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Police Uncover ‘Possible Plot’ by Militia to Breach Capitol

Capitol Police say they have intelligence showing there is a “possible plot” by a militia group to breach the U.S. Capitol on Thursday.

Capitol Police say they have uncovered intelligence of a “possible plot” by a militia group to breach the U.S. Capitol on Thursday, nearly two months after a mob of supporters of then-President Donald Trump stormed the iconic building to try to stop Congress from certifying now-President Joe Biden's victory.

The threat appears to be connected to a far-right conspiracy theory, mainly promoted by supporters of QAnon, that Trump will rise again to power on March 4.

That was the original presidential inauguration day until 1933, when it was moved to Jan. 20.

The announcement comes as the Capitol police and other law enforcement agencies are taking heat from Congress in contentious hearings this week on their handling of the Jan. 6 riot.

Police were ill-prepared for the mass of Trump supporters in tactical gear, some armed, and it took hours for National Guard reinforcements to come.

By then, rioters had broken and smashed their way into the building and roamed the halls for hours, stalling Congress' certification effort temporarily and sending lawmakers into hiding.

“The United States Capitol Police Department is aware of and prepared for any potential threats towards members of Congress or towards the Capitol complex,” the agency said in a statement.

“We have obtained intelligence that shows a possible plot to breach the Capitol by an identified militia group on Thursday, March 4.” Police did not identify the militia group in the statement.

Buckingham Palace to investigate allegations that Meghan bullied UK staff

Buckingham Palace said Wednesday it would investigate allegations that Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, bullied several staff members after a British media report cited unnamed royal aides saying a complaint had been made against her in 2018.

The Times in the UK published an article on Tuesday citing sources who said that the complaint claimed the Duchess drove out two personal assistants from her Kensington Palace household and undermined the confidence of a third staff member.

The sources also said they approached The Times because they felt the version of the Duchess that had publicly emerged was only partially true and that they were concerned about how matters of bullying had been dealt with.

The report said the sources believed the public "Should have insight into their side of the story" ahead of the couple's highly anticipated interview with Oprah Winfrey to air Sunday, their first sit-down appearance since leaving London for North America last year.

Buckingham Palace said it was "Very concerned" about the allegations outlined in the report.

No wonder Harry & Meghan want out of Britain.

Cost of Australia's aged care system to soar to $36bn P/a

The Guardian Australia - Page Online : 4 March 2021 - Original article by Elias Visontay - PortMac.News Summary

Some $27bn was spent on Australia's aged care system in the 2018-19 financial year, of which the federal government contributed $20bn.

Economists warn that implementing the minimum recommendations of the aged-care royal commission would require annual expenditure on the sector to be increased by up to $9bn.

However, this could rise to about $15.5bn a year if the government adopted the most ambitious and costly reforms that have been recommended by commissioners Lynelle Briggs and Tony Pagone. Their final report does not contain any specific costings.

Economy rebound beats expectations

The Australian - Page 4 : 4 March 2021 - Original article by Patrick Commins - PortMac.News Summary

The latest national accounts data shows that Australia recorded GDP growth of 3.1% in the December quarter, following growth of 3.3%t in the September quarter.

The economy contracted by just 1.1% in calendar 2020, despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

KPMG's chief economist Brendan Rynne expects the economy to return to its pre-pandemic size by mid-2021, while shadow treasurer Jim Chalmers say the economic recovery has been "Remarkable".

However, he adds that millions of Australians are still "Doing it tough".

Federal funds to increase Australia's production of critical minerals

The Australian - Page 4 : 4 March 2021 - Original article by Geoff Chambers - PortMac.News Summary

The federal government will provide businesses with grants of up to $20m to ramp up Australia's production and processing of critical minerals such as rare earths.

The 10-year 'road map' to be announced by Prime Minister Scott Morrison on 4 March is aimed at increasing the nation's value-adding capacity, rather than simply shipping the raw materials overseas to be processed and used to make high-value products that are then imported into Australia.

Morrison has identified manufacturing as a key element of the nation's recovery from the coronavirus-induced economic downturn.

We need flu mindset for Covid life: Berejiklian

The Australian - Page 8 : 4 March 2021 - Original article by Janet Albrechtsen - PortMac.News Summary

New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian contends that Australia's success in combating the coronavirus should no longer be measured by the number of new cases each day.

She says the COVID-19 vaccine rollout means that keeping people out of hospital should now be the key measure of success, given that the virus will not be completely eliminated.

Berejiklian adds that keeping Australia's international borders closed is not sustainable beyond the short-term.

NSW has recorded a 45th consecutive day with no locally-acquired COVID-19 cases, but there have been six new cases in hotel quarantine.

Victoria has in turn recorded five days with no new coronavirus cases.

