Australians caught on live export ship missing after typhoon in Japan

The Japanese coastguard believes the vessel may have sunk, and has launched a massive search for Gulf Livestock 1, which was carrying 5800 cattle.

The cargo ship went missing after sending a distress signal during Typhoon Maysak while in the East China Sea. The live export ship was in waters west of Amami Oshima Island in south west Japan, according to a report from Japan’s public broadcaster NHK.

The ship was en route to China after departing from Napier in New Zealand last month and was due to arrive in China on today when it hit rough weather and allegedly capsized after a freak wave.

The Japanese coast guard has spent the day conducting a large air and sea search for the vessel or any crew members but so far to no avail.

Late last night, authorities were able to rescue one crew member who shared harrowing details of the moment the ship capsized.

Queensland vet Lukas Orda, who is married with a six-month-old son, has been named by local media as one of the two Australians on board the missing cargo ship.

Mr Orda studied at James Cook University and worked at the Gold Coast Equine Clinic before joining the cattle export ship as a veterinary officer in June.

The vet’s heartbreaking last Facebook post was on June 24, revealing his excitement at the journey ahead.

“And the first 20 day stretch of my trip starts.....” Mr Orda wrote.

It was accompanied by a map showing he was travelling to Yantai, China from Port of Portland in Victoria.

The livestock carrier, which left New Zealand for China on August 14, was expected to arrive in the Chinese port city of Tangshan about 17 days later, New Zealand’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Lukas Orda has been named as one of those on board the ship.

Lukas Orda.

Australian Livestock Exporters’ Council (ALEC) says it understands the other Australian on-board is a stock handler.

Chief executive Mark Harvey-Sutton told ABC radio they’re waiting “anxiously” for news.

“It is a very close-knit community the live stock industry both here (Australia) and in New Zealand, so everyone is very concerned about the situation and we’re just hoping for the best,” he said.

Lukas’ last Facebook post reveals he was travelling from Port of Portland in Victoria to Yantai, China on June 24. Picture: Facebook

He told Seven News on Thursday, that what we’re seeing is a “tragedy unfolding” and while they’re holding onto hope, “as time passes that hope decreases”.

Mr Harvey-Sutton said it is common for Australians involved in the live stock industry to supply their trades globally.

“It’s a valued skillet and Australians are very good at it, so it’s not uncommon for Australians to be on livestock vessels around the world at any one time.”

He said their jobs are to look after the animals both from a veterinary perspective and general stock handling point of view.

ONE CREW MEMBER RESCUED

One crew member has since been rescued by the Japanese Coast Guard, however the welfare of the rest of those on-board remains unknown, according to a report from RNZ.

The rescued man, identified as Sareno Edvardo, 45, of the Philippines, was hospitalised on the Japanese island of Amami Oshima, The New York Times reports.

Images of his rescue released by the Coast Guard shows Mr Edvardo bobbing in dark waters.

He told rescuers the ship had suffered engine failure during the typhoon, before it capsized after being hit by a freak wave.

“When it was capsizing, an on-board announcement instructed us to wear a life jacket,” Mr. Edvardo said, according to the Coast Guard. “So I wore a life jacket and jumped into the sea.”

A crew member being rescued. Picture: Reuters

He was on-board a live export ship which is missing after a typhoon hit waters south west of Japan. Picture: Reuters

Japan’s coast guard dispatched planes and rescue boats to hunt for the ship when they found the sole survivor late Wednesday.

He was quickly brought to a large vessel, where coast guard personnel with surgical masks and gloves wrapped him with blankets, AFP reports.

“Water,” said the man. “Thank you, thank you very much.” “I am the only one? No other one?” he asked.

Yuichiro Higashi, a spokesman for the Coast Guard, said on Thursday that patrol ships were continuing to search for other crew members.

A spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) told news.com.au they were in contact with the families of the Australian crew members on board.

“The Australian Government is providing consular assistance to the families of two Australian crew members on board a cargo vessel reported missing in Japanese waters,” DFAT said in a statement.

“Owing to our privacy obligations we are unable to provide further comment.”

Friends of Mr Orda have since taken to his Facebook page, leaving messages of support for his family, and sending prayers that he is found safe.

“If only we could turn back time and stop you from getting on that boat,” one friend wrote.

“Prayers you are found safe Lucas. The whole of the Gold Coast is praying for you tonight,” another person wrote.

On board the missing vessel are also two New Zealanders, as well as a crew including 39 people from the Philippines and one person from Singapore according to The New Zealand Herald, as well asabout 5800 head of cattle.

RELATED: ‘Stay indoors’: Warning for 100km/h winds

The Gulf Livestock 1 is missing in waters south west of Japan. Picture: Vesselfinder.com

Millions of cattle and sheep are transported by sea every year, a trade that generates hefty profits for meat producers in countries like Australia and New Zealand, The New York Times reports, adding that animal rights advocates say that such journeys are often too long, regulations are not up to scratch and the rules are often flouted.

