Australia’s Foreign Minister Marise Payne has announced a promises to financially support overseas Australians trying to return home amid a decreased travel cap.

The number of international arrivals has decreased to a little over 3 thousand flights across the country, while 20 repatriation flights are scheduled between now and September.

A chemical factory explosion has rocked the city outskirts of Bangkok, with the blast being heard kilometers away in the Samut Prakan province. The blast has damaged homes and thousands of evacuations have been ordered. 

It is currently unknown what caused the explosion at the expandable polystyrene producing factory. Firefighters have brought most of the inferno under control while a chemical styrene monomer tank still burns.

The Southern Moreton Bay Islands Coast Care received a federal government grant of over eight thousand dollars to aid the continuation of drone monitoring on Russell Island.

The drone trial which monitored the island’s mangroves ended successfully and this latest grant meant the remaining twelve missions can be completed.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk refused to take down a tweet regarding the AstraZeneca vaccine. The tweet incorrectly stated the British government disallowed their population under 40 to take the vaccine. 

Thousands of close contacts caught up in Queensland’s latest Covid outbreak left devastated and confused.

Over 4,000 people have been directed to quarantine at home during a 14-day incubation period, with a minority placed into hotel accommodation at the state’s expense, after visiting a growing list of exposure sites across south-east Queensland and Townsville 

Tech company Philips issued a recall of all its sleep apnoea machines and respirators as a result of defective foam insulation. 

The company explained the issue in a quarterly report, the foam is degradable and could potentially blow off particles and gas into the patient’s lungs causing damage.

NSW Police said people from regional areas of the state are taking initiative by dobbing in Sydney travellers fleeing lockdowns. 

Officers have handed numerous infringement notices to Sydney tourists caught breaking Covid restrictions in towns such as Dunedoo, Oberon and Lithgow.

More than 1,000 Afghan soldiers have been forced to flee into neighbouring Tajikistan to save their own lives against Taliban militants. 

In recent weeks the Taliban has been gaining significant control over the country, causing concern for the welfare of the country amidst fears the Afghan military will collapse.