Police were called to Hicks Bay at 7.25 this morning.

The secret ballot vote in parliament ends Frank Bainimarama’s reign.

Almost 250 million people in China may have caught COVID-19 in the first 20 days of December, according to an internal estimate from the nation's top health officials, Bloomberg News and the Financial Times reported on Friday.

If correct, the estimate – which CNN cannot independently confirm – would account for roughly 18 per cent of China's 1.4 billion people and represent the largest COVID-19 outbreak to date globally.

The figures cited were presented during an internal meeting of China's National Health Commission (NHC) on Wednesday, according to both outlets – which cited sources familiar with the matter or involved in the discussions.

READ MORE: What stores are open during the holiday period

The NHC summary of Wednesday's meeting said it delved into the treatment of patients affected by the new outbreak.

On Friday, a copy of what was purportedly the NHC meeting notes was circulated on Chinese social media and seen by CNN; the authenticity of the document has not been verified and the NHC did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Both the Financial Times and Bloomberg laid out in great detail the discussions by authorities over how to handle the outbreak.

Among the estimates cited in both reports, was the revelation that on Tuesday alone, 37 million people were newly infected with COVID-19 across China. That stood in dramatic contrast to the official number of 3049 new infections reported that day.

The Financial Times said it was Sun Yang – a deputy director of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention – who presented the figures to officials during the closed-door briefing, citing two people familiar with the matter.

Sun explained that the rate of COVID's spread in China was still rising and estimated that more than half of the population in Beijing and Sichuan were already infected, according to the Financial Times.

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The estimates follow China's decision at the start of December to abruptly dismantle its strict zero-COVID policy which had been in place for almost three years.

The figures are in stark contrast to the public data of the NHC, which reported just 62,592 symptomatic COVID cases in the first twenty days of December.

How the NHC came up with the estimates cited by Bloomberg and the Financial Times is unclear, as China is no longer officially tallying its total number of infections, after authorities shut down their nationwide network of PCR testing booths and said they would stop gathering data on asymptomatic cases.

People in China are also now using rapid antigen tests to detect infections and are under no obligation to report positive results.

Officially, China has reported only eight COVID deaths this month – a strikingly low figure given the rapid spread of the virus and the relatively low vaccine booster rates among the elderly.

Only 42.3 per cent of those aged 80 and over in China have received a third dose of vaccine, according to a CNN calculation of new figures released by the NHC on December 14.

READ MORE: WHO 'very concerned' about severe COVID-19, low vaccination in China

Facing growing skepticism that it is downplaying COVID deaths, the Chinese government defended the accuracy of its official tally by revealing it had updated its method of counting fatalities caused by the virus.

According to the latest NHC guidelines, only deaths caused by pneumonia and respiratory failure after contracting the virus are classified as COVID deaths, Wang Guiqiang, a top infectious disease doctor, told a news conference on Tuesday.

The minutes of the Wednesday closed-door NHC meeting made no reference to discussions concerning how many people may have died in China, according to both reports and the document CNN viewed.

"The numbers look plausible, but I have no other sources of data to compare [them] with. If the estimated infection numbers mentioned here are accurate, it means the nationwide peak will occur within the next week," Ben Cowling, a professor of epidemiology at the University of Hong Kong told CNN in an emailed statement, when asked about the purported NHC estimates.

Anthony Albanese has focused on thanking Aussies who are spending this Christmas working while giving the Prime Minister's annual Christmas message.

"Christmas is such a special time of year," Albanese said.

"It's a day of giving. It's a day for relaxing together with family and friends.

Watch the full message in the video above.

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"And for many Australians, it is a day that is so central to their faith," his message, which has been delivered via video begins.

"Of course, not everyone gets to take it easy today. If you're rostered on somewhere, I want to say thank you for your service to others.

"If you're working because you've volunteered your time to make Christmas better for your fellow Australians – whether you're serving lunch to those in need or you're keeping our beaches safe – I want to express my gratitude and my admiration.

"The same goes to all our emergency service workers, and of course all Australian Defence Force personnel, whether they're serving here, or far from home overseas. Thank you to every single one of you."

Albanese concluded his messaging saying he hopes Christmas Day is "happy" for all Australians, regardless of what they are doing.

"And may Santa be good to every child. Merry Christmas."

Qantas has sent a recovery flight to Azerbaijan to collect passengers still stranded in Baku after an internal cockpit fault forced an earlier flight to make an emergency landing.

