If Russia invades, Ukraine will not back down.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba made that very clear in a just-finished briefing in Washington.

He said Ukraine has two plans: diplomacy, and if that fails, to fight to the end.

"Plan A is to utilise every tool of diplomacy to deter Russia and prevent further escalation," Mr Kuleba said.

READ MORE: Joe Biden unveils US sanctions against Russia

"And if that fails, plan B is to fight for every inch of our land, in every city and every village – to fight until we win, of course," he said.

Ukraine will not be evacuating its people from eastern Ukraine, where Russian troops have been ordered in, he said.

At 8:30am AEST, the Ukrainian president declared he is activating some reservists, but that he was not yet ordering full mobilisation despite the growing Russian threat.

The East-West faceoff over Ukraine escalated dramatically today, with Russian lawmakers authorising President Vladimir Putin to use military force outside his country and President Joe Biden and European leaders responding by slapping sanctions on Russian oligarchs and banks.

Both leaders signalled that an even bigger confrontation could lie ahead.

Mr Putin has yet to unleash the force of the 150,000 troops massed on three sides of Ukraine, while Mr Biden held back on the toughest sanctions that could cause economic turmoil for Russia but said they would go ahead if there is further aggression.

READ MORE: US demands Putin pull back as Russia flexes military

The measures, accompanied by the repositioning of additional US troops to the Baltic nations on NATO's eastern flank bordering Russia, came as Russian troops rolled into rebel-held areas in eastern Ukraine after Mr Putin said he was recognising the independence of the separatist region in defiance of US and European demands.

The US is sending about 800 infantry troops and 40 attack aircraft from other locations within Europe, and F-35 strike fighters and AH-64 Apache attack helicopters will shift their locations, according to a defence official.

Overnight Russian forces entered rebel-held areas.

Russia had moved "from covert attempts to destabilise Ukraine to overt military action," NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said.

Mr Stoltenberg called the move a "serious escalation by Russia and a flagrant violation of international law".

He added that there's "every indication" Russia continues to plan for a full-scale attack on Ukraine.

UN want conflict solved without 'further bloodshed'

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for an immediate ceasefire and "reestablishment of the rule of law" after further military action from Russia.

"When troops of one country enter the territory of another country without its consent, they are not impartial peacekeepers," Mr Guterres said today from New York.

"They are not peacekeepers at all.

"We need restraint and reason. We need de-escalation now. I urge all to refrain from actions and statements that would take this dangerous situation over the brink."

Mr Guterres said diplomacy was required to avoid "further bloodshed".

"It is high time to return to the path of dialogue and negotiations," he said.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken this morning announced he had called off his meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

The leaders were set to meet Thursday.

"Now that we see the invasion is beginning and Russia has made clear its wholesale rejection of diplomacy, it does not make sense to go forward with that meeting at this time.

"I consulted with our allies and partners. All agree."

US levels sanctions on Russian banks and oligarchs

The US has moved to cut off Russia's government from Western finance, sanctioning two of its banks and blocking it from trading in its debt on American and European markets.

They included hitting civilian leaders in Russia's leadership hierarchy and two Russian banks considered especially close to the Kremlin and Russia's military, with more than $110 billion in assets.

That includes freezing all of those bank's assets under US jurisdictions.

Mr Biden held back some of the broadest and toughest of the financial penalties contemplated by the US, including sanctions that would reinforce the hold that Germany put on any startup of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline; an export ban that would deny Russia US high-tech for its industries and military; and sweeping bans that could cripple Russia's ability to do business with the rest of the world.

NATO on high alert

NATO allies have more than 100 warplanes on high alert and more than 120 warships ready at sea from the Arctic Circle to the Mediterranean Sea.

The White House has begun referring to Russian troop deployments in eastern Ukraine as an "invasion" after initially hesitating to use the term — a red line that President Joe Biden has said would result in the US levying severe sanctions against Moscow.