Gulf Livestock 1 was built in 2002 with its home port in Panama. The 456-foot ship’s registered owner is Rahmeh Compania Naviera SA, a company based in Amman, Jordan, Reuters reported.

SHIP PROBLEMS

This is not the first time the ship has run into problems.

In May 2019, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority identified stability and navigation issues in the Gulf Livestock 1, delaying its departure on a journey from Broome to Indonesia.

However, according to an independent report on the Department of Agriculture’s website, the ship safely completed the journey.

“The observer noted this was a successful voyage where the stockpersons and crew were professional and caring throughout the voyage. The welfare of the cattle was observed to be paramount to all stockpersons, crew and officers,” the report’s conclusion read, adding it was compliant with ASEL requirements.

Livestock carrier goes missing in the East China SeaThe GULF LIVESTOCK 1 has disappeared, probably hit by high waves & strong winds caused by typhoon #MAYSAK, our data shows. The search for the livestock carrier in load began as concern for the safety of 43 crew onboard rises pic.twitter.com/6H3yGOkUqr— MarineTraffic (@MarineTraffic) September 2, 2020

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Top doc’s wild coronavirus sex advice

Social distancing, mask wearing and good hand hygiene have been the top three measures adopted by all countries but the latest bit of advice from Canada’s chief public health officer is a little different.

Doctor Theresa Tam, the country’s chief public health officer, issued a statement earlier this week, urging couples to wear masks during sex to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus.

“Sex can be complicated in the time of COVID-19, especially for those without an intimate partner in their household or whose sexual partner is at higher risk for COVID-19,” Dr Tam said in a statement.

“The lowest risk sexual activity during COVID-19 involves yourself alone.”

Theresa Tam, Canada's chief public health officer. Picture: David Kawai/Bloomberg via Getty Images

But those having sex with a partner who is at risk or from outside their household should be “skipping kissing and avoiding face-to-face contact or closeness (and) consider using a mask that covers the nose and mouth,” Dr Tam added.

Dr Tam also recommended Canadians should limit their consumption of alcohol and other substances “so you and your partner(s) are able to make safe decisions”.

Couples should also practice the usual safe sex methods, including condom use, to reduce other risks.

“Current evidence indicates there is a very low likelihood of contracting the novel coronavirus through semen or vaginal fluids. However, even if the people involved do not have symptoms, sexual activity with new partners does increase your risk of getting or passing COVID-19 through close contact, like kissing,” Dr Tam said.

“Remember as with all social interactions, try to keep your number of close contacts low if possible.

“By taking these precautions and staying conscious of the risks we assume, Canadians can find ways to enjoy physical intimacy while safeguarding the progress we have all made containing COVID-19.”

2/5 When deciding to have sex with a new partner(s) during #COVID19, regardless of their sex or gender, remember to consider personal and public health risks. Key to this is establishing a trusting relationship with your sexual partner.— Dr. Theresa Tam (@CPHO_Canada) September 2, 2020

There has been more than 130,000 cases of coronavirus in Canada since the pandemic hit this year with the country averaging around 490 new cases each day.

Canada has also lost 9171 people to the virus however almost 90 per cent of the country’s coronavirus cases have now recovered.

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Bombshell story claims Trump called fallen soldiers ‘losers’

The trip we’re talking about here marked the 100th anniversary of the Armistice that ended World War I.

While he was staying in Paris, Mr Trump famously cancelled a planned visit to the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery – where he had been scheduled to lay a wreath and observe a moment of silence – because of weather conditions.

The cemetery stands at the site of the Battle of Belleau Wood, where more than 1800 US marines died stopping a German push towards Paris in 1918.

RELATED: Trump defends decision to cancel cemetery visit

Today The Atlantic published a story detailing a number of comments Mr Trump allegedly made behind the scenes. One of those remarks came during a conversation with his senior staff on the morning of the scheduled visit to Aisne-Marne Cemetery.

“Why should I go to that cemetery? It’s filled with losers,” the US President reportedly said.

During a different conversation on the same trip, Mr Trump reportedly referred to the fallen marines from Belleau Wood as “suckers”.

The story includes other remarks from the President, which we’ll get to in a moment, but first let’s be clear about where the information is coming from.

The Atlantic’s editor-in-chief, Jeffrey Goldberg, cites four anonymous sources “with first-hand knowledge” of Mr Trump’s remarks.

Shortly after the story was published, AP investigative reporter James LaPorta, a former marine infantryman, said he had confirmed Goldberg’s story “in its entirety” with an anonymous “senior Defence Department” official.

