Canberra Talk

Cleaning an entire house from top to bottom is imperative in the spring season. Take some time out of your busy schedule and clean up your every corner of your home to improve indoor air quality . Keeping a clean and hygienic environment not only promote positivity but also prevent your family from infections and diseases. Whether you have a small home in Bonner or a luxury apartment in the hotspots of Canberra city, make sure you give your living space a thorough cleaning. Today, we are sharing some simple yet time-efficient spring cleaning tips for you. 1. Remove Dust from Every Single Surface It is important to drive out dust, dirt, soil, pollens and other loose debris from every nook and cranny of the property using a duster or clean microfiber cloths. Start from the top of your room, such as ceiling fan, light switches, fittings and fixtures and make your way down towards windows, doors, furniture and carpets. 2. Properly Vacuum Your Carpets and Upholstery Furni...

I went for a drive out to Tallowa Dam as I heard the fires had been bad there. Bad doesn’t even begin to describe the utter devastation. Melted road signs, split rocks and skeletons told me that for a few days this was literally hell on Earth. However, the speed and force with which the regrowth had commenced was breathtaking and the way that some shoots burst through scorched trunks reminded me of childbirth. There were shoots emanating from everywhere – and quickly. The deepest impression I was left with, though, was the utter silence. Australian bush is usually a riot of noise. I could just hear the trickle of water and the odd insect, and I saw no marsupial life at all. Read more:  https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/jul/30/life-and-death-what-readers-in-australia-are-seeing-post-bushfires-aoe

Over-reaction from Beijing is almost baked into Canberra’s foreign policy calculus at this point. Scorn and sanctions were heaped upon Australia for calling for an independent inquiry into the origin of the coronavirus pandemic. But for all of its bluster, Beijing’s response to the joint US-Australia statement to come out of the ministerial talks in Washington has been – in Beijing’s terms – low-key. The US-Australia joint statement included strong language about China undermining Hong Kong’s autonomy, concern over the repression of Uighurs in Xinjiang, support for Taiwan and its inclusion in the international community, and China’s maritime claims in the South China Sea. Read more:  https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/jul/31/for-all-its-bluster-china-knows-australia-isnt-merely-doing-the-bidding-of-the-us

The Federal Government is set to permit foreign workers to fly into Australia to help farmers harvest crops despite an inbound travel ban and surging unemployment. Key points: The Federal Government is set to allow up to 200 fruit pickers into the NT The workers will come from Vanuatu, which has no recorded cases of COVID-19 Agriculture Minister David Littleproud says Australians are not willing to migrate to pick fruit The ABC understands the Government is on the cusp of announcing a pilot program that would allow up to 200 workers to travel from Vanuatu to harvest mangoes in the Northern Territory, possibly within weeks. Farmers across the country have become increasingly concerned that their crops could be left to rot, and sheep left unshorn, without access to the foreign workers that typically work on Australian farms. Read more:  https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-07-31/government-vanuatu-pick-fruit-coronavirus-borders/12509316

Donald Trump has proposed via tweet that November’s presidential election be delayed until people can “properly, securely and safely vote”, despite electoral experts clarifying that the president has no unilateral power to change the date of any elections, which are enshrined in law. Facing declining poll numbers, bad economic news and the report that the US’s coronavirus death toll had passed 150,000, Trump claimed that mass mail-in voting could lead to “the most inaccurate and fraudulent election in history”, but even loyalists such as Marco Rubio and Lindsay Graham quickly distanced themselves from the comments, with Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell saying the election date was “set in stone”. Read more:  https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/jul/31/morning-mail-trump-suggests-election-delay-australias-deadliest-day-polynesias-mean-girls

Nothing can be more time-consuming than sprucing up an entire house from top to bottom. Most people use store-bough cleaning products because they are effective on stubborn stains. Of course, they can minimise the effort and show quick results, but they contain hazardous chemicals that can cause respiratory issues or directly harm the environment. Instead of using toxic cleaning products in your home, it is good to prepare natural cleaning agents using some great ingredients. Most of the end of lease cleaning companies in Canberra use environmentally-friendly products to treat stains, spills, grease, mould and mildew. Here is a complete list of natural cleaning agents or ingredients that you can use directly or mix together while sprucing up your living space in Braddon. 1. Natural Window or Glass Cleaner All you need is a half cup of white vinegar, ¼ cup of rubbing alcohol and 2 cups of warm water. Mix them well and pour into a spray bottle. This solution can be used...