The White House decided to begin referring to Russia's actions as an "invasion" because of the situation on the ground, according to a US official who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations.

US-led sanctions were followed by many Western allies.

The UK government slapped sanctions on five Russian banks and three Russian billionaires.

And Germany has stopped the progression of the controversial Nord Stream 2 pipeline following Moscow's actions in eastern Ukraine.

Moscow demands NATO roll back

READ MORE: What is Nord Stream 2 pipeline, and why does it make the US anxious?

Meanwhile President Putin called for international recognition of Crimea as part of Russia, an end to Ukraine's NATO membership bid and a halt to weapons shipments there.

Mr Putin claimed that Russia's 2014 annexation of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula should be internationally recognised as a legitimate reflection of the local population's choice, likening it to a vote for Kosovo independence.

The annexation has been widely condemned by Western powers as a breach of international law.

To end the current crisis, he also called for the renunciation of Ukraine's NATO bid, saying it should assume a "neutral status," and said that the West should stop sending weapons there.

Russia said it wants Western guarantees that NATO won't allow Ukraine and other former Soviet countries to join as members.

Moscow has also demanded the alliance halt weapons deployments to Ukraine and roll back its forces from Eastern Europe — demands flatly rejected by the West.

An invasion or not an invasion?

For weeks, Western powers have been bracing for an invasion as Russia massed an estimated 150,000 troops on three sides of neighbouring Ukraine.

They warned an attack would cause massive casualties, energy shortages in Europe and economic chaos around the globe — and promised swift and severe sanctions if it materialised.

Western leaders have long warned Moscow would look for cover to invade — and just such a pretext appeared to come on Monday, when Mr Putin recognised as independent two separatist regions in eastern Ukraine, where government troops have fought Russia-backed rebels in a conflict that has killed over 14,000 people.

Condemnation from around the world was quick. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he would consider breaking diplomatic ties with Russia and Kyiv recalled its ambassador in Moscow.

But confusion over what exactly was happening in eastern Ukraine threatened to hobble a Western response.

While the US clearly called it an invasion, some other allies hedged.

"Russian troops have entered in Donbas," the name for the area where the two separatist regions are located, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said in Paris.

"We consider Donbas part of Ukraine."

But in a distinction that could complicate a European and Western response, he added: "I wouldn't say that (it is) a fully fledged invasion, but Russian troops are on Ukrainian soil."

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson also said the UK would slap sanctions on five Russian banks and three wealthy individuals.

Mr Johnson said Russian tanks and armoured personnel carriers have been spotted in the separatist Ukrainian regions recognised as independent by President Putin.

He said that amounts to "a renewed invasion" of Ukraine.

'Russian troops are on Ukrainian soil'

Nord Stream 2 pipeline suspended

The Russian moves also pushed Germany to suspend the certification process for Nord Stream 2 pipeline that was to bring natural gas from Russia.

The pipeline was built to help Germany meet its energy needs, particularly as it switches off its last three nuclear power plants and phases out the use of coal, and it has resisted calls by the US and others to halt the project.

READ MORE: 'Anxiety is rising': Aussie mum, son stranded in Ukraine

Even as alarm spread across the globe, Zelenskyy, the Ukrainian president, sought to project calm, telling the country in an address overnight: "We are not afraid of anyone or anything. We don't owe anyone anything. And we won't give anything to anyone."

With agencies

Two states on the east coast are in the grips of a major deluge, with warnings more rain and life-threatening flash flooding is on the way.

Meanwhile, modelling suggests two possible cyclones could be forming in the nation's far north.

Meteorologist Jonathan How from the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) said Sydney's rain will last for the next eight to ten days.

READ MORE: Lawmakers give Putin permission to use force outside Russia

"We are likely to see showers continue into the weekend with another 10 to 20mm over the next few days but for those across Sydney we're expecting showers to continue all the way into late next week," Mr How said.

"So another eight to 10 days of quite showery, cool conditions.

