Two Australian journalists working in China have been flown back home after concerns for their safety were raised. 

The men were staying in Australian diplomatic bases for protection for several days, as Chinese police were attempting to interrogate the two men. 

The two journalists landed in Sydney safely this morning.

In Perth, there is worry for the city’s coastline being affected by a fungal disease that is starting to wipe out Norfolk Island pine trees. 

Measures are being taken to prevent further spreading with the removal of eight trees commencing this week, however experts are still concerned other areas will be affected.

Horticulturist Sabrina Hahn expresses her distress, stating she fears for the health of many of the Norfolk Island pine trees and thinks they’re going to lose many many trees.

Some areas in Spain are starting to undertake measures after it has become the first Western European country to hit 500,000 coronavirus infections.

Co-founder of Spain’s Institute for Health and Strategy, Rafael Bengoa, believes hospitals will be able to control the levels of fatalities and a nation-wide lockdown will not be necessary, however advised confinements of local city neighbourhoods may assist in controlling the transmission.

US President Donald Trump has claimed a vaccine for coronavirus will be ready for use by the end of the year. 

The declaration comes from a news conference delivered by Trump, where he alleges he will be able to provide a vaccine by October.

Robot technology has arisen in a Rockhampton hospital to assist surgeons with medical procedures such as knee and hip replacements. 

Today will mark the first use of the $2 million dollar robot on two patients, for a complete knee and hip replacement. 

The Hillcrest Private Hospital chief executive Fiona Hebbard states the new technology will allow regional patients the ability to be treated in their hometowns, instead of travelling so far out for medical attention.

Stanthorpe is experiencing positive effects from the coronavirus pandemic, which is a relief to the locals after continuous battles of droughts, water shortages and the rapid bushfires last year. 

With the strict border restrictions, Stanthorpe has become a hot-spot for Queenslanders’ seeking nearby areas when in need of a getaway. 

Places have been booked out since early winter, which is seeing locals relieved and grateful for what has been an extremely hard year.

Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack has been scrutinised after associating Victoria’s coronavirus outbreak directly to a Black Lives Matter protest.

McCormack, who was speaking on ABC’s Q&A, claimed the rally in Melbourne was one of the reasons behind the second epidemic. 

The Sex Discrimination Commissioner for Australia, Kate Jenkins, is pleaing for women to be placed at the forefront of the coronavirus recovery to help discuss the systematic elements pushing domestic violence. 

Jenkins states women have suffered most from the ensuing health and economic crises, which have spurred an increase in need for domestic violence services. 

In Japan, authorities have found a washed up lifeboat on a south-west Japanese island among their search for the live export ship that went missing last week.

However, it has been confirmed there were no passengers on board. 

The quest to find the 43 crew members is becoming increasingly urgent. Two patrol ships and an aircraft are set to enter the area today to try and locate the crew members.