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Emotional visit: Cancer expert Professor Sherene Loi with US Vice President Joe Biden (and a younger looking Dan Andrews) during VP’s trip to Australia in July 2016

It was July 2016, Joe Biden just arrived for her final trip to Australia in office – and she’s teary.

Sitting US Vice President talking with cancer expert Sherene Loi at the medical research center in Melbourne.

And despite being surrounded by his traveling circus – Secret Service agents, the media, even the younger looking Victorian Prime Minister Dan Andrews – Biden went private.

‘I remember he was quite emotional,’ Professor Loi told Daily Mail Australia.

‘She cried when I talked to her about her son … that’s a pretty tough thing to do.’

The oldest of Biden’s two sons, Beau, died of a brain tumor the previous year, at the age of 46.

Cancer, glioblastoma, is a cancer you ‘never want’, said Dr Loi, whose research was recognized.

The American politician wants to talk to Professor Loi about the immunotherapy treatments he is researching that are similar to what his son received.

For Biden, the loss of his son “still seemed very crude,” the oncologist recalled. “At that moment he looked like the parent or brother or father of another cancer patient.”

It was an emotional moment on the journey that provided valuable insight into President Biden’s possible approach to Australia if he defeated Donald Trump on November 3.

Sailing in Sydney Harbor: Vice President Biden has a private conversation with Foreign Minister Julie Bishop on her last trip to Australia while taking office in 2016

Circus following US Vice President: A platoon of special operations forces following Joe Biden’s voyage with Julie Bishop if something goes wrong

Biden’s son, Beau, died of cancer in 2015 at the age of 46, leaving the Vice President to spend much of his final year in office focused on improving cancer care.

How will he get along with Australia?

The Australian government got off to a bad start with President Trump just a week after he took the oath of office in 2017.

A transcript of the phone call between Trump and prime minister Malcolm Turnbull was leaked to the Washington Post.

In the call, the Republican president was angry over a deal Australia had signed with his predecessor Barack Obama that took 1,250 asylum seekers from Manus Island.

Trump said of all his introductory calls to world leaders, “by far the worst call” and denounced the plan as “the worst deal ever.”

Finally, the US President agreed to follow through with it – and experts say relations between the two countries have warmed since then.

Trump during his hot call with Malcolm Turnbull in office in January 2017

“It’s getting better and (Scott) Morrison appears to be one of the few world leaders Trump really likes,” Lowy Institute foreign affairs specialist Dr Michael Fullilove said in a podcast.

Biden – who was first elected to the US Senate in 1973 – is familiar with Australia, its alliance with the US and its history.

In his 2016 trip, the Vice President explained how two of his relatives fought in Papua New Guinea during World War II.

Biden described how Prime Minister John Curtin had turned from Britain to the United States for support in the dark days of 1941.

“Australians are looking to America, and a generation of Americans – including my two uncles are responding,” said Biden.

“Both were in New Guinea, one was killed and one returned seriously injured.”

At the MCG: Ms Bishop and partner David Panton (in West Coast Eagles scarf) watch AFL with Biden and American professional AFL player Mason Cox (to the left of the Vice President)

Biden chats with AFL CEO Gil McLachlan on the basis of the MCG

Biden has met several former Australian prime ministers, including Abbott, Hawke and Turnbull.

A top adviser, Jake Sullivan, told the chairman of the podcast Biden would be “excited” to forge a strong relationship with Morrison.

“I think they’re off to a great start,” he said, adding Biden saw Australia as the ‘hub’ of US security strategy.

But there may be tension over action on climate change, with advisers signaling he will encourage the nation’s ‘friends’ to ‘do more’.

Mr Sullivan said Biden will “hold countries like China accountable to do more but he will also encourage our friends to do more too.”

“There’s no reason to be awkward,” he said.

One thing he didn’t see coming

The Vice President took his granddaughter along on an excursion to Australia, where she hugged a koala, watched the AFL at the MCG (with Collingwood importer Mason Cox explaining the rules), boarded a cruise on Sydney Harbor with Julie Bishop, and met Malcolm Turnbull, Bill Shorten and Indigenous Australians.

