Today visa holders are now allowed to enter Australia, after almost two years since Australia’s international borders closed due to the pandemic

The reopening to skilled workers and international students comes after the federal government placed a two-week pause due to concerns around the Omicron COVID-19 variant. 

The resumption also means a travel bubble with Japan and South Korea can also begin. 

Universities Australia has been delighted by this news, predicting one hundred and thirty thousand international students will be eligible for travel.

Washington DC is suing several far right extremist groups to cover the financial costs of the Capitol Building insurgency riots in January this year.

Both the so called Proud Boys and Oath Keepers will be held accountable for the protests instigated by then President Donald Trump, which left five people dead and dozens injured.

France has now joined a number of countries that have passed legislation that  either partially or fully outlaw gay ‘conversion’ practices. 

The bill which must be signed by French President, was passed after a similar ban was signed into law in Canada towards practices that seek to change a person’s sexual orientation. 

Under the french legislation, people offering LGBTIQ+ conversion theory could be jailed for up to two years and fined thirty thousand euros.

Queensland has commissioned Australia’s first hydrogen-powered police vehicle. 

Minister for Energy and Public Works Mick de Brenni says assigning the Hyundai Nexo to the police is in an effort to develop domestic demand for the government’s hydrogen industry strategy. 

The vehicle is to be used by Queensland police operating out of the North Brisbane Domestic and Family Violence vulnerable persons unit.

The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries have assessed the survey responses and written submissions on the review of the Animal Care and Protection Act. 

Minister for Agriculture Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner says the goal is to ensure Queensland animal welfare laws continue to meet community expectations. 

He says “a wide range of issues were raised which reflects the community’s deep interest in this topic.”

In a new deal with pharmaceutical giant Moderna, Australia is set to manufacture mRNA vaccines for Covid-19 and other diseases, in Victoria. 

The long-term partnership between the federal government, Victorian government and Moderna will see 100 million vaccines produced each year in a pandemic starting in 2024. 

Finance Minister Simon Birmingham says “this investment will mean world-leading clinical trials, a strong local workforce and creating opportunities … to drive Australia’s economy forward.”

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is warning of a “tidal wave” of new cases as the Omicron variant continues to spread in the UK. 

In a televised statement Mr Johnson urged those aged 18 and over to get their third dose of the vaccine by the end of the month.

This comes after the government had raised the official Covid threat level from a 3 to a 4, warning the Omicron variant is now spreading rapidly.