Hundreds of Australian citizens and permanent residents have been evacuated out of Wuhan after a six-hour delay, leaving the centre of the coronavirus outbreak. The 243 passengers are now on a Qantas flight travelling over the South China sea. The plane is expected to land at Learmonth RAAF base in Western Australia at 4.45pm AEDT. From there they will be transported by military planes to Christmas Island, where they will be separated into their families and quarantined for two weeks. Foreign Minister Marise Payne said 89 of the passengers were aged under 16, including five under two. Senator Payne said the delay was caused by extensive medical and immigration checks for those travelling. "We have prioritised vulnerable and isolated Australians," she said. The Qantas flight also delivered medical protection supplies including masks, protective suits, goggles and gloves to China. The mainland has been battling healthcare shortages as the number of confirmed cases of the flu-like disease swells to 17,318, with 362 deaths. Australians still trapped in Hubei province are expecting a second flight to arrive within days to take them out of Wuhan. Australian evacuees will have to show identification and a note from the Department of Foreign Affairs in order to pass through road blocks.<br/>
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A Michigan couple is suing American Airlines for discrimination after being removed from a flight because the airline said the Orthodox Jewish couple smelled bad. Yehuda Yosef Adler, Jennie Adler and their then-19-month old daughter were kicked off a Jan. 23, 2019, flight from Miami to Detroit by a gate agent. The agent said he knew people of their race and religion, Orthodox Jews, only showered once a week, according to the lawsuit filed Jan. 28 in Texas, which is where the airline is headquartered. American issued a statement Thursday reiterating that it removed the Southfield family after passengers and crew members complained about Yehuda Adler's odor, the Detroit Free Press reported. “Our team members took care of the family and provided hotel accommodations and meals, and rebooked them on a flight to Detroit the next morning,” the statement said. “None of the decisions made by our team in handling this sensitive situation were based on the Adler’s (sic) religion.” Story has more details. The day of the incident, Yehuda Adler wore a yarmulke and Jennie Adler wore a shaytel, a wig worn by some married Orthodox Jewish women. They allege that the airline treated them differently because of their religious beliefs. The couple is seeking punitive damages. A scheduling conference on the matter is set for May 29.<br/>