A senior Defense Department official I just spoke with confirmed this story by @JeffreyGoldberg in its entirety. Especially the grafs about the late Sen. John McCain and former Marine Gen. John Kelly, President @realDonaldTrump former chief of staff. https://t.co/ol2lhBbgv8— James LaPorta (@JimLaPorta) September 3, 2020

The White House, meanwhile, says it is completely untrue.

“This report is false. President Trump holds the military in the highest regard,” spokeswoman Alyssa Farah told The Atlantic.

“He’s demonstrated his commitment to them at every turn, delivering on his promise to give our troops a much-needed pay raise, increasing military spending, signing critical veterans reforms and supporting military spouses.

“This (story) has no basis in fact.”

White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany responded to Goldberg’s story on Twitter, labelling it “garbage”.

I see President @realDonaldTrump consistently express his heartfelt gratitude and absolute admiration for our brave men and women in uniform.Just yesterday, he was truly humbled to be in the presence of our courageous World War II veterans. This Atlantic story is garbage!— Kayleigh McEnany (@PressSec) September 4, 2020

So there’s your context. It’s an anonymously sourced story, and it has been explicitly denied by the White House. On the other hand, another reporter has confirmed it.

We also need to talk about Goldberg’s first two paragraphs, which allege Mr Trump “rejected the idea” of visiting the cemetery for unsavoury reasons.

“When President Donald Trump cancelled a visit to the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery near Paris on 2018, he blamed rain for the last-minute decision, saying that the ‘helicopter couldn’t fly’ and that the Secret Service wouldn’t drive him there. Neither claim was true,” he writes.

“Trump rejected the idea of the visit because he feared his hair would become disheveled in the rain, and because he did not believe it important to honour American war dead.”

Buzzfeed reporter Jason Leopold has previously obtained Navy documents confirming the President’s flight on Marine One was cancelled due to the weather conditions.

Regarding the lede of this story: I obtained documents from the Navy via #FOIA about Trump's 2018 trip to Aisne-Marne American Cemetery   near Paris and the documents say his transport was canceled by the Navy due to rain. https://t.co/oNWsvAPy1z pic.twitter.com/keFtW7QC8b— Jason Leopold (@JasonLeopold) September 4, 2020

The visit’s cancellation was also referenced in former White House national security adviser John Bolton’s recent memoir.

“Marine One’s crew was saying that bad visibility could make it imprudent to chopper to the cemetery. The ceiling was not too low for marines to fly in combat, but flying POTUS was obviously something very different,” Mr Bolton - no fan of the President - wrote.

He also provided an explanation for why Mr Trump was not driven to the cemetery instead.

“If a motorcade were necessary, it could take between 90 and 120 minutes each way, along roads that were not exactly freeways, posing an unacceptable risk that we could not get the President out of France quickly enough in case of an emergency.

“It was a straightforward decision to cancel the visit.”

US President Donald Trump boarding Air Force One. Picture: Mandel Ngan/AFP

OK, what else does the story allege?

On Memorial Day in 2017, Mr Trump visited Arlington National Cemetery with his then-future (and now former) White House chief of staff, retired marine general John Kelly.

Gen Kelly’s son Robert was killed in Afghanistan in 2010, and is buried at Arlington. Standing next to his grave, Mr Trump reportedly turned to Gen Kelly and said: “I don’t get it. What was in it for them?”

The source Goldberg cites for this, again anonymously, is described as “one of Kelly’s friends” and a retired four-star general.

That source told The Atlantic Mr Trump’s comment summed up the President’s world view, and his inability to understand why someone would sign up for military service.

“He can’t fathom the idea of doing something for someone other than himself,” they said.

“He just thinks that anyone who does anything when there’s no direct personal gain to be had is a sucker. There’s no money in serving the nation.

“Trump can’t imagine anyone else’s pain. That’s why he would say this to the father of a fallen marine on Memorial Day.”

RELATED: General John Kelly called Donald Trump ‘an idiot’

General John Kelly served as Mr Trump’s second chief of staff. Picture: Mandel Ngan/AFP

There’s more.

In 2018, as the White House planned a military parade, Mr Trump reportedly asked his staff not to include wounded veterans, saying viewers would not want to look at amputees.

“Nobody wants to see that,” he allegedly said.

Goldberg cites three sources who claim Mr Trump twice referred to former president and navy pilot George H.W. Bush, who died in 2018, as a “loser” because he was shot down during World War II.

Republican senator John McCain, another former navy pilot, also died in 2018 after a battle with brain cancer.

Mr Trump had feuded with Mr McCain for years. Their loathing for one another went back to 2015, when Mr Trump publicly took issue with people describing Mr McCain as a war hero.

“He’s not a war hero. He’s a hero because he was captured. I like people who weren’t captured,” Mr Trump said at the time.

Mr McCain was indeed shot down and captured during the Vietnam War in 1967.

He spent the next five years in a prisoner-of-war camp, where he was repeatedly tortured. Mr McCain, whose father was an admiral, refused to accept a deal that would have seen him released before his fellow prisoners.

