A top Pentagon official has given a stark warning about China's military build-up and the threat it poses to Australia, and US bases in the Pacific.

The US Government has "real reasons for concern" over China's expanding size and range of its military capabilities in the region, deputy defence secretary Kathleen Hicks said.

But Ms Hicks stressed the US and its allies in the Pacific were aiming to reduce tensions and were not embarking on an arms race.

Beijing's growing military threat presents major challenges for Australia as well as to the US territories of Guam and Hawaii.

READ MORE: Taiwan rejects China's 'path' amid show of military force

Ms Hicks expressed her concerns during a US Centre for Strategic and International Studies online forum last week.

She said China's President Xi Jinping's rhetoric is making "clear their intentions" to be a global military power.

"The Chinese are advancing their capabilities at a remarkable clip. Those capabilities include, of course, undersea capabilities," Ms Hicks said.

"But even beyond what they're doing in the undersea, it's a very clear pattern of expanding out the geographic capability, the range of their capability to deny other interested parties, whether that's around Japan, whether that's around, in the case of the United States, Guam or even Hawaii.

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"And if you're Australia, it includes, of course, spanning out now, getting closer to Australia, the ability to threaten their interests."

But Ms Hicks stressed the US and its allies in the Pacific were aiming to reduce tensions and were not embarking on an arms race.

"Our goal is not to have any conflict, armed conflict, with China. It is to reduce tension and demonstrate a credible deterrent so they are not tempted with this rhetoric and this capability to overreach," she said.

Ms Hicks' comments came after Australia joined the US and UK in the new AUKUS defence pact. Under the agreement, Australia will acquire nuclear-powered submarines in response to the changing security environment of the Indo-Pacific.

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Earlier this year, a Sydney think tank warned Australia's geographic isolation – which has been a major strategic advantage for decades – would not be a future deterrent for the Asian superpower in the event of an Indo-Pacific power play.

The Lowy Institute report said China's missile arsenal and its long-range bomber force are the most concerning elements of the country's recent arms build-up.

Russian authorities say 34 people have died from alcohol poisoning connected to a mass bootlegging operation near the Kazakhstan border.

The Interior Ministry said a criminal investigation was underway and more than 2000 containers had been seized from warehouses in the Orenburg region, about 1500 kilometres south-east of Moscow.

"There are 67 known victims of alcohol poisoning in the region, 34 of whom have died," the Interfax news agency quoted Orenburg's local government as saying yesterday.

LIVE UPDATES: Victoria's case numbers on track for reopening

READ MORE: What you can do on 'Freedom Day'

Most of the containers seized had the toxic substance methanol inside them, Reuters reports.

On Saturday, the ministry said 54 cases of alcohol poisoning had been reported, about half of which were fatal.

Investigators have arrested 10 people believed to be involved in the operation.

Local media say 24 people are still being treated in hospital, with seven in a serious condition and four on ventilators.

NSW Police and the Australian Federal Police may soon be using the game-changing DNA tool that led US law enforcement to the door of the evil Golden State Killer.

More than three decades after his trail went cold, Joseph James DeAngelo, one of California's most prolific serial killers and rapists, was caught by using online genealogical sites to find a DNA match.

US investigators compared the DNA collected from a crime scene of the Golden State Killer to online genetic profiles and found a match: a relative of the man police identified as DeAngelo, now 75, who was arrested at his Sacramento home in 2018.

READ MORE: How discarded DNA and a surprise arrest led to capturing a notorious serial killer

Specialists from NSW Police and the AFP, along with collaborators from other Australian jurisdictions, have been assessing Forensic Genetic Genealogy (FGG) as an investigative tool after recently becoming certified to use the technology.

FGG – also known as long-range familial DNA searching – would be used to identify suspects and missing people when no match is found on current criminal DNA databases.

The method uses a wider set of genetic markers than the current technology available to Australian law enforcement.

It would allow investigators to identify familial matches up to third and fourth cousins.

Current familial searching on Australia's National Criminal Investigation DNA Database can only identify close family matches.

DNA could blow cold cases wide open

US investigators who used a genealogical website to find DeAngelo, an ex-policeman, called the technique ground-breaking.

No one who knew DeAngelo over the decades connected him with the string of at least a dozen murders, 50 rapes and dozens of burglaries from 1976 to 1986 throughout the state.

DeAngelo pleaded guilty last year to 13 murders and 13 rape-related charges that spanned much of California between 1975 and 1986.

The plea deal spared him the death penalty.

READ MORE: Golden State Killer 'should've been arrested decades ago'

Dr Nathan Scudder, coordinator of research and innovation at the AFP, said police in Australia were constantly evaluating new and innovative techniques to solve cases.