"Thankfully, over the next few days the rain won't be quite as heavy but the ground is so saturated so take care in low-lying areas."

A "metre of rain" could fall on parts of south-east Queensland, Mr How predicted.

The warnings come after parts of Sydney and the Central Coast received more than a months worth of rain in two hours yesterday.

Mr How called the rain "torrential".

Inner-city streets turned into rivers when a storm cell hit around midday, trapping cars and forcing the closure of some train lines.

The State Emergency Service (SES) has received 632 calls for help.

Allison Flaxman, Deputy Zone Commander at NSW SES, has urged people not to drive through floodwaters.

"We are doing a lot of jobs around leaking roofs, around rescuing people that have driven into floodwaters and trees that have come down in the wind," Ms Flaxman said.

"Please just drive to the conditions of the road. Obviously, if you come across a road that is flooded, please stop. Turn around and find an alternative route.

"Our volunteers are out there trying to rescue as many people as we can. We don't want to put their lives … at risk."

Weatherzone said more than 110mm of rain fell at Marrickville since 9am, including 98mm in just two hours in the afternoon.

In Sydney's west, more than 87mm of rain fell at Toongabbie.

READ MORE: Reward for information on missing Belgian backpacker Theo Hayez

The Central Coast was also hard hit.

The Central Coast Highway was closed in both directions at West Gosford, prompting warnings for people to avoid the area.

Rising waters forced the rescue of a large American alligator at the Australian Reptile Park yesterday after it swam over its enclosure.

Zookeepers had the delicate task of relocating the animal after it became stuck between fences.

READ MORE: Fresh calls for Queensland to reconsider daylight saving

A separate weather system is causing chaos across south-east Queensland.

Parts of the Sunshine Coast recorded 300mm in just three hours overnight.

The wet weather will hit Brisbane and the Gold Coast this afternoon, with warnings of life-threatening flash flooding.

https://twitter.com/BOM_Qld/status/1495954879004696591

Multiple flood warnings are currently in place for the state, with two severe storm warnings also issued.

Areas in the firing line include the Southeast Coast and parts of Wide Bay and Burnett Forecast Districts — as well as parts of Central Highlands and Coalfields, Central West, Maranoa and Warrego and Darling Downs and Granite Belt Forecast Districts.

"Heavy, locally intense rainfall, which may lead to flash flooding is occurring north of Brisbane and across the Sunshine Coast and southern Wide Bay," the BoM said.

"Heavy to intense rainfall is forecast to extend to areas east of about Maryborough, Toowoomba, Boonah and the Gold Coast early Wednesday morning. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 100mm to 200mm are likely, with 250mm to 350mm possible."

Weatherzone has also warned that two tropical cyclones could potentially form over northern Australia later this week.

"A number of forecast models suggest that two tropical lows may develop near northern Australia later this week, one to the north of WA and the other somewhere around the Gulf of Carpentaria or northern Coral Sea," Weatherzone said.

"At this stage, it is too early to know exactly where, when and how much these low pressure systems will develop.

"However, there is enough model agreement to suggest that the two low pressure systems may move into environments that are favourable for tropical cyclone development near Australia, most likely towards the end of this week or early next week."

Here's how the weather is looking around the nation's capitals today.

Brisbane

It will be a wet and stormy day in Brisbane, where the mercury is tipped to reach 24C.

There's a chance of showers, and the chance of a thunderstorm in the west from late this morning.

Sydney

Heavy rain is easing today in Sydney, with the city tipped to reach 28C.

There's still a very high chance of showers, and the chance of a thunderstorm.

Melbourne

It will be a sunny, hot and humid day in Melbourne, with a maximum of 32C forecast.

There's a slight chance of a shower and the chance of a thunderstorm during this afternoon and early evening, most likely about the outer western suburbs and eastern hills.

Canberra

A shower or two could hit the nation's capital today, with the BoM forecasting a medium chance of rain.

