Crowds have taken to the streets of the Belarusian capital, Minsk overnight in protest of the country's authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko on his 66th birthday. Demonstrators were met by security forces as they attempted to march on the city’s cordoned off Independence Square. 150 people are believed to have been arrested after officials dubbed the demonstration unauthorised.

Riots have erupted in the Swedish city of Malmo after far-right extremists burned a Koran and posted the footage online. 15 people have been arrested over the violence, and three were arrested on suspicion of inciting hatred against an ethnic group. Miguel Moratinos, who is the head of the United Nations Alliance of Civilisations, condemned the burning and called on people of all faiths to denounce religious-based violence.

Sydney’s COVID-19 cluster is expected to spread following confirmation two commuters on the same bus service have tested positive for the virus. The pair, who are said to be close contacts, have been forced to immediately self-isolate following their journey on the 20th of August. The news comes after New South Wales Opposition Leader Jodi McKay urged Premier Gladys Berejiklian to mandate mask wearing for everyone on public transport.

Warning: the following story makes reference to sexual assault. 

Restrictions on gatherings have been expanded to include another five regions in South-East Queensland as of today. Queensland Health announced over the weekend that Goondiwindi, South Burnett, Southern and Western Downs and Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire would join Toowoomba with restrictions on gatherings from 8 am today. The restrictions prohibit gatherings of more than ten people in venues without a COVID-safe plan.

Queensland Deputy Premier and Health Minister Steven Miles denied the State is responsible for the death of an unborn child in New South Wales. A Ballina woman was reportedly told she would have to quarantine in order to give birth in Brisbane, and subsequently flew to Sydney where one of her twins died in childbirth. Mr Miles has slammed attacks from the Liberal-National Party and interstate rivals as “disgusting”, saying politicians have used this tragic event to further their political arguments.

Tensions between Washington and Beijing have caused Chinese-owned video platform TikTok CEO - Kevin Mayer - to resign. Amidst a recent crackdown from the US government over claims that the social media phenomenon can spy on Americans, President Donald Trump signed an executive order on August 6 demanding Americans stop interacting with the company within 45 days. Mayer’s resignation came in response to Trump’s decision which flips his role into jeopardy and cuts the flourishing American business off.

In international news Thailand has announced plans to turn it’s prisons into tourist attractions as a method of economic recovery from the coronavirus outbreak. The South-East Asian nation will pilot the tourist scheme in 5 prisons and hopes an influx of tourists will prepare inmates for a normal view of society in preparation of their release. However, human rights advocates voice their concerns as to whether Thailand’s prison overcrowding is acceptable to present to the public if it is not addressing wider health concerns. 

In local news Ipswich councillor, Paul Tully, faces criticism for posting a sexist meme on his personal Facebook page. The meme has spiked public concern of Councillor Tully’s lack of respect for women and reinforcement of negative gender stereotypes. Councillor Tully has been contacted via Ipswich City Council for comment as it is clear stereotypical comments are unacceptable on behalf of political leaders.