Star News Briefing

Australia continues Olympic preparations despite international reports the games have been cancelled. New rules for international travelers coming to Australia. Daniel Andrews hits out at plans to honour Margaret Court. Australia's ATP Cup draw revealed. Popular Netflix series Bridgerton gets a second season.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National Cabinet will meet today to discuss the rollout plan for the Covid-19 vaccine and the plan for International arrivals. U-S President Joe Biden gets to work in restoring policies and implementing a Covid-19 vaccine plan. Australian Open has it's first positive case among the playing group. Cricket is divided over the decision to remove "Australia Day" from promotional material in the Big Bash. Netflix renews Bridgeton for a second season.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joe Biden signs 15 executive orders on his first day as President. More Australians found jobs in December. Brisbane to go face mask free. Novak Djokovic says his demands were misunderstood. Arnold Schwarzenegger gets the COVID-19 jab.    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Introducing the 46th President of the United States, Joe Biden. Kamala Harris makes history as Vice President of the United States. Donald Trump leaves 3 hours before the inauguration ceremony. No minutes silence on Australia Day. Australian Open Tennis organisers defend those in Adelaide quarantine.  J-Lo drops one of her iconic lyrics into her inauguration performance. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joe Biden prepares for his inauguration. Online retailer Kogan fined for spamming. A cyclone heading towards WA's north coast. Aussie Cricket Captain Tim Paine fends off suggestions he should stand down. Netflix gains more users than ever.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Outgoing U-S President Donald Trump is spending his last day in the White House before flying to Florida. President-elect Joe Biden is in Washington ahead of his inauguration, as the Senate begins confirmation hearings on his cabinet. Tennis stars claim thy weren't made aware of the lockdown protocol prior to flying to Melbourne for the Australian Open. Aussie captain Tim Paine is bracing for criticism after the loss to India in the 4th and final Cricket Test. Meghan Markle's lawyers are pushing to settle a lawsuit with a British tabloid, before it goes to trial.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia's Tourism Industry is pleading for assistance to get through 2021 Fresh Produce being pulped in Victoria because Pacific Island Farm Workers not allowed in North Queensland could face a fresh Cyclone Threat within a week And.. Tiger King Star Joe Exotic is convinced he'll be granted a Presidential Pardon.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Overseas travel for Australians remains unlikely this year, despite the rollout of vaccinations from next month. The UK is now vaccinating people between the ages of 70 and 80 as it strives towards a target of September for every adult to have received the first jab. John Alexander says the Australian Open should be delayed. Preparation continues ahead of Thursdays inauguration of U-S President-elect Joe Biden. Australia and India both have a chance of winning the 4th Cricket Test. Justin Timberlake reveals the name of his new baby boy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Experts are predicting the Aussie Economy will perform much better than first thought. Thousands more Victorians to return home from tonight Final Charter flights have now arrived in Melbourne ahead of the Australian Open. Tropical Cyclone to make land-fall in Far North Queensland!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chaos has hit the Australian Open in Melbourne with a 5th person testing positive to Covid-19, forcing 25 players to be forced into hard lockdown. Sporting stadiums could be used for the rollout of the Covid-19 vaccine. National Guard troops prepare for Thursdays inauguration in Washington D-C Australia will need quick runs to have a chance of winning the 4th Cricket Test. Caitlyn Jenner could make a guest appearance in the Sex and the City reboot.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