But there is one thing in sight that the Vice President – who is expected to be retiring by then – does not see his arrival.

Biden swings past Taronga Zoo with his grandson to see koalas and concludes the Australian tour

At the Victoria Comprehensive Care Cancer Clinic, Dr Loi said staff could not help asking him if the Republican candidate had a chance of winning.

Trump campaigned to ‘build the wall’ and was seen as an outside opportunity to beat former first lady Hillary Clinton.

Professor Loi said: ‘At the time he said to us, because we asked about Trump: “There’s no way he could come in”.

‘I thought everyone was quite surprised. I’m pretty reassured – the Vice President thought Trump wouldn’t come in, (so) he wouldn’t. ‘

Years later, the Vice President is in the final days of a marathon campaign to expel Trump from the White House.

Her eyes were undoubtedly wide open so that it too could end in tears.

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Australia

A family of five traveling the 25,000 kilometers across Australia shares what life on the road is like | Instant News

October 24, 2020 NewsDesk

Husband and wife Sam and Melissa Griffiths departed in August 2019 to tour Australia by bus with their three young children for seven months.

An adventurous couple, 29 and 30, from New South Wales have always wanted to live on the road and drive across the country to experience a different way of life.

“ We didn’t really decide to stay on the bus, it came more as our lives went on, ” Sam told FEMAIL.

“We both told each other on one of our first dates in 2008 that we would love to travel to Australia in a van someday and have decided to make it our destination for years to come.”

Sam, a carpenter and Melissa, an elementary school teacher and yoga instructor, babysit their three children under five with them on the street, with the youngest just 12 months old.

For seven months the family lived on the highway full time and traveled more than 25,000 kilometers across the country – visiting some of the most incredible locations Australia has to offer.

Sam and Melissa Griffiths toured Australia by bus with their three young children between August 2019 and March 2020

Sam (left) is a carpenter and Melissa (right) is an elementary school teacher and yoga instructor, and the children are all under five years old with the youngest just 12 months old

While on the road, the family of five “lived the dream” with the 1992 Toyota Coaster which they turned into a tiny house on wheels the previous year.

Prior to Coaster, the couple had bought a smaller van but as Melissa’s family grew up insisted they buy something bigger to get more space.

In the winter of 2019, they embarked on a journey and drive from New South Wales to the Daintree in far north Queensland, then west through the interior to the Northern Territory.

In winter 2019, the family embarked on their journey and drove from New South Wales to the Daintree in far north Queensland, then across the interior to the Northern Territory

‘Favorite places include anywhere we can collect fresh coconuts, tropical Queensland, Uluru, Tasmania’s wild west coast,’ says Sam

As the north got too hot with temperatures soaring more than 40 degrees Celsius, the couple drove south along the Stuart Highway and stopped at ‘must see’ Australian attractions, including Uluru, Devils Marbles in the Northern Territory and the Finke River in Southern Australia.

A PLACE THE FAMILY HAS BEEN CHARGED

Uluru

Queensland

Northern Territory

South Australia

West Coast Tasmania

Demon Marbles in the Northern Territory

The Finke River in South Australia

“Favorite spots include anywhere we can collect fresh coconuts, tropical Queensland, Uluru and Tasmania’s wild west coast,” says Sam.

But despite the beautiful scenery, traveling and living in a small bus with two toddlers and a baby proved difficult at times.

‘Living on the road in a mini bus is crazy! We left home with a 12 week old child, so mom is just starting to feel like herself again and the other two toddlers are always needing hard work, ” said Sam.

But the hard work pays off because the family can enjoy quality time together all the time.

‘I remember at the start of our trip, my oldest son used to say “can we go home now” and it would break my heart – but about ten days later, the little bus was home and everyone was adjusting to a strange but perfect routine,’ he says.

‘The older girls really like it! Having mom and dad there all day and sleeping just feet from each other is quite special for them.

‘They used to say ever since we got home “daddy, can we sleep in the desert tonight” or “when do we sleep on the bus again?”,’ Said Sam.