South Australia is again strengthening its border controls with Victoria, banning anyone, including South Australians, from entering the state from midnight on Tuesday. Key points: South Australians will no longer be able to enter from Victoria from Tuesday night Caps on large gatherings, including weddings and funerals, will be reimposed Businesses without a COVID-Safe plan will have to close Currently, South Australians are allowed to return home but must quarantine for two weeks and undergo two mandatory coronavirus tests. Some exemptions will still be allowed for the most essential travellers. Read more:  https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-07-24/south-australians-to-be-included-in-victorian-border-ban/12489864

Australians had been slowly emerging from Covid-19 lockdowns since the federal government announced a three-stage plan in May to ease restrictions across the country, but from 8 July the Melbourne metropolitan area and Mitchell shire immediately to the north returned to a stage three lockdown for six weeks. Here we try to answer some of the most common questions people have about the laws, based on the information current as of 24 July. Read more:  https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/jul/24/australia-covid-19-lockdown-rules-coronavirus-restrictions-how-far-can-travel-interstate-border-social-distancing-nsw-victoria-vic-queensland-qld-wa-sa-act-how-many-people-over-house

Australian lizards destined for the international black market have been found by Australia Post workers, packed in rice cookers bound for China. X-rays on the new cookers revealed unexplainable shadows, with postal workers quickly alerting authorities. Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) officers arrived to dismantle the cookers. They found live lizards, including an albino blue tongue, bearded dragons and shingleback lizards. Read more:  https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-07-24/china-illegal-animal-trade-lizards-rice-cooker-brisbane/12487740

West Australians will have their best chance to spot a rare comet this weekend as it makes a pass over earth on its 7000-year lap around the sun. Comet Neowise has been wowing skygazers in the northern hemisphere for the past month and on Sunday night will possibly be visible to the naked eye after sunset in the southern hemisphere. Perth Observatory tour administrator Matt Woods said regional WA offered prime viewing because of a lack of light pollution. Read more:   https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-07-24/china-illegal-animal-trade-lizards-rice-cooker-brisbane/12487740

Most people invest in microfiber sofas because they are stain-resistant and add great comfort. They are flexible, durable and look beautiful as long as you keep them clean. Make sure you maintain its beauty by removing dust, dirt, allergens, spills, stains and bad odours. If you have ever removed coffee spills from upholstery furniture, then you will understand that blotting an affected area with clean cloth is a great hack than rubbing. To know more tips and tricks on microfiber upholstery cleaning, look at the article shared below. It includes some great hacks that will bring back the lost shine of your microfiber furniture without any discolouration. https://www.bondcleaningincanberra.com.au/easy-and-safe-way-to-clean-microfiber-upholstery-at-home/

Australian states on Tuesday tightened restrictions on movement as authorities struggle to contain a fresh outbreak of Covid-19 in the country’s southeast that is starting to spill into other areas. With growing fears of a second coronavirus wave nationally, two states extended border restrictions and Australia’s most populous state imposed limits on the number of people allowed in large pubs. Read more:   https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/australia-tightens-restrictions-on-movement-amid-fresh-covid-19-outbreaks/story-BnrYTWWgpOKI6k19g5B01N.html

The University of Queensland in Australia has started dosing healthy adult participants in a Phase I clinical trial of its Covid-19 vaccine candidate. The first dose of the potential vaccine was given at Nucleus Network’s Brisbane clinic. The trial is intended to assess the safety of the candidate, along with its ability to induce immune response in healthy volunteers. University of Queensland vaccine project co-leader professor Paul Young said: “The green light to move into this first phase of human trials follows extensive pre-clinical testing that started when we first selected our lead vaccine candidate on 14 February. Read more:    https://www.clinicaltrialsarena.com/news/queensland-covid19-vaccine-trial/

Despite rising tensions between China and Australia, overall trade between the two countries has remained steady, with some sectors even posting increases, the latest export data and sector updates showed. Australia’s overall exports climbed between March and May as China gradually recovered from the various lockdowns imposed throughout the country to combat the spread of the coronavirus. Read more:   https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3093037/australia-exports-china-remained-strong-may-despite-rising

SYDNEY — Caught between an erratic Donald Trump and a fast-spiraling diplomatic crisis with Beijing, Canberra turned to the EU for cover. In the lead-up to the World Health Organization's World Health Assembly in May, Australia was staring down the barrel of a trade war with its top trading partner. Read More:  https://www.politico.com/news/2020/07/13/australia-china-european-union-360428

Do you love using baking soda to clean almost everything? Then you and I the same because I love this wonderful ingredient for cleaning as well. I have used it to clean a host of things but, it was a friend of mine who put a word of caution by sharing this article. It tells about five things to never clean with baking soda. These things include wooden surfaces and objects, things that have sealants like stone surfaces, caulks and more. So, if you are interested about knowing the things you should not clean with baking soda then please read this article now. https://www.bondcleaningincanberra.com.au/5-things-to-never-clean-with-baking-soda/

