The World Health Organisation is renaming strains of COVID-19.

Using letters of the Greek alphabet, the new system does not replace the existing scientific names, but aims to be more practical for non-scientific audiences. 

Its aim is to prevent stigmatisation and discrimination, that comes with new variants being named after the places they were detected.

The WHO encourages countries to adopt these new names to ease discussion surrounding global COVID-19 variants.

After 6 months lost in the Queensland bush, Xena, a 3 year old maremma sheepdog, has surprised her owners with her return home. 

Owners Brad and Judy, are dubbing the reunion as a “maremma miracle” and say Xena probably survived off a diet of lizards.

Federal agriculture minister David Littleproud said the government investigated a cyber attack that shut down Queensland abattoirs on Monday. 

So far the attack has affected at least 6 sites operated by JBS Abattoirs in Queensland, with more across the country to be identified. 

The worldwide attack forced JBS Abattoirs across Australia, the US, and other countries to shut down operations.

JBS Australia chief executive Brent Eastwood confirmed the cyber attack suspended the processing of 15,000 cattle and sheep nationally.

A research project conducted by the Queensland University of Technology and the Queensland Ballet has found a number of physical and mental health benefits for participating senior citizens.

The state government backed the research project and found that participants reported an increase in energy, improvement to posture, mental cognition, and more control over bodily functions by taking part in the ballet program designed for seniors. 

Aged Care services Minister Richard Colbeck said numbers of fully vaccinated aged care workers is unknown, as people’s occupation is not recorded when getting the jab.

Victoria’s outbreak included 2 aged care workers and a 99-year old resident, revealing how some aged-care homes have not yet received their first dose.

The government is asking aged care providers to report back information about which staff is vaccinated.

Scientists say a breakthrough in Parkinson's disease research could lead to a one-off treatment for sufferers. 

Using stem cell therapy, Australian researchers have been able to restructure dopamine cells in the brains of mice, recreating the missing section of brain circuitry in those suffering from Parkinson’s disease.

Mice who received this treatment showed a full reversal of mobility problems.

Professor Claire Parish of the Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health hopes tests on human patients can begin within 5 to 10 years.  

The Covid-19 death toll in Peru have more than doubled, making it the country with the world's highest death rate per capita, 

A Johns Hopkins University report showed the South American nation has surpassed Hungary in its per capita death rate, reaching 500 deaths per 100,000 people. 

Peruvians remain skeptical of the government’s portrayal of the crisis, with vaccination roll-outs in the region struggling so far.

A large group of protesters have gathered outside the Brisbane Exhibition & Convention Centre to disrupt the first day of the Land Forces Expo

The Expo showcased military machinery and weapons, including local operations managed by Rheinmetall in Ipswich.

Protesters From the “Shut Down Land Forces” group said the exhibiting companies were complicit in war crimes, as they were heavily involved in sales of weaponry in conflict zones like Palestine and West Papua.