“Super funds have been willing to partner with state and federal governments but there has to be work done [to ensure] a pipeline of projects that are cost effective for the taxpayer and provide the returns needed for members,” a superannuation source said. Super industry executives have also said their capacity to invest more in infrastructure depends on stable policy settings.
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Industry Super’s letter, seen by The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, was sent the day after the federal government announced its $66 billion stimulus package, which included a scheme giving struggling workers early access to up to $20,000 of their superannuation.
Mr Combet raised concerns super funds were “not set up for withdrawals of this nature, and in particular for the liquidity pressures that those withdrawals compound in the current market conditions”.
However, he noted the sector helped stabilise the national economy during the global financial crisis and said industry funds “can play this role again”.
The former Labor minister and union boss said the industry would “welcome the opportunity to engage in dialogue with the government to explore how we may be of assistance”.
“Close co-ordination and collaboration between government and the private sector is the key to quickening the recovery, and ultimately helping people get back to work and their lives back to normal,” he wrote.
Mr Combet, who was appointed on March 25 to the government’s National COVID-19 Co-ordination Commission, is also the chairman of IFM Investors, which manages investments for more than a dozen industry super funds and specialises in infrastructure. A multibillion-dollar proposal from a consortium including IFM to build Melbourne’s airport link, funded by both the federal and state governments, is expected to be rejected in coming weeks.
Mr Frydenberg said during a press conference on Thursday that he and Prime Minister Scott Morrison had discussed the role of superannuation in the recovery with Mr Combet in his capacity as a member of the COVID-19 commission.
WASHINGTON — Solicitor General Noel J. Francisco, the Justice Department official responsible for defending the Trump administration before the Supreme Court, has told the department that he plans to leave, a person familiar with his decision said late Wednesday.
Mr. Francisco’s top deputy, Jeff Wall, will most likely step in as acting solicitor general as the White House searches for a replacement.
While it is not unusual for solicitors general to leave as the Supreme Court winds down its term, Mr. Francisco would be the second high-ranking official to depart in the coming months.
On Monday, Brian A. Benczkowski, the head of the department’s criminal division, announced that he would leave in July. While at the department, he has worked to stem the nation’s opioid crisis and handled the politically charged referral of a whistle-blower complaint about President Trump’s dealings with Ukraine.
The person who spoke of Mr. Francisco’s planned departure did so on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the news media. The Justice Department did not respond to a request for comment early Thursday. CNN first reported Mr. Francisco’s decision to leave.
The solicitor general got his start in high-level Republican politics when he joined the legal team of George W. Bush, then a presidential candidate, during the 2000 Florida election recount. Mr. Francisco served in Mr. Bush’s administration until leaving in 2005 for Jones Day, the white-shoe law firm that has produced several Trump administration legal hires, including Donald F. McGahn II, the former White House counsel.
Much of Mr. Francisco’s tenure at the Justice Department was overshadowed by the investigation of the special counsel Robert S. Mueller III, who was looking into Russian interference in the 2016 election, any ties between Russia and the Trump campaign, and whether Mr. Trump tried to obstruct the inquiry.
The investigation, which lasted nearly two years, so enraged the president over that time that department officials worried he would fire the special counsel or the top officials overseeing it.
The attorney general at the start of the Mueller inquiry, Jeff Sessions, had recused himself from Russia matters, and the associate attorney general, Rachel L. Brand, resigned in early 2018. That placed Mr. Francisco squarely in the line of succession to oversee the Russia investigation should Mr. Trump fire Rod J. Rosenstein, the deputy attorney general, who had appointed and oversaw Mr. Mueller.
This May, the Supreme Court temporarily blocked Congress from seeing redacted portions of the special counsel’s report that contained grand jury information. Democrats had argued that they needed the materials as part of their impeachment proceedings against the president. Mr. Francisco had argued that the materials should not be released because Congress did not have the right to obtain grand jury materials as part of an impeachment proceeding.
