Australia's COVID-hit regions are set to get $100m boost under the controversial Building Better Regions Fund.
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Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce is committing an extra $100 million, the money adding to $200 million already flagged for the fund's round five which will be detailed on Friday by Mr Joyce.
There are 298 projects in the now $300 million round with half ($125 million) earmarked for 81 soon to be delivered tourism-specific infrastructure upgrades.
The new projects include art galleries, museums, sporting precincts, aquatic centres, health facilities, community halls and upgrades to regional water supplies.
Path out of lockdown
Despite rising case numbers, Victoria is sticking with its plan to start lifting lockdown restrictions once 70 per cent of the state's population above 16 is fully vaccinated.
That is expected around October 26 and will see Melbourne's curfew will ease, the travel limit will be expanded and venues can open outdoors to the fully vaccinated.
But Victorians will have to wait until the 80 per cent double-dose target for significant changes, forecast for November 5, including Melbourne hospitality reopening for seated service and visitors to be allowed in homes.
In NSW, re-opening starts on Monday. However, doctors are concerned the state's revised 'roadmap' out of restrictions could see the state relaxing too quickly.
The Australian Medical Association of NSW said changes to the state's plan to exit lockdown could overwhelm the hospital system with virus cases and burn out healthcare workers.
The territory's health minister, Rachel Stephen-Smith, said the easing of NSW's lockdown would bring about more COVID-19 cases in regional areas just over the ACT border.
Canberra's lockdown is forecast to end on October 15.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has urged state and territories to stick to national plans to reopen borders, as Australia passed another vaccination milestone.
All states and territories have now fully vaccinated more than 50 per cent of over-16s, with NSW being the first jurisdiction to reach the 70 per cent double-dose threshold.
Summernats is back
After being cancelled for the first time in 33 years, Summernats 34 is heating up.
Co-owner Andy Lopez says car entries have almost run out, with more than 2000 received so far for the return of the event at Exhibition Park in Canberra from January 6 to 9.
So are you getting your "V8ccine"?
Pfizer asks US to approve children jabs, WHO urges jab equity
Pfizer is asking the US government to allow use of its COVID-19 vaccine in children aged five to 11.
If regulators agree, shots could begin within a matter of weeks.
Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation has launched a plan that aims to inoculate 70 per cent of the world by mid-2022 amid fears a new jab-resistant coronavirus variant could emerge "very soon".
Finland pauses Moderna jabs for young men
Finland will pause the use of Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine for men born in 1991 and later due to reports of a rare cardiovascular side effect, the institute for health and welfare says.
Swedish and Danish health officials had announced on Wednesday afternoon they would pause the use of the Moderna vaccine for all young adults and children.
Queen launches Comm Games baton relay
Queen Elizabeth II has held her first major engagement at Buckingham Palace since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, presiding over the launch of the baton relay for next year's Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
British Paralympic gold medallist Kadeena Cox, who won two events in Tokyo, had the honour of taking the baton from the Queen on the first leg of its 145,000 kilometre journey on Thursday.
- with Australian Associated Press