The A380 was more than 10 hours into its journey to London from Singapore when it was forced to land at Heydar Aliyev International Airport at about 2.15pm (AEDT) yesterday.

The aircraft was met by fire and rescue teams, who arrived at the scene to assess the issue.

READ MORE: Qantas passengers stranded for hours after flight makes emergency landing

READ MORE: What will the weather on Christmas Day be like?

Qantas said the recovery flight left Sydney just before midday today.

"The recovery flight, which is being operated by an Airbus A380, departed Sydney at 1140am this morning for Baku Airport," a spokesperson said.

"The aircraft will then pick up customers at Baku Airport and continue on to London.

"It is expected to arrive at Heathrow early on Christmas morning."

READ MORE: What stores are open during the holiday period?

The spokesperson said the aircraft operating the recovery flight "is one of the operational spares that Qantas has on standby over the holiday season to help recover customers in the event of an unexpected disruption like this".

"Having these aircraft and additional pilots and cabin crew on standby has provided flexibility to operate the recovery flight at short notice and minimise the disruption to customers," the spokesperson said.

"Qantas would like to thank the Australian Government and seven foreign governments for urgently processing the necessary flight path approvals for this one-off recovery flight."

There are a total of 356 passengers currently stranded in Baku.

Engineers will inspect the original aircraft prior to continuing its journey.

Vehicle also hit parked cars, police say.

Police and Fire are still at the property.

Stores across Australia are bustling today with thousands of last-minute shoppers looking to stock up ahead of the busy festive season.

But the shopping centres will look much different tomorrow and throughout the next week, with retailers all nominating their own special opening hours for the holiday period.

Most will be closed for Christmas Day but many will offer extended trading hours for Boxing Day sales.

We've put together a list of when major retailers will be open throughout the last week of 2022.

READ MORE: What will the weather on Christmas Day be like?

Woolworths

Generally Woolworths stores will be open on Christmas Eve and closed on Christmas Day.

Most stores will be open on Boxing Day and through to January 2 – but exceptions do apply so customers are urged to check their individual store's hours.

Christmas Eve (December 24)

All Woolworths stores open in all states and territories

Christmas Day (December 25)

All Woolworths stores closed in all states and territories

Boxing Day (December 26)

All Woolworths stores will be open in NSW, Victoria, Queensland, NT, ACT and Tasmania.

In SA all metropolitan stores will be closed and all regional stores will be open (except Millicent).

In Western Australia all stores will be open except for Esperance.

Additional public holiday (December 27)

All Woolworths stores open in all states and territories.

New Year's Day (January 1)

All Woolworths stores will be open in NSW, Victoria, Queensland, NT, ACT and Tasmania.

In WA all stores will be open except Esperance, Katanning and Northam.

In SA all metropolitan stores will be closed and all regional stores will be open (except Millicent).

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Coles 

Generally, all Coles stores will be closed on Christmas Day and open on other days, with specific hours depending on the individual store.

Here is the state and territory breakdown for Coles:

Christmas Eve (December 24)

All stores will be open in NSW and ACT.

In Victoria, all stores will be open until 10 pm except for Coles Knox which closes 9 pm, Coburg North and Carrum Downs which close at 11 pm.

In Queensland, all stores will be open until 6 pm.

In SA all stores will be open until 5 pm, except Mount Barker and Murray Bridge Green, which close at 9 pm and other selected stores close at 10 pm.

In Western Australia, all metropolitan Perth stores will be open until from 8 am to 6 pm.

NT and Tasmanian stores will be open until 10 pm.

Christmas Day (December 25)

All Coles stores closed in all states and territories.

Boxing Day (December 26)

All Coles stores are except SA and WA

In SA all metropolitan stores are closed and all regional stores are open.

In WA all metropolitan stores are open but some regional stores may be closed.

Additional public holiday (December 27)

All Coles stores open in all states and territories.

New Year's Day (January 1)

All Coles stores open in all states and territories except for SA.

In SA all metropolitan stores are closed and all regional stores are open.

Aldi

The European supermarket will be closed on Christmas Day in all states and territories.

Hours will vary across Christmas Eve, Boxing Day and New Year's Day so Aldi is encouraging all customers to check their website for local trading hours.

Aldi's in SA will be closed on New Year's Day as well.

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Extended shopping hours

Meanwhile, Westfield's across the country will extend their trading hours to make sure customers can fit in their last-minute Christmas shopping. 