Most recently, Mr. Francisco wrote a brief asking an appeals panel to force Judge Emmet G. Sullivan of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia to grant the Justice Department’s motion to withdraw its case against Michael T. Flynn, Mr. Trump’s first national security adviser.
Mr. Francisco essentially argued that the courts did not have the authority to reject prosecutorial decisions made by the executive branch.
After the Justice Department said it wished to withdraw its case against Mr. Flynn, who had twice pleaded guilty to lying to the F.B.I., Mr. Sullivan tapped John Gleeson, a former mob prosecutor and federal judge, to argue against the government’s position.
President Donald Trump on Wednesday threatened to “take back†Seattle from protesters, tweeting that “ugly anarchists must be stooped.†In response, state and local politicians told him to go back to his bunker beneath the White House ― and keep out of local business.Â
Seattle had been marked by violent clashes with police amid the demonstrations that broke out after a cop killed George Floyd, a Black man, in Minneapolis last month. But earlier this week, Seattle police left the area and demonstrators took over, cordoning off several blocks which they’ve declared the “Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone†or “CHAZ,†now the site of peaceful ongoing protests.
Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan (D) said the police pullback was done “to proactively de-escalate interactions between protestors and law enforcement.â€Â But Trump was unhappy with the move even though it ― at least temporarily ― worked. He tweeted:
Radical Left Governor @JayInslee and the Mayor of Seattle are being taunted and played at a level that our great Country has never seen before. Take back your city NOW. If you don’t do it, I will. This is not a game. These ugly Anarchists must be stooped IMMEDIATELY. MOVE FAST!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 11, 2020
Domestic Terrorists have taken over Seattle, run by Radical Left Democrats, of course. LAW & ORDER!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 11, 2020
Durkan fired back by referring to the White House bunker Trump was rushed to as demonstrations broke out in D.C.:
— Rep. Pramila Jayapal (@RepJayapal) June 11, 2020
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee (D), who has clashed with Trump repeatedly over the federal government’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, also told the president to butt out:
A man who is totally incapable of governing should stay out of Washington state’s business. “Stoop†tweeting. https://t.co/O6i04qmZ9v
Germany will lift border controls with Switzerland, France, Austria and Denmark on 15 June, Interior Minister Horst Seehofer (pictured) said on Wednesday (10 June), adding the government would reconsider if the coronavirus situation deteriorates,write Michelle Martin and Thomas Escritt.
Seehofer also said existing rules for non-EU citizens wanting to come to Germany would be extended until the end of June.
Great white sharks don’t spend as much time at the surface as we thought (Credits: Getty Images/Image Source)
Great white sharks spend more time feeding close to the seabed rather than at the surface, reveals new research.
The first-ever detailed study of the diets of the feared predators – made infamous by the movie Jaws – conducted off the east coast of Australia surprised scientists as they appear to spend more time than expected hunting at the bottom of the sea.
The findings were published just hours after a 10-foot great white killed a surfer off northern New South Wales (NSW), the third fatal shark attack in Australian waters this year.
Researchers found great whites love to feed on salmon and other bony fish including eels, whiting and mullet, as well as bottom-dwelling stingrays and electric rays.
Scientists say that understanding how sharks feed is vital for managing their interaction with humans.
The idea of a shark’s dorsal fin above the surface isn’t very accurate (Credits: Online/REX)
Study lead author Richard Grainger, a PhD candidate at the University of Sydney, said: ‘Within the sharks’ stomachs we found remains from a variety of fish species that typically live on the seafloor or buried in the sand.
‘This indicates the sharks must spend a good portion of their time foraging just above the seabed.
‘The stereotype of a shark’s dorsal fin above the surface as it hunts is probably not a very accurate picture.’
Experts say the study, published in the journal Frontiers in Marine Science, is an important contribution towards understanding the sharks’ feeding and migratory habits.
Dr Vic Peddemors a co-author from the NSW Department of Primary Industries (Fisheries), said: ‘We discovered that although mid-water fish, especially eastern Australian salmon, were the predominant prey for juvenile white sharks in NSW, stomach contents highlighted that these sharks also feed at or near the seabed.’
