Star News Briefing

Perth has emerged from its lock down with the stay at home order rescinded despite one new case of community transmission. Brisbane's extended lockdown will expire at 6pm but could depend on Covid19 figures. The Federal government has agreed to endorse a plan to overhaul the NAPLAN school testing system.  The last US and NATO forces have packed up and left Afghanistan's Bargram Airbase which ahs been at the centre of the war against the Taliban for 20 years.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

International arrivals will be slashed and home quarantine will be trialed as part of National Cabinet's four-stage plan to lead Australia out of COVID. Optus says most of its customers should be back online now after a mass outage. New figures show women have taken up 48 per cent of appointments to company boards in Australia so far this year. In sport, the third round at Wimbledon gets underway tonight with Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray among the big names in action. And in entertainment news, Marlon Wayans says Paris Hilton and her sister Nicky were the original inspirations for the hit film White Chicks.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The effectiveness of Sydney's Covid lockdown can be assessed from today, but the stay-at-home measure is expected to remain for at least the full fortnight. Victoria is tightening its borders with New South Wales. And Aussie women now make up almost 34 per cent of board roles for companies listed on the A-S-X 200See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Health authorities are trying to determine whether the Astra Zeneca vaccine is linked to the death of a woman who suffered a blot clot. NSW and Queensland record new COVID cases, as a Sydney aged care home is locked down. New figures show the number of Australians drinking more than average has doubled in the last year.  In sport, Nick Kyrgios and Ashe Barty are among seven Aussies on court in the second round at Wimbledon. And in entertainment news, Aussie rapper Iggy Izalea says she witnessed first-hand the controlling behaviour Britney Spears has alleged about her father.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Victoria and WA will join Queensland at tomorrow's national cabinet meeting ...  in pushing for lower caps on international arrivals. More than 20 new venues across Sydney have been identified as exposure sites. And More than 6.7 million Australian workers will see a boost to their retirement savings from today.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There won't be any change to international arrivals quotas, despite the latest COVID outbreaks. Several wards at two Sydney hospitals have been locked down after a student nurse tested positive for COVID. Unions say a decision from MENULOG to directly employ workers should send a message to other companies.  Victorian fighter Michael Zerafa has sensationally pulled-out of next-week's boxing bout with Tim Tszyu in Newcastle. And in entertainment news, actress Tara Reid has revealed she's frozen her eggs in case she one day decides to become a mother.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Millions of Aussies are now under stay at home orders with four cities in lockdown School closures resulting from the pandemic are being blamed for the worsening mental health of Australian teenagers. And All the latest from WimbledonSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

12 million people across the country are now in lockdown as authorities try to contain several COVID outbreaks. Immunisation experts fear mixed messaging about the Astra Zeneca vaccine may cause confusion. Two senior politicians fined for breaching COVID restrictions. In sport, the AFL is juggling its fixtures around as large parts of the country are plunged into COVID lockdowns. And in entertainment news, George Clooney and his wife Amal are offering one lucky fan the chance to hang out with them at their Italian retreat.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National Cabinet has endorsed new vaccination protocols that will require ALL aged care workers to have at least their first jabs, by September. Perth and Peel are now in, what WA Premier calls a 'circuit-breaker' lockdown for at least the next four days. And 10 people have now been confirmed dead in an apartment building collapse near Miami, Florida.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The PM, Premiers and State Ministers have been briefed by health officials, as more COVID cases pop up around the country. Forty-four people fined for breaching public health orders. Panic buying prompts Woolworths to re-introduce purchase restrictions on shoppers.  In sport, the AFL is considering a Melbourne hub for all upcoming games as the nation's COVID crisis worsens. And in entertainment news, Cardi B and Offset have announced they're expecting baby number two!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

110 Covid-19 cases have been linked to Sydney's cluster with fears over super spreader venues. Other state are tightening restrictions with community Covid cases reported in QLD, NT and WA. Victoria Premier Dan Andrews is back to work today. The Blues have reclaimed the State of Origin shield after game 2.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

