McDonalds has been forced to stop selling milkshakes and bottled drinks at nearly 1,300 restaurants in the United Kingdom as Brexit-related staff shortages and supply chain delays caused by the pandemic continue to slam companies.

McDonald's is the latest in a series of UK companies to see its supply chain strained because of the pandemic and Brexit, which has contributed to a shortage of workers and introduced new trade barriers with the European Union.

The US food and drug administration has granted full approval to the Pfizer vaccine for people aged 16 and older. 

The vaccine is the first coronavirus vaccine approved by the FDA, and is expected to open the door to more vaccine mandates. 

The US is hopeful that the approval will encourage people globally to get the coronavirus vaccine.

Industrial hemp growers in New South Wales are flouting the law to produce medical cannabis products for the black market, according to the head of Australia's largest hemp seed food producer.

Purchasing this item on the black market brings risks such as the unknown contents of the CBD products,  Mr Cochrane says, "They don't know what's in it, they don't know how it's grown, they don't know if it's got mould, they don't know if it's got pesticides, heavy metals — the list just goes on,"

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian is under fire after rejecting a question from a journalist asking about political corruption. 

The journalist requested information in regards to the Daryl Maguire and the recent funding allegations, the Premier refused to comment further and disregarded the reporter.

Ray Stevens, Member for the Mermaid Beach electorate, has spoken out against the excessive criminal activity that is resulting in the losses of thousands of dollars for small businesses.

Stevens told 4zzz that the only solution is to toughen the court sentencing and tackle the repeat offenders. Police have advised Stevens that it is the same young offenders each time who keep reoffending due to the lack of penalty and a lack of follow ups for breaching bail.

This story contains themes of inequality and injustice for our first nations residents. 

The gap between indigenous Covid vaccinations has widened in all states, data shows. In Queensland, a measly 13% of Indigenous residents are vaccinated out of a 27% vaccination rate for other residents.

Western Australia has shown the worst rating, with only an 8% vaccination rate for our first nations residents and a 27% vaccination rate for other residents.

The Taliban has stated that they will not allow Afghans to leave the country. 

The Taliban is also rejecting talks of extending the deadline for US troops to leave, after a frantic Western evacuation operation at Kabul airport picks up pace. 

A Taliban spokesperson has come out and said that while Afghan residents are able to gather and travel to Kabul Airport, the huge crowds of Afghans gathered there in recent days should return home and would not face reprisals from the country's new rulers.

Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, declared he continues to maintain the coalition when questioned about resigning after this year's controversies. 

He told Parliament in his 3-year anniversary speech that after observing their government, he intends to stay in parliament after the next election.