NSW has recorded a spike in coronavirus case numbers with six new local cases. Victoria has racked up 11 days straight of NO locally acquired cases, but there are seven in hotel quarantine, including three linked to the OZ Open flights to Melbourne A security scare in Washington DC, where police have arrested an armed man with fake inauguration credentials. Julia Stiles is all up for a sequel to her breakout film Save The Last Dance which celebrates its 20th anniversary this month.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Oz Open preparations for almost 50 players have been thrown into chaos  after a non-playing passenger of a charter flight tested positive for Covid-19. Victoria has eased some of the travel restrictions for Queensland with Greater Brisbane moved to an Orange permit zone. The United States is on high alert for possible violent protests ahead of Joe Biden's inauguration  Prince William and Kate have shared an online video call with counsellors and frontline workers in the Coronavirus pandemic in the UK.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Emirates Airlines has announced its suspending flights to Australia's three biggest cities until further notice and will no longer fly to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Western Australia is relaxing border restrictions for Victorians. From Monday anyone travelling from Victoria will no longer need an exemption, . but must still quarantine for 14 days and return a negative test for the virus. John Legend and Bruce Springsteen are to perform at JOE BIDEN's inauguration next week  joining Lady Gaga and Jennifer Lopez.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An earthquake rocks Indonesia. Portugal goes back into lockdown. The plight to save an American racing pigeon far from home. An all-star line up announced for Joe Biden's inauguration.  The fourth test between Australia and India kicks off at the Gabba.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Victoria Police have spent the night investigating the death of a mother and her three young children in Melbourne's North West. Queensland Health deny breach of Covid-19 protocols as cause of U-K strain outbreak. WHO team heads to Wuhan to investigate the original source of the coronavirus outbreak. Andy Murray remain hopeful for Australian Open, despite testing positive to Covid-19. Macaulay Culkin joins petition to digitally remove Trump from Home Alone 2.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump makes no mention of his second impeachment in a new video message to supporters. Victorians prepare to head back to the office. A man attacked by a shark in Perth's Swan River. Tennis players arrive in Melbourne ahead of the Australian Open. Another delay for James Bond fans.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The U-S House of Representatives have voted to impeach outgoing President Donald Trump...so what happens now? The Queensland government is considering remote worker camps in response to the Covid-outbreak at a Brisbane quarantine hotel. Cherries are the latest Australian export to be targeted in China. Alec de Minaur is looking goof in the lead up to the Australian Open. The Duchess of York is set to debut her first adult novel for 'Bridgerton' fans.      See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Travelers quarantining at a Brisbane hotel will be moved after 6 cases of the UK strain of COVID were detected. Mike Pence refuses to remove Donald Trump from office. Coon Cheese reveals it's rebranding to Cheer Cheese. The F1 Australian Grand Prix pushed back to November. Joe Jonas takes on his first serious acting role.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump claims he is the victim of the "greatest witch-hunt" as a decision looms over his second possible impeachment. GPs will soon be able register to administer the Covid-19 vaccine. An Australian man has been arrested in Germany for operating the world's largest Dark Web market. Cricket Australia yet to decide on whether Pucovski is fit for the fourth test.  Kim Cattrall subtly reacts to the 'Sex and the City' reboot announcement.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Democrats have introduced an article of impeachment to the U-S House of Representatives in the wake of the Capitol riots last week. The new Victoria permit system is now up and running online. The WA Premier takes a swipe at the NSW Premier over Covid-19 protocols.  The body of an Australian man has been found on a beach in Bali. The Aussie are heading to Brisbane for the fourth cricket test. Sarah Jessica Parker responds to fan comments about Kim Cattrall not returning for SATC reboot.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A decision will be made this morning on the fate of Greater Brisbane's 3-day lockdown. WA likely to remain closed to Queensland for the next month. New Covid-19 hot spots in Sydney's South west. Indonesian authorities recover Black Box flight record from the plane that went into the ocean on Saturday. Australia sitting pretty heading into the final day of the SCG test. Kamala Harris is cover star.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Residents of Sydney's upper northern beaches are free to leave their homes with the end of a three week lockdown. An advertising campaign to allay fears people may have, about getting the Covid 19 vaccine is set to be rolled out. The Queen and Prince Phillip have been vaccinated against coronavirus.  Grave fears are held for passengers on board an Indonesian plane which is believed to have crashed shortly after taking off from Jakarta. Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, has apparently abandoned plans to become a British citizen, one year after stepping back from royal life. Australian Captain Tim Paine could miss the fourth test, after being picked up swearing at an umpire by an on field microphone. The International Cricket Council is investigating allegations two Indian players were subjected to highly offensive abuse by crowd members at the Sydney Cricket Ground.             See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Greater Brisbane is into its first day of a three-day lockdown to prevent the spread of a highly contagious variant of coronavirus.  More than 13-hundred Covid deaths have been recorded in BRITAIN in the past 24 hours - the highest number since the pandemic began. Despite the US President promising a smooth transition of power - Donald Trump has confirmed he won't be attending the inauguration of Joe Biden Jamiroquai lead singer Jay Kay has been forced to deny that he was one of the rioters at the US Capitol after he began trending on social media.