1. PM urges states to stick to reopening plan

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has called on all state and territory leaders to stick to the reopening plan agreed by national cabinet that will see restrictions eased when 70% and 80% of the population have been fully vaccinated. "We have to break this cycle. The national plan is the way to cut through and for us to emerge from that. This groundhog day has to end, and it will end when we start getting to 70% and 80%," the PM said yesterday.

2. Oil Search reports 463% increase to net profit

Oil Search has announced a 463% increase in net profit to $139 million and a 7% increase in revenue to $667.7 million for the first half of 2021 ahead of the company's proposed merger with Santos. "Our half year result speaks to the sustained and focussed efforts of our people across every part of the business," said acting CEO Peter Fredricson.

3. BlackRock invests in Australian EV charging stations

BlackRock Real Assets has announced it has acquired a "substantial minority" stake in local startup JOLT Charge and will provide more than $100 million in funding to kickstart the installation of 5,000 electric vehicle charging stations across Australia. "Australia has been a laggard in terms of the deployment of electric vehicles, but that’s partly because there’s no charging infrastructure," BlackRock’s Charlie Reid told Bloomberg.

4. Drunk driving of elephants now banned in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has announced sweeping new animal protection laws that prevent elephant handlers from drinking or taking drugs while working with the animals. Baby elephants can no longer be used for work and all elephants must be given at least two-and-a-half hours of bathing time each day.

5. Nasdaq rises over 1.5% to new record

All three major indexes in the US closed higher on Monday, with the Nasdaq rising 227.99 points or 1.55% to 14,942.65, a new record-high close. The Dow Jones moved up 215.63 points or 0.61% to 35,335.71 and the S&P 500 gained 37.86 points or 0.85% to 4,479.53