Here's what you need to know this morning:
Second man arrested over drug haul
NSW Police have made another arrest as part of Strike Force Nilland, targeting shipments of illegal drugs.
Police arrested a 36-year-old man at Sydney International Airport and charged him, after 150 kilograms of pseudoephedrine was discovered earlier this year concealed in metal pallets, bags of desiccated coconut and hidden in mattresses.
The shipments — with a potential street value of $7.5 million — were destined for Sydney's streets.
The Seven Hills man was refused bail in Central Local Court on Wednesday and was expected to reappear in March.
Another 36-year-old man was arrested earlier this year and police allege the pair were working as part of a criminal syndicate.
NSW by-elections loom
Premier Dominic Perrottet will face his first electoral test in three and half weeks when four state by-elections are held.
The Speaker has set the date for Saturday, February 12.
The by-elections are to replace Gladys Berejiklian in the seat of Willoughby, John Barilaro in the seat of Monaro, Andrew Constance in the seat of Bega and Jodi McKay in the seat of Strathfield.
Three of the four seats are held by the Coalition, which is in minority government.
The government speaker Jonathan O'Dea intends to issue the writs on Friday.
HSC results out today
Students who sat the Higher School Certificate will wake up to their test results this morning.
The results will be sent to the 76,000 students via SMS and email, and published online at 6am.
Education Minister Sarah Mitchell said the students triumphed over challenges brought by the pandemic.
"The future looks so bright for the inspiring young people who we celebrate today," she said, "And for all HSC students who showed great perseverance and resilience in their final years of school."
Certificates have been issued to the 139 students who ranked first in the state for their HSC course.
US tourists advised to avoid Australia due to 'very high' COVID-19 threat
America's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has added Australia to a list of countries its citizens should not travel to due to COVID-19 risks.
The CDC has advised its citizens to "avoid travel to Australia", which it says poses a "very high" risk of infection.
Australia is now ranked at level four on the CDC's risk assessment level — the highest level possible.
"If you must travel to Australia, make sure you are fully vaccinated before travel," the CDC's official advise states.
"Because of the current situation in Australia, even fully vaccinated travelers may be at risk for getting and spreading COVID-19 variants."