This is "most likely during this afternoon and early evening".

There's also a chance of a thunderstorm.

Temperatures will range between 14-26C.

Hobart

It will be a hot, partly cloudy day in Hobart, with temperatures reaching 28C.

Adelaide

The mercury will climb to 32C in Adelaide, which has a clear and hot day in store.

Darwin

A maximum of 31C will be felt in tropical Darwin.

There's a high chance of showers, most likely from the late morning, and the chance of a thunderstorm.

Perth

Perth's run of hot weather continues, with a 35C day forecast.

It will be a sunny, clear day.

US President Joe Biden has announced he was ordering heavy financial sanctions against Russian banks and oligarchs, declaring that Moscow had flagrantly violated international law in what he called the "beginning of a Russian invasion of Ukraine".

"None of us will be fooled" by Russian President Vladimir Putin's claims about Ukraine, the US President said.

"Who in the Lord's name does Putin think he is to declare new countries? This is a flagrant violation of international law."

And he said more sanctions could be on the way if Mr Putin proceeds further.

Mr Biden said he was also moving additional US troops to the Baltic states on NATO's eastern flank bordering Russia.

LIVE UPDATES: Russian troops enter rebel-held areas of Ukraine

Mr Biden joined the 27 European Union members who unanimously agreed on Tuesday to levy their own initial set of sanctions targeting Russian officials over their actions in Ukraine.

Mr Biden announced the US would impose sanctions against Russian financial institutions, which he said could be ratcheted up.

"I'm going to begin to impose sanctions in response, far beyond the steps we and our allies and partners implemented in 2014. If Russia goes further with this invasion we stand prepared to go further as with sanctions," Mr Biden said.

The US President said new economic sanctions would target two major Russian financial institutions.

"We're implementing full blockage sanctions on two large Russian financial institutions – VEB and their military bank.

"We are implementing sanctions on Russian sovereign debt. That means we have cut off Russia's government from Western financing. It can no longer raise money from the West and cannot trade in its new debt on our markets or European markets either."

Mr Biden said US sanctions would target Russia's elites and their family members.

READ MORE: Ukraine activates reserve forces as Russian troops move into rebel-controlled areas

He also pledged to work with Germany to stop the building of the controversial Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline from Russia.

"Because of Russia's actions we've worked with Germany to ensure that Nord Stream 2 will not, as I promised, will not move forward."

READ MORE: Call for Australia to join economic sanctions on Russia

Mr Biden pledged his administration was using "every tool at our disposal" to limit the effect of sanctions against Russia on domestic gas prices, acknowledging that Americans will likely see rising prices at the pump in the coming months.

"As I said last week, defending freedom will have costs, for us as well and here at home," Mr Biden said.

"We need to be honest about that. But as we do this, I'm going to take robust action to make sure the pain of our sanctions is targeted at the Russian economy, not ours."

UK sanctions to hit banks, individuals

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson earlier unveiled the "first tranche" of British sanctions on Russia, condemning Mr Putin's Ukraine aggression and saying Europe must "brace ourselves" for his next steps.

READ MORE: Reward of $500k offered for information on missing Belgian backpacker

Mr Johnson told British MPs that people "will struggle to understand or to contemplate how, in the year 2022, a national leader might calmly and deliberately plot the destruction of a peaceful neighbour."

"Yet the evidence of his own words suggest that is exactly what President Putin is doing," he said.

The UK will sanction five Russian banks and three "very high net worth" individuals, Mr Johnson said in Parliament.

EXPLAINED: Why Russia-backed rebels are a thorn in Ukraine's side

A man who was bitten by a shark while fishing near Bimini, Bahamas, was rescued via helicopter, the US Coast Guard said.

Coast Guard Sector Miami watchstanders received word midday Monday the 51-year-old was bitten while aboard a vessel and a tourniquet was applied to the man's arm to prevent further blood loss, USCG said.

