From the first of November, fully vaccinated Australians will no longer have to apply for travel exemptions to leave the country as the government prepares to ease international borders.

The announcement comes as Prime Minister Scott Morrison continues negotiations with Singapore for Australian travellers to visit without hotel quarantine from the eighth of November.

Health Minister Greg Hunt cites the increase in vaccination rates nationwide for the opening of borders, encouraging Australians reunite with their loved ones.

The world is on track for a ‘catastrophic’ rise in temperature this century, according to new United Nations reporting.

The UN data says, even with countries’ emissions reductions plans ahead of the COP26 climate summit, which intend to keep global warming under 1.5 degrees, the world is set to warm by 2.7 degrees this century. 

The new commitments would bring a 7.5% reduction in the expected 2030 emissions levels. 

To keep warming under 1.5 degrees, a 55% reduction would be required. 

A plan to improve the quality of waterways across South East Queensland is currently under threat due to political feud. 

The plan that aims to turn the Brisbane River from brown to blue is falling victim to state and federal governments negotiation delays, which have persisted for more than two years. 

Brisbane’s lord mayor insists improving the health of waterways in the region would also provide new business and leisure benefits.

The University of Queensland is announcing plans to welcome international students back to its campus in 2022, in a much needed boost to the struggling academic sector.

The multi-phased plan will focus on helping currently enrolled students return to complete on-site practical examinations and mandatory placement hours, before shifting to accommodate newer enrollments. 

The Palaszczuk Government has released yesterday a new whole-of-government sexual violence action plan which is part of an ongoing commitment to prevent and respond to all forms of sexual violence in the community. 

Minister for Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Shannon Fentimen has said this action-plan includes the implementation of respectful relationships education in Queensland schools, police sexual violence liasons officers and the creation of a new offence of failure to report child sexual abuse. 

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison is bringing a plan for global action to the G20 summit with a focus on protecting children on social media apps.

The draft laws released this week outline a strict code for social media services such as Facebook and TikTok to adhere to, requiring platforms to take reasonable steps in securing children’s data, including age and location, with parental consent required for users under 16.

Northern Territory government will today introduce legislation to parliament to make it easier for women to access later-term abortions.

The proposed amendments will allow women to access a pregnancy termination between 14-24 weeks, with the support of one doctor. 

Currently abortions after 23 weeks are prohibited in the NT, unless deemed necessary to save the pregnant person’s life. 

Northern Territory Health Minister Natasha Fyles says some women have to go interstate to access higher level services.

Sudan’s highest ranking military leader has defended the military’s takeover of power amidst an ongoing coup, as a means of preventing a civil war. 

General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan has condemned the actions of cabinet leaders for joining demonstrations against a potential military seizure of power, and says Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok has been detained for his own safety. 

The coup has left at least seven people dead since Monday after protesters clashed with armed forces, with parts of Khartoum and Omdurman going into lockdown to protect local businesses.