australian Open, Tennis Australia said on Friday. It was dropped from the men's tour when the ATP Cup was introduced in 2019 and last contested as a women's event in 2020. The women's singles field has been expanded to 48 players, while the men's singles draw will feature 32. "The players love to come here, they love the atmosphere," Barty told Australian media. The Canberra International starts alongside the Brisbane event two days later, with tournaments in Adelaide and Hobart beginning on Jan. 8.

Persons: Roger Federer, Serena Williams, Andy Murray, Maria Sharapova, Ash Barty, Barty, Hritika Sharma, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Brisbane International, Tennis Australia, ATP, WTA, Queensland Tennis Centre, United, Canberra International, Hobart, Thomson Locations: Perth, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Hyderabad

☆ Australia Indigenous referendum set to fail as support dips, poll shows
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A Yes23 volunteer holds pamphlets while speaking with commuters about the upcoming Voice to Parliament referendum, in Melbourne, Australia August 30, 2023. Australians will vote in the referendum on Oct. 14, when they will be asked whether they support altering the constitution to set up an Indigenous committee to advise the federal parliament. The referendum requires a national majority of votes as well as a majority of votes in at least four of the six states in order to change the constitution. The survey, however, showed only the island state of Tasmania supported the Voice. The 'No' vote is strongest in Queensland and Western Australia with 61% set to reject the Voice.

Persons: James Ross, Anthony Albanese, Renju Jose, Lincoln Organizations: REUTERS Acquire, Rights, Voters, Sydney Morning Herald, Thomson Locations: Melbourne, Australia, Tasmania, New South Wales, Victoria, Australia's, Queensland, Western Australia, Sydney

☆ 'Tragic' crash injures 23 US Marines in Australia exercises
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-27 | by ( Samuel Mckeith | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SYDNEY, Aug 27 (Reuters) - Twenty-three U.S. Marines were injured during military exercises in northern Australia on Sunday, officials said, in a helicopter crash that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called "tragic". One marine was being operated on at Royal Darwin hospital and four others were at the hospital, said Northern Territory Chief Minister Natasha Fyles. Some people are critically injured," Fyles told the news conference, adding there was a "wide range" of injuries. Australian personnel were not involved in the crash that occurred during Exercise Predator's Run 2023, Albanese said. Four Australian soldiers were killed last month during large bilateral exercises when their helicopter crashed into the ocean off the coast of Queensland.

Persons: Anthony Albanese, Michael Murphy, Murphy, Natasha Fyles, Fyles, Albanese, Sam McKeith, William Mallard Organizations: SYDNEY, Marines, Northern Territory Police, Australian Defence Force, U.S . Marines, Royal Darwin, The U.S . Defense, Thomson Locations: Australia, Darwin, Northern, Western Australia, The, U.S, China, Queensland, Sydney, Bengaluru

☆ Australia to set up Pacific Championship in rugby league diplomacy play
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( Kirsty Needham | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SYDNEY, Aug 16 (Reuters) - Australia said it would commit A$7 million for a Pacific rugby league championship, in a "football diplomacy" move seen as boosting Australia's soft power amid competition for influence with China. Women's and men's teams from seven countries will compete in the Pacific Rugby League Championships, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Wednesday. About half of players in Australia's National Rugby League competition are of Pasifika heritage, said Pat Conroy, the minister for international development and the Pacific. The Australian government has funded a PNG team in the Queensland state rugby competition, and a Fijian team in the NSW state competition, he said. Albanese said that the Pacific Championship will showcase women's rugby league, and that the Matildas had shown how women's sport can inspire nations.

Persons: Anthony Albanese, " Albanese, Albanese, Pat Conroy, Conroy, Mary Fowler, Kirsty Needham, Gerry Doyle Organizations: SYDNEY, Pacific, Pacific Rugby League, Pacific Islands Forum, New, Australia's National Rugby League, rugby, Fijian, league, Thomson Locations: Australia, China, Cook Islands, Fiji, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga, New South Wales, Queensland, Pacific, NSW

☆ Tanya Lee Glover: Australian police identify woman whose body was found inside a wall in Brisbane
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( Kathleen Magramo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Tanya Lee Glover, born in 1971, was vision and hearing impaired, and would have been approximately 38 years old at the time of her death, Queensland Police said in a statement on Thursday. Her body was found partially buried and was tightly wrapped in clothing and bedding, police said at the time. Tanya Lee Glover's death was "concerning and peculiar," detective superintendent Andrew Massingham told reporters on August 10, 2023. A low resolution photograph of Glover released by police shows a smiling woman with shoulder length brunette hair and glasses. Detectives appealed for anyone who may have known Glover or had any interactions with her, particularly during 2006 to 2010, to contact authorities.

Persons: Tanya Lee Glover, Andrew Massingham, ” Massingham, Tanya Lee Glover's, Glover Organizations: CNN, Queensland Police, Queensland Police Service Locations: Alderley, Brisbane, Queensland, New South Wales, Fortitude

☆ Australia inquiry finds misconduct by prosecutor linked to parliament rape trial
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-07 | by ( Renju Jose | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Reuters does not usually identify victims of sex crimes but Higgins went public with the accusation. Prosecutors in December dropped charges against Lehrmann over fears the trial was harming Higgins' mental health. Lehrmann, who worked in the same office as Higgins, pleaded not guilty and maintained his innocence. The ACT government in December set up the inquiry to check the conduct of criminal justice agencies after allegations of political interference in the trial. Chief Minister Andrew Barr said his government would check if it was against the law that two journalists had received the inquiry report before it was made public.

