Australia

The mass stranding on the west coast of the island was discovered on Monday.

Marine biologists are scrambling to save the remaining pilot whales in a tricky operation likely to take days.

It's unknown what drew the whales to the shore. Whale beachings are common in the region, but one of this size has not been seen since 2009.

Scientists from the Tasmanian Maritime Conservation Program said the whales were found in three groups across Macquarie Heads - a remote tip of the island with limited vessel and road access.

The whale was first seen in the Northern Territory (NT) river over a week ago, prompting fears it may get stuck in shallow waters or hit a boat.

Two others also swam into the East Alligator River for a short time before returning to their sea migration.

The remaining whale managed to find its way out over the weekend during high tides, Parks Australia said on Monday.

It is the first known instance of humpback whales in the river in the Kakadu National Park, on the country's northern coast.

Six of the eight deaths were linked to aged care settings, and the state's coronavirus death toll now stands at 745.

Metropolitan Melbourne's 14-day daily case average has fallen from 49.6 yesterday to 44.4 today.

Regional Victoria, which entered step three of its recovery roadmap today, now has a rolling 14-day average of 2.9.

Today is the first time since 24 June Victoria has recorded fewer than 30 new cases.

The government says the move has been made to avoid the potential spread of the avian influenza virus which has hit some Australian states.

According to the government, the ban on importation of items like meat products, egg products and live birds is indefinite.

All related import permits have been suspended until further notice, with products in transit to be incinerated or reshipped back to Australia.

Solomon Islands has placed similar restrictions on the Australian products.

The ban includes meat products, by-products, egg products and animal reproductive materials as part of the Ministry’s efforts to stop the introduction into Samoa of avian influenza virus.

In a statement, the Ministry’s Chief Executive Officer, Tilafono David Hunter said, all import permits issued for the named products originating from Australia will be suspended until further notice.

The named products currently in transit from Australia will possibly be incinerated or reshipped back to Australia.

Australia recovered from a shaky start to score 294 for nine in their 50 overs and while Sam Billings (118) struck an impressive century, the hosts were always behind the game.

England put the visitors in and had them reeling on 123 for five but Marsh (73) Maxwell (77) helped Australia rebuild on their way to a formidable total.

After slumping to 57-4 in reply and falling way behind the required run rate it looked bleak for England but Jonny Bairstow and Billings shared a century stand for the fifth wicket to edge Eoin Morgan's side back into contention.

All four teams will take part.

New Zealand will host Australia in two Bledisloe Cup tests before the Rugby Championship.

The tournament was moved from its traditional August-September window due to the ongoing effects of the global COVID-19 pandemic.

The tournament will comprise a six-week, 12-match, "home and away" tournament involving Argentina, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

The chief executive officer of the Ministry of Labour, Pulotu Lyndon Chu Ling, said the two men were killed in a car accident on Sunday in Perth.

He said the families of the men have been informed.

Pulotu said the two men had been out shopping, and that the accident happened on their return to their camp.

He said no alcohol was involved.

Pulotu said the ministry is deeply saddened about the latest accident involving seasonal workers.

Last month a 36 year-old Samoan seasonal worker was killed in a car accident in New Zealand.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the country had struck two deals that would allow free doses to be rolled out in 2021 if they were approved for use.

Mr Morrison estimated the cost to be A$1.7bn (£0.9bn; $1.24bn).

Australia's 25 million people could begin receiving doses from January but there were "no guarantees", he said.

"However the agreement puts Australia at the top of the queue, if our medical experts give the vaccines the green light," the prime minister said.

Prime Minister Tui'laepa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi revealed the new plan on local television as well as other amendments to the State of Emergency Orders on Wednesday.

He said there were enough students in Australia, Japan and China to warrant the charter, proposed for the end of September, which would also allow for the repatriation of other stranded citizens.

But he stressed the cost of the charter would be met by the individuals themselves, including costs of quarantine and medical checks.