As the north was too hot with temperatures soaring more than 40 degrees Celsius, the couple drove south along the Stuart Highway and stopped at ‘must see’ Australian attractions, including Uluru (pictured)

‘Favorite spots include wherever we can collect fresh coconuts, tropical Queensland, Uluru and Tasmania’s wild west coast,’ says Sam

But despite the beautiful scenery, traveling and living in a small bus with two toddlers and a baby can be difficult at times

The bus named Lola has a queen bed with television, a fully functional kitchen on the side, a working shower and toilet in the bathroom, a wardrobe, a fridge, a single bed, seating and storage.

On the roof are solar panels to help with power and more storage space for surfboards, bicycles, tools, prams, clotheslines and other bulky items.

But just two weeks ago, the family decided to sell the bus and bought a 12.5 meter Hino school bus to convert into their new home on wheels.

‘After we finish changing our new buses around Easter next year, we will disappear to Western Australia for five years if all goes well; the new bus will be like a home to us and home is where we park it, ‘said Sam.

When asked what advice they would give others considering bus life, the couple recommended ‘just do it’

Just two weeks ago the family decided to sell the bus and buy a 12.5 meter Hino school bus to convert into their new home on wheels

When asked what advice they would give others considering bus life, the couple recommended ‘just do it’.

“It’s so incredible looking for a bus that we just bought the first bus we saw,” said Sam.

‘We literally jumped first knowing nothing, but over time things changed and it became one of the biggest learning curves of our lives!’

The young family is currently living with the family in New South Wales until the new bus is completely converted into their new home on wheels.

TIPS WHILE LIFE ON THE ROAD

Consider whether a bus or caravan is better for you than driving a car

If you take your time off work, consider how long you want to go and where you want to visit

Make a budget by finding the best and most convenient caravan park or camping spot – campsites are usually cheaper but have fewer amenities

Think about how you will have access to water and electricity

Only carry a limited supply of what you need – clothes, tools, bedding, etc.

Enjoy meeting other people who are also on their way

Only shop for groceries as needed – stock no more than two weeks to save space in them

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Australia

Thunderstorms hit Australia’s east coast AGAIN ahead of the AFL Grand Final in Brisbane | Instant News

October 24, 2020 NewsDesk

Tonight’s historic AFL Grand Final could be postponed due to a violent thunderstorm hitting Australia’s east coast.

Hours before kick-off at 19.30, Gabba in Brisbane was already inundated with torrential rain.

This is the first time the AFL Grand Final has been held outside Victoria in the game’s 122 year history.

Under the rules imposed in 2015, games will be postponed for 30 minutes if lightning strikes within 10 km of the stadium.

A severe thunderstorm warning was in place for Queensland, with forecasters warning of a ‘multi-state storm outbreak’.

New South Wales, northeastern Victoria, parts of South Australia and the northern part of the Northern Territory will also bathe.

The Richmond Tigers will face Geelong’s Cat after a very unique season in which the team is moved to Queensland and placed in the COVID-Safe bubble.

Gabba was seen at 3.30pm on a Saturday, just four hours before the AFL Grand Final between the Richmond Tigers and the Geelong Cats was set to kick off

Heavy rain rained down on the east coast on Saturday, with rain pouring down Brisbane – where the AFL Grand Final will kick off at 7.30pm

Under the rules introduced in 2015, play could be canceled if lightning strikes within 10 km of the match (pictured, The Gabba getting drenched at around 3.30pm on a Saturday)

A severe thunderstorm will also spread over 1,000 km across NSW, blanketing the land from Broken Hill to Newcastle.

Heavy rainfall is also likely to affect large parts of Queensland as far north as Cooktown, to Brisbane, Melbourne and Tasmania.

According to the AFL Extreme Weather Policy, if there is a thunderstorm within 10 km of the field, then the player must seek cover inside and play must be stopped.

“Under the lightning rule they can postpone matches by up to an hour,” said an AFL spokesman 7 News.

“It’s happened before, but it’s very rare.”

‘Multi-state hurricane outbreak’ and will target Queensland, New South Wales, northeastern Victoria, parts of South Australia and northern parts of the Northern Territory

Clouds were seen forming over The Gabba in Brisbane ahead of the AFL Grand Final between the Richmond Tigers and Geelong Cats

The game can only be resumed if there is no lightning within 10 km of the course for 30 minutes.