All Victorians will be turned away from the Queensland border from Friday. A surge in new cases of COVID-19 has pushed the state government to harden its stance on visitors from the southern state. "From noon, July 10, visitors from Victoria will no longer gain access or be able to quarantine in Queensland," Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said in a tweet on Thursday. "They will be turned around." No new cases of the disease have been recorded overnight. Read more  https://www.sbs.com.au/news/queensland-to-turn-back-victorians-while-south-australia-closes-victoria-border

Hundreds of travellers have made a last-minute dash from Victoria into South Australia before a hard border closure came into effect overnight, including Melbourne residents seeking to escape their city's coronavirus lockdown. Key points: Hundreds of people crossed the border in the lead-up to the hard closure Incoming travellers include residents seeking to avoid the Melbourne lockdown Some have expressed relief but others have spoken of confusion about the pre-approval process A line of about 150 cars was queued at the Bordertown checkpoint in SA's South East late yesterday, with incoming travellers expressing mixed feelings, including confusion and relief. "We live in Melbourne now, but we'd like to get back to South Australia so we can avoid the lockdown and feel a bit safer about where we are," one traveller said as she waited at the checkpoint with her family. Read more  https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-07-09/melbourne-residents-join-rush-across-s...

Australia's second-largest city has begun a second lockdown in response to a spike in new coronavirus infections. Melbourne's five million residents will be barred from leaving home for six weeks, except for essential reasons. Police say they are setting up a "ring of steel" around the city, with "checkpoints anytime and anywhere" to enforce the measures. Borders between Victoria, of which Melbourne is the capital, and neighbouring states closed on Tuesday. Read more:  https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-53335745

Hi Mates, I am extremely unhappy with the weird smell in my home. Thus, I am searching for some helpful information for the past few days, and recently, I read some good article on how to remove bad odours from your home. But one article, in particular, impressed me a lot. I found all the information I was looking for. Thus, I would recommend this article to everyone who is also experiencing lousy odour in their home. Whether it is your bathroom, living room, or kitchen, the post has covered all the essential spots. If you are interested to know about the weird household smell in detail, read the complete article.  https://www.bondcleaningincanberra.com.au/7-weird-household-smells-and-how-to-get-rid-of-them/

The Federal Health Minister says Australia has enough of the coronavirus drug remdesivir in the national stockpile thanks to donations made months ago by the drug's makers. For many like Dipak Sud, who has lived with Parkinson's disease for almost two decades, regular home care visits have changed his life. The 69-year-old, who is originally from India, uses Sri Om Care, a home care services organisation which caters specifically to multicultural communities. "The visits have given me more confidence, even though I have a medical problem, it's helped me feel that I am no less than anybody else," he told SBS News from his home in Sydney. Read more:  https://www.sbs.com.au/news/australia-is-crying-out-for-more-care-workers-but-coronavirus-is-causing-visa-delays

The Federal Health Minister says Australia has enough of the coronavirus drug remdesivir in the national stockpile thanks to donations made months ago by the drug's makers. Key points: Australia secured a reserve supply of the drug early in the pandemic The Health Minister says it is one of the therapies being considered to treat coronavirus patients The United States has been accused of hoarding supplies of the drug Greg Hunt said he recognised there were shortages around the world but said that was not the case in Australia. "Australia's in a fortunate position, it's available for doctors to use from the national medical stockpile for patients who are in hospital with illness," he said. His comments come after the United States was criticised by health experts for hoarding almost all of the world's current supply of the drug. Read more:  https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-07-02/australia-sufficient-supply-coronavirus-drug-remdesivir/12416048

After Grace* was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year, she turned to medicinal cannabis. But accessing it through legal medical channels was a challenge: she faced long waiting times and substantial paperwork. "I was offered through an illegal source where I could get it very quickly, and because my tumours were aggressive and time is of the essence, I decided to opt for the non-medical option," she tells ABC RN's Life Matters. Grace started to get cannabidiol (CBD) oil sent to her in the post, in an olive oil bottle. Read more:  https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-07-02/medicinal-cannabis-use-in-australia-black-market/12387408

The radical survival plan outlined by Oil Search on Wednesday serves as an industry portent for what should be an ugly half-year of asset write-downs from Australia's energy producers courtesy of the flagging oil price. Oil Search’s decision to slash 34 per cent of its workforce and slice its production costs by 8.6 per cent, having already raised $1.1 billion in April to bolster its balance sheet, says plenty about the diabolical state of the oil industry. The company has also signalled it could sell down its stake in its crown jewel PNG asset. Read more:  https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/the-diabolical-state-of-the-oil-industry-means-write-downs-in-australia-are-inevitable-20200701-p5582e.html