Mr Grainger said: ‘This evidence matches data we have from tagging white sharks that shows them spending a lot of time many metres below the surface.’
The study examined the stomach contents of 40 juvenile white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) caught in the NSW Shark Meshing Programme.
The scientists compared the fidnings with published data elsewhere in the world, mainly South Africa, to establish a nutritional framework for the species.
Great white sharks have been characterised as vicious man-eaters since Jaws (Credits: Getty Images)
Study co-author Dr Gabriel Machovsky-Capuska, an adjunct Senior Research Fellow at the University of Sydney, said: ‘Understanding the nutritional goals of these cryptic predators and how these relate to migration patterns will give insights into what drives human-shark conflict and how we can best protect this species.’
Mr Grainger said: ‘White sharks have a varied diet.
‘As well as east Australian salmon, we found evidence of other bony fish including eels, whiting, mullet and wrasses.
‘We found that rays were also an important dietary component, including small bottom-dwelling stingrays and electric rays.
‘Eagle rays are also hunted, although this can be difficult for the sharks given how fast the rays can swim.’
The study found that the sharks’ diet relied mostly on pelagic, or mid-water ocean swimming fish, such as Australian salmon (32.2 per cent), bottom-dwelling fish, such as stargazers, sole and flathead (17.4 per cent), reef fish, such as eastern blue gropers (five per cent), and batoid fish, such as stingrays (14.9 per cent).
The remainder was unidentified fish or less abundant prey.
Sharks spend a good portion of time foraging on the seafloor (Credits: Getty Images/EyeEm)
Mr Grainger said that marine mammals, other sharks and cephalopods – squid and cuttlefish – were eaten less frequently.
He aded: ‘The hunting of bigger prey, including other sharks and marine mammals such as dolphin, is not likely to happen until the sharks reach about 2.2 metres in length.’
The scientists also found that larger sharks tended to have a diet that was higher in fat, likely due to their high energy needs for migration.
Co-author Professor David Raubenheimer, Chair of Nutritional Ecology at the Iniversity of Sydney, said: ‘This fits with a lot of other research we’ve done showing that wild animals, including predators, select diets precisely balanced to meet their nutrient needs.’
Tracking of white sharks shows that they migrate seasonally along Australia’s east coast from southern Queensland to northern Tasmania, and the range of movement increases with age.
Dr Peddemors added: ‘This study will give us a lot of information to assist in this management process.’
The top court said that Juvenile Justice Committees of high courts will circulate a questionnaire among state governments and collect their feedback about the protection of children from Covid-19 in shelter homes.
The Supreme Court on Thursday took note of 35 children testing positive for Covid-19 in a government-run shelter home in Tamil Nadu and sought a status report from the state government including steps taken to protect the remaining children.
A bench of justices L Nageswara Rao, Krishna Murari and S Ravindra Bhat also sought status report from different state governments on steps taken to protect children in shelter homes amid the pandemic, and also compliance of its April 3 order in this regard.
The top court said that Juvenile Justice Committees of high courts will circulate a questionnaire among state governments and collect their feedback about the protection of children from Covid-19 in shelter homes.
More than 35 children and five staff members have tested Covid-19 positive in government-run shelter home in Royapuram locality in Tamil Nadu.
On April 3, the top court had taken suo motu (on its own) cognizance of the condition of children in protection, juvenile and foster or kinship homes across the country amid the coronavirus outbreak and had issued directions to the state governments and various other authorities to protect them.
The top court had said as the Covid-19 pandemic is intensifying in the country, it is important that urgent measures are taken on a priority basis to prevent the spread of the virus in child care institutions (CCIs), children in need of care and protection (CNCP), children in contact with the law (CICWL) in observation homes and children in foster and kinship care.
It had said the juvenile justice boards (JJBs) should consider steps to release all children alleged to be in conflict with law residing in observation homes on bail, unless there are clear and valid reasons not to do so.
The top court had issued directions for the child welfare committees (CWCs) across the country and said they would monitor cases telephonically of children sent back to their families and coordinate through the district child protection committees and foster care and adoption committees for those in foster care.
