SYDNEY - Chinese investment in Australia fell by 61% in 2020 to the lowest level recorded by the Australian National University in six years, coinciding with a worsening diplomatic dispute. The annual tracking study from the university's East Asian Bureau of Economic Research recorded A$1 billion ($783 million) of Chinese investment in 2020, consisting of real estate (45%), mining (40%) and manufacturing (15%) deals. The fall was larger than the 42% decrease in foreign direct investment globally measured by the United Nations amid the COVID-19 pandemic, said Shiro Armstrong, the bureau director. Australia announced a shakeup of its foreign investment laws in 2020 to give the government the power to veto, or force the sale of a business if it creates a national security risk. Treasurer Josh Frydenburg said in June the national security test would be applied to telecommunications, energy and utilities firms, and businesses that collect data. Chinese company Mengniu abandoned a deal to buy the Australia dairy firm Lion Dairy and Drinks from Japanese company Kirin in August, after the Australian government indicated it would block the sale. China has since imposed dumping tariffs on Australian wine and barley, and restricted the unloading of Australian coal at Chinese ports. Chinese investment in Australia peaked at A$16.5 billion in 2016, spanning agriculture, transport, energy utilities, healthcare, mining and property, the ANU study showed. By 2020, 86% of Chinese investment in Australia came from the Australian subsidiaries of Chinese companies. ...
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Powerful Countries Come Under Fire at UN Human Rights Council
Cracks are emerging in the firewall that until now has protected some of the world’s powerful nations from being scrutinized and called to account for gross violations by the U.N. Human Rights Council. The executive director of Human Rights Watch, Kenneth Roth, called them the “untouchables.” “By that I mean governments that have managed to avoid any real critical scrutiny in the form of a resolution by the council. And the foremost untouchables that I have in mind are China, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Russia,” he said. Addressing the untouchables, Roth said, is not only the biggest challenge facing the council, but is critical to its credibility. He said efforts are underway to draft critical statements on Egypt and Saudi Arabia. He added pressure is growing on Russia because of its alleged poisoning of opposition activist Alexey Navalny. However, of greatest interest, he says are emerging signs that China may no longer be untouchable. “It has been seen as politically impossible to address the worsening repression in Xinjiang, the ongoing repression in Tibet, the crushing of Hong Kong’s freedoms. It was seen as just, you know, impossible to get past China’s enormous diplomatic and economic efforts to prevent that kind of critical scrutiny. But the times are changing,” he said. International criticism of China’s alleged internment of at least 1 million Uighur Muslims in so-called vocational education camps hit new heights during the council’s High-Level Segment last week. In a hard-hitting statement, British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab called the situation in Xinjiang beyond the pale. “The reported abuses — which include torture, forced labor and forced sterilization of women — are extreme and they are extensive. They are taking place on an industrial scale. It must be our collective duty to ensure that this does not go unanswered. U.N. mechanisms must respond.” Raab called on the council to pass a resolution allowing urgent and unfettered ...
‘I Am The Proof That God Exists,’ South Florida Woman Beats Coronavirus 150 Days After Being Admitted To Local Hospital
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Isabel Pupo was all smiles, just days after she opened her eyes from a medically induced coma. Doctors, at times, were convinced it would not happen, as the 55-year-old was on the verge of death. READ MORE: South Florida House Republicans Vote Against President Biden's $1.9 Trillion Pandemic Relief Package “During that time, I actually told the family on numerous occasions, unfortunately, that she was going to pass away and we are going to have to stop,” said Dr. Steven DeBeer, a cardiothoracic surgeon. Pupo got admitted into Mount Sinai Medical Center back in July with severe Covid and Pneumonia. Doctors say her oxygen levels were considered “unlivable.” “I remember calling up doctor DeBeer and I said, Steve with such a high BMI and very obese can you consider her for an ECMO machine,” said Dr. Ari Ciment, a pulmonologist. She was then considered and put on an ECMO machine, a respiratory life support treatment for a period of 67 days. However, even with this artificial lung, she was struggling to breathe. “Her oxygenation was in the 50 percent by that monitor. It just did not seem to be a light at the end of the tunnel,” said Dr. DeBeer. READ MORE: Johnson & Johnson Single-Shot COVID-19 Vaccine Joining In The Fight Against Global Pandemic While Pupo was in a medically induced coma, she said, “I remember listening to my daughter’s voice from the phone. They would put the phone near my ear and all I remember was that she would say, fight for me,” said Pupo. Pupo said she fought for her inspiration, her family. “Before I got intubated, I looked at the ceiling and told God Please help me. I thought of them,” said Pupo. After a tough battle, Pupo made a drastic turn. Her deteriorated lungs healed and oxygen levels increased. After battling the virus for 150 days, Isabel Pupo beat COVID-19. “I am a miracle of God. I am the proof that God exists. I have to repeat scientifically, I was not supposed to live,” said ...
