Melbourne

New research has identified a mechanism by which low levels of insecticides such as, the neonicotinoid Imidacloprid, could harm the nervous, metabolic and immune system of insects, including those that are not pests, such as our leading pollinators, bees. A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA, led by researchers at the University of Melbourne and Baylor College of Medicine, shows that low doses of Imidacloprid trigger neurodegeneration and disrupt vital body-wide functions, including energy production, vision, movement and the immune system, in the vinegar fly, Drosophila melanogaster. "That's an indication of the impact of the insecticide on the function of the brain," said Dr Felipe Martelli, whose PhD work conducted at the University of Melbourne and the Baylor College of Medicine in the laboratory of Professor Hugo Bellen led to the current research paper.

The Serbian Novak Djokovic won his ninth Australia Open after a 7-5 6-2 6-2 win over Daniil Medvedev in less than two hours Sunday at the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne.

Djokovic celebrated his 18th Grand Slam title, leaving him two behind Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal's record total of 20 Slam victories.

Japan's Naomi Osaka cemented her place as the outstanding star of the women's game by beating American Jennifer Brady 6-4, 6-3 in 77 minutes. The Australian Open was her fourth Grand Slam title.

"I have this mentality that people don't remember the runners-up," Osaka said. "You might, but the winner's name is the one that's engraved.

Andy Murray has tested positive for coronavirus before his flight to Melbourne to complete in the Australian Open. Murray is in good health, isolating at home and still hopeful of travelling to Australia.

New South Wales reports seven new Covid-19 cases in the past 24 hours, five of which were locally transmitted.

Premier Daniel Andrews expressed frustration with the Australian Border Force and Kingsford Smith Airport during a press conference over a technicality that allowed 17 travellers from New Zealand to enter Victoria despite the state's lockdown. The identity of the travellers has yet to be determined.

Despite dropping daily numbers of COVID-19 infections, Melbourne will remain in a "Stage 4" lockdown until at least September 28.

“I apologise for the circumstances we find ourselves in; I apologise for the reality we find ourselves in,” Premier Daniel Andrews told reporters on Sunday. “Pretending it’s over because we want it to be, that is not something I will do.”

After 671 new infections had been reported on Sunday, the Australian state Victoria has declared a state of emergency. The capital city Melbourne has imposed a nightly curfew and stay at home order which will last at least six weeks. The curfew will be active from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. every day and enable people to only leave the house for work or to receive care from others and provide care for others.

Restaurants will be able to continue with takeaway and delivery services and supermarkets will stay open.

As Melbourne goes into its second lockdown of the year, panic-buyers are returning to the supermarkets to empty shelves. In response, Australian supermarkets chains Coles and Woolworths have imposed a buying limit on essential products such as milk, hand sanitisers and pasta.

Melbourne is re-entering a 6-week-lockdown. The lockdown has been imposed on the Victorian capital and other Victorian towns as the Australian state sees a rising number of Covid-19 infections. Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews ordered people to stay at home except for work, medical treatment or school purposes. Essential businesses will remain open but are subjected to a density limit. Bars, cafés and restaurants have to return to delivery and takeaway. Private home visits are forbidden and public outings are limited to two people.

In order to contain the further spread of Covid-19, Australian officials have closed the state border between Victoria and New South Wales – the first time since the 1919 Spanish flu pandemic. Melbourne has seen a recent surge in Covid-19 cases, putting 30 suburbs on strict social-distancing orders. Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews told reporters that the decision was "a smart call [...] given the significant challenges."

Thousands of people have taken part in Black Lives Matter protests across Australia. Health officials and leaders in Australia have warned that mass gatherings in support of racial equality risk inadvertently re-sparking the virus. A protester who attended a Black Lives Matter rally in Melbourne last weekend tested positive for the coronavirus, according to state authorities.

A separate series of protests were held in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne against the treatment of refugees being held in detention centres. The Sydney event -- organized by the Refugee Action Coalition -- took place despite a court ban.