Cases of major depressive and anxiety disorders have increased by more than 25 per cent worldwide, according to a world-first study of the impact of COVID-19 on mental health.

800 Small business owners across New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland have been trialling a new mental health coaching program designed by Beyond Blue to combat COVID-19 anxieties.

The New Access for Small Business Owners program provides businesses with practical skills to manage stress and the turbulent economic climate. 

Russian President Vladimir Putin has denied using gas as a political weapon, with skyrocketing gas prices in the European union sparking an emergency summit.

Russia currently accounts for a third of the European Unions gas supply, prompting politicians to blame Moscow for not pumping enough into the system.

Danish toy company Lego will no longer distinctly market boys and girls toys after they commissioned research into the influence of gender on International Day of the Girl.

The study conducted by the Geena Davis Institute found that girls still feel restrained by gender biases in toys, and that 71% of boys feel embarrassed about playing with quote on quote “girls toys”.

Star Entertainment Group is set to be investigated by Queensland’s gaming regulator after allegations of money laundering and organised crime. 

The casino operator, who has locations in Brisbane and Gold Coast, had its shares drop 23% yesterday after publications in The Age and Sydney Morning Herald newspapers described large-scale fraud that Star enabled.

 Queensland’s new home quarantine trial is at 99 per cent compliance, with positive signs for expansion when more people are allowed into the state. 

A 45-year-old woman has been arrested on the Gold Coast after allegedly pretending to be a doctor and issuing COVID-19 exemptions.

Before her arrest, the woman managed to issue approximately 600 certificates exempting citizens from vaccination and mask wearing.

Victoria has recorded their highest daily total of COVID cases of 2,297 and 11 deaths. 

The figure comes after 3 consecutive days of lower case numbers, dampening hopes of a turning point in daily case numbers.

Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton has said it will be quote, “a bit of a bumpy numbers ride day-to-day”.