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tough new measures are put in place to stop the threat of a mutated COVID-strain. Brisbane will enter a 3-day lockdown The number of returning international travellers is being halved Donald Trump releases new video after yesterday's violence Accused Bali Bombing Mastermind walks free from jail Steve Smith records his 27th test century on Day 2 of the SCG test against IndiaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joe Biden's US election win has been formally validated by US Congress. The aftermath of the violent invasion of the US Capitol building. Donald Trump has been banned from Twitter, Facebook and Instagram indefinitely.  National Cabinet meets again today with the Opposition calling for more cohesion.  Demi Lovato hits the studio after the pro-Trump riots in Washington.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's been wide-spread condemnation after Pro-Trump rioters storm the Capitol Donald Trump's Twitter account locked No new local Covid-cases in NSW or Victoria -- but one in QLD Julian Assange to remain behind bars for now A rain-delayed start to the Third Cricket test in SydneySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wikileaks founder Julian Assange has been denied bail by a UK judge. The democrats have claimed one of the two US senate seats in the state of Georgia. National Cabinet will meet tomorrow to discuss the future for international travellers. Australia and India gear up for the third test at the SCG. Kim and Kanye are in couples counselling. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shoppers from Melbourne's Chadstone Shopping Centre and Cricket Fans possibly exposed to Covid Unlicensed Driver charged over tragic hit-run in NSW Central West U-S senate run-off election results razor-tight The death of Australia's oldest woman Tennis Australia bosses confident the Tournament won't be delayed    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The rollout of Australia's Covid-19 vaccine could be two weeks ahead of schedule. 1.3 million people across the UK receive first dose of vaccine as coronavirus case numbers grow. Victorians left stranded by NSW hard border closure. Australia's batting line-up to see the return of David Warner. After pre-mature death announcement, a James Bond star has passed away.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nearly Two Thousand Victorian Residents Awaiting Clearance To Cross Border Home Fears a Sydney Teen May Have Carried Covid-19 to Regional Areas New Coronavirus Mutation from U-K Picked Up in W-A The Most Pirated TV Show of 2020 Crowned Will Pucovski given the all-clear to make his Test Debut in SydneySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wikileaks founder Julian Assange's pleas for extradition to the US have been rejected by a UK court over mental health concerns. The Oxford Astra Zenica vaccine begins rollout across the UK. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson to give update on potential third National lockdown due to surge in Covid cases. Bushfires continue to threaten homes north of Perth. The Australian Grand Prix could be postponed for a second year in a row due to the pandemic.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cricket Australia bows to pressure -- reducing SCG crowds for the Pink Test to 25% Melbourne's Black Rock cluster grows -- as no new cases are recorded in NSW Australia's vaccination schedule "on track" -- despite claims the roll-out is taking too long. National Property Prices up in 2020 -- despite COVID-19 disruptions   And  The Australian and Indian Cricket teams arrive in SydneySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Face masks are now mandatory in certain public indoor areas of Greater Sydney, Wollongong, Blue Mountains and the Central Coast. The Job Keeper payments have been sliced again. A bushfire is threatening homes in the outer Perth suburb of Kwinana. A-League's Macarthur FC loses their first home game. I'm A Celebrity...contestants revealed.    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Covid mask mandate is being rolled out across Greater Sydney, the NSW Central Coast, Wollongong and the Blue Mountains. Health authorities have renewed calls for Queenslanders to put travel plans to New South Wales and Victoria on ice. Victoria's Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton reportedly made a personal appeal for NSW to introduce a mask rule WEEKS ago, but was ignored. Pop up hospitals are being set up in London as the surge in coronavirus cases overwhelms medical facilities. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New South Wales has been officially cut off from Victoria.. again An announcement on the easing of restrictions for parts of Sydney is due   Your car registration could be cancelled if your vehicle has a faulty airbag  Aussie surfer Tyler Wright and her brother Mikey have rescued a woman in Hawaii.  Australia is focusing on scoring more runs as it prepares for the Third Test in Sydney  Harry Styles is kicking off the new year with a new music video  And Actor Ryan Reynolds has revealed on Twitter his middle nameSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We'll now sing a revised version of the Australian Anthem -- to reflect our long Indigenous History A handful of new COVID-19 cases for NSW and Victoria -- as returning tourists scramble for testing. Aussie meat and honey to benefit from tariff cuts! And.. Harry and Meghan's wishes for 2021.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Celebrations were scaled back across the country overnight - as we welcomed in the new year Long queues are forming at the Victoria New South Wales border as Victorians rush to get home before the border closes at midnight Our national anthem has been tweaked slightly to recognise our indigenous history BREXIT is just hours away from taking effect, more than four years after the UK voted to leave the EU  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Desperate search for links between new Coronavirus cases in Sydney and Melbourne Victorian Government mandates mask-wearing indoors Aussie farmers could be the winners out of Brexit trade deal And Kylie Jenner gets a temporary restraining order against a would-be stalkerSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Contact tracers in Melbourne are scrambling to get on top of a new outbreak that has ended the state's two month streak of no locally acquired cases New restrictions are now in force across Sydney, the Blue Mountains, Wollongong and the Central Coast  Australians to welcome 2021 with scaled back NYE celebrations The Oxford University vaccine given approval for use in the UK  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