"Serious and violent offenders shouldn't think that because they have never given a DNA sample it means they got away with their crimes," he said.

"A family connection may lead police straight to their door."

READ MORE: Californian serial killer caught by using genealogical websites

Associate Professor Claire Glynn, a director of the FGG certification course, said she was excited about the DNA tool's potential use in Australian jurisdictions.

"The global use of this investigatory tool is increasing and is being adopted by several countries as its potential to solve violent crimes and bring justice to victims is realised," she said.

Since the capture of the Golden State Killer, an estimated 200 cases have been resolved in the US, from giving a name to unknown remains, to identifying suspects in cold case homicide and sexual assault investigations.

If introduced in Australia, NSW Police said the method will be subject to legal and security reviews and would be governed by strict policy and procedures.

Three weeks since its eruption upended the lives of thousands, the volcano on Spain’s La Palma island is still spewing out endless streams of lava with no signs of ceasing.

Authorities have monitored a new stream of molten rock that has added to the destruction of more than 1100 buildings. Anything in the path of the lava — homes, farms, swimming pools and industrial buildings in the largely agricultural area — has been consumed.

The collapse on Saturday of part of the volcanic cone sent a flood of bright red lava pouring down from the Cumbre Vieja ridge that initially cracked open on September 19. The fast-flowing stream carried away huge chunks of lava that had already hardened. An industrial park was soon engulfed.

LIVE UPDATES: Freedom day for NSW, with 496 cases , eight deaths

“We cannot say that we expect the eruption that began 21 days ago to end anytime soon,” said Julio Pérez, the regional minister for security on the Canary Islands.

La Palma is part of Spain’s Canary Islands, an Atlantic Ocean archipelago off northwest Africa whose economy depends on the cultivation of the Canary plantain and tourism.

The new rivers of lava have not forced the evacuation of any more residents since they are all so staying within the exclusion zone that authorities have created. Some 6000 residents were promptly evacuated after the initial eruption.

READ MORE: What you can do on 'Freedom Day' if you are fully vaccinated

Government experts estimated that the largest of the lava flows measures 1.5km at its widest point, while the delta of new land being formed where lava is flowing into the Atlantic has reached a surface of 34 hectares.

The scientific committee advising the government said that if the delta continues to grow outwards into the sea, parts of it could break off. That would generate explosions, gas emissions and large waves, committee spokeswoman José María Blanco said, but should not represent a danger to those outside the no-go zone.

The Canary Islands' tourism industry was already hard hit by the pandemic, and officials were urging tourists not to keep staying away.

READ MORE: La Palma volcano eruption intensifies as flights suspended due to ash cloud

“This eruption is impacting a part of the island, but La Palma is still a safe place and can offer a lot to those who visit,” said Mariano Hernández, the island’s leading authority.

The last eruption on La Palma 50 years ago lasted just over three weeks. The last eruption on all the Canary Islands occurred underwater off the coast of El Hierro island in 2011 and lasted five months.

Sydney has been locked down for more than 100 days this year.

In that time thousands of businesses across retail, hospitality, beauty services and beyond have also had their doors closed.

We spoke to three business owners in Sydney to find out how they have been preparing to reopen and what their first month back in business will look like.

EXPLAINED: Can I leave my 5km bubble when NSW restrictions lift?

Adam Walmsley, friends&family salon in Chippendale

Adam and his wife Natalie run the friends&family hairdressing salon. They each have decades of experience and have worked in Australia and the UK.

The salon opened four years ago and seats three clients at a time.

Located in Chippendale, in the inner-city, it has been closed for more than four months.

How has lockdown been for you?

"At the start, it was horrific, mainly due to the uncertainly of how long it would go on for," Mr Walmsley told 9news.com.au.

"The financial implications of being a small business and not having a buffer meant that what we worked for four years is basically gone.

Mr Walmsley said it took some time to get financial assistance, and there "was a couple of months there where there was no money coming in".

"It was pretty scary and a little bit demoralising."

"Over time you come to terms with the money side of it and go 'well that's that'."

What has the preparation to reopen been like?

Mr Walmsley said the preparation to reopen hasn't been too physically intense, but it is likely the calm before the storm.

"A big one was just making sure all of our suppliers were paid and up to date so we could order some more products.

"It's pretty straightforward for us – we just had to clean the place up and make sure we've got equipment for everyone.

"We've had to buy some temporary seating so people can sit out on the street and wait for us if they would prefer.

"It's mainly just been the logistics to fit hours in for the staff, but also respect the space that we have," Mr Walmsley said.

