Australia

Vanuatu MP and former seasonal worker agent John Salong said the visa which starts next month and targets ten Southeast Asian countries would threaten the gains made by Vanuatu and Pacific nations in Australia.

"We are very concerned that now Australia is bringing in Asian workers into the horticultural sector, which is in direct competition with the Pacific seasonal workers program, which we have built over the years," he said.

A statement by the international footballers' federation Fifpro expressed gratitude to Australia.

Following the retaking of Kabul by the Taliban, many Afghan sportswomen went into hiding.

The statement said work was still needed to settle the women abroad.

"These young women, both as athletes and activists, have been in a position of danger and on behalf of their peers around the world we thank the international community for coming to their aid," Fifpro said of an evacuation that was for more than 50 people according to news sources including ABC.

In Melbourne, mounted officers used pepper spray when elements of a 4,000-strong rally broke through police lines.

Police arrested 218 people, and at least seven officers were injured.

In Sydney, where lockdown measures have been extended for another month, more than 1,000 officers dispersed protests.

It came as the state of New South Wales (NSW), of which Sydney is the capital, recorded 825 new locally-acquired cases, the highest number for any Australian territory in a 24-hour period.

This comes amid revelations that there are plans in Queensland to grow kava, which up to now has been banned, as a crop and as an import, in Australia.

"I wish to say to Australia, our friend, don't grow kava. Do not allow kava to grow in Australia commercially, make it illegal but make it legal for us to export Vanuatu kava to you. That is the request of Vanuatu and other Pacific Islands," Mr Regenvanu said.

He said if Australia grows kava there will be a large market but Vanuatu has not much quantity to export.

The project funded by the Australian Government is worth 80 million vatu and will supply 125 health facilities with 34,860 medical items.

Supplies include 250 bedpans, 568 pairs of crutches for adults and 284 for children, 2500 pairs of forceps, 130 weighing scales for newborns, 159 portable LED examination lights, 250 portable stretcher beds and 250 pairs of bandage scissors.

Since March last year, the country has banned its citizens from leaving the country as part of its COVID strategy.

That restriction has not previously applied to Australians who usually live in other countries.

But they will now need to apply for an exemption for outbound travel - in line with rules for other Australians.

Australia's tough border rules have been controversial. Critics say this change - in effect from 11 August - will further punish families and deter citizens from returning.

It is a historical moment for the Fijiana as they’re now in contention for a medal.

The side will meet New Zealand in the semifinal at 2pm (Fiji Time) today.

Aloesi Nakoci struck first after two minutes following some patient buildup up for a 7-nil lead.

Fiji went to a 14-nil lead when Ana Maria Naimasi sliced through the Australian defense to dot down between the sticks.

However, the Fijiana was reduced to six players when Vasiti Solikoviti was sent off for a high tackle.

Minister of Health, Silas Bule, was at the airport yesterday to welcome safe and effective vaccines from Australia’s Acting High Commissioner, Clemency Oliphant.

The 20,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine are manufactured in Australia and are approved by the World Health Organization.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, Australia has been supporting Vanuatu to respond to COVID19.

Vanuatu thanked Australia for its ongoing support to combat this crisis to ensure health security in Vanuatu and in the region.

The trans-Tasman travel bubble is paused for at least eight weeks as the Delta variant continues to spread.

Air New Zealand chief executive Greg Foran told Morning Report the airline would do everything to help New Zealanders wanting to return this week from Australia.

"Trust us," he said.

"We have seen plenty of people reach out over the weekend. We've got about 7500 people booked to return to New Zealand through to midnight this Friday."

James O’Connor’s groin injury will prevent the No 10 travelling to New Zealand and with border restrictions set to play havoc with the Wallabies’ upcoming test campaign, Rennie has done the unthinkable by bringing back the 70-test playmaker back into an Australian squad.

Cooper, who recently revealed he has had his application for Australian citizenship turned down four times, will travel to New Zealand with the rest of the team on Friday.