By Hope NewsroomTuesday 3 Aug 2021NewsReading Time: 2 minutes
Today’s headlines from the Hope News team. You can listen to hourly bulletin updates at hopenews.com.au.
Two-and-a-half thousand Qantas workers will be stood down for an estimated two months because of the ongoing COVID outbreaks.
The airline said the decision will directly impact domestic pilots, cabin crew and airport workers, mainly in New South Wales.
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The Federal Government said Labor’s $6 billion proposal to encourage take-up of the COVID vaccine is “wasteful spending”.
Under the plan people would receive $300 once they’re fully vaccinated.
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There are 36 Westmead Hospital staff in isolation after one of their colleagues tested positive to COVID-19.
Meanwhile, 32 residents of a Summer Hill aged-care home remain in hospital as a precaution after a COVID outbreak at the home.
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The NSW Teachers Federation is meeting today to discuss concerns about the return of HSC students to classrooms later this month.
Some teachers are concerned about the spread of the Delta strain among young people and the distance some students will travel for class.
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Payphones will now be free for calls across Australia.
Telstra said the ability to make free calls is critical for the community’s most vulnerable to be able to reach services like 000 and Lifeline.
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A fresh appeal has been launched for information about the fate of a man who went missing near Wollongong nearly 32 years ago.
Grant Rogers, 28, was last seen leaving his Albion Park home in October 1989.
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The United States has set up a new refugee program for Afghans who are vulnerable because they worked for the US.
Fighting is intensifying in the southern city of Lashkar Gah, with people reportedly trapped in their homes.
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Belarussian athlete Krystina Timanovskaya, who was taken against her will by team officials in Tokyo, has been offered a humanitarian visa by Poland.
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In Olympic action:
Australia is through to the quarter finals of the women’s basketball after defeating Puerto Rico.
In women’s soccer, the Matildas will play Team USA in a Bronze medal match after going down 1-nil to Sweden.
And, Andrew Hoy has become Australia’s oldest medal winner, picking up silver and bronze in equestrian.