Month: November 2020

When Alec and Margaret Vella received the final bill of $ 87,000 for their visa application last month, it seemed like their wait to become permanent residents was almost over.The elderly South African couple, aged 78 and 72, had applied for one of Australia's most expensive visas in 2016: the contributory parent visa.The visa would allow them to spend their last years in Perth with their four children and eight grandchildren.Despite the staggering price tag of $ 46,300 each, Mr. and Mrs. Vella applied for the type of visa specifically because it had a relatively short wait time, their son Daniel Vella told nine.com.au."They were desperate to get out and be with their family. They told us at the time it would be about 18 months, but it has been dragging on and now it has been more than ...

The first flight from Sydney to Brisbane has arrived in Queensland this morning when the border finally reopens.Masked passengers disembarking from the plane were greeted with cheers by airport staff in Brisbane, and many travelers were eager to see family or return to work.Passengers arriving from Sydney to Brisbane this morning have spoken of their joy at being back in Queensland. (Nine news)The first flight from Sydney to Brisbane arrived at 6am local time, with passengers in Queensland for work and to see family and friends. (Nine news)A female passenger told Today's Aislin Kriukelis that she was there to see the family and surprise her parents.He hadn't seen his parents since the beginning of the year."Very excited. Yes, it has taken a long time to arrive. I am very happy."While an...

Immortal Fenyx Rising is desperately fighting for attention in a vacation season of new games and next-generation consoles. Nine.com.au caught up with the game's narrative director, Jeffrey Yohalem, whose team has been busy cheering on the game from home. Immortals Fenyx Rising is an epic adventure tale in which Fenyx faces gods and monsters. (Ubisoft)Jeffrey, thank you very much for your time. First of all, how are you doing on the other side of the world?I think we're holding on. THE (The Angels) is getting a little risky with cases going off, but I'm safe here at home. Working from home when you have an AAA degree that comes out in just a couple of days is crazy, but you've managed to do it. For people who may not be familiar with Immortal Fenyx RisingCan you give us a quick...

Moderna Inc. said it would ask US and European regulators on Monday to allow emergency use of its COVID-19 the vaccine, as the results of a new study confirm that vaccines offer strong protection, increasing the race to start limited vaccines as the coronavirus rampage worsens.Multiple candidate vaccines It must be successful for the world to end the pandemic, which has been on the rise in the United States and Europe. US hospitals have been stretched to the limit, as the nation has seen more than 160,000 new cases a day and more than 1,400 deaths daily. Since it first appeared nearly a year ago in China, the virus has killed more than 1.4 million people worldwide.Moderna is right behind Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech in the quest to start vaccines in the US in Decemb...

Police are cracking down on the Hells Angels motorcycle gang, banning some members from bars and clubs in Western Australia for 12 months.Closed circuit television from inside the venue shows Hells Angels Sergeant-at-Arms Dayne Brajkovich and former rebel president Mr. Martin in a violent confrontation. One man was charged and another taken to hospital after two cyclists got into a fight in a Scarborough bar. (9News)The interaction starts out as what appears to be a friendly handshake, but quickly turns sour. The pair knock down furniture and spectators fight as Brajkovich throws one blow after another.Martin eventually returns to his feet, but was taken to the Royal Perth Hospital by ambulance.Mr. Brajkovich, a former muay thai boxer, was charged by the National Anti-Gang Squad with "f...

South Australia is rolling out a list of changes to COVID-19 restrictions starting at midnight, after the state recorded zero new cases today.Starting from the first minute of tomorrow, the border with Victoria will finally be reopened, allowing travel between the two states.Victorians entering South Australia will still need to complete an online permission form.The Victorian border of South Australia will reopen from midnight. (9News)The masks will also be mandatory for people in allied medical and residential care, and the state will implement its mandatory QR code registration system for businesses and venues.But also, stand-up drinking will return to pubs and weddings, while customer limits in companies will be removed.Up to 150 people will be allowed at private functions and fu...

The arrival of more than 60 international students to Darwin, as part of a pilot education program, has drawn criticism that thousands of Australians are being neglected abroad.Independent Senator from Tasmania Jacqui lambie he criticized the show, describing it as "disgusting" that 36,000 Australians still don't know if they will make it home by Christmas."What I support is having our own homecoming first, before taking any student anywhere, that would be the right thing to do in Australia," he told the media today.International students are landing again at Darwin airport. (Glenn Campbell)"I don't think we put international students before our own people here in the country."I find it quite disgusting."The students landed on a charter flight from Singapore in Darwin this morning an...

The return to the NRL of Dragons player Jack De Belin is on hold after a jury failed to reach a verdict in his rape trial.After two days of deliberation, the jury told the court that "the division ... has remained constant and is unlikely to change" before they were sent home.Outside of court, De Belin's attorney said, "of course he's disappointed."Jack de Belin arrives at the Wollongong court today. (Kate Geraghty)Callan Sinclair's legal team said they were more determined than ever to beat the charges.Steps are now being taken to set a date for a new trial, possibly at a different location, with no date available in Wollongong until August 2021, although the DPP has yet to confirm that they will go ahead.Almost two years ago, De Belin and Sinclair ran into the then 19-year-old woman ...

The Iranian nuclear scientist killed east of Tehran on Friday was shot by a remote-controlled machine gun operating from another car, the semi-official Fars news agency said yesterday.With senior Iranian officials blaming Israel, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and others have vowed revenge for the murder of Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, who was the country's top nuclear scientist.There were conflicting accounts from Iranian news agencies about how the attack unfolded.In this image published by the official website of the office of the Iranian Supreme Leader, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh is in a meeting with the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in Tehran, Iran, on January 23, 2019. (AP)A report published yesterday by Fars News said that Mr. Fakhrizadeh was traveling with his wife on Fri...

Framed by the backdrop of four rolled up Australian flags, Prime Minister Scott Morrison sat with a stony-faced gaze.Morrison called the violent image "disgusting" and demanded an apology from China and its removal from both Zhao's account and Twitter entirely.With a single post, tensions between the two nations really spilled over with the pot almost burned.China Tweets Australian Army (Twitter)What caused such a reaction?Political ties between Australia and China have been strained for many years, some claiming the relationship soured in 2018 when Australia banned Huawei from its fledgling 5G broadband network.These tensions were said to have been intensified by Australia's concern over China's attempts to secure greater influence in the Pacific.It was in late April this year that Aus...