Newsif Blog

Make-a-Wish foundation bosses have been blasted for refusing to offer wishes involving flights or large gatherings to unvaccinated children - even though youngsters under 12 aren't yet eligible to receive COVID vaccines.   Richard Davis, CEO and president of Make-a-Wish, said in a video message on Thursday that wishes involving air travel and large gatherings will resume on September 15 for those who are two weeks past full vaccination.   Davis said his team had made their decision after consulting with doctors and medical professionals in National Medical Advisory Council as well as heeding advice from the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics.   'We've approached this responsibility with a focus and diligence for your family's health and safety,' Davis said. 'Make-a-Wish will resume granting air travel wishes within the United States and its territories as well as granting wishes involving large gatherings for vaccinated wish families as soon as Septemb

Millions of Australians who fear their hospitality vouchers may go to waste due to the latest coronavirus lockdown could be in luck. The New South Wales government is considering more changes to its popular Dine and Discover voucher scheme as the state struggles to control a fresh virus outbreak that has plunged Sydney and surrounding regions into lockdown for two weeks. Residents could be able to use their vouchers for takeaway and food deliveries direct from restaurants under a proposal being considered by NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet. There's also talk of extending the four $25 vouchers a second time beyond July 31 to give recipients more time to use them, The Daily Telegraph reported.   NSW's successful Dine and Discover voucher scheme could be expanded. Pictured are Sydneysiders dining out in Newtown Hospitality venues in Sydney and the surrounding Blue Mountains, Wollongong and Central Coast areas can only open for takeaway under strict lockdown restrictions. The $25 v

Voter support for the federal coalition does not seem to have wavered despite COVID-19 vaccine rollout problems, lockdowns in two states and a nationals spill. The coalition's primary vote was unchanged at 41 per cent, and satisfaction with Prime Minister Scott Morrison has lifted a point, according to the latest Newspoll published in Monday's edition of The Australian newspaper. The poll period covered the Victorian lockdown, slow vaccine rollout frustrations, the start of the Sydney lockdown and state border closures to NSW. The opposition gained some ground with Labor's primary vote lifting one point to 37 per cent while satisfaction with Anthony Albanese's performance lifted two points to 40 per cent. Voter support for the federal coalition and Scott Morrison does not seem to have wavered despite COVID-19 vaccine rollout problems But the poll shows that 45 per cent of voters are still unsatisfied with the opposition leader's performance, and 15 per cent were unc

In a bid to turbo charge the slow pace of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, unions are calling on the NSW and Commonwealth governments to provide a minimum half day of paid leave for workers to get the jab.   Unions NSW secretary Mark Morey said NSW government was the nation's largest employer and Premier Gladys Berejiklian could lead the way by introducing 'vax leave' for all public servants. 'She can instruct all department heads to provide a half day of paid 'vax leave' to the one in ten NSW workers who are employed by her Government,' he said.   Unions are calling on the NSW and Commonwealth governments to provide a minimum half day of paid leave for workers to get the jab He says the premier should make the case for vaccination leave at national cabinet and push to have it funded for all casual and contract workers as well as making it a right for all permanent employees. 'Every barrier and impediment to vaccination must be removed as soon as possible,&

Marco Rubio said Sunday he 'understands' why residents in the twin building of a collapsed Miami condo would be 'concerned', saying: 'Obviously something very unusual happened here'.  The Republican senator spoke as residents in the block were offered the chance to evacuate, with the local mayor saying he 'did not want to make it mandatory' but 'would not want to take the chance' himself.  Champlain Towers South in Surfside, near Miami Beach, collapsed on Thursday, and of today nine people have been confirmed dead and a further 150 people are still unaccounted for.  Asked about the block's twin building, Champlain Towers East - which has the same design and was built by the same architect - Rubio told Face The Nation: 'I do know and understand why people living in the area, specifically the building north of it, basically a twin, would be concerned. 'I know that if they would like to relocate FEMA will now help them with those arrange

Four people who lost their lives when a Miami condo collapsed on Thursday have been identified as rescuers continue to hunt through the rubble for the 156 people still unaccounted for.   On Saturday authorities confirmed the death toll had risen to five after another body was found at Champlain Towers South in Surfside, near Miami Beach, as well as human remains.  Antonio Lozano, 83, his wife Gladys Lozano, 79; Manny Lafont, 54; and Stacie Fang, 54, have been identified as the first four victims of the disaster. Antonio Lozano, 83 and Gladys Lozano, 79 were identified through rapid DNA testing that was a match with their son Sergio Lozano Antonio and Gladys Lozano were identified through rapid DNA testing that was a match with their son Sergio Lozano Authorities confirmed Houston native Manuel LaFont, 54, who resided in an eighth floor apartment, died in the collapse, his body was recovered on Friday. Authorities had already identified 54-year-old Stacie Fang, as one of the deceased, o