The top court had directed the JJBs and children’s courts “to pro-actively consider whether a child or children should be kept in CCIs, considering the best interest, health and safety concerns”.
It had said video-conferences or online sittings can be held to prevent contact for speedy disposal of cases and the JJBs should ensure that counselling services are provided for all children in observation homes.
The top court had directed that all state governments shall circulate information to CCIs about how to deal with Covid-19 immediately, with instructions that awareness about it is spread in a timely and effective manner.
It had asked the states to stay prepared for a disaster or emergency situation that may arise and start developing a system to put in place trained volunteers who could step in to care for children.
“I didn’t feel like I’ve ever left the water, so that’s a positive,” says Hamilton, with under a month to go until F1 2020 finally begins
By James Galloway
Last Updated: 11/06/20 8:19am
Lewis Hamilton admitted he felt as though he had never been away from the F1 track after a productive return to action at Silverstone.
F1’s six-time champion had not driven any F1 car for 103 days owing to the coronavirus pandemic but returned for the second and final day of Mercedes’ run out at Silverstone.
29:12 There are two exclusive interviews on the latest Sky F1 Vodcast, as Valtteri Bottas and Antonio Giovinazzi discuss their Mercedes and Alfa Romeo futures, as well as talking about their support for the Black Lives Matter movement
There are two exclusive interviews on the latest Sky F1 Vodcast, as Valtteri Bottas and Antonio Giovinazzi discuss their Mercedes and Alfa Romeo futures, as well as talking about their support for the Black Lives Matter movement
Using a two-year-old car, Mercedes used the test to allow Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas, who tested on Tuesday, to get back up to speed, and for the team to practice the new health and safety protocols being introduced for F1’s return to action in Austria from July 3.
“Honestly it felt just great to be back in the car, a lot of fun,” said Hamilton in a Mercedes video.
“When you leave the garage the first time you get this buzz, and it doesn’t matter how many years you do it, it always feels new and fresh, which is great.
“Obviously this is an older car but it still felt fantastic. In general, we just got through a solid programme.
“Valtteri’s day was dry, my day started off wet, so quite a greasy Silverstone track. But obviously I grew up in this kind of weather here, so I’m used to it. I was still able to get a good feel of the car.”
Hamilton’s previous track running had come in Mercedes’ new 2020 car on the final day of pre-season testing on February 28.
F1 then flew to Melbourne for what should have been the season-opening Australian GP, but the event was cancelled before first practice had taken place.
“I didn’t feel like I’ve ever left the water, so that’s a positive,” said Hamilton, who will chase a seventh world title this year.
“I think every time you take a big break – I think it’s been 103 days or something – you always wonder whether you can still drive.”
The Formula 1 season will begin on July 3-5 live on Sky Sports F1 with the Austrian GP. The race is the first of eight in 10 weeks in Europe, with every race live on Sky Sports.
Spin consultant and mentor of the Pakistan team, Mushtaq Ahmed says more than the skills, the players’ mental strength will matter when top-level cricket resumes amidst the COVID-19 pandemic in England.
Ahmed, who recently joined the national set-up, said the series between England and the West Indies will provide lessons as the game is set to resume with that series, starting 8 July.
File image of Mushtaq Ahmed. Getty Images
“I think we are going to learn a lot from the West Indies and England series and in the COVID-19 conditions. More than the skills, the mental strength of the players will matter a lot. In these difficult circumstances the role of mentors has become very important,” he said.
The Pakistan team is likely to reach England around 25 June to start preparations for their Test and T20 series in a bio-secure environment including remaining in a 14-days quarantine and having nets and practice drills and matches in isolated conditions.
Ahmed also made it clear that the new-look management of the Pakistan team including head coach Misbah-ul-Haq, bowling coach Waqar Younis, batting coach, Younis Khan and he himself were all on the same page and realised the importance of playing in England.
“Players and coaches will require some time to adjust to the new playing conditions and playing in front of empty stadiums. I think the time we have in England before the series will be spent on preparing the players mentally for these challenges.”
