Page 55 - Australia

Australia November retail sales boom in timely boost to economy

It blew away expectations of a 3.9% gain and left sales 5.8% up on November last year at a record A$33.41 billion ($24.00 billion), a major boost to economic growth in the quarter.

'Damaging on all fronts': ATP on tennis star Novak Djokovic's visa battle

The ATP on Monday termed the saga surrounding World number one men's singles player Novak Djokovic as "damaging on all fronts".Djokovic won his legal appeal on procedural grounds, quashing the border officer's initial decision to cancel his visa ahead of the Australian Open.The ATP said the series of events leading to Monday's court hearing might affect Djokovic's well-being and preparation for the Australian Open."The ATP fully respects the sacrifices the people of Australia have made since the onset of COVID-19 and the stringent immigration policies that have been put in place. Complications in recent days related to player entry into Australia have however highlighted the need for clearer understanding, communication and application of the rules," the statement by ATP read."In travelling to Melbourne, it's clear Novak Djokovic believed he had been granted a necessary medical exemption in order to comply with entry regulations. The series of events leading to Monday's court hearing .

Australian shares end lower over Omicron surge worries, tech slide

Total infections in Australia continued to surge, with over half a million cases reported over the last week, straining the country's healthcare infrastructure and supply chains

Djokovic hearing set for Monday as Oz court rejects bid for delay

The vaccine-skeptical world No. 1 has been confined to a hotel used to detain refugees and asylum seekers

Australia's New South Wales sees deadliest day of Covid-19 pandemic

Australia's New South Wales state reported 16 deaths on Sunday in its deadliest day of the pandemic

Bopanna-Ramkumar pair cruise to final at Adelaide International

The Indians will now lock horns with top seeds Ivan Dodig of Croatia and Brazilian Marcelo Melo in the summit clash of the of the ATP 250 event

Australia's James Hardie fires CEO for breaching code of conduct

The move, which comes against the backdrop of a boom in James Hardie's biz in recent years following strong demand for its fibre cement products in the United States, sent its shares nearly 11% lower.

Wesfarmers to buy Australia's API for $547 mn after Woolworths backs out

The news sent API's shares tumbling 12.7% to A$1.51 in early trade, as Wesfarmers' A$1.55 per share offer was 20 cents a share lower than Woolworths' proposal.

Australia, Japan sign landmark defense pact as China concerns loom

The leaders of Japan and Australia signed a landmark defense agreement Thursday that allows closer cooperation between their militaries

Djokovic set to miss Australian Open after entry denied over Covid policy

The top-ranked Djokovic flew in after receiving a medical exemption from the strict vaccination requirements in place for the Australian Open, where he is a nine-time winner

Novak Djokovic medical exemption sparks Australian Open debate

The exemption allows the top-ranked Djokovic entry to the tournament regardless of his vaccination status

Australia's caseload crosses 500,000 amid Covid-19 resurgence

In the last 24 hours,the country reported more than 47,000 cases and four fatalities

Multiple coronavirus outbreaks hit Australian domestic leagues

Multiple COVID-19 outbreaks inside bio-bubbles on Tuesday have hit the Australian domestic league hard as cricket in the country continued to grapple with the virus

Australia regulator to review price hike in Covid-19 antigen tests

Australia's antitrust regulator said it has contacted suppliers of Covid-19 rapid antigen test kits to examine pricing pressures in the market

Australia's Covid-19 cases, hospitalisations surge to record levels

New virus cases in Australia surged to record levels on Tuesday, increasing the strain on hospitals and testing centres across the country. In New South Wales, Australia's most-populous state, 23,131 new cases were reported, an increase on the record of 22,577 cases on New Year's Day. There were 1,344 people in hospitals, up 140 on the previous day and 78 more than the record previously set in late September. The new cases were detected from 83,376 tests, a positivity rate of 28%. Victoria state reported 14,020 cases on Tuesday, eclipsing the record of 8,577 set on Monday. There were 516 people in hospitals, including 108 in intensive care. The new numbers mean Australia has passed the grim milestone of 500,000 COVID-19 cases. New South Wales Chief Medical Officer Kerry Chant on Monday urged people not to seek hospital treatment unless absolutely necessary. It is important that we all play our part in not placing unnecessary burden on the health system, she said. Prime Minister S

PM Scott Morrison upbeat amid Australia's record coronavirus surge

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Monday said his country's health system can cope with the new wave of coronavirus infections as Victoria state reported a record number of new cases

Ashes: England in big trouble in third test amid virus scare

On an extraordinary of cricket both on and off the field, England faced an uphill battle to save the third test against Australia and with it the Ashes. Before play even began Monday. Cricket Australia called for calm after a COVID-19 scare involving two members of England's support staff resulted in a delay to the start of the second day of play at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Australia was bowled out for 267 as the home side grabbed a first-innings advantage of 82 runs, before England reached 31-4 in its second innings at stumps Monday. England seamer James Anderson gave a masterful display, claiming the key wickets of Marcus Harris (76) and Steve Smith (16) in his tally of 4-33 off 23 overs. But England's batters were soon under attack again. Mitchell Starc (2-11) dismissed Zak Crawley, caught behind for 5, and Dawid Malan, leg before without scoring, in consecutive deliveries in the fifth over. Debutant Scott Boland (2-1) delighted his home crowd of 42,626 roaring fans by ...

Australia to push ahead with reopening amid record Covid-19 cases

Record daily case numbers were reported on Monday in the states of Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and Tasmania, as well as the Australian Capital Territory

Sydney kicks off 2022 in vintage style as South Africa offers Omicron hope

Fireworks cancelled in London, Paris, Kuala Lumpur; South Africa lifts curfew, announces Omicron wave has passed

AUKUS supplants Quad's geo-strategic ante, shaping strategic affairs

The newly formed strategic alliance involving Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States will form a pivotal role in shaping the strategic affairs of the international system.