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News Roundup: Open to Tourists, Queen Elizabeth, & a Crocodile Tire

Australia and the Philippines Finally Re-Open to Tourists

On Thursday, airports in the Philippines welcomed foreign tourists for the first time in nearly two years. On February 21, Australia is set to do the same thing.

Both countries closed to outside tourists in March of 2020 as the coronavirus  pandemic began sweeping the globe. The lack of tourists has made life much harder, since both countries earn a lot of money from businesses related to tourists.

Australia is believed to have lost about $72 billion ($101.7 billion Australian) because of the lack of tourists. For the Philippines, that number is believed to be between $2.2 billion and $10.3 billion.

Tourists Arrive at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila in December of 2019
Australia and the Philippines are re-opening to tourists after nearly two years. Both countries have lost huge amounts of money because of the lack of tourists. Above, tourists arriving at Manila’s main airport in 2019, a few months before the country closed down.
(Source: Paulo O [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons.)

Both countries are requiring tourists to be fully vaccinated to enter. “You must be double vaccinated to come to Australia. That’s the rule,” says Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

It’s not completely back to normal, though. Visitors will still have to follow local Covid-19 rules in different parts of the countries. Still, for many businesses that depend on tourists, and the tourists who are eager to visit, it’s a big step in the right direction. 

Queen Elizabeth II Celebrates 70 Years on the Throne

Last Sunday marked 70 years since Queen Elizabeth II became the queen of England. She spent the day in Sandringham, the country home where her father died in 1952.

The celebration of the queen’s 70 years on the throne is known as the “Platinum Jubilee”. The main celebration will take place in June. But on Sunday, people from around the world congratulated the 95-year-old queen.

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Last Sunday marked 70 years since Queen Elizabeth II became the queen of England. This “Platinum Jubilee” will be officially celebrated in June. Above, a lighted sign in Picadilly Circus, London honors the 95-year-old queen.

Though the event highlights the past, it also shed some light on the future. In a statement on Saturday, the queen said that when her son, Prince Charles, takes the throne, she expects his wife Camilla to become queen. Many people had wondered whether Camilla would become a queen or a princess.

Doctors are now keeping an eye on the health of the queen. Prince Charles tested positive for Covid-19 just days after meeting with the queen. So far, both of them seem to be doing well. 

Tire Removed From Crocodile’s Neck After Six Years

Since 2016, people have known about a wild salt-water crocodile in Indonesia with a tire stuck around its neck. Many people worried that the tire might choke the animal as it grew bigger. Now that crocodile is swimming freely, thanks to the efforts of a local bird seller.

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Since 2016, people have known about a wild salt-water crocodile in Indonesia with a tire stuck around its neck. Many people worried that the tire might choke the animal as it grew bigger. Above, the crocodile in December, 2020.

The bird seller, whose name is Tili, became interested in trying to help the crocodile soon after he moved to the area. He had spotted the animal several times, warming itself in the sun. “I just wanted to help,” said Tili. “I hate seeing animals trapped and suffering.” Still, catching a 15-foot (4.5-meter) crocodile isn’t easy.

Tili worked for three weeks to catch the crocodile. He carefully tracked the animal and set rope traps baited with chickens and other birds. His first traps failed, but finally Tili caught the crocodile.

Two friends helped him pull the croc on shore, where he was able to saw through the motorcycle tire. Later, the crocodile was safely released back into the wild.

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A bird seller named Tili finally caught the crocodile. With help from friends, he pulled the animal on shore and cut the tire off. Above, the crocodile is being released after the tire was removed.

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