30 new COVID infections have been confirmed in NSW following more than 52,000 tests, taking the total outbreak to 112.  A 24-year-old woman has been charged over the hit and run death of a police officer in Queensland. It's been revealed an engineering consultant warned three years before the collapse of the Florida apartment building that there was evidence of major structural damage below a pool deck and underground garage. In sport, Tour De France organisers say they will sue a fan who held up a banner in front of competitors and caused a horrifying crash. And in entertainment, eight months after announcing he was attracted to both men and women Hugh Sheridan has come out as non-binary.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Anyone who has travelled on Virgin Flights along the east coast in the last two days are being urged to get tested after a crew member tested positive for coronavirus. NSW residents are being warned police will be out in force over the next two weeks to ensure no one breaks the latest lockdown orders. Authorities in Florida are still holding out hope of finding survivors following that high-rise apartment building collapse. In sport, Melbourne remains on top of the AFL ladder after an 11-point win over Essendon. And in entertainment news, eight months after announcing he was attracted to both men and women Hugh Sheridan has come out as non-binary.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former police officer Derek Chauvin has been sentenced to 22 and a half years prison for the murder of George Floyd The desperate search for those missing following a building collapse in Miami, Florida continues The first day of lockdown for residents in the city of Sydney, Woollahra, Waverly and Randwick AFL premiers Richmond records its lowest score in 60 yearsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From midnight tonight anyone who lives or works in four Sydney areas including the City and Eastern Suburbs will be subject to 'stay at home' orders for at least a week. Up to a -hundred customers of a Melbourne dry cleaners are being urged to get tested for Covid  And Aussie officials are trying to figure out if any citizens have been caught up in a deadly apartment block collapse in Florida . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More Covid-19 exposure sites have been added to NSW Health's website overnight. New Zealand has extended the suspension on the Trans Tasman travel bubble with NSW. Search and rescue efforts continue after a 12-storey building collapsed in Miami. The Blues head north for Origin 2 without their fans.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Victoria announces it will close to residents of Sydney and Wollongong after a traveller who attended a 'super-spreader' party in West Hoxton tested positive for coronavirus. The Moderna vaccine is a step closer to being approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration. Household wealth is on the way up thanks to rising property prices. In sport, Sydney FC has travelled to Victoria early ahead of this weekend's A-League Grand Final, to avoid any issues with the current COVID outbreak. And in entertainment news, Britney Spears' father says he's sorry the singer is suffering under her conservatorship.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Canberra is working to phase out AstraZeneca from Australia's vaccine rollout. More Covid-19 exposure sites added to NSW Health's list as Melbourne gears up for more eased restrictions. Britney Spears is giving a statement in regards to her conservatorship. Origin Game 2 is all good to go-ahead in Brisbane.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tougher COVID restrictions are now in place for Greater Sydney and other parts of NSW as authorities work to contain the latest outbreak. The latest vaccine rollout plan released by the Federal Government reveals the locally made Astra Zeneca formula will be phased out after October. The Tamil family caught up in a legal dispute over their refugee status has been granted a reprieve. In sport, the A-League grand final between Sydney FC and Melbourne City will be played in Melbourne. And in entertainment news, Vanessa Bryant and her children have settled a wrongful death lawsuit against the chopper company involved in Kobe's death last year.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A flight between New Zealand and NSW has been added tot he Covid-19 exposure sites list, sparking a pause on the Trans-Tasman bubble. Victoria declares 7 Sydney LGA's as 'Red Zones' as the Sydney cluster grows to 21 cases. Controversial swimmer Sun Yang has been banned for four years. The role of Snow White has been cast for Disney's upcoming live action remake.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sydneysiders will be forced to wear masks indoors for at least another week, as the Bondi COVID cluster grows to 21. There's been a big uptick in the number of COVID vaccines administered in the past 24 hours, with more than 128,000 people rolling up their sleeves. Serious driving charges laid against the daughter of neurosurgeon Charlie Teo suddenly dropped, on the first day of her trial. In sport, Sydney AFL teams fly out of NSW and into a Victorian hub to avoid any border or quarantine issues related to Sydney's COVID outbreak. And in entertainment news, Khloe Kardashian and Tristan Thompson have reportedly called it quits again.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The AMA has urged Aussies not to cancel their second AstraZeneca vaccination. The NZ Travel Bubble will re-open to Victoria at midnight tonight. Tokyo Olympics given green light for up to 10,000 local spectators. Gold Logie winner Samuel Johnson has been hit by a car.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New federal Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce says he's humbled to return to the party's top job following a successful leadership spill, which saw Michael McCormack removed. Canberra will look to boost the number of Pfizer COVID doses available across the country to ensure there are enough jabs to cover younger Aussies. Police have handed over their brief of evidence in the Britany Higgins rape case with prosecutors to now decide whether or not to lay charges. A-League officials yet to decide on a venue for this weekend's Grand Final between Sydney FC and Melbourne City. And Katy Perry celebrates the first Father's Day since she and Orlando Bloom welcomed their daughter.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National Cabinet will meet this morning to discuss the vaccine rollout. Updates on the Covid-19 cases in NSW and Queensland. Sydney FC is through to the A-League Grand Final. Famous faces in the U.K. and the U.S. celebrate Father's Day.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

