Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine is appearing to be less effective in halting the spread of the Delta strain of the virus, but it is said to be shielding people against severe cases, according to data from Israel's government.

The vaccine protected 64% of people against the illness between June 6 and early July, down from 94% between May 2 and June 5, the Israel Health Ministry said.

The drop in effectiveness coincides with the government lifting virus restrictions at the start of June, just as the new variant was beginning to make inroads.

The Australian Government is under increasing pressure to evacuate Afghan staff who have supported its diplomats and soldiers across Afghanistan, as the US and UK announce plans to pull thousands of at-risk allies from the country.

A retired Australian officer who served Afghanistan told the ABC "If we don't get them out very soon... many of them are going to be killed".

All foreign forces are expected to be out of Afghanistan in under 100 days, by 11 September.

Melbourne's loss of the Australian Grand Prix for a second consecutive year puts the city at risk of a "slow economic death", as warned by a leading business figure.

Innes Willcox, chief executive of the Australian Industry Group, told Today that businesses were being hit hard by city lockdowns and curbs on international travel that hit major sporting events.

Mr Willcox said, getting people more vaccinated is key to businesses surviving and growing.

A woman was fined after breaching Quarantine restrictions in Cairns yesterday after it was noticed she was missing from her room Sunday afternoon.

CCTV footage revealed the woman scaled two sets of balconies, used an outdoor stairway and kicked-in a door to escape.

The woman was found in her mothers house, and was brought to court yesterday morning on charges of contravening public health directions, unregulated high-risk activity and wilful damage.

The number of Brisbane e-scooter riders fined for not wearing helmets is expected to double as shared e-bikes,hit footpaths this month.

Police data shows the number of fines issued so far this year hit 536 as of May 31, compared with 449 across all of 2020.

The figures are expected to spike as eight-hundred dock-less bikes will join a doubled fleet of 2000 electric scooters across the city from July 22 after Neuron Mobility and newcomer Beam were announced to be successful bidders for the rollout of the new bikes.

New COVID-19 exposure sites were listed this morning after a positive case was declared earlier this morning. West End, Loganlea, Macgregor, Moorooka and South Brisbane.

Queensland Health Officials are asking locals to refer to the Queensland Health Site for more information.

The number of people killed in a landslide that roared through the coastal town of Atami in Japan last Saturday has risen to four, as rescue crews continue to search for 24 more.

The landslide caused by days of heavy rain in the region initially was thought to have inundated 147 residents as homes and holiday rentals were destroyed. 

Officials have said most of those people have contacted them saying they weren’t at home at the time of the landslide. Officials say  25 people have been rescued, including three who were injured as the search continues. 

The Morrison Government has defended their protection of the Great Barrier Reef after recommendations from the United Nations to place it on the World Heritage In-Danger list.

Australia’s Paris-based ambassador, Megan Anderson, argued that UNESCO had “rushed” their decision to add the reef to the list and suggested the officials visit the Reef “before any reactive monitoring mission”.

Australia has been widely criticized by the UN for it’s idle response to climate change and for its continuous export of oil and gas.