Star News Briefing

For the first time in nearly two years, Australia's border reopens to eligible visa holders today. Fully vaccinated visa holders, including international students and skilled migrants, no longer need an exemption to enter the country.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia will become one of the biggest producers of M-R-N-A vaccines, as part of a high-tech deal with Moderna. A case of OMICRON is one of four new infections in quarantine in Queensland. Urgent contact tracing is underway in W-A after several interstate truck drivers who recently spent time in the state returned positive COVID tests. In sport, David Warner will undergo a fitness test on Friday night ahead of the second ASHES Test, starting Thursday. And in entertainment, Kim Kardashian is a step closer to becoming a lawyer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A landmark deal will see Victoria become one of the world's biggest vaccine producers  The deal struck between the state and federal governments as well as biotech giant Moderna will see 25 million doses of the vaccine produced per year at the mRNA factory from 2024.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

W-A To Reopen To Domestic And Interntaional Arrivals From Feb 5, 2022 Serial Conman To Spend Christmas And New Year Behind Bars Historic Defence Deal Between Australia And South Korea And.. Champagne Shortage Reaches Australia  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After 141 days, Queensland's border is officially open to travellers. Border restrictions were eased at 1am, allowing fully vaccinated travellers into the state without the need to quarantine. Thousands queued up at Tweed Heads to cross over, while a number of flights are scheduled to depart Melbourne Airport for Queensland todaySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More than 30 Twisters have been reported in five states including in Kentucky where as many as 70 people have died. Australians will be able to get their Covid booster shot a month earlier with ATAGI updating its recommendations.  New research shows a driver's history can help predict their chance of having a dangerous accident.  Despite a nine wicket loss in the first Ashes test, England skipper Joe Root insists his side can 'get on top' of Australia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A British High Court has deemed Julian Assange fit to stand trial in the United States on espionage charges. Beer is being rationed in bottle shops with two of the country's largest brewers facing delays and shortages ahead of Christmas. A new rapid Covid test is being rolled out at Sydney airport.  A homesick Daniel Ricciardio coming home to Australia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The PM is positive about the uptake of COVID vaccines among the country's children, with 5-11 year-olds able to receive a smaller dose of Pfizer from January 10. The Federal Government has announced a new emergency payment scheme for Aussies who lose work due to COVID case spikes. Petrol prices in capital cities have climbed to their highest in seven years. In sport, Australia has a commanding lead on day three of the first Ashes Test against England but there are now concerns about the fitness of David Warner, who is nursing bruised ribs. And in entertainment, American actor Jussie Smollett has been found guilty of staging a hate crime against himself.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia's COVID vaccination program has officially been expanded to include kids aged 5 to 11, with the rollout to kick off on the 10th of January. ATAGI has provided its recommendations on how the rollout should work.. Children will wait 8 weeks between their first and second doses. Kids will also receive a smaller dose.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The PM has re-iterated booster shots may be brought forward depending on the medical advice. Deputy PM Barnaby Joyce believes he caught COVID in London, before he flew to Washington. Western Australia is now the only Australian state that hasn't reached a double-vax rate of 80 per cent. In sport,  Australia has the lead after day two of the first Ashes test against England at the GABBA. And in entertainment, the guest list is out for Britney's upcoming wedding and it seems there are a few notable snubs!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What appears to be a new mutation of the Omiron strain has been detected in Queensland The new Omicron-like variant was detected in a traveller who recently arrived from South AfricaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia is joining a global pushback against china announcing a diplomatic boycott of the beijing winter olympics. Moderna has been given the green light to provide covid booster shots to australian adults. And Australia is updating its financial regulation system!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia's payment systems are in store for a major overhaul The Federal Government says with the growing use of digital payments, greater scrutiny is needed There's also set to be more checks and balances around the buy now, pay later sector.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're being told not to panic about the new covid variant Notorious conman peter foster has been arrested by federal police in Victoria  And The R-B-A kept rates at a record low of point-1 of a per centSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The countdown has already started for eager travelers, after confirmation the Queensland border will reopen four ahead of schedule From 1am Monday December 13 the hard border will ease for fully vaccinated travelers. They will need to undergo a PCR test in the 72 hours before entering the state, they'll also need a second test on day 5.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Perth has lost the hosting rights for the fifth Ashes test Queensland is set to reopen its borders in time for the Christmas holidays And Aussies spent more online during the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales than ever before.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The man accused of snatching Cleo Smith from a campsite in WA is due to face court in Carnarvon today. Victoria and New South Wales are working together to keep borders open despite uncertainty over the new Omicron Covid variant. The Education Union has welcomed the approval of the Pfizer vaccine for children aged 5 to 11. The Melbourne Stars have had a dismal start to their Big Bash season, going down to the Sydney Sixers by 152 runs  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All Primary school children will be able to receive their first Covid vaccine from next month. Severe storms have battered parts of Queensland. The parents of school shooter Ethan Crumbley - who killed 4 fellow students and injured 7 others  - have been found Holden driver Chaz Mostert will start from pole for the Bathurst 1000See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Fairwork Commission has ruled BHP's vaccine mandate unlawful, for failing to properly consult its workers  More cases of the OMICRON variant of COVID are emerging in NEW SOUTH WALES A nervous wait for residents on flood watch at Goondiwindi in Queensland and the NBL season up and runningSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia won't be making any changes to its timeline for COVID booster shots despite the emergence of the OMICRON variant. Labor has released the climate policy it will take to the federal election, claiming it'll create more than 600-thousand jobs. Police have intercepted a large shipment of drugs, disguised as bags of desiccated coconut.  In sport, Mitch Starc and Travis Head look set to book the final two places in Australia's Ashes line-up for the first test at the GABBA. And in entertainment, Alec Baldwin says he doesn't feel guilty about the accidental shooting of a camera-woman on the set of the film, Rust.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Greg Hunt announces he's leaving parliament  The Federal education Minister is stood aside And  More on the Omicron variant See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