NSW health has listed more Covid exposure sites stemming from the Bondi Junction outbreak An alert has been issued after a one-year-old girl was taken from a home in Logan - in Queensland Champagne prices in Australia set to rise The NRL is investigating, after Canberra illegally used its 18th man in the loss to the Dragons.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The WHO says the Delta variant of Covid 19 is becoming the globally dominant strain of the disease 1000 people in Sydney isolating as work continues to stop the spread of Covid in Sydney's east A new study indicates almost 60 per cent of Australians who have high blood pressure are not receiving medical treatment for the condition Geelong win a nailbiter over the Bulldogs in the AFL See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Government Reports Mass Cancellations At Vaccine Centres Sydney's Covid Cluster Grows To Four Sweeping Changes to Superannuation And Woolworths Taken To Court By Fair Work OmbudsmanSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Victoria is enjoying some freedom with the easing of Covid-19 lockdown restrictions. NSW Health has added new exposure sites to the list with three confirmed cases in Sydney. Lifting of the Astra Zeneca age-bracket to cause more hesitancy towards the jab. The Olympic swim trials have wrapped-up in Adelaide.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Pfizer vaccine will be offered to people below the aged of 60  More exposure sites have been added to the NSW list  And The treasurer says today's jobless data has "smashed expectations".  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