READ MORE: What you can do on 'Freedom Day' in NSW now we've hit 70 per cent

What is your first month open going to be like?

The next three months, in a word, will be busy at friends&family.

"I don't think we've got a spot available until mid-November," Mr Walmsley said.

"I'm going to be in five days a week doing 12 hour days and Johnny our barber will be in three-four days a week, my wife Nat in a few days a week.

"Everybody is flat chat until November so I fully expect that to continue through until Christmas. We're going to be pretty much flat out until the new year."

Mr Walmsley said it will be a delicate balance between the excitement of reopening and having money come in again and adjusting after not having worked for months.

"I fully expect it to be crazy but I've got a really lovely client base and I think everyone is going to be really respectful of the fully vaxxed, masks, social distance rules.

"It's all the emotions – you want to get back into that life, but also, I've got used to not working and hanging out with the girls (his wife and two daughters)," Mr Walmsley said.

Yvette Manettas, Manager at Nicks Group

Yvette Manettas is a manager at Nicks Restaurant and Bar Group – which encompasses four venues at Sydney's Darling Harbour and Cockle Bay Wharf.

The iconic Nick's Seafood and Cyren restaurants are preparing to reopen after being closed for the first time in over 20 years.

Usually, the seafood restaurants operate seven days a week, 365 days a year. The group also owns I'm Angus Steakhouse and Adria Bar Restaurant.

How has lockdown been for you?

"Lockdown has been difficult for us, just like everybody. It's horrible seeing your businesses empty," Ms Manettas said.

"A really big adjustment to make, it's emotional as well… People have their hearts and souls in it."

She said it was also hard to see Darling Harbour – a usually bustling part of Sydney – essentially empty.

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What has the preparation to reopen been like?

"When you shut down you strip everything back – so you clear out all of your perishables, you have to flush out your beer lines, your restaurant gets packed up and everything gets secured and packaged to retain it all," Ms Manettas said.

To rebuild the restaurant means "the entire workforce" is back to in help.

"We got together when we saw it was going to happen and said: 'what do we want this to look like?'.

Ms Manettas said the team came up with new menu items, the chefs are in prepping sauces and food, and the fishermen the restaurant uses are back in action.

"It's been hard work and it's been a lot of grit and determination."

What is your first month open going to be like?

"We're hopeful it's going to be really positive, our local and loyal customer base have all responded really positively," Ms Manettas said.

"We're just going to open seven days, we're going to do lunch and dinner, and do who we are."

She said the group is hoping that the end of lockdown will bring in customers, and then the festive season will keep them coming.

"We're ready for it, we want to do the right thing and we want everyone to be safe but we want them to be happy too," Ms Manettas said.

"I think customers and staff are equally exciting."

Anastasia Fenech, owner By Anastacia & Co

Anastasia Fenech opened her beauty salon in Five Dock, in Sydney's inner-west just before the city's first lockdown last year.

The salon offers a range of bespoke beauty treatments such as brow treatments, specialised facials and peels, lashes and semi-permanent tattooing.

During the latest lockdown she had to shift her business quickly, and is ready to see clients in person again.

How has lockdown been for you?

"The first initial lockdown last year happened for me only a month after officially opening my doors and salon to the public, so it was quite a shock," Ms Fenech said.

"I had to compromise and try to think of a way to make ends meet just to pay the rent for the three months of being closed, so I decided to sell home skin and brow kits to my clients which were a hit."

She said being forced to close for the second time in two years was incredibly challenging.

"I honestly didn't think I would be able to push through this lockdown but thankfully I've just gotten by thanks to our amazing clients who have supported us throughout this lockdown," Ms Fenech said.

What has the preparation to reopen been like?

Ms Fenech said when the lockdown was initially announced in Sydney it was just for two weeks so she moved her clients' appointments around. But now there is a backlog of months.

"Now almost four months later the build-up is a lot more intense for the beauty industry as clients are itching to get back to their beauty treatments.

"Unfortunately now with the current vaccinated and unvaccinated statuses it really has a big toll on us small businesses to open safely and have to comply with our current health advice it's been quite a challenging journey preparing to reopen again," she said.

What is your first month open going to be like?

"Busy. October is completely booked out, November is almost booked out and we have just opened the books for December for our clients to pre-book, as close to Christmas tends to get fully booked very quickly," Ms Fenech said.

"But we are so excited and ready to get back to normal and see all of our clients again."

A seven-year-old girl has died after she was hit by a caravan at a campground in Victoria's south east.

The girl was hit by the caravan in Tidal River in Wilson's Promontory about 10am today.

According to police, an off-duty paramedic performed CPR on the girl but she was unable to be revived.

