Queensland has recorded its first case of the new Omicron variant of COVID-19 in hotel quarantine. 

The man arrived in Cairns on a flight from Sydney on the 3rd of December, with all other passengers aboard the flight now being deemed as close contacts. 

Another man travelling from South Africa has also tested positive for the Omicron variant, however authorities do not believe the cases are linked.

Oyster growers in northern New South Wales fear they will not be able to meet the high demand for their product this christmas and new year’s period amidst the La Nina season. 

A majority of oyster farms have been closed by authorities for more than a week already due to consistent rainfall affecting salinity levels in rivers and lakes. 

Oyster growers have expressed concerns that the wet weather had come at the worst possible time. 

Environmental groups are calling for more regulations surrounding pollution of waterways from coal fired power stations in Victoria’s Latrobe valley.

Large quantities of excess coal ash is stored in dams at the power plants to prevent damage to the atmosphere, however recent research has shown the effects coal ash leaching can have on local waterways.

Tens of thousands of Afghans have been unable to access UK help following the fall of kabul because of turmoil and confusion in the foreign office. 

A former diplomat has claimed bureaucratic chaos, ministerial intervention and lack of planning in the department led people vulnerable at the hands of the taliban. 

The whistleblower’s evidence has launched an internal inquiry, which has already contributed to the decision to move UK foreign secretary Dominic Raab to a new cabinet role.

A North Atlantic Right Whale has given birth while entangled in fishing line off the coast of Georgia in the United States. 

The whale has been known to wildlife conservationists for some time, however they have been unable to free it from the rope without further injuring it.

While the calf is reportedly healthy at this time, there are still concerns for the mother’s safety if the fishing line continues to cause further issues, potentially making the mother unable to care for the calf.

Researchers with the University of Queensland have discovered the last common ancestor between humans and apes had an increased resistance to large amounts of snake venom.

The study focused on African and Asian primates and their abilities to survive snake bites, by exposing synthetic neuroreceptors to various types of venom.

African and Asian primates were shown to have a much higher rate of resistance to the venoms of cobras than South American monkeys, which due to lack of exposure to snakes did not develop such resistance, and also had poorer eyesight. 

A Queensland Palaeontologists has uncovered a one hundred and twelve million year old sea lizard in the region of Richmond. 

It was believed the creature, which has been described as a ‘monstrous dolphin’ around 6-5 meters in length, once thrived in the Great Artesian Basin.

Palaeontologist, Kevin Petersen found the fossils of the snout and jaw intact yesterday, and it has now been transferred to the Richmond Museum.

The Australian Army’s Seventh Battalion in Adelaide is currently under investigation for alleged “unacceptable behaviour.”

While the Army is yet to release details of the allegations at this stage, the new investigation has been launched by the Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force, following an internal investigation into claims of racial slurs and denials of justice earlier this year. 

South Australian senator Rex Patrick is determined to continue the investigation over concerns surrounding the lack of transparency from the Army’s prior inquiries.

The Australian government is making moves to impose new regulations on cryptocurrencies, following plans to launch its own digital currency. 

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has confirmed the Commonwealth and Reserve bank are working on the feasibility of central cryptocurrency in Australia. 

Frydenberg has also expressed that the government wanted cryptocurrency exchanges and business to apply for financial licenses, which aims to give consumers more certainty and confidence about parties they are dealing with.