According to Goldberg’s sources, Mr Trump erupted in the aftermath of Mr McCain’s death, when he found out America’s flags had been lowered to half-mast in honour of the late senator.

“What the f**k are we doing that for? Guy was a f***ing loser,” he reportedly said.

The President also said the administration was “not going to support that loser’s funeral”.

A few hours after the story was published, and after the White House’s official response, Mr Trump himself jumped on Twitter to deny having made those comments, saying he would swear to it “on whatever or whoever I was asked to swear on”.

RELATED: McCain’s warning: ‘That’s how dictators start’

RELATED: John McCain’s final rebuke for Donald Trump

I was never a big fan of John McCain, disagreed with him on many things including ridiculous endless wars and the lack of success he had in dealing with the VA and our great Vets, but the lowering of our Nations American Flags, and the first class funeral he was given by our....— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 4, 2020

..Country, had to be approved by me, as President, & I did so without hesitation or complaint. Quite the contrary, I felt it was well deserved. I even sent Air Force One to bring his body, in casket, from Arizona to Washington. It was my honor to do so. Also, I never called..— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 4, 2020

....John a loser and swear on whatever, or whoever, I was asked to swear on, that I never called our great fallen soldiers anything other than HEROES. This is more made up Fake News given by disgusting & jealous failures in a disgraceful attempt to influence the 2020 Election!— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 4, 2020

I should note that Mr Trump’s assertion he “never called John a loser” is easily disproved, given he did exactly that publicly.

Speaking to the White House press corps after returning to Washington D.C. in the evening, the President repeated that he would be “willing to swear on anything” that he “never said that about our fallen heroes”.

“What animal would say such a thing?” he asked.

Mr Trump added that Goldberg’s sources were probably “a couple of people that have been failures in the administration that I got rid of”. Either that, or the story was “just made up”.

For the record, Mr McCain received a memorial service at Washington National Cathedral, with his casket draped in the American flag. That service was approved by Mr Trump.

Three former presidents, representing both major political parties, attended to pay their respects. Barack Obama and George W. Bush both delivered eulogies.

Mr Trump was not invited. He spent the day at one of his golf courses in Virginia, and his daughter Ivanka and her husband Jared Kushner attended the service in his stead.

They watched from the audience as Mr McCain’s daughter, Meghan, used her eulogy to deliver an explicit rebuke of Mr Trump’s politics.

“The America of John McCain has no need to be made great again, because America was always great,” she said, clearly alluding to the President’s campaign slogan from 2016.

“We gather here to mourn the passing of American greatness. The real thing, not cheap rhetoric who will never come near the sacrifice he gave so willingly, nor the opportunistic appropriation of those who lived lives of comfort and privilege while he suffered and served.”

Mr Trump received repeated medical deferments for bone spurs in his foot, which prevented him from being drafted for the Vietnam War.

Ms McCain responded to The Atlantic’s story today by calling Mr Trump “vile and disgusting”.

I just got through two years without my Dad a few days ago. The loss is still incredibly painful and raw. No one is more acutely aware of how vile and disgusting Trump has been to my family, it is still hard to understand - America knows who this man is...— Meghan McCain (@MeghanMcCain) September 4, 2020

This never stops being incredibly painful, triggering, and it rips off new layers of grief that wreak havoc on my life. I wouldn't wish any of it on my worst enemy. I truly pray for peace for my family, our grief, and for this country.— Meghan McCain (@MeghanMcCain) September 4, 2020

Mr Obama’s eulogy at Mr McCain’s memorial service also included some pretty obvious swings at Mr Trump.

“So much of our politics, our public life, our public discourse, can seem small and mean and petty. Trafficking in bombast and insult and phony controversies and manufactured outrage,” the former president said.

“It’s a politics that pretends to be brave and tough, but in fact is born in fear. John called on us to be bigger than that. He called on us to be better than that.”

The late senator John McCain on the deck of the US navy ship named in his honour. Picture: US Embassy/AFP

The scene at Mr McCain’s memorial service as his casket was carried out. Picture: Saul Loeb/AFP

Goldberg’s article has so far been met with silence by the United States’ current military brass, but it has provoked outrage from a number of retired officers.

General Mark Hertling, a Purple Heart recipient, described Mr Trump as “incredibly toxic” and said the President had “no understanding of service or sacrifice”.

General Michael Hayden, a frequent critic of Mr Trump, retweeted comments calling the President a “thoroughly despicable human being”. He pointed out that conservatives, including Mr Trump, had slammed NFL player Colin Kaepernick for “disrespecting” the US military by taking a knee during the national anthem in protest against police brutality.

General Paul Eaton posted a video online reacting furiously to the article.

“I’ve got to tell you, it was a tough read,” Gen Eaton said.

