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Beloved Australian entertainer and international star Olivia Newton-John has been remembered as a friend, a great talent and an inspiration to her fellow performers.

The British-born, Melbourne-raised performer died peacefully in her sleep at her home in California, according to a social media post from husband John Easterling. She was 73 years old.

The singer and actress, who is best known for her role alongside John Travolta in the smash movie musical Grease, endured a recurring battle with breast cancer.

Travolta was among the first to pay tribute to his former co-star, posting on Instagram: "My dearest Olivia, you made all of our lives so much better. Your impact was incredible. I love you so much."

However the impact of Newton-John's passing also hit hard in Australia on Tuesday.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese remembered Newton-John as an inspiration to many.

"The work she did though her cancer research centre was important and inspirational," he tweeted.

"Her legacy will live on, in her music, her films and her determination that one day we will find a cure for cancer."

Kylie Minogue, whose career path followed that of Newton-John with her elevation to international fame from humble beginnings in Melbourne, said on Twitter: "Since I was 10 years old, I have loved and looked up to Olivia Newton-John. And, I always will.

"She was, and always will be, an inspiration to me in so many, many ways."

Hollywood actor Hugh Jackman described Newton-John as his "first crush".

"Not only was she one of the most talented people I've known ... she was one of the most open hearted, generous and funny. She was a one-of-a-kind spirit," he wrote on Instagram.

"I kissed her (poster) every night before bed. Her legacy will only grow stronger in the years to come. A fighter for healing from cancer that knows no bounds. I love you Olivia."

Singer Delta Goodrem, who played Newton-John in a 2018 biopic, wrote on Instagram that the star was both a mentor and friend.

"The whole world will feel this heartbreak today because the entire world felt Olivia's unmatched light," she said.

"I don't have all the words I would like to say today, but I hope everyone will join in celebrating our beloved Olivia, her heart, soul, talent, courage, grace ... I love you forever."

Austin Health, home of the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Centre, said in a statement it was an especially sad day for everyone involved in the facility.

"Olivia was a driving force to win over cancer, for treating the whole person and looking after their mind, spirit and body. Having the opportunity to meet Olivia was a joy, her kindness and light was irrepressible," a spokesperson said.

"The ONJ Centre was her dream, and we are proud of everything we achieved together. We will continue our work to honour her legacy."

The centre is planning a memorial service.

Victorian premier Daniel Andrews said Newton-John's generosity had saved lives and her advocacy had given people hope.

"She took her cancer journey and use that to save lives," he told reporters.

Newton-John was admitted to the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) Hall of Fame in 2002 and made a Companion of the Order of Australia in 2019.

ARIA chief executive Annabelle Herd also paid tribute to the performer.

"Her success here and around the world and the personal battles she faced over the years were truly inspirational. We extend our deepest condolences to Olivia's family and friends," she said.

© AAP 2022

Former US president Donald Trump says the FBI had conducted a search of his Mar-a-Lago estate and asserted that agents had broken open a safe.

A person familiar with the matter said the action was related to a probe of whether Trump had taken classified records from his White House tenure to his Florida residence.

The action, which the FBI and Justice Department did not immediately confirm, marks a dramatic escalation in law enforcement scrutiny of Trump and comes as he has been laying the groundwork to make another bid for president.

Though a search warrant does not suggest that criminal charges are near or even expected, federal officials looking to obtain one must demonstrate that they have probable cause that a crime occurred.

"After working and co-operating with the relevant government agencies, this unannounced raid on my home was not necessary or appropriate," Trump said in his statement, adding: "They even broke into my safe!

"These are dark times for our nation, as my beautiful home, Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, is currently under siege, raided, and occupied by a large group of FBI agents. Nothing like this has ever happened to a president of the United States before."

Justice Department spokesperson Dena Iverson declined to comment on the search, including about whether Attorney-General Merrick Garland had personally authorised the search.