WA Premier says the state will stick to reopening despite the new Omicron COVID strain. A man has gone missing while swimming at Surfers Paradise. Tom Trbojevic has been awarded the Brad Fittler medal. Alec Baldwin sits down for an interview in the wake of the fatal 'Rust' shooting.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christian Poerter has announced he's quitting politics to spend more time with family, while Greg Hunt is set to announce his retirement. Lockdowns in New South Wales, Victoria and the ACT have seen the economy shrink by almost 2 per cent. Fully vaccinated Aussies can now travel to Fiji for the first time in 20 months. In sport, NSW will attempt to snatch the Australian Formula One Grand Prix from Victoria. And in entertainment, Kanye West working help get the homeless off the streets of LA.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Scott Morrison insists we will not return to lockdowns in the wake of a 6th Omicron case in Australia. Barbados has officially become the world's newest republic. A last minute goal from the Matilda's secured a 1-All draw with the U-S. Adele has announced a Las Vegas residency in the new year.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australian travelers are facing mandatory quarantine if they head overseas to certain countries, after five cases of the OMICRON COVID strain were confirmed. A landmark review into workplace culture has lifted the lid on bullying and harassment at Federal Parliament. Human remains have been found in the search for missing Victorian campers Russell Hill and Carol Clay. In sport, the Matilda's will be hoping for a better result when they take on the US in a second friendly match. And in entertainment, Shawn Mendes says he'll never forget the beautiful times he spent with his now ex Camilla Cabello.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Five cases of the Omicron COVID strain have been detected in Australia - delaying the next phase of reopening the border. Ghislaine Maxwell's sex trafficking trial is now underway in New York. Pioneering Aboriginal actor David Gulpili has died at the age of 68. The Matilda's are looking for a win in tonight's second friendly match against USA.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two people tested positive to the new Omicron covid strain after landing in Sydney from Southern Africa. Police riot squad members will be sworn in as Federal Police before flying out to join the peacekeeping effort in the Solomon Islands. Novak Djokovic wants his vaccine status kept secret for him to play in the Australian Open. Lindsay Lohan is engaged.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

NSW health has confirmed it is undertaking urgent testing to determine if two passengers who arrived in Sydney from southern Africa overnight have the new COVID variant. OMICRON cases have emerged in the UK, Germany and Italy. Anonymous online trolls will soon face being publicly identified in world-first laws set to be announced by the PM. In sport, the Matildas prepare for US rematch after suffering 3-nil loss. And in entertainment, Dwayne Johnson has raised a glass to celebrate Red Notice becoming Netflix's most-watched movie.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Borders are being slammed shut to a number of African nations following the emergence of a new mutant strain of COVID that has been christened Omicron. The woman at the centre of the Tim Paine sexting scandal is taking legal action against Cricket Tasmania in the Federal Court. Canadian rocker Bryan Adams has been admitted to hospital in Italy after testing positive for Covid-19 for a second time in a month.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Authorities are keeping a close eye on a new COVID strain that's emerged from Africa, which could overtake the highly contagious Delta strain. A long awaited inquiry into veteran suicide has begun and is being described as a once-in-a-generation opportunity for change. The man accused of murdering campers Russell Hill and Carol Clay in Victoria's high country has faced court. In sport, Pat Cummins has been named as Australia's new Test cricket captain. And in entertainment, Britney Spears unveils her latest work project.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australian troops are being sent to the Solomon Islands to help with growing unrest. A man has now been charged over the disappearance of two Victorian campers. The Melbourne Renegades are out of the running for the WBBL finals. Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson gets generous.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At least 33 people have been killed after an inflatable boat tipped in the English Channel. A backpackers hostel in NSW Byron Bay is in lockdown due to a positive Covid case. Results of the Round 1 AFL draft. An appearance from Ed Sheeran at the 2021 ARIA Awards.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

BOM has declared a La Niña weather event as the east coast braces for more rain. A Jetstar pilot has been named as the suspect in the case of two missing campers in VIC. The U-S man accused of ramming his car into a Christmas parade will front court. Brian Laundrie's autopsy report has revealed his official cause of death. Tennis star Ash Barty is engaged.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