“You have the President of the United States... ( подробнее )

Australians caught on live export ship missing after typhoon in Japan

One crew member has been rescued by the Japanese Coast Guard today, however the welfare of the rest of those on-board remains unknown, according to a report from RNZ.

The rescued man, identified as Sareno Edvardo, 45, of the Philippines, was hospitalised on the Japanese island of Amami Oshima, The New York Times reports.

A photo of his rescue released by the Coast Guard shows Mr Edvardo bobbing in dark waters amid choppy seas.

Japan's coastguard rescued one person while searching for a cargo ship carrying nearly 6,000 cattle and dozens of crew members that went missing in the East China Sea https://t.co/An8nLUfi4a pic.twitter.com/KZekO8cFJi— Reuters (@Reuters) September 3, 2020

He told rescuers the ship had suffered engine failure during the typhoon, before it capsized after being hit by a freak wave.

“When it was capsizing, an on-board announcement instructed us to wear a life jacket,” Mr. Edvardo said, according to the Coast Guard. “So I wore a life jacket and jumped into the sea.”

Yuichiro Higashi, a spokesman for the Coast Guard, said on Thursday that patrol ships were continuing to search for other crew members.

Photo shows a crew member being saved from a missing live export ship after a typhoon hit waters south west of Japan. Picture: Reuters

On board the missing vessel are two Australians and two New Zealanders, as well as a crew including 39 people from the Philippines and one person from Singapore according to The New Zealand Herald. Also on board are about 5800 head of cattle.

Australian Livestock Exporters’ Council (ALEC) says it understands one of the Australian’s is a vet and the other is a stock handler.

The search efforts are being affected by Typhoon Maysak. The cargo ship went missing after sending a distress signal during the typhoon, while in the East China Sea.

A spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) told news.com.au they were in contact with the families of the crew members on board.

“The Australian Government is providing consular assistance to the families of two Australian crew members on board a cargo vessel reported missing in Japanese waters,” DFAT said in a statement. “Owing to our privacy obligations we are unable to provide further comment.”

RELATED: ‘Stay indoors’: Warning for 100km/h winds

The Gulf Livestock 1 is missing in waters south west of Japan. Picture: Vesselfinder.com

An infrared satellite of Maysak. Picture: NASA MODIS

Livestock carrier goes missing in the East China SeaThe GULF LIVESTOCK 1 has disappeared, probably hit by high waves & strong winds caused by typhoon #MAYSAK, our data shows. The search for the livestock carrier in load began as concern for the safety of 43 crew onboard rises pic.twitter.com/6H3yGOkUqr— MarineTraffic (@MarineTraffic) September 2, 2020

RELATED: Dolphins dead after MV Wakashio scuttled

The ship was en route to China after departing from Napier in New Zealand on August 14. It was expected to arrive in China on September 3.

The live export ship was in waters west of Amami Oshima Island in south west Japan, according to a report from Japan’s public broadcaster NHK.

About 7pm Japanese time NHK reported a sea patrol plane had spotted a life jacket in the waters, as well as an object that looked like a lifeboat.

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Portland shooting: Donald Trump supporter allegedly shot dead in clash with BLM protesters

Trump posted “Law & Order” in response to Portland’s continued clashes, which is under its 94th night of straight protests.

Trump has also blamed the “big backlash” on the Mayor of Portland, Ted Wheeler and threatening to involve the National Guard.

“The big backlash going on in Portland cannot be unexpected after 95 days of watching and incompetent Mayor admit that he has no idea what he is doing. The people of Portland won’t put up with no safety any longer. The Mayor is a FOOL. Bring in the National Guard!” he tweeted.

LAW & ORDER!!!— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 30, 2020

The Oregon city has been an epicentre of BLM protests since the police killing of unarmed black man George Floyd in Minnesota in late May and tensions were further inflamed after 29-year-old Jacob Blake was shot seven times by Wisconsin police on August 24.

Video footage showed officer Rusten Sheskey of the Kenosha Police Department shooting Mr Blake, who was paralysed in the attack and remains in hospital.

RELATED: Wild scenes on the streets of the US

Over the weekend, a “caravan of hundreds of cars” of Trump supporters also converged there, according to local media.

Portland Police tweeted a political rally was “caravanning throughout downtown Portland,” adding: “There have been some instances of violence between demonstrators and counterdemonstrators. Officers have intervened and in some cases made arrests.”

Our great National Guard could solve these problems in less than 1 hour. Local authorities must ask before it is too late. People of Portland, and other Democrat run cities, are disgusted with Schumer, Pelosi, and thier local “leaders”. They want Law & Order! https://t.co/f6LOKcf7BU— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 30, 2020

It is time for President Trump to declare the city of Portland in a state of insurrection and call up the National Guard on federal orders to keep the peace— Jack Posobiec

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Scott Morrison pushed for interstate borders to reopen by Christmas

Mr Morrison made it clear on Friday he believes the downward trajectory of virus cases means states should consider opening up for the holiday period.

