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The MV Portland Bay and its 21 crew was towed into Port Botany in the city's south by tugboats on Wednesday afternoon. (Bloomberg) -- A bulk carrier that's been stranded off the coast of Sydney for three days in ferocious weather has reached port as wild conditions that caused widespread flooding eased. [Extracted from the article]

The MV Portland Bay, which has been without power since early Monday,has been off the coast of New South Wales state since leaving PortKembla, as Australia's east coast has been lashed by days of strongwinds and rain. (Bloomberg) -- Twenty-one crew members remain aboard a bulk carrierwhich lost power in turbulent waters near Sydney, after overnight rescueattempts failed. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- Twenty-one crew members remain aboard a bulk carrierwhich lost power in turbulent waters near Sydney, after overnight rescueattempts failed. The MV Portland Bay, which has been without power since early Monday,has been off the coast of New South Wales state since leaving PortKembla, as Australia's east coast has been lashed by days of strongwinds and rain. [Extracted from the article]

The pay problem is accentuated by the fact that in every age group, no more than 50% of women were in full-time work in 2021, yet more than 90% of managers are working full-time. These include gender-neutral parental leave policies, childcare subsidies support, and flexible work policies. Economic opportunity for women is one of the big issues facing Australia's newly elected Labor government, with the country home to one of the world's biggest gender pay gaps. [Extracted from the article]

Between interruptions to his speech on Friday, Xiao said that the ministerial talks between China and Australia were "very significant" following the difficult period in relations. (Bloomberg) -- China's chief envoy to Australia was heckled by several protesters in Sydney on Friday as he delivered a speech that attempted to go some way toward repairing relations between the trading partners. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- Australia's new government wants to hold areferendum to enshrine a First Nations voice in itsconstitution within three years, as it seeks to narrowthe deep crevice that exists between Indigenous peopleand the rest of the country's population. Enacting the Uluru Statement from the Heart, a petitionwith roots spanning back 85 years and named after thesacred sandstone monolith formerly known as Ayers Rock,first requires building consensus on the issue inparliament and in the community, she said in an interviewwith Bloomberg Television. Despite the gains, the country still lags othernations including Canada and New Zealand in terms ofFirst Nations lawmakers. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- A Chinese surveillance ship has been tracking Australia's western coastline for the past week, Defence Minister Peter Dutton said Friday. Read: Solomons, China Dominate Australia Defense Debate Ahead of Polls Last November, when a Chinese surveillance ship was spotted off the Australian coast, Prime Minister Scott Morrison told reporters: "They have every right to be there, under international maritime law, just like we have every right to be in the South China Sea.". [Extracted from the article]

Read: Solomons, China Dominate Australia Defense Debate Ahead of Polls The ship is a Dongdiao Class Auxiliary Intelligence ship named Haiwangxing, the Department of Defence said in a statement. (Bloomberg) -- A Chinese surveillance ship has been tracking Australia's western coastline for the past week, Defence Minister Peter Dutton said Friday. [Extracted from the article]

PM Scott Morrison, meanwhile, vowed to limit the nation's tax income should his party win re-election. Inflation Watch: Australia's inflation data is out tomorrow, with the core gauge expected to breach the upper end of the Reserve Bank's 2% to 3% target for the first time since 2010. Dollar Gains: The inflation data could also mean the Aussie dollar springs back from four weeks of losses, economists reckon. [Extracted from the article]

We're now the exclusive barley supplier to Saudi Arabia, the USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service said in a report, when Ukraine and Russia had been supplying 13% apiece. Vladimir Putin declared that Russia had seized Ukraine's Mariupol even as his defense minister said more than 2,000 opposing troops remain holed up in an industrial complex. Traders are bracing for the possibility of more aggressive policy tightening by the Federal Reserve. [Extracted from the article]

Australia's two most-populous states will scrap isolation periods for close contacts of Covid-19 cases on Friday, as the highly vaccinated country lives with the virus in the community. In New South Wales state, from 6pm Friday close contacts will have to do daily rapid antigen tests before coming into contact with people outside their household and wear a mask in indoor settings outside their home. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison is traveling to the national capital, Canberra, on Sunday morning to call a federal election, according to local media reports. He's expected to leave Sydney after 9 a.m. local time, then will visit the country's Governor-General David Hurley to tell him he plans to call the national poll, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- Australian world tennis number one Ashleigh Barty has announced her retirement from the sport at age 25. "Today is difficult and filled with emotion for me as I announce my retirement from tennis", an emotional Barty said in the post. [Extracted from the article]

"The reopening of WA's border is likely to unlock a recovery of inbound interstate migration, and just in time", said Bloomberg Economics's economist James McIntyre. Labor Shortage Western Australia's closure sparked an acute labor shortage in the state, where the unemployment rate tumbled to 3.7% in January. "The border reopening will definitely help in easing some of the labor shortages.", said Diana Mousina, senior economist at AMP Capital Markets. [Extracted from the article]