Rules introduced during a Swans and Giants match in 2015, when lightning struck and play stopped for 25 minutes.

But a spokesman for the Bureau of Meteorology said it was likely the match would resume, even in heavy rain.

They said there was only a 20 percent chance that a thunderstorm would occur within 10 km of the stadium.

The massive storm will spread across Australia from the southeast coast, heading north over the weekend

Gabba is seen on the Saturday morning ahead of the AFL Grand Final. There are fears the match could be postponed due to bad weather, with rain starting around 3pm

Bad weather on Friday evening caused about 50 calls to be made to the State Emergency Service (SES) due to severe damage.

The Bureau of Meteorology and Meteorology Helen Reid warned that this will be a “fairly active day” compared to Friday.

“ Overall we estimate about 10 to 15 millimeters across the Sydney area and if there is a thunderstorm you can get much more than that, ” he said. Sydney Morning Herald.

He said strong winds could reach up to 60 km / h in coastal areas and asked residents to stay away from trees and power lines.

The bureau also warned that heavy hail could hit parts of the Riverina district as well as flash floods.

The areas most likely to be affected include Wagga Wagga, Tumbarumba, Griffith, Narrandera, Lockhart and Darlington Point.

Up to 15 mm of rain is expected to fall in New South Wales on Saturday, according to the bureau

A car drives along a flooded road on the Barrier Highway north of Olary in South Australia on October 7 after heavy rain

BOM meteorologist Jonathan How warned that heavy rains were likely to continue into the weekend.

“It will be a stormy and wet weekend for eastern Queensland and New South Wales including Brisbane and Sydney,” How said.

‘Total precipitation this Sunday will be broadly 30-50mm across parts of eastern Australia but, when we look at those more intense storms, we can see a total of 100 and even up to 150mm for some parts.’

When the worst storms hit the rainfall, the total rainfall can exceed 100-150mm for some parts.

Western Australia will miss out on its weather events completely, with sunny days and temperature forecasts in the late 20s to early 30s leading up to the weekend.

Last month, the bureau officially announced the country’s first active La Niña in 10 years.

Weather events occur when stronger equatorial winds, blowing from east to west, cool the Pacific Ocean off tropical Australia.

During the last La Niña between 2010 and 2012, the weather bureau said Australia had one of the ‘wettest two-year periods on record’.

“Widespread flooding in many parts of Australia is linked to record rainfall,” he said.

The Bureau of Meteorology officially declared the first La Niña event from 2010 to 2012, when floods hit Queensland, killing 33 people.

FIVE DAYS OF WEATHER IN YOUR CITY

SYDNEY

SATURDAY: Min 19. Max 29. Shower or two. Possible storm.

WEEK: Min 14. Max. 19. Take a shower.

MONDAY: Min 14. Max. 19. Take a shower.

TUESDAY: Min 13. Max 21. Take a shower or two.

WEDNESDAY: Min 15. Max 21. Shower or two.

BRISBANE

SATURDAY: Min 19. Max. 29. Partly cloudy

SUNDAY: Min 19. Max 30. Shower or two. It looks like a storm.

MONDAY: Min 19. Max. 29. Take a shower or two. Possible storm.

TUESDAY: Min 18. Max 27. Take a shower or two.

WEDNESDAY: Min 17. Max 28. Take a shower or two.

ADELAIDE

SATURDAY: Min 12. Max 18. Shower or two.

SUNDAY: Min 9. Max 17. Cloudy.

MONDAY: Min 9. Max. 18. Cloudy.

TUESDAY: Min 9. Max. 20. Cloudy.

WEDNESDAY: Sun 10. Max 21. Bright sunny.

CANBERRA

SATURDAY: Min 15. Max 22. Shower. Possible storm.

WEEK: Min 8. Max 14. Shower.

MONDAY: Min 6. Max 11. Shower.

TUESDAY: Min 7. Max 16. Take a shower or two.

WEDNESDAY: Min 8. Max 17. Shower or two.

