Australia continues to take further steps to safely reopen to the world, with additional changes to our international border arrangements coming into effect on 1 December
Consistent with the National Plan to safely reopen Australia, these changes will ensure we continue to protect the health of Australians, while reuniting families and securing our economic recovery by opening our border to skilled and student visa holders.
From 1 December 2021, fully vaccinated eligible visa holders can come to Australia without needing to apply for a travel exemption.
Eligible visa holders include skilled and student cohorts, as well as humanitarian, working holiday maker and provisional family visa holders.
A Qantas plane takes off from the Sydney International airport on May 6, 2021 / Image: File
Under these recently announced arrangements, travellers must:
Be fully vaccinated with a completed dosage of a vaccine approved or recognised by Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)
Present a negative COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test taken within three days of departure.
Travellers to Australia must comply with the quarantine requirements in the state or territory of their arrival, as well as comply with any other state or territory to which they plan to travel.
The return of skilled workers and international students to Australia will further cement our economic recovery, providing the valuable workers our economy needs and supporting our important education sector.
A sign is displayed inside the empty arrivals hall at the international airport in Sydney on October 15, 2021. / Image: File
From 1 December 2021, Australia will also welcome back fully vaccinated citizens from Japan and the Republic of Korea
Under these arrangements, citizens of Japan and the Republic of Korea who hold a valid Australian visa will be able to travel from their home country quarantine-free to participating states and territories, without needing to seek a travel exemption.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison addresses the media during a press conference following a National Cabinet meeting, at Parliament House in Canberra on Friday 2 July 2021. fedpol Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Under these arrangements, travellers must:
Depart from their home country
Be fully vaccinated with a completed dosage of a vaccine approved or recognised by the TGA
Hold a valid Australian visa
Provide proof of their vaccination status
Present a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within three days of departure.
“Today’s announcement follows earlier changes which have seen us welcome home fully vaccinated Australians, permanent residents and their immediate family members since 1 November, and follows the commencement of the Singapore safe travel zone yesterday” the government said in a statement.
The changes demonstrate the success of Australia’s National Plan, as the Government continues to get Australia back to normal and reopen to the world safely.
Trump and Netanyahu unveil a Middle East peace plan; explore implications for hostages, ceasefire, and regional dynamics.
President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have unveiled a new plan to end the war in the Middle East. The announcement sets out an ambitious path that could reshape negotiations and redefine the region’s future.
In today’s episode, we explore what this plan means for hostages, the prospects for a ceasefire, and the risks of legitimising groups like Hamas. Rabbi Abraham Cooper of the Simon Wiesenthal Center joins us to break down the key messages and the global response.
Could this be a turning point, or just another failed attempt at peace? We look at the stakes for Jewish communities worldwide, the message it sends to other leaders in the region, and whether this moment rewards terrorism or sets a path for justice. Subscribe to never miss an episode of Ticker – https://www.youtube.com/@weareticker
In Short:
– Sean Combs sentenced to 50 months in prison for prostitution-related charges involving male escorts.
– Combs expressed remorse and plans to appeal the sentence, citing parental plea for leniency.
Sean “Diddy” Combs has been sentenced to over four years in prison following his conviction for prostitution-related charges.
The sentence of 50 months was handed down by U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian in Manhattan federal court. Combs, aged 55, was found guilty after a jury determined he arranged for male escorts to travel across state lines for drug-fueled sexual performances with his girlfriends.
Combs faced a maximum of 20 years but was acquitted of more severe charges, including racketeering, that could have led to a life sentence.
The allegations included claims that he coerced his girlfriends into participating in these encounters through threats and violence. Combs, who has been incarcerated since his 2024 arrest, is expected to appeal.
Emotional Statements
During the sentencing, Combs expressed remorse and stated he had learned his lesson. He acknowledged past abuses but maintained that the performances were consensual. His legal team argued for a reduced sentence of 14 months, citing his prior time served, while prosecutors advocated for a more extended sentence, highlighting the seriousness of the abuse.
Combs’ children also spoke during the proceedings, requesting leniency from the judge, stating that he had improved since his arrest. They pleaded for their father’s presence in their lives, with his daughter emotionally addressing the court.
The case has drawn significant media attention, marking Combs as a prominent figure facing serious charges in the entertainment industry.
In Short:
– Hamas is willing to release hostages but needs clarity on Trump’s peace plan.
– Negotiations continue, with Hamas requesting changes to disarmament and Israeli withdrawal terms.
Hamas has indicated a willingness to release the remaining hostages in Gaza, contingent on conditions linked to a broader peace agreement. The group’s response to mediators did not provide clarity on many aspects of President Trump’s 20-point peace plan.Hamas expressed gratitude for Trump’s peace efforts but sought specifics on issues like the timeline for Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and assurances regarding the cessation of hostilities.
Trump welcomed the dialogue, urging Israel to pause its military actions while negotiations progress, which may exceed the Sunday deadline he set for a deal.
The group has agreed to release all prisoners associated with the occupation as part of Trump’s exchange proposal. However, Hamas maintains that discussions on Gaza’s future and the rights of the Palestinian populations require an inclusive Palestinian framework.
Reports suggest that 20 of the 48 hostages are still alive. Senior Hamas official Mousa Abu Marzouk stated that the group needs further negotiations before committing fully to Trump’s plan and indicated that releasing the hostages in 72 hours is unrealistic.
Ongoing Negotiations
Trump’s peace initiative aims for the release of all hostages and proposes a transitional governance board for Gaza. While Hamas has shown some willingness to support the plan, it insists on modifications, particularly around disarmament and the withdrawal of Israeli forces.
Complexities within Hamas’s leadership further complicate consensus on the deal, as previous U.S. attempts to persuade the group have faltered.