18 new cases of Covid-19 have been recorded in NSW overnight with 9 linked to the Avalon cluster. Changes to NSW visitor rules, and Victorians also urged to stay home for New Years celebrations. Proof of Covid vaccination could be on the cards for returning Aussie travelers. The SCG has been given the go-head to host the next cricket Test. Chrissy Teigan is 4 weeks sober.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The SCG has been given the all-clear to host the Third Test between Australia and India A testing blitz is underway in Wollongong US Vice President-elect Kamala Harris has received her first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. A 6.4 magnitude earthquake has rocked Croatia killing at least six people And baby Archie makes a cameo on Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's podcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

NSW Health is investigating the source of an extra two Covid-19 cases reported overnight. Three confirmed cases have also been linked to the Avalon cluster. New deportation rules for backpackers who break Covid-19 rules. It's been a year since the WHO was made aware of the coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan. Chinese citizen journalist jailed for reporting on the Covid-19 outbreak.  Full House Lori Laughlin enjoys her freedom after two-month jail sentence. An Aussie Model pays homage to a famous 80s movie when naming her newborn "Baby".  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

NSW Police finalise plans on how to enforce restrictions across Sydney on NYE Nine people from the Northern Beaches fined over COVID-19 breaches D-Day for the third Test with Cricket Australia set to make an announcement today on where it will be played Tourism operators will meet with the Federal Government today after a tough year for the sector See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

NSW Premier says Sydney foreshore NYE celebrations for frontline workers has been cancelled. Five new Covid-19 cases linked to Northern Beaches cluster. European Union starts mass rollout of Covid vaccine. Roger Federer is out of the Australian Open. Hilaria Baldwin quits social media. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A decision on what restrictions will be in place for Sydney's New Years Eve plans expected as early as today A man who fled a Melbourne quarantine hotel refuses to pay up The European Union begins the coronavirus vaccine rollout across 27 nations India looks to extend its lead over Australia in the Boxing Day test And in entertainment news Warner Bros announced Wonder Woman 3 will be fast trackedSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sydney's Northern Beaches is back into lockdown - as the coronavirus outbreak in the area grows.  "Stay at home" orders for residents will be in place until Wednesday Total fire bans are in place for parts of New South Wales and Victoria The Boxing day test continues at the MCG And Meghan Markle's Christmas present to the Queen - a singing toy hamster - has been mauled to pieces by one of her majesty's CORGI'sSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

NSW has recorded nine new locally acquired cases of Coronavirus in the last 24-hours. Aussie cricketer DEAN JONES has been remembered during the traditional Welcome to Country ceremony at the MCG before the start of the Boxing Day test. Hot cross buns have begun appearing on the shelves of Coles supermarkets.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sydneysiders are being urged to avoid Boxing Day sales amid coronavirus fears. Cashed up shoppers are expected to spend 4.9 billion dollars in the post-Christmas shopping period. The Queen has reflected on the coronavirus pandemic in her Christmas Day address. Limited new series of Sex and The City Announced  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A child is among FOUR new cases linked to the NSW Covid outbreak. Retailers panic as NSW Premier urged people to avoid Boxing Day sales in the CBD. The Queen dancing on a table. LeBron James sues a photographer. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Another great result for NSW with 9 positive cases in a 24 hour period.  Of those 7 are linked to the Avalon cluster with tracing underway for the other two. The tourism sector is expecting state border closures to almost halve the amount being spent over the holidays. AUSSIE supermarkets are experiencing record sales ahead of Christmas; and Facebook has removed Pete Evans' official page after the celebrity chef continued to share coronavirus misinformation.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.