READ MORE: Russian troops move into rebel-controlled areas of Ukraine

After officials determined the man required a medical evacuation, a Coast Guard Air Station Miami MH-65 Dolphin helicopter and crew arrived at the scene, hoisted the man and transported him to a hospital in Miami, the news release said.

The man is reportedly in stable condition.

READ MORE: Sydney teenager hooks massive 2.8m bull shark

"This was the best possible outcome to a truly terrifying situation," said Sean Connett, command duty officer at Coast Guard District Seven.

"This individual was fortunate a fellow crew member was able to render aid prior to the Coast Guard's arrival which allowed for a quick extraction from the vessel."

Hong Kong will test its entire population of 7.5 million people for COVID-19 in March, the city's leader says, as it grapples with its worst outbreak driven by the omicron variant.

The population will be tested three times in March, Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam said.

She said testing capacity will be boosted to 1 million a day or more.

READ MORE: Queen still has mild COVID-19 symptoms, cancels online meetings

"Since we have a population of some 7 million people, testing will take about seven days," she said.

Hong Kong has reported about 5000 new daily infections since February 15, with the cases threatening to overwhelm its healthcare system.

Since the current surge began at the beginning of the year, the city has recorded nearly 54,000 cases and 145 deaths.

The order for citywide testing comes after mainland Chinese authorities dispatched epidemiologists, health workers and other medical resources last week to help contain the outbreak in the semi-autonomous Chinese city.

Hong Kong has largely aligned itself with mainland China's "zero-COVID-19" policy, which aims to totally stamp out outbreaks, even as many other countries are shifting their approach to living with the virus.

Lockdowns of entire cities have been imposed in a number of areas of the mainland, but Lam said no such measure is currently being considered in Hong Kong because it is "not realistic."

READ MORE: Queensland to scrap most COVID-19 mask rules, density limits

She also denied that the central Chinese government is giving instructions to Hong Kong on how to handle the epidemic.

"I reiterate that the central government never issued any instructions on our anti-epidemic work," she said.

"The central government will offer support as needed or upon our request, but of course we will always exchange our views."

The "zero-COVID" strategy means that Hong Kong authorities often take measures such as locking down residential estates for mass testing when positive cases are detected, imposing strict quarantine requirements on travellers and ordering the shuttering of businesses.

Health officials said last week that hospitals were already at 90 per cent of capacity and isolation facilities were full.

READ MORE: COVID-19 costs Coles more than $150 million in six months

People who test positive for the virus in Hong Kong must either be admitted to a hospital or a quarantine facility.

Ms Lam acknowledged on Tuesday that the city's isolation facilities are "severely inadequate" and that it is "working very hard with the full support of the central authorities" to build more.

Current social-distancing measures, such as a ban on dining at restaurants after 6pm and the closure of businesses such as gyms and bars, will be extended until April 20.

"This is not good news to the sectors affected, but really at this stage of the pandemic we have no choice but to take these measures," Lam said.

She said the city hopes to boost its vaccination rate to 90 per cent by early March.

Other measures announced on Tuesday include ending the school year early and moving the normal July-August summer holidays forward to March and April so that schools can be turned into facilities for testing, isolation and vaccination.

READ MORE: Isolation could be eased for household contacts in major rule shake-up

Flight bans from countries classified as high risk, including Australia, Canada, India, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Britain and the US, will be extended to April 20.

By Louise Ternouth of RNZ The advertising watchdog is looking into a billboard using the image of a Dunedin man who died after getting a Covid-19 vaccine.Rory Nairn died in November last year, less than two weeks after receiving…

Wellington Girls’ College pupils will learn from home this week after growing concerns about student safety surrounding the protest at Parliament.In a message to students and their families on Tuesday night, principal Julia Davidson…

Floodwaters have begun to recede on Sydney streets but a trail of destruction has been left behind.

Suburbs across the Inner West saw extensive flash flooding today with reports of some areas experiencing over a metre of water.

