1. ACT Government has committed to achieving zero emissions by 2045
The ACT government has announced that they are set to make zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) an affordable option for Canberrans in the years to come. Transport currently represents the largest source of emissions for the ACT, making up over 60%. Of this, 70% is from private car use. Coupled with rising fuel costs for motorists, this is why we must prioritise our emission reduction efforts in this area. Some highlights from their plan include:  $2,000 grants for installation of EV charging infrastructure for apartment buildings; expanding the ACT public charging network to at least 180 EV chargers by 2025; exclusion of new vehicles powered by fossil-fuels in taxi and ride-share fleets by 2030.

2. Australia facing nursing shortage as COVID cases surge again
More than two and a half years into the pandemic, COVID cases are once again on the rise - according to the Department of health and aged care, there are currently 363,001 active cases with 55,590 cases reported in the past 24 hours across the country. Royal Perth Hospital nurse Julie-Marie Hay has worked in the industry for 20 years, and said she was thinking about quitting because the pace was "relentless". "We're constantly short of staff, we're constantly asked to do more, we're constantly asked to work more hours," she said. Unions say the country is facing a significant nursing shortage and things are only going to get worse.

3. Foot-and-mouth disease traces found in Adelaide Airport
A disease that could cost the economy billions of dollars is currently active in Indonesia. The disease is a highly contagious animal disease that affects livestock and can be easily spread from both animals and people. ABC news reports that viral fragments were found in beef at Adelaide Airport. This comes just after a pork discovery was found in Melbourne.

4. Unvaccinated Novak Djokovic will NOT play in the US Open

The US Open organisers have confirmed it will follow US government advice and not admit citizens who have not had their vaccination. The US government requires non-citizens to be fully vaccinated against coronavirus to enter the season's final major tournament. Djokovic's anti-vaccine stance has been well-documented. In January 2022, he was deported from Australia prior to the Australian Open in Melbourne over his refusal to get vaccinated.

5. Market overview
ASX futures up 2 points or 0.03% to 6679 near 6am, with AUD +0.1% to 68.98 US cents

On Wall St: Dow -0.2% S&P 500 +3% Nasdaq +0.7%

In Europe: Stoxx 50 +0.3% FTSE +0.1% DAX -0.3% CAC +0.3%

Brent crude -2% to $US104.79 a barrel

Iron ore -1.8% to $US97.65 a tonne

10-year yield: US 2.93% Australia 3.56% Germany 1.21%