NSW Health confirms a second person has tested positive to Covid-19 in Sydney's East. Melbourne gets ready for more Covid-19 restrictions to ease from midnight tonight. Vladimir Putin and Joe Biden have a four-hour chat. McKeon, Campbell and Huni are off the the Tokyo Olympics.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Covid alert issued for a string of venues in Sydney after Eastern Suburbs man tests positive. Melbourne residents eager to head to the snow will have to take a Covid test before they hit the slopes. And Russell Crowe has unveiled plans to build a new film studio on the NSW mid north coastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Free trade deal between Australia and the UK could take tariffs up to 15 years to be removed. Further easing of Melbourne Covid restrictions to be discussed at National Cabinet. Tamil asylum-seeker family from Queensland has been reunited in Perth.  The Socceroos are through to the next stage of qualifying for the World Cup. Russell Crowe is opening up a movie studio near the Big Banana.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There have been two new cases of Covid 19 reported in Victoria the federal government believes asylum seeker boats will restart, if it allows a Tamil family to settle permanently in Australia And The bubble between Australia and New Zealand has led to a spike in short-term travel.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Tamil asylum-seeking family from Biloela could be released from Christmas Island as early as today. Scott Morrison has met with Boris Johnson to discuss a trade deal. Ariarne Titmus swims within 0.11 seconds of world record at Olympic trials. Bennifer have been spotted sharing a kiss.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT on the verge of announcing a Tamil family can stay in AUSTRALIA! Covid Vaccination Programme expanded to Home Visits Tragedy strikes Desert Race in NT WA outlaws Gel BlastersSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews will return to work at the end of June after a serious spinal injury The PM meets with US president Joe Biden at the G7 summit The Queen celebrates her birthday in another subdued event due to the pandemic The French Open women's finalSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The U-K PM has opened the first roundtable discussion at the G-7 Summit - Scott Morrison was a tad late after his plane was diverted due to heavy fog A flood watch remains for the Victorian region of GIPPSLAND with residents being told to be prepare for evacuation A report is being prepared for the Coroner - after the death of controversial businessman Geoffrey Edelsten aged 78  Hawthorn causes an AFL boilover - beating SydneySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Federal Government ordered to pay 112 Million Dollars In Compensation The P-M Touches Down in U-K for G7 Summit Record Number of Aussies Vaccinated Against Covid In Last 24hrs And.. Shark Attack In W-ASee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brisbane is a step closer to hosting the 2032 Olympic Games. Australia and Singapore have agreed to a travel bubble, when the time is right. Melbourne emerges from lockdown with some restrictions still in place. The A-League wraps up ahead of the Finals Series.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Four new mystery cases have forced changes to the restrictions being eased - with Melburnians to continue to wear masks outdoors. The floods in Victoria's Gippsland have turned deadly after last night's wild storms. NSW snow fields have cooped a dumping as a cold snap pushes through until tomorrow See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More exposure sites listed in NSW and QLD after a Melbourne woman tests positive to Covid-19 after road trip. Melbourne comes out of lockdown tonight. Icy blast continues to move across Victoria and New South Wales today. The Blues have a record victory against the Maroons in Townsville.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Queensland is on alert after a 44-year-old woman from Melbourne escaped lockdown with her husband last week, travelled through country NSW and over the Queensland border to the Sunshine Coast, before testing positive for COVID. The PM will push to strengthen international trade bodies when he heads to the G-7 summit. Adelaide is now the most liveable city in Australia according to the Economist's 2021 survey. In sport, Nathan Buckley will coach Collingwood for the last time in Monday's clash against Melbourne at the SCG, after announcing he will stand down from his role. And in entertainment news, actor Armie Hammer has checked himself into rehab to get treatment for several addiction issues.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aussies who are fully vaccinated can now access a certificate to prove it. An international drug and gang sting has seen over 200 arrests across 18 countries. The Blues and Maroons are gearing-up for State of Origin One in Townsville tonight. Mark Ronson is engaged to Meryl Streep's daughter.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Federal Government examining overseas resettlement options for a Tamil family Australian intelligence crucial in busting a major international crime racket. Delta strain of Covid circulating in Melbourne linked back to Hotel Quarantine. And.. The Queen's Olive Branch to Prince HarrySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

NDIS participants and carers are part of the new extended eligibility for Covid-19 vaccines. Melbourne lockdown unlikely to be extended again. Apple announces it's iOS 15 update features. Novak Djokovic has won his French Open quarter final after an unusual ending.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia has reached a new vaccination milestone, with five million jabs being administered across the country. Australia's Triple-A credit rating has been reaffirmed, while our credit outlook has been upgraded to stable thanks to the nation's strong rebound from the pandemic. Telstra develops a world-first 5G-connected cycling helmut! And in sport, Socceroos coach Graham Arnold demands a 'ruthless' display from his team in tomorrow morning's World Cup qualifier against Chinese Taipei.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have announced the birth of their second child. More Covid-19 exposure sites have been added to the list in Melbourne. The State of Origin coaches plan to have words with NRL referee boss. The winners of the 2021 BAFTA Awards .See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The source of Victoria's highly contagious Delta variant outbreak remains a mystery with fears it could extend the lockdown A 14 year old girl in an induced coma after a Rugby league head clash in NSW A federal judge in California overturns the states longtime ban on assault weapons  The Melbourne Storm notches up a tenth straight winSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Health authorities in Melbourne are scrambling to find the source of the Covid Delta strain that ravaged India that's hit the city Four men have been arrested in Perth, over an alleged national scheme to defraud EFTPOS machines Melbourne stamps itself as AFL flag favourite Melbourne painter Peter Wegner has taken out the Archibald PrizeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia's health union says it will not support the mandatory vaccination of aged care workers despite just one-fifth of the 360-thousand people working in the sector, receiving the jab so far. Quarantine capacity for returning Aussies will soon be boosted after Prime Minister Scott Morrison agreed to build a new facility in Victoria to house return travellers. A security company director is among three men charged over a major cocaine bust. And in sport, there are no Aussies left at the French Open after Alex de Minaur, James Duckworth and Astra Sharma all lost their second round matches, and Ash Barty was forced to retire injured.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.