Many of the shopping centres are extending their hours to stay open until midnight in the final days leading up to Christmas.

To find how your local Westfield's trading hours will change leading up to Christmas you can search for your closest centre here.

Kmart 

Kmart stores will be open on Christmas Eve and will be closed on Christmas Day. They will re-open from boxing day and remain open from 8 am for the remainder of the holiday period, with differing closing times.

Christmas Eve (December 24)

All Kmart stores around Australia will be open on Christmas eve with differing opening and closing times. Check your nearest store's trading hours here.

In the ACT, VIC and NSW all stores will close at 10 pm.

Stores in the NT will be open until 7 pm.

Most WA & Queensland stores are closing at 6 pm.

SA stores will close at 5 pm.

Christmas Day (December 25)

All Kmart stores will be closed on Christmas day.

Boxing Day (December 26)

Kmart stores around the country will be open on boxing day with public holiday operating hours, here's the breakdown for each state.

In NSW and Tasmania, all stores will generally be open for their regular hours, check your local store for individual close times.

VIC stores will be open until 8 pm.

In Queensland, Kmart stores will close at 6 pm.

SA stores will close at 5 pm.

In WA, stores will remain open except for Esperance.

In the NT, all stores will be open from 9 am to 6 pm, except Alice Springs, which closes at 7 pm.

All stores in the ACT will open from 8 am to 8 pm.

Additional public holiday (December 27)

All Kmart stores will be open on the additional public holiday, check your individual store hours here for NT and Tasmania.

Stores in VIC and NSW will be open, with most closing at 8 pm.

Stores in WA, SA and Queensland will be open, with most closing at 6 pm.

NT stores will be open with their own closing times.

Kmart stores in the ACT will close at 8 pm.

All stores in Tasmania will be open, with their own closing times.

New Year's Eve (December 31)

Most stores in NSW, Queensland, VIC and the ACT will be open until 8 pm.

Stores in SA will be open until 5 pm.

WA stores will be open until 6 pm.

NT and Tasmania will be open from 8 am with differing closing times for individual stores, check your local store times here.

New Year's Day (January 1)

Stores in NSW, VIC and the ACT will be open with most closing at 8 pm.

In WA, all stores except Esperance will be open, check local store trading hours for individual closing times.

NT stores will be open, with differing closing times.

Queensland stores will be open and will close at 6 pm. 

In SA, the following stores will be open: Mt Gambier, Mt Barker, Port Lincoln, Victor Harbour, Murray Bridge, Port Pirie, Rundle Mall, Whyalla, Berri, Port Augusta, and Kadina.

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Bunnings 

Bunnings stores will be open on Christmas Eve and closed on Christmas Day.

Christmas Eve (December 24)

Most stores across Queensland will close at 6 pm with differing opening times. Check your local store's trading hours here.

Most stores across NSW will open until 7 pm, with some closing at 6 pm. Check your local store's trading hours here.

Most stores in VIC will be open until 7 pm with differing opening times. Check your local store's trading hours here.

Most stores in WA will be open at 7 am and close at 7 pm. Check your local store's trading hours here.

All Stores in the ACT will open at 7 am and close at 7 pm.

All stores across Tasmania will open at 7 am and close at 6 pm.

Most NT stores will be open from 7 am to 5 pm, except Alice springs, which opens at 8 am and closes at 5 pm.

Christmas Day (December 25)

All Bunnings stores across Australia will be closed on Christmas Day.

Boxing day (December 26)

All Bunnings stores will be open, check your local store's trading hours here.

Additional Public Holiday (December 27)

All Bunnings stores will be open, check your local store's trading hours here.

New Year's Eve (December 31)

All Bunnings stores will be open, check your local store's trading hours here.

New Year's Day (January 1)

All Bunnings stores will be open, check your local store's trading hours here.

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Dan Murphy's 

Stores will be open for the entire holiday period besides on Christmas Day.

Christmas Eve (December 24)

All stores across Australia will be open. Opening hours are specific to each store, check your local store's trading hours here.

Christmas Day (December 25)

Most stores will be closed on Christmas Day, with the exception of a few limited ones open in each state. Dan Murphys recommends that customers check their local store times here.

Boxing Day (December 26)

All stores across Australia will be open. Opening hours are specific to each store, check your local store's trading hours here.

Additional public Holiday (December 27)

All stores across Australia will be open. Opening hours are specific to each store, check your local store's trading hours here

New Year's Eve (December 31)

All stores across Australia will be open. Opening hours are specific to each store, check your local store's trading hours here.