Australia's COVID-19 vaccine program requires dramatic ramping up

abc.net.au - Page Online : 4 March 2021 - Original article by Casey Briggs - PortMac.News Summary

The federal government still has a target date of October to vaccinate all Australians who want to receive a COVID-19 jab.

The government fell well short of its target number in the first week of the vaccine rollout.

A total of 63,140 doses of the Pfizer vaccine were distributed, but just 33,702 people received it.

Health Minister Greg Hunt had conservatively estimated that 80,000 doses would be distributed and 60,000 would be administered in the first week.

Based on the government's rollout 'roadmap', nearly 200,000 doses will need to be administered each day if all Australian adults are to be inoculated by the end of October.

 Sims calls for reforms to 'Game-changer' consumer law act

The Australian - Page 17 : 4 March 2021 - Original article by David Swan - PortMac.News Summary

Australian Competition & Consumer Commission chairman Rod Sims has called for an overhaul of consumer protection laws.

The Competition and Consumer Act took effect 10 years ago, and Sims notes that the introduction of civil pecuniary penalties for breaching consumer laws was a key change.

However, he contends that further reforms are necessary, including a ban on unfair trading practices and greater action to protect consumers from unsafe products.

GDP figures lead stocks higher

The Australian - Page 23 : 4 March 2021 - Original article by Rebecca Le May - PortMac.News Summary

The Australian sharemarket rallied on 3 March, with the S&P/ASX 200 rising 0.82% to close at 6,818 points.

Fortescue Metals Group rose 5.69% to $22.84, Ramelius Resources was up 13.7% at $1.37 and the ANZ Bank added 2.49% to end the session at $27.56. However, Afterpay shed 2.2% to finish at $120.76.

Banks put on notice over loan standards

The Australian - Page 23 : 4 March 2021 - Original article by Richard Gluyas - PortMac.News Summary

Reserve Bank of Australia governor Philip Lowe noted on 2 March that lending standards remain sound and must continue to do so given the historically low interest rates and the recent rise in house prices.

The Council of Financial Regulators has signalled that it will continue to scrutinise lenders and will be prepared to intervene if lending standards deteriorate and financial risks increase. The CFR has noted that demand for business also seems to be increasing.

Retailers prosper as economy gathers pace

The Australian Financial Review - Page 25 : 4 March 2021 - Original article by Richard Henderson - PortMac.News Summary

The latest national accounts data shows that household spending rose by 4.3% in the December quarter.

The economy's rebound from the coronavirus-induced recession has been a boon for listed retailers, with many enjoying strong growth in sales and their share prices.

Dermot Ryan of AMP Capital says factors such as the federal government's stimulus program and Australia's relatively low COVID-19 case numbers have been a major driver of the economic recovery and the retailer sector's rebound.

Retailers are expected to further benefit from the vaccine rollout and continued restrictions on international travel.

Fairfax now an island in the stream

The Australian - Page 3 : 4 March 2021 - Original article by James Madden, Lilly Vitorovich - PortMac.News Summary

Nine Entertainment Company's chairman Peter Costello has refuted suggestions that its board had 'fractured' over the decision to appoint Mike Sneesby to succeed CEO Hugh Marks.

Sneesby has headed Nine's Stan streaming service for seven years, while head of publishing Chris Janz was also in contention for the job.

Nine's board is believed to have been divided as to whether Marks' successor should come from its broadcast or publishing division.

The appointment of Sneesby has prompted speculation within the media group about the future of its newspapers arm.

Google warns online safety bill could cause mass website shutdown

The Australian Financial Review - Page 10 : 4 March 2021 - Original article by Finbar O'Mallon - PortMac.News Summary

The federal government's proposed online safety legislation will require technology companies to remove harmful content within 24 hours, rather than 48 hours at present.

Google has used its submission to a parliamentary inquiry into the bill to warn that the proposed reform may have unintended consequences, as digital platforms could inadvertently block unrelated content.

Justin Warren, the founder of digital consulting firm PivotNine, has in turn warned that the bill would give the eSafety Commissioner too much power.

Caves scandal claims Rio chair

The Australian - Page 15 & 20 : 4 March 2021 - Original article by Lachlan Moffet Gray, Nick Evans - PortMac.News Summary

Rio Tinto chairman Simon Thompson says he is "Ultimately accountable" for the failings that resulted in the destruction of ancient indigenous rock shelters at Juukan Gorge.

Thompson has advised that he will remain on Rio Tinto's board until its annual meeting in 2022, when he will not seek re-election.

The internal review of the incident was led by director Michael L'Estrange, who will step down at the 2021 AGM.

James Fitzgerald from the Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility says Rio Tinto will not rebuild trust or its reputation while other directors linked to the scandal remain on its board.