A Sunshine Coast pilates instructor has started a pilates program to help tradies recover and rebuild their damaged bodies.

Research from the 2019 Tradies Health Survey reveals sixty percent of tradies often have aches and pains because of their job, and make up sixteen percent of Australians reporting back pain.

Gaby Shadforth said the pilates class is not exclusive to tradies but is more a class to educate men on how to do something about their pain in a comfortable setting and says it is also great social interaction to keep them mentally healthy too.

On Saturday, the mandate for no Queensland residents re-entering or people relocating from Covid interstate hotspots will ease slightly, with fifty rooms becoming available.

Chief Health officer Jeanette Young said around three thousand people are hoping to enter Queensland and priority will be given to those approved for early entry.

A Queensland Health Spokesperson said the decision to pause hotel quarantine has allowed them to find solutions and ultimately move forward at a more sustainable pace.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has defended her request for more data showing the impacts of reopening after lockdowns on unvaccinated children up to 16 years old.

The Federal government criticised the Premier's request and urged her to commit to the reopening plan.

However, Palaszczuk said there is not enough information to make decisions and that she wants a detailed paper to share with her cabinet and Queenslanders.

Figures from Ambulance Victoria show there are still hundreds of paramedics who have refused to be vaccinated against Covid-19.

256 ‘on road’ paramedics have declined the vaccine, which equates to about 4.6% of the total number of paramedics.

The Ambulance Union, who opposes mandatory vaccines, advises Australians to not worry about these numbers.

However, the Australian Medical Association calls for mandatory vaccines for frontline workers and their president says those who did not wish to be vaccinated should consider leaving their profession.

The UK’s Foreign Secretary Domonic Raab said evacuation flights from Afghanistan could resume in the near future when the Kabul International airport reopens.

Raab said the UK will not recognise the Taliban anytime soon but they must engage with the militant group to ensure UK nationals and Afghan allies can leave.

Raab also said the cooperation on the border crossings will be the first test of the Taliban’s relationship with the west.

It's been confirmed this year’s Brisbane Festival will go ahead despite the threat of lockdowns and restrictions.

As a result of the pandemic and limited interstate travel, the festival’s lineup is made up of mostly local talent.

Brisbane theatre group Polytoxic, who are among this year’s lineup, said this is a great opportunity to really establish themselves back home after years of touring the globe.

The festival runs for three weeks, starting today and until 25th September.

Asthma Australia has pointed out public data showing Gladstone has Queensland’s worst air pollution, experiencing four of the five worst air pollution days across the state this year.

Scientists say this is partly due to control burns in the area but ultimately due to the heavy industrial works in and around the city.

Asthma Australia says they want people to be aware of the high pollution rates so they can actively minimise their risk of respiratory problems like spending more time indoors and avoiding more polluted routes.

Queensland strawberry farmers are pleading Queenslanders to stock up on strawberries this season as they are losing fifty cents a punnet due to oversupply caused by lockdowns.

Strawberries are unusually cheap for this early in the season selling for only ninety nine cents at Aldi stores.

Farmers say they need people to buy their fruit to cover high labour and packaging costs, both a result of Covid-19.

The latest figures show fifty five to sixty four year olds are the largest cohort currently receiving JobSeeker payments, despite outperforming their younger peers.

Research provided by MAX Solutions reveals thirty percent of employers are reluctant to hire older workers even though they often have more experience in vital skills like conflict resolution, management and mediation.

Fiona Lamb from MAX Solutions said these statistics are concerning and change is needed to support older workers.