READ MORE: Ten thousand set to attend Melbourne Cup after Victoria records 1890 new COVID-19 cases

The driver who was towing the caravan stopped and is assisting police with the investigation.

Anyone who witnessed the incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

More than a quarter of a million Australian families will receive cheaper childcare earlier than expected after the federal government announced it will bring forward increases to the Child Care Subsidy (CCS).

From 7 March 2022, around 250,000 Australian families will receive the increase to the CCS, making them on average more than $2,200 a year better off.

The March date is some four months earlier than original July deadline, following faster than expected technical changes across government departments.

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The additional subsidies apply to families who have two or more children aged under five years and in care, with their CCS rate increasing by 30 percentage points for their second child, up to a maximum of 95 per cent.

More than half of eligible families will receive the maximum 95 per cent subsidy.

A family earning $110,000 a year with two kids in care, four days a week, will be better off by around $100 each week.

EXPLAINED: What you can and can't do after NSW's 'Freedom Day'

A full explainer of the changes as they were announced in the last Federal Budget can be found here.

Alan Tudge, Minister for Education and Youth, said the fast-tracking of the subsidy increase comes at a time when the economy needs it most.

These changes are good for families and great for the economy, and it's significant that we are able to deliver them sooner," Minister Tudge said.

"Removing the cap and increasing subsidies means more parents, particularly mothers, can return to work or take on more hours if they choose to.

READ MORE: North Queensland tourism operators left 'on their knees'

"There are 280,000 more children in child care than when we came to office and this additional support will take our total investment to $11 billion a year.

"Importantly, our support is targeted to those who need it most. We are reducing the out-of-pocket child care costs which really add up when you have two, three or more children in care."

It's estimated the additional subsidy will mean the equivalent of 40,000 parents are able to work an extra day per week, boosting the economy by up to $1.5 billion per year.

Health officials say there is a “low risk” of any further spread of Covid-19 in the Bay of Plenty after a person living near Katikati tested positive for the virus.Test results of the case, the first in the Bay of Plenty associated…

Prime Minister Scott Morrison says he's working with the New South Wales government to accelerate opening of international borders into the state sooner than expected.

In a video message released ahead of stay-at-home orders being lifted across New South Wales tomorrow, Mr Morrison acknowledged the difficult path the global health pandemic has paved, claiming it is time to "take our lives back" one step at a time.

"The NSW Premier (Dominic Perrottet) and I have been discussing how we can accelerate our plan to open international travel when home quarantine is made available," Mr Morrison said.

"I know the NSW government is looking to fast track home quarantine in November and if that happens we will be able to move to facilitate the opening up of the international border into NSW sooner."

EXPLAINER: What NSW residents can and can't do as the state enters 'Freedom Day'

Mr Morrison said that would mean home quarantine for vaccinated Australians wishing to return home through Sydney and giving the option for international travel for vaccinated Australians to leave and to return.

"Vaccinations are winning the fight, with daily case numbers in NSW now close to one third of what they were at the height of the outbreak," he said.

He commended Australians for their sacrifices and high COVID-19 vaccination rates in the face of what he has described as "battle of our generation".

"Australians have worked so hard and sacrificed so much to come together and save lives and save livelihoods," he said.

"The phenomenal response from Australians to go and get vaccinated, as we've seen those vaccination rates rise right across the country, means it's now time that Australians are now able to reclaim their lives.

"We're beating COVID and we're taking our lives back."

He said Australia has administered more than 30 million vaccines nationwide.

This means 82.2 per cent of eligible Australians over the age of 16 have had a first COVID-19 dose, and 61.9 per cent with both doses.

"Of the whole population, more than half of Australians are vaccinated," he said.

"Our first dose vaccination rate is higher than Germany and the United States. Our first dose vaccination rate is higher than when the United Kingdom lifted restrictions."

He offered words of encouragement for those still in lockdown in Victoria, saying the situation in NSW provides "light at the end of the tunnel".

"I welcome the Premier's (Daniel Andrews) announcement to safely reopen …. Victorians have sacrificed so much. More than any right across the country," he said.

He said amid the moments of celebration, Australians must remember not to be complacent against the COVID-19 virus.

"We still have to take one step at a time safely and ensure we put that safety goal first as we reopen the country," he said.

NSW today recorded 477 new COVID-19 cases and six new deaths in the past 24 hours.

Meanwhile, Victoria recorded 1890 new COVID-19 cases and a further five deaths in the past 24 hours.

A man who witnessed the search for a drowned diver off Cornwallis Beach says the current and swells were very strong on the day. “We felt like the water was tapu,” said Victor, who only wished to give his first name. Police, Coastguard,…