Cars have been abandoned after becoming trapped in floodwaters from Sydney to the Central Coast, leaving authorities with a mammoth clean up.

READ MORE: NSW hit with two severe storm warnings as wild weather continues

In Marrickville, a man was seen trying to remove water from his car with a plastic container, just one of many beginning the clean up.

Many NSW residents will not be surprised after today's deluge marked the wettest day in almost a year for many of the city's suburbs.

Weatherzone said there has been more than 110mm of rain at Marrickville since 9am, including 98mm in just two hours this afternoon.

In Sydney's west, more than 87mm of rain fell at Toongabbie.

https://twitter.com/SophieUpcroft/status/1496000537137152000

Weatherzone added that today marked the wettest day in 11 months in suburbs including Toongabbie, Baulkham Hills, Prospect, Greystanes, Castle Hill, Bankstown, Canterbury, Sydney Airport, Homebush and Terry HIlls.

Cars and their occupants had to be rescued in Chiswick and Marrickville after floodwaters made it impossible to drive through.

Wolli Creek has been hit particularly hard by the flash flooding as water can be seen reaching the top of car tyres.

Despite the warning from authorities, motorists are continuing to drive through floodwaters.

Commuters hoping to escape the deluge got wet anyway as a bus was flooded in Wolli Creek.

Other city suburbs including Tempe and Sydenham have also been inundated by flash flooding.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) has issued a road weather alert for all Sydney suburbs.

The BoM has also cancelled the severe weather warning for the Mid North Coast, Hunter, Metropolitan, Illawarra, Central Tablelands and Lower Western districts.

Meanwhile, some Chiswick residents have made the most of the floodwaters, using boogie boards to play in a small puddle.

READ MORE: Solar eruption captured in an unprecedented image

NSW State Emergency Service (SES) Assistant Commissioner Dean Storey said there have been more than 460 requests for help across Sydney, the Central Coast and the Hunter region.

There have also been 20 flood rescues.

Mr Storey added the majority of the rescues have been due to people attempting to drive through floodwaters.

"Operational activity is probably highest in western Sydney at this point in time, the majority of flood rescues we're seeing if people driving through flood waters," he said.

"Sydney overall has been heavily impacted by the rainfall today, the city's Inner West, and western Sydney are very, very wet, many roads will be flooded as people finish work for the day."

Mr Storey urged residents to avoid unnecessary driving and not to drive through flooded roads.

"If it's flooded, forget it, turn around and find another way," he said.

He also warned the heavy rainfall is expected to continue through the evening.

Central Coast highway closed due to flooding

A major NSW motorway has been completely flooded after storms and heavy rain lashed the area overnight.

The Central Coast Highway is closed in both directions at West Gosford, prompting warnings for people to avoid the area, especially with more wild weather on the way.

Severe thunderstorms are forecast again today, and the BoM has issued a warning for a large area stretching from Newcastle to Wollongong.

READ MORE: Murder charge after circular saw allegedly used to cut off man's legs

People in the Sydney, Hunter, Illawarra, Central Tablelands, Lower Western and Upper Western Forecast Districts, have been told to brace for rainfall and damaging winds.

It comes after Sydney was hit by a violent storm cell yesterday, which brought flash flooding, lightning strikes and hail to the western suburbs.

A home was set alight in Glenmore Park after it was struck by a bolt of lightning.

Motorists are urged to avoid driving through flooded roads.

It's been three years in the making, but the world's largest cruise ship is finally ready to welcome passengers.

Measuring a staggering 362m, Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas was delivered last month and is due to begin its maiden voyage from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to the Caribbean on March 4.

The 18-deck cruise ship was built at the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France, and has capacity for 6988 guests and 2300 crew members.

READ MORE: Concerns over when cruise industry will restart as safety protocols debated

"We're excited to introduce guests across the world to Wonder of the Seas and its world-class features after a six-year-long process," Mark Tamis, senior vice president of hotel operations at Royal Caribbean International tells CNN Travel.