Persons: Brittany Higgins, Linda Reynolds, Bruce Lehrmann, Higgins, Shane Drumgold, Walter Sofronoff, Drumgold, Andrew Barr, Barr, Renju Jose, Robert Birsel Organizations: SYDNEY, House, Reuters, Prosecutors, Australian Capital Territory, ACT, Public, Thomson Locations: Australian, House, Queensland, Sydney

☆ Six dead in 'tragic' house fire in Australia's Queensland
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

SYDNEY, Aug 6 (Reuters) - Five boys and their father were killed after fire ripped through a house in Australia's Queensland state early on Sunday, police said. These are young boys that could have become men into the future, and a man has lost his life as well," he said. Queensland Fire and Rescue said the house had collapsed due to the fire and some nearby residences were affected. Nine people were treated at the scene, with three taken to hospital, Queensland Ambulance Service said. Reporting by Sam McKeith in Sydney; Editing by Jonathan Oatis, David Gregorio and William MallardOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Mat Kelly, Kelly, Sam McKeith, Jonathan Oatis, David Gregorio, William Mallard Organizations: SYDNEY, Sunday, Queensland, Rescue, Queensland Ambulance Service, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Investigations, Thomson Locations: Australia's Queensland, Russell, Brisbane, Redland Bay, Queensland, Sydney

☆ Australian competition regulator rejects $3.2 bln ANZ-Suncorp Bank deal
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

REUTERS/Lucy CraymerAug 4 (Reuters) - Australia's competition regulator said on Friday it had denied authorisation for ANZ Group Holdings (ANZ.AX) to proceed with its proposed A$4.9 billion ($3.21 billion) acquisition of Suncorp Group's banking arm. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) said it was not satisfied that the acquisition would not lessen competition in the supply of home loans to Australian customers. "Evidence we obtained strongly indicates that the major banks consider the second-tier banks to be a competitive threat," ACCC Deputy Chair Mick Keogh said in a statement. Keogh said the proposed acquisition would further "entrench an oligopoly" structure, with the country's four major banks dominating. "We believe the acquisition will improve competition, which will benefit Australian consumers, particularly in Queensland," ANZ said in a statement, noting that the ACCC's decision can be reviewed by the independent Australian Competition Tribunal.

Persons: Lucy Craymer, Mick Keogh, Keogh, Himanshi, Shri Navaratnam, Subhranshu Organizations: ANZ Bank, REUTERS, ANZ Group Holdings, Suncorp, Australian Competition, Consumer Commission, ANZ, Australian Competition Tribunal, Thomson Locations: Lambton Quay, Wellington , New Zealand, Melbourne, Queensland, Bengaluru

REUTERS/David GrayLONDON, Aug 3 (Reuters) - Rio Tinto (RIO.L) is finding out just how hard it is to produce low-carbon aluminium. The company's biggest carbon headache is its aluminium business, which last year accounted for 21.1 million metric tons of carbon emissions out of a group total of 30.3 million metric tons. The pilot plant will produce around 6,000 metric tons of alumina per year while cutting carbon dioxide emissions by about 3,000 metric tons per year. Capacity at the low-carbon AP60 smelter, also in Quebec, will be expanded by 160,000 metric tons per year, with commissioning expected in 2026. Rio is investing heavily in recycled aluminium, which can be remelted using just 5% of the power needed to produce virgin metal.

Persons: David Gray, Rio, we're, Jakob Stausholm, Peter Cunningham, Jan Harvey Organizations: Rio Tinto, REUTERS, David Gray LONDON, Queensland Aluminium, Japan's Sumitomo Corp, International Aluminium Institute, Alcoa, Giampaolo, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Rio, Gove, Darwin, Australia's Northern, Pacific, Queensland, Australia, Portland, U.S, Canada, Quebec, North

☆ Australia's Great Barrier Reef stays off UNESCO danger list, still under 'serious threat'
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] A colony of mushroom leather coral grows on the Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Cairns, Australia October 25, 2019. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson/File PhotoSYDNEY, Aug 1 (Reuters) - A UNESCO heritage committee on Tuesday stopped short of listing Australia's Great Barrier Reef as a site that is "in danger" but warned the world's biggest coral reef ecosystem remained under "serious threat" from pollution and the warming of oceans. The UN panel has asked the government to submit a progress report by February 2024. The World Wide Fund for Nature-Australia said UNESCO could place the reef on the endangered list if the government failed to demonstrate progress on existing commitments. "There's an opportunity for Australia to lift its game before it is required to provide a progress report ... next year."

Persons: Lucas Jackson, Anthony Albanese, Richard Leck, Renju Jose, Lincoln Organizations: REUTERS, UNESCO, United Nations Educational, Cultural Organization, Labor, UN, Fund, Nature, Australia, Thomson Locations: Cairns, Australia, Queensland, Sydney

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