10 things you need to know this morning in Australia

Good morning all.

Property vacancies are falling across Australia's capital cities – but rents in Sydney and Melbourne could be set to sink further

Australia's rental vacancy rate has returned to pre-pandemic lows, according to the latest Domain figures. Just 1.9% of rental properties are now vacant, on par with levels seen 12 months ago.

Victoria has reintroduced COVID-19 restrictions after a hotel quarantine worker linked to the Australian Open tested positive

Victoria has slashed the number of guests allowed at private gatherings and reintroduced mask requirements after a hotel quarantine worker tested positive to COVID-19.

Microsoft hits out at Google, saying Bing is ready to fill the gap if Search pulls out of Australia

Microsoft has signalled its Bing search engine is poised to fill the void left by Google Search if the latter withdraws from Australia. Google says the new draft media bargaining code, which would compel Google to pay for displaying links to Australian news content, would make the product unworkable.

Here's what could happen if Google really does pull Search from Australia, according to experts

Google says it could withdraw Search from Australia in response to proposed legislation compelling the internet giant to pay for news content from local publishers.

Buy now pay later companies like Afterpay will be regulated overseas 'as a matter of urgency', despite managing to dodge Australian regulators

The UK financial regulator has found it 'vital' that buy now, pay later platforms like Afterpay and Zip face proper regulation overseas. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) concluded that "changes are urgently needed to bring BNPL into regulation to protect consumers".

Backbencher Craig Kelly has been criticised for spreading misinformation. Here's a list of conspiracy theories he has promoted.

Australian politician Craig Kelly has been privately castigated by Prime Minister Scott Morrison for distracting from the government's COVID-19 vaccine strategy with his social media posts and media appearances.

US stocks close mixed as investors digest corporate earnings and stimulus progress

US stocks closed mixed as investors digested corporate earnings and progress towards economic stimulus. Alphabet and Amazon reported earnings on Tuesday evening that beat analyst forecasts and helped dictate index-wide trading on Wednesday.

Amazon's Jeff Bezos is the latest major tech founder to step down as CEO. Here's what others are up to now.

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is stepping down as the company's CEO. Bezos was among the few founders of major tech companies still running their "startups."

The best online florists for last-minute orders this Valentine's Day

Next Sunday, February 14, is Valentine's Day in Australia. If you're not sure what to get (or you've left it to the last-minute), there's a simple solution - ordering flowers online.

Here's what Biden's presidency means for tech stocks and how that will affect Aussie investors, according to an expert

Millions of people around the world — particularly in the United States — breathed a sigh of relief as Joe Biden was officially sworn in as the country's 46th president. Those involved in the stock market will also be looking at this transition of power in terms of how it could affect their investments.

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