"From planning to delivery, we've utilised our expertise across Royal Caribbean, as well as incorporating our guest's suggestions and travel partner feedback to create something truly awe-inspiring." 

The ship will begin operating five- to seven-night cruises from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to the Caribbean in March before launching western Mediterranean cruises from Barcelona and Rome in May.

Wonder of the Seas comprises eight neighbourhoods, one of which contains more than 20,000 real plants, and its on-board features include what's described as the "tallest slide at sea," as well as a 10-deck-high zip line and a huge poolside movie screen.

Covid disruptions

"We've always prided ourselves on offering guests the best and most innovative ships to give them a truly extraordinary experience. Wonder encompasses all of that," adds Tamis.

The ship was originally scheduled for delivery in 2021, but this was pushed back due to delays brought about by the global pandemic.

The cruise line industry has faced constant disruption over the past two years as a result of COVID-19.

The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention pushed cruise travel up to the highest-risk level in late December, indicating that the risk for COVID-19 was "very high" due to an increase in infections among cruise passengers and crew after the emergence of the Omicron variant.

In January 2022, the health agency's COVID guidance became optional for a large number of cruise ships.

This month, the CDC lowered the risk level from level four to level three, which means that its advice is now that people should be fully up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations before traveling.

The rules under the CDC's conditional sailing order, which ended on January 15, required 95 per cent of both passengers and crew to be fully vaccinated to sail in most circumstances, while some cruise lines required vaccination for all passengers and crew.

Royal Caribbean paused operations on some of its ships, including Symphony of the Seas and Serenade of the Seas, in January due to "COVID-related circumstances around the world."

The cruise line currently requires all guests aged 12 and over to be fully vaccinated, while those aged over two must submit a negative COVID-19 test before sailing.

All guests aged two and up are required to be masked in most public indoor spaces.

The fifth and newest of Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class vessels, Wonder of the Seas is one of several brand new cruise ships that are set to hit the waters in the coming weeks and months.

Discovery Princess, the newest addition to the Princess Cruises fleet, was handed over at the Fincantieri Shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy.

Meanwhile, Disney Wish, the first new cruise ship Disney has built in 10 years, is due to be delivered this summer, while Silversea Cruises' new luxury cruise ship Silver Dawn is scheduled for a spring debut.

A footballer has been jailed after he coward punched another player, breaking the man's jaw, during a game in Adelaide's south.

Mark Harrison, 34, has been sentenced to one year and 10 months' jail before Adelaide District Court over the punch, which occurred back in September 2018 during the B-Grade grand final between Christies Beach and Flagstaff Hill in the Southern Football League.

During the game, Christies Beach player Harrison struck an opponent, causing the Flagstaff Hill player to fall to the ground unconscious with a broken jaw.

READ MORE: Good Samaritan hit with one-punch attack after breaking up fight

Flagstaff Hill former president Brett Charlesworth has told 9News the punch was a cowardly move, which significantly affected the victim.

"He suffered a very, very nasty injury," Mr Charlesworth said.

"It affected him in many ways… He's bounced back from it but it's something that he'll carry for the rest of his life."

The former football club president said Harrison being jailed over the punch was "a really important step forward" in discouraging violence on the field.

"The more we can do to stamp out this sort of behaviour, the better," he said.

Lawyer Greg Griffin has also praised the custodial punishment handed to Harrison.

READ MORE: Locals 'fed up' after one-punch attack at popular nightspot

"It sends a really strong message to anyone that plays social suburban sport that you cannot assault people on the sporting field," he said.

"And if you do, you put your reputation, livelihood and even freedom at risk.

"One stupid act on a football field is a life-changing event for you and you can go from having everything that you want in life to having that taken away."

Harrison had a history of one-punch attacks and was on a good behaviour bond at the time of the incident.

He was sentenced to a non-parole period of 11 months.

He could also now face a lifetime ban from the football league, with the matter to go before its board.