“Well look, I believe we can, domestically,” he said about the Christmas travel date, Seven News reports.

“I’d love to say we could do it internationally but I don’t think I can give you that pledge internationally.

“I hope that changes but based on the current evidence that doesn’t look likely.”

RELATED: Follow the latest coronavirus updates

Prime Minister Scott Morrison was optimistic about borders reopening for interstate travel by Christmas. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Gary Ramage

Travellers currently need to seek permits and approvals to move between states. Picture: Supplied.

Mr Morrison said closed borders is a “recipe for economic ruin” and is “not the plan” long-term.

“The plan is to ensure testing, tracing and outbreak containment, strong quarantine, COVID safe behaviours in the workplace, in the home, at the footy club, at the ground, in this conference.”

Mr. Morrison’s latest comments his statement from earlier this month, expressing his “hope” that COVID-19 border restrictions will be eased by Christmas.

Still, he warned Australians it was unlikely that normal movement without any restrictions will be restored by summer.

The prospect could stop thousands of Australians spending Christmas with relatives and loved ones and comes amid concerns that the Queensland border closures, while popular with voters, are not based on clear medical advice.

Just months ago, the Prime Minister had hoped the border restrictions would be lifted by July, a hope that now seems abandoned in the wake of the second wave in Victoria.

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China unleashes ‘carrier killer’ on US

China says two missiles of different types were launched on Thursday. Both were ballistic, meaning a large rocket boosts its warhead into space before it separates and glides back down to its target. As they travel at more than 10 times the speed of sound, the warheads are much harder to intercept than cruise missiles.

One missile, a DF-26B, was reportedly launched from the northern Chinese province of Qinghai. The second, a DF-21D, was fired from the eastern province of Zhejiang.

Both converged on a simulated target in the South China Sea off the coast of Hainan Island.

RELATED: China’s mysterious ‘dark fleet’ exposedRELATED: China’s secret ‘submarine cave’ revealed

“This is China’s response to the potential risks brought by the increasingly frequent incoming US warplanes and military vessels in the South China Sea,” the Hong Kong-based (and now subject to Beijing’s strict national security laws) South China Morning Post reports an unnamed source as saying.

“The US continues to test China’s bottom line in Taiwan and South China Sea issues, and this pushed China to showcase its military strength to let Washington know that even US aircraft carriers cannot flex their full muscle near China’s coast,” military analyst Song Zhongping added.

RELATED: China’s massive mistake exposed

#China will neither "dance to the U.S. tune" nor let the #US make a mess, China's Ministry of National Defense spokesman said on Thursday.China hopes the two sides can strengthen crisis communication to maintain and promote the overall stability between the two militaries. pic.twitter.com/65sIM8Cwwx— CGTN (@CGTNOfficial) August 27, 2020

The People’s Liberation Army is in the middle of conducting an unprecedented number of large-scale military exercises at four different locations. Several are close to Taiwan.

Observing the activities were a US guided-missile destroyer and a Cold War-era U-2 high altitude spy plane.

“The US has continued to provoke troubles, seriously undermining China’s sovereignty and security, and seriously damaging relations between the two countries and their armed forces,” Beijing’s Ministry of Defence spokesperson Wu Qian told reporters. “China will not dance to the tune of the US.”

GAME OF CHICKEN

A day before the missile test, Beijing protested the incursion of a US U-2 spy plane over a live-fire exercise in the Bohai Gulf east of Beijing.

“This was a naked act of provocation,” Wu said on Tuesday. The overflight had “seriously interfered in normal exercise activities” and “severely incurred the risk of misjudgment and even of bringing about an unintended air-sea incident.”

Then, on Thursday, a US RC-135S reconnaissance aircraft monitored China’s ballistic missile launch. This aircraft carries a wide variety of sensors intended to gather as much data as possible to analyse potential threats.

A US air force spokesperson said the plane “followed all of the accepted rules and regulations governing the use of international airspace and with due regard for the safety of all vessels and aircraft operating in the area”.

#USNavy guided-missile destroyer #USSMustin conducts freedom of navigation operation near Paracel Islands in South China Sea: https://t.co/xRJ0UT93w2 #DDG89 #FreeandOpenIndoPacific @US7thFleet pic.twitter.com/0W76xiMtyW— U.S. Pacific Fleet (@USPacificFleet) August 28, 2020

Also on Thursday, the guided missile destroyer USS Mustin – a ship designed to shoot down ballistic missiles – passed through the Paracel Islands between China and Vietnam as the war-games unfolded nearby.

Australian, US and Japanese navy ships taking part in a trilateral passage in the Philippine Sea.

PLA spokesman Senior Colonel Li Huamin told the Global Times his forces had summoned air and naval vessels to “warn it away”.