Dine Out Takeout: Taste of the Town Returns With A Twist
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – It’s hard to believe it’s been nearly a year since we’ve shot our last “Taste of the Town” segment due to the pandemic. We’ve all faced so many challenges this past year – but few more than the hospitality industry. With that in mind, we’re excited to bring back a new version of our popular food segment. It’s going to look a little different to reflect these different times. READ MORE: South Florida House Republicans Vote Against President Biden's $1.9 Trillion Pandemic Relief Package Even the name has changed a bit. It’s now called “Taste of the Town Dine Out Takeout!” We’re are still celebrating South Florida’s unique and growing food scene – this time from safely outside. It used to be that I would be inside, dining shoulder-to-shoulder and tasting the culinary creations of our great chefs. READ MORE: Johnson & Johnson Single-Shot COVID-19 Vaccine Joining In The Fight Against Global Pandemic I’ll still be enjoying all that great food, but now, with safety in mind, we will be outside and six feet apart. What if a restaurant doesn’t have an outdoor space, you ask? Not to worry, we’ll still be showing it to you. I’ll be doing takeout and sampling from home as we’re doing on this day with Fireman Derek’s Cookie Monster Pie. So, everyone, it’s time to pull up a chair and enjoy Taste of the Town Dine Out Takeout. It’ll be on every Friday morning and again that evening at 5:30 as well as Sunday mornings. And a new bonus, we’re adding the recipe to one of the dishes we sample right here on CBSMiami.com so you can get cooking too. MORE NEWS: Trump A Dominant Force At Conservative Conference In Orlando Come join us and come hungry on Fridays. We’ll see you there! ...
Exclusive: Inside Notorious Gangster Al Capone’s South Florida Mansion
Follow CBSMIAMI.COM: Facebook | Twitter MIAMI BEACH (CBSMiami) — Secluded with centuries old trees and lushly manicured grounds, 93 Palm Island, the former waterfront mansion of infamous gangster Al Capone has been restored to its former glory and offered up for sale. Capone bought it in 1928 Realtor Nelson Gonzalez has the listing for 2018. READ MORE: South Florida House Republicans Vote Against President Biden's $1.9 Trillion Pandemic Relief Package The main house (CBS4) He paid $40,000 for the property back then and it is for sale today for $14.9 million. It is a 30-thousand square foot lot, which is large for Miami Beach. The land alone is worth in excess of $10 million dollars,” Gonzalez said. The eye-catcher of the entire lot is the enormous pool and boathouse, which Capone added. The enormous pool and boat house. (CBS4) “This is one of largest pools in all of Miami. It is 60-feet long and 30-feet wide. He tried to compete with The Venetian pool when they built it in 1920’s. Inside the two-bedroom boathouse, “This is where the VIP guests stay,” explained Nelson. “Ok, so this is where I’ll stay,” joked CBS4’s Lisa Petrillo. The bedrooms are beachy style. The bath is top to bottom with hand laid Italian mosaic tile. Outside the window, there’s a beautiful view of that gigantic pool. Walking to the main house, Nelson explains, “We have historical photos of this house on Palm Island when it was built. We have an aerial shot and this was the only house here.” READ MORE: Johnson & Johnson Single-Shot COVID-19 Vaccine Joining In The Fight Against Global Pandemic Al Capone (CBS4) Marco Bruzzi from MB American bought the house as an investment in 2015. “We bought this house for $8 million and we invested $2 million for the renovation,” Bruzzi said. There’s a downstairs powder room lined with all original Art Deco style tile from the time. Upstairs, there are four bedrooms including the master suite, which ...
