Star News Briefing

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.

Climate advocates say the PM's plan to achieve net zero emissions shows little to reduce emissions or embrace renewables  While Climate talks in Glasgow are tipped to go overtime We're being urged to buy a Big Mac on McHappy day for charity The pre season NBL blitz starts this weekendSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Economists and climate policy experts are trawling through the modelling behind the government's plan to cut carbon emissions to net zero by 20-50. Accused drug smuggler Mostafa Baluch will spend two weeks in isolation in Sydney's Silverwater prison  And Church bells in Melbourne have tolled for 20 minutes ...  following the state funeral for television great Bert Newton  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Flood waters and rainfall records in parts of NSW and QLD. Countries commit to stop drilling oil as UN Climate Summit draws to a close. Bert Newton will be farewelled today in a state funeral in Melbourne.  Australia is through to the T20 World Cup Final.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia's unemployment rate has climbed to 5.2%. The east coast of Australia is being battered by storms with flash flooding warnings in place for southeast Queensland, northern NSW and parts of Victoria. The body of an Australian soldier, killed during the First World War and buried in an unmarked grave in France has been identified .  In sport, the Socceroos are hoping Sydney's rain will be an advantage for them in their World Cup qualifier against Saudi Arabia. And in entertainment, the volleyball made famous in the movie "Cast Away" has fetched a staggering $308,000 at auction.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Northern NSW and Southern QLD are bracing for a months worth of rain in 3 days. The nation will pause at 11AM to mark Remembrance Day. Our Socceroos will play their first match on home soil in two years tonight. A petition has been created to cut Travis Scott from the Coachella line-up.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Moderna Australia is a step closer to having its COVID vaccine approved for use in kids aged 6 to 11. One of Australia's most wanted men will face an extradition hearing on Thursday after being arrested while trying to cross the NSW border into Queensland. A month's worth of rain is forecast to fall along the east coast in just three days. In sport,  the Socceroos have put the final touches on preparations for tomorrow night's World Cup qualifier against Saudi Arabia.  And in entertainment, Paul Rudd has been named PEOPLE magazine's Sexiest Man Alive.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia has been ranked last out of 60 countries for policy response to climate crisis. Heavy rainfall finally set to hit the east-coast of Australia. Socceroos are back on home soil ahead of tomorrow's match against Saudi Arabia. Britney is gearing-up for a decision on her dad's involvement in her conservatorship.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Health officials expect NSW to reach 95 per cent full vaccination by the end of the year. Qantas' A-380 has touched down in Sydney after being grounded in Germany for nearly 600 days. A critical incident investigation is underway in Sydney after a man was shot dead by police. In sport, Aussie tennis champion Dylan Alcott has called-time on his decorated career. And in entertainment, Kim Kardashian has broken her silence after the deadly crowd-surge at a Texas music festival.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Detectives are investigating if a woman was involved in the abduction of Cleo Smith. Younger children aren't expected to receive the Covid-19 vaccine until next year. The T20 semi finals line-up has been finalised. The lawsuits continue against Travis Scott in the wake of the Astroworld tragedy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're being assured the vaccine roll-out for young children will not be expanded, unless it's safe to do so. New figures show the majority of people who caught COVID during the Delta  outbreak in Australia were unvaccinated. Reports the families of Aussie soldiers were intimidated into silence by the Defence Force. In sport,  Australia will play Pakistan in the semi-finals of the men's T-20 World Cup. And in entertainment, rappers Travis Scott and Drake have been slapped with a lawsuit for negligence over the deadly Astroworld Festival stampede.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Covid restrictions ease again in NSW ass the state edges closer to 90% full vaccinations. A QLD woman has been identified as 'patient zero' in the NT Covid outbreak. A messy start to the F1 Mexican Grand Prix Huge win in The Block: Fans vs Faves Finale.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At least 8 people have been killed after crowds surged towards a stage at a concert in Texas  The search continues for a man off WA after a shark attack Australia through to the semi finals of the T-20 World Cup Kanye wants to get back with KimSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The WA border could remain closed until at least February Greta Thunberg tells world leaders they've failed again on Climate Change Australia to meet the West Indies next at the T-20 World Cup Gal Gadot cast as the evil queen in Disney's remake of Snow WhiteSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