“This has seriously undermined China’s sovereignty and security interests as well as the international navigation order in the South China Sea,” Li said. “We urge the United States to immediately stop such provocative acts, strictly control naval and air military operations, and strictly restrict the behaviour of frontline naval and air forces so as to avoid any accidents.”

He insisted Beijing had “indisputable sovereignty over the South China Sea islands and their adjacent waters.”

Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Taiwan dispute this.

MISSILE DIPLOMACY

Washington has contradicted Beijing’s claims that only two missiles were fired. It says its forces detected four ballistic launches in the region.

The DF-21 and DF-26 missiles have featured heavily in recent Chinese military propaganda. They’re touted as weapons capable of dominating the Pacific Ocean, with even the enormous nuclear-powered aircraft carriers of the United States not being out of their reach.

Beijing’s intent is to intimidate Washington to such an extent that it no longer sails its fleets with impunity through the South and East China Seas. The missiles also have a much greater range than the F-35 and F-18 fighters aboard US aircraft carriers, making their ability to intervene in any crisis a much more risky prospect.

The DF-26 has a range of some 4000km. It can carry either nuclear or conventional warheads.

The DF-21 can reach about 1800km.

In comparison, the strike radius of a US F-35C – once it takes off from its aircraft carrier’s deck – is believed to be in the vicinity of 1100km.

LINES IN THE SEA

Senior Colonel Zhang Chunhui said the PLA would “stay on high alert and take all necessary measures to fight against provocations and protect national sovereignty and territorial integrity”.

But the Pentagon says it will continue to monitor Beijing’s military activities and deter any expansionist acts.

“This freedom of navigation operation upheld the rights, freedoms and lawful uses of the sea recognised in international law by challenging the unlawful restrictions on innocent passage imposed by China, Taiwan and Vietnam and also by challenging China’s claim to straight baselines enclosing the Paracel Islands,” a US navy spokesman said.

Pretty great 3 m capture of a PLAN missile launch in the Yellow Sea. pic.twitter.com/NYg32D8G4o— Chris Biggers (@CSBiggers) August 27, 2020

“Unlawful maritime claims in the South China Sea pose a serious threat to the freedom of the seas, including the freedoms of navigation and overflight, of unimpeded trade and commerce, and of economic opportunity for South China Sea littoral nations.”

Hanoi has also been disturbed by Chinese ships and aircraft massing in vast areas of water suddenly declared “no go zones” to fishing and commercial vessels.

“The fact China has repeatedly performed drills in the area of Hoang Sa violates Vietnam’s sovereignty over the islands, goes against the spirit of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) … as well as the maintenance of peace, stability and co-operation across the waters,” Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Le Thi Thu Hang said on Wednesday.

Jamie Seidel is a freelance writer | @JamieSeidel

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World Health Organisation predicts when pandemic will end

Western Europe has been enduring the kind of infection levels not seen in many months, particularly in Germany, France, Spain and Italy – sparking fears of a full-fledged second wave.

“We have a disadvantage of globalisation, closeness, connectedness, but an advantage of better technology, so we hope to finish this pandemic before less than two years,” WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters.

By “utilising the available tools to the maximum and hoping that we can have additional tools like vaccines, I think we can finish it in a shorter time than the 1918 flu”, he said.

The WHO also recommended children over 12 years old now use masks in the same situations as adults as the use of face coverings increases to stop the spread of coronavirus.

RELATED: Follow the latest coronavirus updates

World Health Organisation (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Picture: Fabrice Coffrini/AFP

The WHO’s announcement comes as parts of Europe see infection numbers soar.

In the Spanish capital Madrid, officials recommended people in the most affected areas stay at home to help curb the spread, as the country registered more than 8000 new cases in 24 hours.

France also reported a second consecutive day of more than 4000 new cases – numbers not seen since May – with metropolitan areas accounting for most of those infections.

But Dr Tedros sought to draw favourable comparisons with the notorious flu pandemic of 1918.

With no usable vaccine yet available, the most prominent tool governments have at their disposal is to confine their populations or enforce social distancing.

Lebanon is the latest country to reintroduce severe restrictions, beginning two weeks of measures on Friday including night-time curfews to tamp down a rise in infections, which comes as the country is still dealing with the shock from a huge explosion in the capital Beirut that killed dozens earlier this month.

“What now? On top of this disaster, a coronavirus catastrophe?” said 55-year-old Roxane Moukarzel in Beirut.

Officials fear Lebanon’s fragile health system would struggle to cope with a further spike in COVID-19 cases, especially after some hospitals near the port were damaged in the explosion.

‘WE LEAD THE WORLD IN DEATHS’

The Americas have borne the brunt of the virus in health terms, accounting for more than half of the world’s fatalities.

