1. Optus and Airtasker may make vaccinations compulsory

Among the companies that could be set to follow Qantas and SPC in making vaccinations mandatory for employees are Optus and Airtasker according to a report by the AFR. "In customer-facing roles or roles where people can’t avoid mingling and being out there, it probably makes sense to make some of that compulsory," Optus CEO Kelly Bayer Rosmarin told the AFR.

2. NSW plan to open some venues to the vaccinated

Fully vaccinated residents of NSW could be able visit restaurants, bars and gyms when 70% of the state has been vaccinated, potentially as early as October. The plan detailed by The Australian would include the use of a vaccination certificate available through an app that is connected to Medicare records and must be presented on entry to venues, which would be operating with some limitations still in place.

3. Sydney Airport reports $97 million loss in half year results

Sydney Airport has reported a loss of $97.4 million and a 33.2% drop in revenue to $341.6 million in its half year results as international passenger numbers declined 91% from the first half of 2020. "It was a challenging six months, but we were encouraged to see passenger traffic rebound strongly every time borders were open", said CEO Geoff Culbert, adding that the number of domestic passengers reached 65% of pre-COVID levels from January to April this year.

4. Pope Francis gifted foosball table by soccer club

Soccer fan Pope Francis has been presented with a foosball table by representatives of a football association from Altopascio in Tuscany. The pope played a quick round on the table, which was designed to be inclusive and accessible to people with a disability according to the mayor of Altopascio.

5. S&P 500 edges higher

The S&P 500 rose 5.53 points or 0.13% on Thursday after two days of falls, while the Dow Jones moved down 66.57 points or 0.19% to 34,894.12. The Nasdaq also ended the day in the green, rising 15.87 points or 0.11% to 14,541.79.