80 per cent of Australia's adult population aged over 16 will be fully vaccinated by the weekend. Western Australia won't be reopening its border to Australia - or the rest of the world - until 90 per cent of its residents are fully vaccinated. *The man accused of kidnapping Cleo Smith has arrived in Perth, under heavy guard, where he will await his next court appearance. In sport, Australia is in the box seat for a semi-final place at the T-20 world cup, following an eight wicket win over Bangladesh. And in entertainment, Ariana Grande's musical theatre dreams have come true - she'll team up with Cynthia Erivo for the movie adaptation of Broadway hit Wicked.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

WA man Terence Darrell Kelly charged with abducting four-year-old Cleo Smith. Positive Covid-19 case send Darwin and Katherine into snap restrictions. Victoria has re-opened the border to NSW and the ACT. Australia's T-20 World Cup hopes remain alive.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As little Cleo Smith enjoys time with her family, W-A police are appealing for more information from the community about her abduction. Life expectancy in Australia has hit a new high. And family lawyers are bracing for a post lockdown surge in divorces.  In sport, Damien Oliver and Willowy have won the $1M dollar Kennedy Oaks. And in entertainment, Kim Kardashain and Pete Davidson have fuelled rumours they are dating.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A man is in custody after missing Cleo Smith was found alive in WA - charges are yet to be laid. World leaders are returning home from the UN Climate Summit after turning attention to how their commitments will be paid for. Australia needs a win in today's T-20 match against Bangladesh. Jared Leto and Macaulay Culkin model for Gucci.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of the four police officers involved in an early morning raid at a home in Carnarvon has described his shock and elation at finding little Cleo Smith alive.  The PM says France needs to "move on" after the failed submarine deal was played-out on the world stage. More than 36-million COVID vaccines have been administered since the rollout began in February. In sport, the NRL has locked in venues and the dates for the 2022 State of Origin series. And in entertainment, Britney Spears' dad has given up fighting the popstar over her conservatorship.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Missing 4-year-old Cleo Smith has been found alive in WA. Australia has refused to join a pledged to slash methane gas emissions by 30% by 2030. Melbourne Cup celebrations continue for winning Verry Ellegant trainer Chris Waller. Facebook is ditching it's facial recognition for tagged photos and videos.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Verry Elleegant takes her place in Australian racing folklore -- with a win in the Melbourne cup! Fully vaccinated people in NSW will have greater freedoms from next week And Interest rates have been left on hold for the 11th consecutive month!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's Melbourne Cup Day... 10,000 fully vaccinated race goers will attend Flemington. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has spoken at the G-20 summit in Glasgow. The NRL's 2023 player market is now open. Mariah Carey is reminding us, once again, that she is the queen of Christmas...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia has reopened to fully-vaccinated ex-pats and their families with 16 flights arriving in Sydney and Melbourne. The Opposition believes there is a lack of trust in Prime Minister Scott Morrison from international leaders. The word "vax" has been chosen as Oxford Languages' Word of the Year. In sport, the International Handball Federation has scrapped a rule making female players wear bikini bottoms and crop tops. And in entertainment, Ed Sheeran confirms he is writing a song for the upcoming season of Ted Lasso.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Quarantine-free travel has returned for fully vaccinated Australians. NSW Regional travel is back. Alyssa Healy stars for the Sydney Sixers in their Big Bash win. Patti Newtown speaks out after husband Bert Newton's death.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bert Newton is being remembered as one of Australia's iconic entertainers after passing away aged 83 Victoria reaches 80 percent fully vaccinated South East Queensland cleaning up after storms Australia thumped by England at the T-20 World CupSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Scott Morrison is in Rome for the G-20 summit with talks with the French president high on the agenda Melburnians enjoy their first day out of lockdown A Covid vaccine patch being tested The Queen ordered to rest for the next 2 weeksSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Melbourne has burst  back into life -- with retailers, hairdressers and gyms swinging-open their doors for the first time in months. More than one-and-a-half million Covid vaccines have been administered in the past week. And The former NSW premier has told ICAC, she trusted the MPshe was in a relationship with.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.