Insects play an important part in our ecosystems, however their numbers are decreasing rapidly worldwide. A group of scientists from CSIRO and Australian Insect National Collection are on a mission to catalogue how many insects are out there with the help of A.I technology. 

New Zealand is bringing Tonga, Samoa and Vanuatu into its travel bubble.

Seasonal workers in the horticulture and viticulture industries will be able to enter and work in New Zealand without undergoing a two-week quarantine.

New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says that this move should help the agriculture sector which is currently experiencing labour shortages.

Around 396 migrants onboard a wooden vessel have been rescued overnight by German and French humanitarian vessels in the Mediterranian Sea.

Migrants onboard included a three-month-old baby, and after being discovered in cramped conditions in dangerous waters, sent out distress signals after onboard flooding began approximately sixty-eight kilometers of the North African coast.  The rescue by the Sea-Watch 3 and the German NGO ResQ Ship are currently seeking a safe port to disembark.

Queensland has recorded 15 new COVD-19 cases today, 13 locally acquired related to the current growing cluster and two acquired overseas. 

Acting Premier Steven Miles has announced the lockdown will now be extended until Sunday 4pm. 

Ekka is also officially cancelled as Delta-variant COVID-19 cases continue to rise.

For more information on restrictions, updates and a list of exposure sites, visit the Queensland Health website.
 

A hard police crackdown is underway on those flouting stay-at-home orders in Queensland with a few infringement notices being issued for non-compliances. 

The concern over rallies in Brisbane today are also rising, with a strong presence of police throughout CBD Brisbane ahead of those expected anti-lockdown protests.

The Deputy Commissioner Shane Chepley says, “now is not the time.”