Keywords: ALLTOP; BUSINESS; CORONAVIR; COS; DRG; HEA; INDUSTRIES; WORLD EN ALLTOP BUSINESS CORONAVIR COS DRG HEA INDUSTRIES WORLD More than 14 million people living in Australia's two biggest states will soon be able to sing and dance at nightclubs and other venues, after New South Wales and Victoria states announced a further easing of restrictions as Covid-19 hospitalizations and ICU admissions continue to decline. R7FF9XT0AFB5 (Bloomberg) -- More than 14 million people living in Australia's two biggest states will soon be able to sing and dance at nightclubs and other venues, after New South Wales and Victoria states announced a further easing of restrictions as Covid-19 hospitalizations and ICU admissions continue to decline. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- Australia will allow double-vaccinated visa holders to enter the country from Feb. 21, ending around two years of strict international border controls introduced to stem the spread of Covid-19. The news will be welcomed by Australia's billion-dollar tourism industry, which saw jobs tumble by almost 12% in the year to September as the country's lengthy border closure devastated the sector. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- Australia will allow double-vaccinated visa holders to enter the country from Feb. 21, ending around two years of strict international border controls introduced to stem the spread of Covid-19. Story Link: Australia to Reopen for Vaccinated Visa Holders From Feb. 21 ©2022 Bloomberg L.P. [Extracted from the article]

Keywords: ALLTOP; ASIA; AU; CORONAVIR; GEN; GENTOP; TOP; WORLD; WWTOP; WWTOPAS EN ALLTOP ASIA AU CORONAVIR GEN GENTOP TOP WORLD WWTOP WWTOPAS Covid-19 hospital admissions have eased for two days straight in Australia's most-populous state, New South Wales, the first time that's happened in more than a month. R6153ET1UM0X (Bloomberg) -- Covid-19 hospital admissions have eased for two days straight in Australia's most-populous state, New South Wales, the first time that's happened in more than a month. [Extracted from the article]

Omicron represents about 90% of cases in New South Wales state, Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant told reporters Wednesday, the remainder being delta variant. (Bloomberg) -- Australia's Covid case numbers continue to surge but deaths and hospitalization rates are gaining much more slowly than overall infections, as omicron becomes the dominant variant. [Extracted from the article]

The mostpopulous state also reported its first known death fromthe omicron variant -- a man in his 80s with underlyinghealth issues who had received two doses of vaccine andbecame infected in his nursing home. (Bloomberg) -- Australia reported more than 10,000 dailyCovid-19 cases for the first time since the start of thepandemic amid the rapid spread of the omicron strain. [Extracted from the article]

Heard and Depp later recorded a video expressing remorse for their actions and noting the importance of Australian biosecurity laws. (Bloomberg) -- Actress Amber Heard has named her new dog after Australia's outspoken Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce, following a battle with the politician over pet quarantine during a visit to the country in 2015. [Extracted from the article]

Keywords: ALLTOP; ASIA; BUSINESS; CORONAVIR; COS; DRG; GENTOP; HEA; INDUSTRIES; WORLD; WWTOP; WWTOPAS EN ALLTOP ASIA BUSINESS CORONAVIR COS DRG GENTOP HEA INDUSTRIES WORLD WWTOP WWTOPAS Existing Covid-19 vaccines are effective at preventing serious illness from the omicron variant, but they're not as good as with other strains in preventing transmission and mild illness, Australia's Chief Health Officer Paul Kelly said at a briefing Friday. R48PR6DWLU6H (Bloomberg) -- Existing Covid-19 vaccines are effective at preventing serious illness from the omicron variant, but they're not as good as with other strains in preventing transmission and mild illness, Australia's Chief Health Officer Paul Kelly said at a briefing Friday. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- Australia's most-populous state reported a daily record of 1,742 Covid-19 cases Thursday, as the government loosens long-running restrictions ahead of the summer holiday period. NSW Health has urged people in the Newcastle area to cancel holiday parties in light of the surge in cases. [Extracted from the article]

Keywords: ALLTOP; ASIA; AU; BUSINESS; COS; DRG; HEA; INDUSTRIES; TOP; WORLD EN ALLTOP ASIA AU BUSINESS COS DRG HEA INDUSTRIES TOP WORLD (Bloomberg) -- One of the world's final Covid-zero strongholds is to reopen -- almost two years after slamming its borders shut. ALLTOP, ASIA, AU, BUSINESS, COS, DRG, HEA, INDUSTRIES, TOP, WORLD While other Australian states have gradually reopened as vaccination rates have risen, McGowan held strong and the state's residents were able to live almost restriction-free lives within its borders. [Extracted from the article]