South Australia is welcoming a steady stream of fully vaxxed visitors by road and air after the borders reopened Police are interviewing a man in relation to the bizarre disappearance - and suspected murders - of two campers in Victoria. And Landmark sexual consent laws have passed through NSW Parliament See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

U-S police believe a man was fleeing the scene of another crime when he drove through a parade - killing at least 5 people. William Tyrell's foster parents will front court today over alleged assault charges. SA has opened up it's harder border closures. Tim Paine returns to cricket for the first time since the texting scandal.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At least a dozen children are among those taken to hospital after being mowed down by a car during a Christmas parade in Wisconsin. Australia is reopening its border to more International arrivals with vaccinated students and skilled workers to begin arriving from next week. A win for victims of missing con-woman Melissa Caddick, with a Federal Court appointing receivers and liquidators to sort out her affairs. In sport, LeBron James ejected from the Lakers game against Detroit. And in entertainment, BTS and Taylor Swift clean up at the American Music Awards.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cause of fatal house fire in Melbourne under investigation as the community mourns the loss of four children. The two-way travel bubble between Australia and Singapore is open. A 12th place finish for Aussie Daniel Ricciardo at the Qatar Formula 1 Grand Prix. Tiger Woods is back on the golf course after his near-fatal car crash.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

4 people, believed to be children are missing after an early morning housefire in Melbourne suburb Werribee Mass demonstrations in Australian capital cities protesting lockdowns and mandatory vaccinations The A League opening round continues Channel 7 reveals it suspended one of its reporters for offending AdeleSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US teenager Kyle Rittenhouse has been found not guilty, despite shooting dead 2 people during BLM protests in 2020 A piece of cloth to undergo forensic testing as William Tyrell investigations continue The search is on for a new Test captain after Tim Paine stepped down over a sexting scandal The A-league season has begunSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aussie Cricket Captain Tim Paine Quits Over A Sexting Scandal Police Take Fabric For Testing From William Tyrrell Search Site Daughter Of Melbourne MP Attacked Queensland Leads The Charge For Covid Jabs  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most Covid restrictions have eased in Victoria for the fully vaccinated. Western Australia's anti-vax protestors are now targeting school kids. Day 5 of the search for William Tyrrell's body continues on the NSW Mid North Coast. The A-League returns tonight.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Political Leaders Unite Against Threatening Demonstrations Life In Victoria About To Look Much More Normal Radar Scans Of William Tyrrell's Last Known Whereabouts Fail To Find Any Trace Camila Cabello and Shawn Mendes Part WaysSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New data shows 280,000 jobs will be on offer in Australia by the end of the year. The search continues on the NSW Mid-North Coast for William Tyrrell. Aussie boxer Tim Tszyu has beaten Takeshi Inoue by unanimous decision in Sydney. The Queen has returned to royal duties.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The foster parents of William Tyrell will face court in Sydney next week, charged with the assault of a child linked to the missing boy. Former Federal MP Craig Thomson will spend the night behind bars charged over a multi million dollar migration fraud racket. Wages have increased by 0.6% in the three months to September. In sport, Marcus Harris will open the batting with David Warner for the upcoming Ashes test. And in entertainment, Britney Spears has posted a new video on Instagram, the first since being released from her 13-year conservatorship.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The search continues for William Tyrrell's remains as car undergoes forensic examination. Labor is promising to improve the NBN if it wins the Federal election. The Socceroos draw with China in a World Cup Qualifier. The Harry Potter cast are set to reunite.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are calls for the Victorian Government to put an expiry date on it's divisive pandemic laws, while the NSW Health Minister is pushing for the state's emergency COVID powers to be extended until late 2023. Google has announced plans to invest in the future of Australia's digital economy. The Reserve Bank doesn't expect interest rates to rise before 2024. In sport, Nick Kyrgios reckons it's "morally wrong" to force tennis players to get vaccinated. And in entertainment, Nike bosses have shelved their upcoming collaboration with Travis Scott following the rapper's Astroworld crowd crush tragedy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Police take out an AVO as they search for the remains of missing boy William Tyrell. The Queensland border is now open to the rest of Australia. Harry Souttar has been ruled out of the Socceroos vs China match.Britney Spears has spoken out for the first time since her new freedom.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Queensland border has re-opened to fully vaccinated Australians but they'll need to apply for a border pass and complete 14-days of home quarantine. Almost a quarter of a million Aussies have missed their appointment for a second COVID vaccine. Detectives are hopeful the new search for missing toddler William Tyrell will be their last. In sport, the Socceroos have suffered a major blow ahead of their next World Cup qualifier against China. And in entertainment, Taylor Swift has broken her own Spotify streaming record as fans flock to hear her new album.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Aussies are celebrating their first T20 World Cup win after beating New Zealand. The Queen has missed another Royal engagement due to health issues. Lewis Hamilton has claimed the Brazil Formula One Grand Prix. Blake Lively is making her directorial debut with Taylor Swift.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After extending for an extra day the climate summit in Glasgow is nearing an end A flood emergency for the central west of New South Wales Covid vaccine jabs for children to be rolled out in January Meghan Markle texts complaining about the Royal family revealedSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.