New Year's Day (January 1)

All stores across Australia will be open. Opening hours are specific to each store, check your local store's trading hours here.

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BWS

Christmas Eve (December 24)

All stores across Australia will be open.

Christmas Day (December 25)

Most stores will be closed on Christmas Day, with the exception of a few limited ones open in each state. BWS recommends that customers check their local store's trading hours here.

Boxing Day (December 26)

All stores across Australia will be open with limited trading hours. 

Additional public holiday (December 27) 

All stores across Australia will be open.

New Year's Eve (December 31)

All stores across Australia will be open.

New Year's Day (January 1)

All stores across Australia will be open with limited trading hours. BWS recommends that customers check their local store's trading hours here.

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Myer

Most Myer stores will remain open on all public holidays, except Christmas day. Customers are encouraged to check their local store's trading hours here.

Christmas Eve (December 24)

All stores across Australia will be open. Opening hours are specific to each store – most will close at 6 pm.

Christmas Day (December 25)

All stores will be closed on Christmas Day.

Boxing Day (December 26)

All stores across Australia will be open. Trading hours are specific to each store, with most opening earlier than usual. Customers are encouraged to check their local store's trading hours here.

Additional public Holiday (December 27)

All stores across Australia will be open. Opening hours are specific to each store, customers are encouraged to check their local store's trading hours here.

New Year's Eve (December 31)

All stores across Australia will be open. Opening hours are specific to each store, customers are encouraged to check their local store's trading hours here.

New Year's Day (January 1)

All stores across Australia will be open. Opening hours are specific to each store, customers are encouraged to check their local store's trading hours here.

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David Jones

David Jones will remain open through the Christmas trading period but will close on Christmas day.

Christmas Eve (December 24)

Most NSW stores will be open from 7:30 am and will close at 6:30 pm, except for Elizabeth Street, which opens at 8 am and closes and 7 pm. Bondi Junction also closes at 7 pm.

All stores in VIC will be open from 7:30 am, except Bourke Street which will open at 8 pm. All stores have different closing times, so check your local store's trading hours here.

Both ACT stores will be open. The Canberra centre store opens at 8:30 am, the Woden store opens at 8:00 am. Both stores will close at 6:30 pm.

Queensland stores will be open with differing trading hours – most will close at 6:00 pm, the Sunshine Plaza store will close at 5:30 pm. 

SA Stores will open at 8 am and close at 5 pm.

WA stores will be open from 8:00 am until 6:00 pm, except Mandurah, which opens at 8:30 am.

Christmas Day (December 25)

All stores will be closed on Christmas Day

Boxing Day (December 26)

All NSW stores will be open on boxing day will differing trading hours. Check your local store's trading hours here.

VIC stores will be open on boxing day will differing trading hours. Check your local store's trading hours here

Both ACT stores will be open, the Canberra centre opens at 7:00 am and closes at 7:00 pm, the Woden store opens at 8:00 am and closes at 6:30 pm.

All Queensland stores will be open from 9 am and will close at 6:00 pm.

All SA stores will be open from 9 am and will close at 5:00 pm.

Stores in WA will be open from 8:00 am and will close at different time. Check your local store's trading hours here

Additional public Holiday (December 27)

All stores will be open on the additional public holiday, Check your local store's trading hours here

New Year's Eve (December 31)

All stores will be open on New Year's Eve, some with reduced trading hours. Check your local store's trading hours here.

New Year's Day (January 1)

Most NSW stores will be open from 12:00 pm. Macarthur Square, Tuggerah, Parramatta, Hornsby, Wollongong Central and Green Hills will be closed. Closing hours differ so be sure to check your local store's trading hours here.

Most stores in VIC will be open from 12:00 pm, except Bourke Street Mall, which opens at 11:00 am.

ACT Stores will be open. The Canberra Centre store will open from 12:00 pm. The Woden store will be open from 1:00 pm.

Queensland stores will all open from 12:00 pm and will close at different times. Check your local stores here.

SA Stores will be closed except for Adelaide central plaza, which will open at 11:00 am.

All stores in WA will be open from 11 am until 5:00 pm

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While very effort has been made to ensure the information above is correct, please also check with your local store for any changes.

NZDF has 100 plus personnel deployed around the world right through the festive season.

Councilpledged $150,000 to join community organisations to tackle food insecurity