“We lead the world in deaths,” said Joe Biden while accepting the Democratic nomination for the US presidential election late on Thursday.

He said he would implement a national plan to fight the pandemic on his first day in office if elected in November.

“We’ll take the muzzle off our experts so the public gets the information they need and deserve – honest, unvarnished truth,” he said.

RELATED: US passes five million cases

Former vice-president and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden vowed in his DNC speech to make the pandemic his priority. Picture: Olivier Douliery/AFP

Still, new daily cases of the coronavirus have been dropping sharply in the United States for weeks – but experts are unsure if Americans will have the discipline to bring the epidemic under control.

After exceeding 70,000 confirmed infections per day in July, the country recorded 43,000 cases on Thursday.

Further south, Latin American countries were counting the wider costs of the pandemic – the region not only suffering the most deaths, but also an expansion of criminal activity and rising poverty.

Without an effective political reaction, “at a regional level we can talk about a regression of up to 10 years in the levels of multidimensional poverty”, Luis Felipe Lopez-Calva of the UN Development Programme told AFP.

But the WHO said the coronavirus pandemic appeared to be stabilising in Brazil – one of the world’s worst hit countries – and any reversal of its rampant spread in the vast country would be “a success for the world”.

ECONOMIC FALLOUT

Economies around the globe have been ravaged by the pandemic, which has infected more than 22 million and killed nearly 800,000 since it emerged in China late last year.

New financial figures laid bear the huge cost of the pandemic in Britain, where government debt soared past £2 trillion ($2.6 trillion) for the first time in the UK after a massive program of state borrowing for furlough schemes and other measures designed to prop up the economy.

“Without that support things would have been far worse,” said Finance Minister Rishi Sunak.

Even Germany, famed for its financial prudence, was waking up to a new reality with Finance Minister Olaf Scholz conceding his country would need to continue borrowing at a high level next year to deal with the virus fallout.

Germany will need to take on yet more debt in 2021 to mitigate the impact of the coronavirus on the economy, Finance Minister Olaf Scholz said Friday. Picture: Tobias Schwarz/AFP

Western European politicians are also beginning to ramp up restrictions to tackle infections that are rising to levels not seen for months.

While Spain has responded with confinement measures and Germany with updated travel guidelines, putting Brussels on its list of risk zones, the UK is now watching clusters in northern England and suggesting some towns could soon face lockdown.

“To prevent a second peak and keep COVID-19 under control, we need robust, targeted intervention where we see a spike in cases,” said health secretary Matt Hancock.

– with wires

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Two-year-old girl refused exemption from QLD border policy after open heart surgery

Luella Gilliland, 2, bravely underwent open heart surgery at Westmead Children’s Hospital in Sydney last week.

On Saturday, the family were denied an exemption from the state’s strict border rules, despite doctors recommending the youngster recover and isolate at home.

The vital operation could not be delayed and had been booked to go ahead when Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s government closed the border to New South Wales.

RELATED: Follow the latest coronavirus updates

Luella's medical team at Westmead Children’s Hospital are concerned about the potential exposure to COVID-19 during hotel quarantine for the vulnerable toddler. Picture: Nine

It's the second time Luella has undergone heart surgery in her young life. Picture: Nine

Her mum Lauren told Weekend Today that Leulla’s operation was successful, but she still has “a long way to go with her recovery”.

“Emotionally, she’s still struggling a bit – she’s very clingy, has night terrors and some sleep disturbances.

“She’s still not eating well either, so she’s dropped quite a lot of weight from the surgery.”

The family have been in self-imposed isolation at Ronald McDonald House in Westmead, venturing out only to the hospital for check-ups.

The family are begging to be allowed to quarantine in the safety of their Brisbane home, but the situation in Brisbane remains precarious.

Public health alerts have been issued today for more than 40 spots across Brisbane, Ipswich and Logan, as officials race to track any cases linked to a cluster at the Brisbane Youth Detention Centre.

Coles, Woolworths, Bunnings and Kmart are among the businesses in suburbs visited by one of Queensland's 16 active cases in the past few weeks.

The full list of dates and locations can be found on the Queensland Government website.

Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington slammed the “heartbreaking” decision. Picture: Alix Sweeney

As the Queensland government races to contain the Detention Centre cluster, their decision regarding the Gilliland family has been slammed by the state’s Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington as “heartbreaking”.

“Labor were quick to rollout the red carpet for Dannii Minogue but to their shame won’t lift a finger to help this little girl,” Ms Frecklington wrote in a statement on Facebook.

“I am a proud Queenslander but I am also a proud Australian. My heart breaks for what this little girl and her family are going through.

“Our borders must be strong but compassion and common sense must be first and foremost.

“This morning I have written to Annastacia Palaszczuk and asked for some compassion and common sense to bring this little Queensland girl home.

“Luella has endured enough without being caught up in the Premier’s politicisation of the borders.”

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