On Saturday, North Korea displayed its largest-ever intercontinental ballistic missile during a nighttime military parade in Pyongyang.

The size of the missile indicates that it might fly farther and carry a more powerful warhead than the Hwasong-15, its predecessor disclosed in 2017.

The New York Times said although the show-off of a new nuclear weapon is certainly a means to show North Korea’s military power, it was surely more a move to lift morale as Kim Jong Un struggled to keep his promises of economic growth.

A bus delivering passengers to a religious ceremony has collided with a freight train near Bangkok, killing at least 20 people and injuring more than 40. 

SBS has reported that the collision occurred approximately 50km east of Bangkok, where the bus edged from the road onto the tracks before the impact of the train tipped it onto its side. 

Out of 23 passengers admitted to hospital, 4 are in critical condition.

SCIRO, Australia’s national science agency have released a study on SARS-CoV-2’s survivability, the virus responsible for COVID-19. 

The research undertaken at the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDC) in Geelong shows it can survive for up to 28 days on common surfaces including banknotes, glass – such as that found on mobile phone screens - and stainless steel.

ACDC deputy director Dr Debbie Eagles said it remained infectious 10 days longer than Influenza that lasted 17 days on similar experiments.

Former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd announced on Sunday he will launch a national petition to establish a Royal Commission into Rupert Murdoch’s NewsCorporation.  

In a video posted on Twitter, Rudd declared his concern for the future for Australia’s media landscape, stating the petition will aim to "maximise media diversity ownership for the future lifeblood of our democratic system”. 

At the time of reporting, the petition has 76,827 signatures. 

Following the close of nominations on Sunday, the Electoral Commission of Queensland announced 597 candidates across Queensland’s 93 electorates for the 2020 State general election.

Electoral Commissioner Pat Vidgen said this year’s election sees 144 more candidates than in 2017 which demonstrates a “strong contest of ideas” and a “vibrant democracy”.

Queenslanders can now find the candidates running in their electorate via the ECQ’s 2020 State general election webpage. 

Surf Life Saving Queensland will launch their annual fundraising campaign, “Support our Life Savers” this week, supporting volunteer lifesavers across the state.

People will have the opportunity to donate to Surf Life Saving Queensland or their local surf life saving club, with donations going towards vital equipment, training, and resources for volunteers. 

Support Our Savers Week will run from Monday the 12th until Sunday the 18th of October. If you would like to donate, visit https://sosweek.raisely.com/donate/