MELBOURNE

SATURDAY: Min 12. Max 16. Rain and then rain. Windy.

WEEK: Min 9. Max 14. Shower.

MONDAY: Min 9. Max. 17. Partly cloudy.

TUESDAY: Min 9. Max. 18. Cloudy.

WEDNESDAY: Min 10. Max 19. Possibility of showering.

PERTH

SATURDAY: Sun 12. Max 29. Bright sunny.

SUNDAY: Min 17. Max 34. Sunny.

MONDAY: Min 19. Max. 29. Partly cloudy.

TUESDAY: Min 13. Max. 26. Partly cloudy.

WEDNESDAY: Min 15. Max. 24. Partly cloudy.

HOBART

SATURDAY: Min 11. Max 16. Shower or twice.

WEEK: Min 5. Max 13. Possibility of showering.

MONDAY: Min 6. Max 15. Cloudy.

TUESDAY: Min 7. Max 15. Take a shower or two.

WEDNESDAY: Min 9. Max 15. Shower or twice.

DARWIN

SATURDAY: Min 26. Max. 34. Partly cloudy.

WEEK: Min 26. Max. 33. Partly cloudy.

MONDAY: Min 26. Max. 33. Take a shower or two. Possible storm.

TUESDAY: Min 25. Max. 32. Take a shower or two. Possible storm.

WEDNESDAY: Min 25. Max 32. Take a shower or two. Possible storm.

Source: Bureau of Meteorology

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Australia

Prince Charles supported plans to overthrow beleaguered Australian Prime Minister Gough Whitlam in 1975 | Instant News

October 24, 2020 NewsDesk

Prince Charles supported plans to overthrow beleaguered Australian Prime Minister Gough Whitlam in 1975, according to private letters

The dismissal of the Whitlam government plunged Australia into a constitutional crisis
Then the governor-general Sir John Kerr, the Queen’s deputy, dismissed him
In March 1976 the 27-year-old prince wrote a letter expressing sympathy for Sir John Kerr

By Daily Mail Reporter

Published: 5:49 pm EDT, 23 October 2020 | Updated: 6:22 pm EDT, 23 October 2020

Prince Charles in support of Australia’s controversial sacking of prime minister in 1975, newly released private letters reveal.

The dismissal of the Gough Whitlam government by governor-general Sir John Kerr, the Queen’s deputy, plunged Australia into a constitutional crisis.

Mr Whitlam’s government has been rocked by scandal and an economic crisis.

Prince Charles supported the controversial sacking of Australia’s prime minister in 1975, newly released private letters reveal

The opposition urged Sir John to step in and sack Whitlam unless he agreed to hold an election.

In March 1976, four months after his dismissal, the 27-year-old prince wrote a letter expressing sympathy for the governor-general.

‘Please don’t be discouraged,’ he wrote.

“What you did last year was right and a bold thing to do and most Australians seem to support your decision when it was right.”

Suspicions about the Queen’s role in the affair have long helped propel the Australian republican movement.

The ouster of Gough Whitlam’s government by governor-general Sir John Kerr, the Queen’s representative, plunged Australia into a constitutional crisis.

But the newspapers relieved him of any responsibility, and Sir John was actually hiding his intention to fire Mr. Whitlam from the Queen.

But Prince Charles did what would be seen as a violation of royal protocol as the Queen has always maintained a strict policy of non-interference in Australian politics.

The letter risked Charles’s standing in Australia as heir to the throne. He said, ‘I want to write and say how much I sympathize with you.’

She urged Sir John not to worry about these ‘demonstrations and stupidity’, or become ‘depressed or saddened by your role.

In March 1976, four months after the dismissal, the 27-year-old prince wrote a letter expressing sympathy for the governor-general (pictured together in 1977)

I imagine that you are bound to come in for all kinds of criticism and misinformation. ‘

Charles also shared his own experiences, saying whenever he went to university there was always a ‘demonstration or’ scene ‘against him.

The handwritten letter was revealed for the first time in a book by Paul Kelly and Troy Bramston in The Truth Of The Palace Letters: Ambush, Deceit And Dismissal in 1975.

