US troops have started leaving Afghanistan, American media report, with evacuations due to end in a week.

A short time ago the White House said it was on target to complete efforts by the 31 August deadline, warning that keeping troops there longer put US troops at risk of attack from Islamic State militants.

New Zealand has seen a surge in COVID cases during the lockdown that is expected to end this friday. 

New Zealand recorded 41 new cases on Tuesday, another growth after 35 on Monday and 21 on both Sunday and Saturday.

A Victorian pair who breached Covid-19 restrictions and provided false information to border authorities were caught at Adelaide Airport after they both used the same name.

The pair were charged with failing to comply with Covid-19 directions and stating false details at Adelaide Airport as well as disorderly behavior.

Queensland Minister for Education, Grace Grace, announced that Queensland schools have shown improvement in writing and students maintained their numeracy and literacy through the NAPLAN results- showing no impact from the online learning. 

Queensland remains to be one of the most improved states since Naplan was introduced.

A popular local mermaid beach business, Alfreds Apartment, has made light out of a recent theft resulting in the loss of almost 10 thousand dollars, releasing merchandise cartooning the thieves with the businesses phone number requesting customers, “call us if you see these blokes” and releasing the security footage. 

Queensland Health has refused to remove alcohol from a recovering alcoholics quarantine hotel room, causing growing concerns.

The man had suffered a panic attack earlier this week and consumed an excessive amount of alcohol, yet staff told the man, “they can’t block alcohol to your room because you have a human right to it”.

Blue whales are now returning to Spain’s coastline after 40 years of absence.

Leading scientists believe the root of the return is due to climate change and a recent study on whale migration driven by memory.

The CEO of a Sydney private hospital says he may be forced to stand down doctors and nursing staff after NSW’s ban on non-urgent surgery left hundreds of beds vacant across the city. 

New South Wales residents have been warned that more destructive weather is on the way, after a day of damaging winds and heavy rain across the state.

Several parts of New South Wales experienced winds of up to 120km/h yesterday and more than 18,000 people were left without power.