Two other students who have early indications of an omicron infection are also being tested, Hazzard said at a briefing. (Bloomberg) -- Australia's New South Wales state is investigating whether its ninth case of the omicron variant was caused by community transmission, Health Minister Brad Hazzard said Friday. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- White supremacist groups including some in the U.S. are spreading vaccine misinformation online among Indigenous communities in remote parts of Western Australia in order to create fear of inoculation and cause harm, state premier Mark McGowan said. The star of that campaign, Indigenous entertainer Ernie Dingo, and his family received death threats from anti-vaccination campaigners after he participated in the inoculation push, the Sydney Morning Herald reported. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- There is no indication that the omicron variant of Covid-19 is more deadly than other strains, Australia's Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly said in a recorded message Thursday. Australia has recorded seven cases of the omicron variant, with two of the infected individuals spending time in the community. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- Many of the hundreds of omicron infections appearing around the world are in inoculated individuals, Australia's Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly said in a recorded message Thursday. Australia has recorded seven cases of the omicron variant, Kelly said, with two of the infected individuals spending time in the community. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- Australia is better prepared than most other countries to face the latest Covid-19 variant of concern thanks to the recent success of its vaccination program, Health Minister Greg Hunt said. There is also no evidence that existing Covid-19 vaccines are less effective against the omicron variant than other variants, Kelly said. Australia's National Security Committee will meet today to review evidence and consider actions surrounding the omicron variant and a National Cabinet meeting will be held in the next 48 hours, Hunt said. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- Australia is better prepared than most other countries to face the latest Covid-19 variant of concern, Health Minister Greg Hunt said. Australia's National Security Committee will meet today to review evidence and consider actions surrounding the omicron variant and a National Cabinet meeting will be held in the next 48 hours, Hunt said. There is also no evidence that existing Covid-19 vaccines are less effective against the omicron variant than other variants, Kelly said. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- The wild storms and heavy rains now lashing Australia's eastern seaboard are likely to be followed by another wave of severe wildfires late next year, according to researchers at the government's peak science body. The Bureau of Meteorology this week declared a La Nina had developed in the tropical Pacific, which typically means above-average rainfall for eastern, northern and central parts of Australia. [Extracted from the article]

A woman from Victoria state who was living at the hostel tested positive, the ABC reported. A backpackers' hostel in Australia's popular beach town of Byron Bay has been locked down after a positive Covid-19 case, just days before the area is expecting thousands of school graduates to arrive for year-end celebrations. Byron Shire's vaccination rate has lagged behind that of the broader state, sparking fears there could be an outbreak in the area as New South Wales reopens following months of travel restrictions. [Extracted from the article]

Still, officials in the Northern Territory are grappling with how to reopen to the rest of the country; only 59% of people aged 16 or over living in remote communities are fully vaccinated, health data show, compared with an 81% inoculation rate for all areas. (Bloomberg) -- Australia's government has banned travel to or from a remote region of the Northern Territory in a bid to help curb the spread of a Covid-19 outbreak among First Nations people in the area. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- Australia's government has banned travel to or from a remote region of the Northern Territory in a bid to help curb the spread of a Covid-19 outbreak among First Nations people in the area. Still, officials in the Northern Territory are grappling with how to reopen to the rest of the country; only 59% of people aged 16 or over living in remote communities are fully vaccinated, health data show, compared with an 81% inoculation rate for all areas. High inoculation rates in major cities have allowed Sydney and Melbourne to remove restrictions and learn to live with the virus. [Extracted from the article]

"New Zealand's enhanced contribution to the global effort to fight climate change now represents our fair share, and is in line with what's needed if we are to avoid the worst impacts of global warming on New Zealand", Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said in a joint statement with Climate Change Minister James Shaw. (Bloomberg) -- New Zealand has pledged to cut its net greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030, on the eve of COP26 talks in Glasgow. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- Australia has further loosened its tight border controls, with fully vaccinated tourists arriving from New Zealand permitted to fly there without quarantining starting from late Sunday evening. Easing restrictions for one of its closest neighbors is expected be a major boost for Australia's tourism sector after strict travel bans were introduced 19 months ago to stem the spread of Covid-19. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- Australia will now recognize people who have had a mix ofrecognized Covid-19 vaccinations as fully inoculated, according toupdated advice on the Department of Home Affairs website. "Australia considers you to be fully vaccinated if you have completed acourse of a Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approved orrecognized vaccine", according to an update on the department's website.". [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- After being cut off from the rest of the world since March 2020, from Monday millions of Australians living on the country's east coast will finally be allowed to travel as far as London and New York. Most vaccinated residents of the two most populous states, New South Wales and Victoria, will be able to fly out of the country for the first time since the government barred Australians from leaving at the onset of the pandemic. [Extracted from the article]

Morrison confirmed Tuesday that Australia will aim tozero out its emissions by 2050, becoming one of the lastmajor economies to set a goal to do so, though ruled outchanges to targets set for the end of this decade. (Bloomberg) -- Australia's new emissions reduction targetlacks ambition and could even make it harder to persuadedeveloping nations to accelerate climate action,according to former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. [Extracted from the article]

Morrison said the changes toborder restrictions were a demonstration of how highvaccination rates would allow "Australians to startreclaiming so many of the things that have been takenfrom them throughout this pandemic". (Bloomberg) -- Australia's protracted border ban looksset to remain in place for overseas tourists,international students and working visa holders, despitethe leader of its most- populous state announcing travelrestrictions would be lifted for vaccinated travelersfrom next month. [Extracted from the article]