A person familiar with the matter, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing investigation, said the search happened earlier on Monday and agents were also looking to see if Trump had additional presidential records or any classified documents at the estate.

The Justice Department has been investigating the presence of classified records inside 15 boxes that were retrieved from Mar-a-Lago by the National Archives and Records Administration earlier this year.

The archives then referred the matter to the Justice Department.

Federal law bars the removal of classified documents to unauthorised locations, though it is possible that Trump could try to argue that, as president, he was the ultimate declassification authority.

There are multiple statutes governing classified information, including a law punishable by up to five years in prison that makes it a crime to remove such records and retain them at an unauthorised location.

Another statute makes it a crime to mishandle classified records either intentionally or in a grossly negligent manner.

The probe is hardly the only legal headache confronting Trump. A separate investigation related to efforts by Trump and his allies to undo the results of the 2020 presidential election and the January 6, 2021, riot at the US Capitol has also been intensifying in Washington.

And a district attorney in Fulton County, Georgia is investigation whether Trump and his close associates sought to interfere in that state's election, which was won by Democrat Joe Biden.

© AP 2022

As the curtain fell on the 2022 Commonwealth Games, Birmingham partied its heart out. Then, the Prince of Darkness reigned supreme.

After a Commonwealth Games that was quintessentially Birmingham, the closing ceremony proved the perfect tribute to the proud city.

A plethora of local artists, ranging from Dexy's Midnight Runners to UB40. Nods to history and culture. Bhangra music. Peaky Blinders.

Then, after Prince Edward had officially closed the Games and the lights looked set to fade to black, perhaps Birmingham's most famous export took centre stage.

Ozzy Osbourne and Tony Iommi, of Black Sabbath, made a shock appearance, shredding the party to a close before shouting out a city that has done itself proud in a Games where it has consistently put its identity front and centre.

It capped off a raucous, party-like atmosphere at Alexander Arena.

Just like the Games itself, which has enjoyed a fun atmosphere and sellout crowds, there wasn't an empty seat among the 30,000.

Much like the opening ceremony, Birmingham's sign-off celebrated the city's history, diversity, culture and icons.

But there were also fireworks, dramatic light shows and a raucous party atmosphere as the locals, and the thousands of athletes on hand, delighted in a show that was proudly Birmingham to the core.

Amid a choreographed performance which re-enacted the building of the city of Birmingham, Dexy's Midnight Runners got the party going with their 1982 hit 'Come On Eileen'.

Then, Apache Indian performed 'Boom Shack-A-Lak', a song that had featured heavily on playlists at various venues across the Games.

The Australians entered the arena as reggae group Musical Youth played 'Pass the Dutchie', a song which recently catapulted back into prominence via an appearance on hit show 'Stranger Things'.

Diving stalwart Melissa Wu was Australia's flagbearer and walked out with the other flagbearers as her compatriots entered the stadium in another group.

UB40 had plenty of love for their classic 'Red, Red Wine', but the loudest roars were saved for when Panjabi MC played bhangra classic 'Mundian To Bach Ke'.

The hits kept coming from there, before Birmingham officially handed the Games over to 2026 hosts Victoria.

Australia's First Nations people were recognised after the Commonwealth Games flag was handed over to Victorian governor Linda Dessau.

Elders of the lands the Games will be held on: Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung (Melbourne), Wadawurrung (Geelong and Ballarat), Dja Dja Wurrung (Bendigo) and Gunaikurnai (Gippsland), performed a smoking ceremony.

The elders also presented carved message sticks, which represent an invitation to walk on Country in 2026, to Commonwealth Games Federation president, Dame Louise Martin DBE.

Proud Yolngu man and rapper Baker Boy performed his hit Meditjin, while dancers carried the Australian, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags as Vanessa Amorosi performed 'Amazing'.

A montage of clips of regional Victoria played throughout the performance.

Then, with the baton officially passed on, Birmingham saved its biggest act for last.

© AAP 2022