Australia remains on track to reach the milestone of 80 per cent of the population over 16 being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in a matter of days.
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The latest vaccine figures show 78.1 per cent of over-16s are fully dosed, while more than 88 per cent have received one dose.
The news comes as NSW moves its roadmap aiming for 95 per cent of the population to be fully vaccinated.
Announced yesterday the changes to its roadmap out of lockdown will see fully vaccinated residents welcome a bunch of new freedoms from Monday.
However, for the unvaccinated freedom day has been moved further away. Instead of being able to join in from December 1, they'll know have to wait until December 15 or when the state hits 95 per cent full vaccination rate.
Delaying the lifting of restrictions for unvaccinated people may be the push some need to get jabbed, a leading NSW doctor says.
The reopening of the states will kick off Australia's economic recovery, which should see a marked improvement in coming federal budgets, but politicians from both sides of the aisle have been warned of a looming black hole.
On finances, Reserve Bank of Australia governor Philip Lowe is adamant the cash rate won't rise any time soon, defying financial market expectations that an increase could come as early next year.
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The other big news out of yesterday was that Verry Elleegant won the Melbourne Cup. In second place was hot favourite, Incentivise, while Spanish Mission came in third. Ocean Billy was last.
Incentivise suffered a leg injury during the race.
What's happened at COP26?
Australia is one of the 105 countries that signed a pledge to halt and reverse deforestation and land degradation by the end of the decade at the COP26 global climate conference in Glasgow.
The Morrison government has set a goal of producing solar electricity at a third of today's costs under an updated technology plan.
Australia has signed the world's biggest trade agreement
Australia has ratified a massive free trade deal with Asia-Pacific nations but insists the move does not change the government's "grave concerns" about the political situation enveloping fellow signatory Myanmar.
When in force for all 15 signatories, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership will be the world's biggest trade agreement, covering 2.2 billion people and 29 per cent of global economic output.
The 15 nations included in the deal are Myanmar, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Brunei - along with Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea.
Around the globe
At least 25 people have been killed and more than 50 wounded when gunmen attacked Afghanistan's biggest military hospital after two heavy explosions at the site in central Kabul, officials say.
Ethiopia has declared a six-month state of emergency after forces from the northern region of Tigray said they were gaining territory and considering marching on the capital Addis Ababa.
The Chinese government has told families to keep daily necessities in stock in case of emergencies, after COVID-19 outbreaks and unusually heavy rains caused a surge in vegetable prices and raised concerns about supply shortages.
Facebook to shut facial recognition system
Facebook says it is shutting down its facial recognition system, which automatically identifies users in photos and videos, citing growing societal concerns about the use of such technology.
The removal of face recognition by the world's largest social media platform comes as the tech industry has faced a reckoning over the past few years over the ethics of using the technology.
- with Australian Associated Press