“For cricket activities to start in COVID-19 conditions is a tough ask of the players.”
Mushtaq who has worked as a spin consultant with teams like England and the West Indies said if the upcoming two series in England go off well then world cricket can slowly get back to normalcy within this year.
“That is why these two series are so important. We have to see how players, especially bowlers, adjust to the new rules like not using spit to shine the ball. We have to see how this will affect the performance of the bowlers,” he said. .
Updated Date: Jun 11, 2020 12:36:52 IST
Find latest and upcoming tech gadgets online on Tech2 Gadgets. Get technology news, gadgets reviews & ratings. Popular gadgets including laptop, tablet and mobile specifications, features, prices, comparison.
A Just Eat hot food delivery cyclist in the UK. Photograph: KeyWorded/Alamy Stock Photo
Just Eat Takeaway has announced a takeover deal with US-based rival GrubHub for $7.3bn, in a move that will create the world’s largest fast food delivery service outside of China if completed.
The move was a blow to Uber, who had approached GrubHub about a merger with its subsidiary, Uber Eats. However, the deal foundered amid concerns over US regulatory action.
Just Eat only completed a merger with Dutch rival Takeaway in January.
Just Eat Takeaway shares fell by another 1.7% in early trading in London, having fallen by 13% last night when the talks were first revealed.
Federal Reserve pessimism drags down stock markets
Good morning, and welcome to our live, rolling coverage of business, economics and financial markets.
Stock market indices around the world have tumbled after Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell delivered a pessimistic outlook for economic growth and suggested that it would be a long time before the central bank would be able to withdraw support for the economy.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 lost 2.8%, the broader Topix lost 2.2%, and the Hang Seng index in Hong Kong fell by 2%. In mainland China the Shanghia Stock Exchange lost 0.9%.
FTSE 100 futures suggest stocks in London could fall by a steep 1.9% at the opening bell, while Germany’s Dax could lose 2.1%.
The reality check for markets came after Federal Reserve forecasts showed US GDP shrinking by 6.5% this year (an election year!). The Federal Reserve’s rate-setting members’ forecasts suggested that interest rates would remain near zero throughout 2022 – a “strong signal†that it believes the effects of the crisis will be lasting, according to analysts at Deutsche Bank led by Jim Reid, head of thematic research. He said:
The Fed reiterated that it expects to maintain the near-zero fed funds rate until it is confident the economy is on track to achieve the central bank’s dual mandate. […] Powell reinforced this message with the line that they are not even “thinking about thinking about raising rates.â€
Despite the crisis, the S&P 500 is still almost at the level it reached at the beginning of the year. In normal times that would indicate that economic prospects were apparently unchanged, a reading that is patently untrue.
The US stocks benchmark, the S&P 500, has almost recovered all of its losses for 2020. Photograph: Refinitiv
The Fed’s dovish tone, suggesting the stimulus will keep coming, initially pushed up stocks last night, but eventually the mood soured.
Seeing as the Fed made it clear they will be keeping rates close to zero for a few years, US stocks were initially pushed up by the announcement, but the bullish move didn’t last
There could be further doses of reality for investors later when the latest US initial unemployment claims come through, showing how many people felt they needed to claim out-of-work benefits.
The agenda
9am BST: Italy industrial production (April)
1:30pm BST: US initial jobless claims (week of 6 June)
LAHORE – Counter Terrorism Department conducted an intelligence based operation in Gujranwala on Wednesday and arrested a terrorist belonging to proscribed organisation Daesh from whom explosive material was also recovered According to the details, the CTD Team Gujranwala got information from a credible source that a terrorist belonging to banned organisation DAESH was present somewhere near Chowk Bijli Ghar main road Narowal. The CTD team also got the information that the terrorist was carrying explosive material as he had planned to target a sensitive installation. On receiving this information, CTD Team raided the place and arrested the terrorist named Babar Malhi. Explosive material, prima cord, detonator, all parts of an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) and cash for terrorism financing was also recovered from the arrested.
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