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Australia

Firass Dirani SAS Australia at a Sydney restaurant after slamming Seven | Instant News

October 24, 2020 NewsDesk

Australian SAS star Firass Dirani lashed out on Channel Seven earlier this week, claiming the network was describing him as the ‘villain’ of the series.

But on Friday, the actor smiled and even put a peace sign on camera, while dining at a fine dining restaurant on Sydney’s Woolloomooloo Wharf.

The 36-year-old is wearing a casual look, consisting of a loose white T-shirt and black trousers, which he is wearing with a pink eye mask, worn over his head.

What drama? Firass Dirani of SAS Australia (pictured), 36, looks casual over a meal at a fine dining restaurant in Sydney on Friday – after SLAMMING Channel Seven for his ‘villain’ edit

Firass added two-tone sneakers, and hides his eyes behind trendy sunglasses.

After eating oysters, he was seen leaving the dock with a male friend.

On Tuesday, Firass lashed out at Channel Seven in an Instagram video with fans – in which he claimed the network gave him ‘villain’ edits at Australian SAS.

Casual: With a boy friend, the actor smiles as he leaves the upscale restaurant at Woolloomooloo Wharf

‘I know it. I know they will turn me into a criminal! ‘he said in front of his 62,700 followers.

‘There must be bad ladies and gentlemen. There MUST be criminals. And, low and behold – here, here it is, ‘he continued, pointing to himself.

He also shared a photo of the moment he was ‘left on the cutting room floor’, which he claims proved he wasn’t the lazy and selfish character portrayed on the show.

Casual: The House Husbands star wore a loose white T-shirt and black trousers, which he paired with a pink satin eye mask, worn over his head, and two-tone sneakers.

The future is bright: Firass hides his sights behind trendy sunglasses

Firass clearly hasn’t won over many fans with his role in military-style series so far.

His overconfidence has angered DS (the steering staff) on many occasions, with the rest of the team being punished twice for his actions.

On Monday’s premiere, Roxy Jacenko sensationally quit after just six hours after Firass’s targeted sentence.

Unimpressed by Firass’ attitude, DS has celebrities submerge themselves in freezing cold water as punishment.

Just love: When eating oysters at an upscale restaurant, Firass shows a sign of peace

Calling them: On Tuesday, Firass lashed out at Channel Seven in an Instagram video with fans – in which he claims the network gave him ‘outlaw’ edits at Australian SAS

But emotional Roxy, 40, refuses to get into the water, and instead informs the instructor that she wants to quit the show.

On Tuesday, as they prepared for another grueling assignment, chief instructor Ant Middleton asked the recruits if they had ever heard of the phrase ‘sinking ship with loose lips’.

He then chooses Firass, and refers to an earlier incident when he mockingly said he hoped they would run away.

Ant then directs the others to run a series of sprints as punishment, but orders Firass to step back and watch.

Not holding back: ‘I know that. I know they will turn me into a criminal! ‘he said in front of his 62,700 followers

Editing case? ‘There must be bad ladies and gentlemen. There MUST be criminals. And, low and behold – here, here it is, ‘he continued, pointing to himself

But Schapelle Corby struggled to keep pace during punishing practice, reversed her armband and consequently quit the show.

Firass again angered the DS staff during Tuesday’s episode when he used drinking water to wipe the mud off his face.

‘What are you doing? Why did you wash yourself with drinking water? ‘shouted Ant.

‘Don’t waste drinking water to clean yourself!’ shouted the furious instructor, before throwing the flask at Firass.

Australian SAS continues Monday at 7.30pm on Channel Seven

Invisible: This is a photo that Firass says was ‘left on the cutting room floor’, which he says proves he’s not the lazy, selfish character portrayed on the show

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How will he get along with Australia?

One thing he didn’t see coming

A PLACE THE FAMILY HAS BEEN CHARGED

TIPS WHILE LIFE ON THE ROAD

FIVE DAYS OF WEATHER IN YOUR CITY

Prince Charles supported plans to overthrow beleaguered Australian Prime Minister Gough Whitlam in 1975, according to private letters

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