Inquiry Focuses on Impact of Australian Bushfires

US, Australia Could ‘Disconnect’ If Victoria’s Belt and Road Partnership Presents a Risk: Pompeo

The U.S. Secretary of State says the United States will “simply disconnect” with Australia if the Victorian state’s Belt and Road partnership with Beijing presents any risk to telecommunications infrastructure. Mike Pompeo told Sky News on May 24 that the United States was keen to continue working with Australia on security and that it was a “great partner,” but it needed to prioritise the safety of its own telecommunications network. “We will not take any risk to our telecommunications infrastructure, any risk to national security elements with our Five Eyes partners. We are going to protect and preserve the security of those institutions,” he said. “I don’t know the nature of those (Victoria’s) projects precisely, but to the extent they have an adverse impact on our ability to protect telecommunications from our…

The Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements hearing is focusing on the impact of the Black Summer bushfires on people and communities.

The head of a royal commission says it has not forgotten the devastation caused by the Black Summer bushfires and their ongoing impact.

Opening the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements hearings, chair Mark Binskin acknowledged many communities are still grieving.

“The tragic loss of life, the destruction of homes, the significant loss of livestock and millions of hectares of forest has been devastating and continues to deeply affect people and their recovery,” he said.

The royal commission will on Tuesday focus on the impact of the 2019-20 bushfires on people and communities.

The witnesses include the Australian Red Cross programs director Noel Clement.

The charity faced criticism over the slow rollout of bushfire donations, saying it was retaining some funds for a minimum three-year recovery program in affected communities.

Earlier this month, the Red Cross said more than 4000 people had so far received about $80 million in assistance.
Other witnesses on Tuesday include experts on the medical and mental toll of bushfires as well as the financial complaints and small business ombudsmen.

The royal commission will also hear pre-recorded accounts from two Mallacoota locals, including its school principal.
Thousands of people fled to Mallacoota’s beach after the Victorian town was cut off by bushfire.

More than 1500 people were evacuated by the Australian Defence Force, making it Australia’s largest peacetime humanitarian rescue mission since Cyclone Tracy.

The bushfires killed 33 people, destroyed about 3100 homes and burned about 12 million hectares across Australia.

By Megan Neil

Focus News: Inquiry Focuses on Impact of Australian Bushfires

Tear Gas Fired as Hong Kong Protesters Return to Streets Against China’s ‘National-Security’ Law

Protesters did not obtain police approval, given the city’s social distancing rule, which prevents gatherings of more than eight people, is still in place until early June to prevent the spread of the CCP virus, commonly known as the novel coronavirus. Before the march could start, a large number of police officers were seen gathering in Causeway Bay, including patrols at the local metro station where they stopped people for inspection. Police fired the first shot of tear gas at around 1:30 p.m. local time outside of the local shopping mall Hysan Place in Causeway Bay in an effort to disperse protesters. The first arrest was made about 20 minutes later. A protester dressed in black is handcuffed by the police at Hennessy Road in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, on…