The Brisbane Art Design program enters its third weekend of showcasing Queensland artists and designers. 

Held over 60 venues, the month-long program is showcasing Brisbane’s cultural identity in collective places, from galleries to churches to laneways.

More information about this weekend’s events can be found on the Brisbane Art Design website.

The Brisbane city council and CBD managers have teamed up to launch a six week “Friday’s in the city” campaign. 

Brisbane city has been sitting at an occupancy rate of 60 to 65 per cent for the past five months following increased work from home flexibility. 

Property Council Queensland Deputy Executive Director Jen Williams said working from home has had a significant impact on retail.

Israeli fighter jets continued to strike the Gaza strip overnight, demolishing residential buildings and raising the death toll to at least 227.

Israeli forces also fired artillery at targets in Lebanon, in response to four rockets being launched towards Israel from Lebanese territory. 

The conflict continues despite US President Joe Biden saying he expected a significant de-escalation after talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. 

European nations have promised to help Africa overcome the economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic, at a summit hosted in Paris on Tuesday.

20 African leaders raised fears that whilst richer nations launch economic recovery plans, Africa cannot follow suit, and is at risk of increased inequality.

Congolese president Felix Tshisekedi said fighting the pandemic has left African nations impoverished.

“[It has] left our economies impoverished because we had to use all the means we had, the few means we had, to fight against the disease,” he said. 

The Federal Government has added a new therapy for people living with depression to the Medicare Benefits Schedule. 

TMS therapy uses non-invasive magnetic coils to rebalance activity across brain networks which have become altered in depression.

Professor Paul Fitzgerald says the subsidation of TMS therapy will ensure more patients are able to gain access to the treatment option.

The Queensland government has announced a $7.5 million plan to draw workers to regional tourism jobs. 

From July 1, job seekers will be offered a $1500 incentive to relocate, as well as $250 in travel vouchers under the "Work in Paradise" campaign.

Tourism Minister Sterling Hinchliffe says the campaign will help ease the tourism workforce shortage.

"Work in Paradise is designed to help ease the workforce shortage facing many tourism hotspots, while delivering jobs for Queenslanders and Australians," he said.

Brisbane City Council has reduced the number of signs allowed for electoral candidates.

Candidates in state and local elections will now only be permitted to have 50 election signs across their electorate, and residents will have to register sign locations with the council. 

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner says the changes will reduce visual pollution and wastefulness. 

"The changes … help reduce the wastefulness and the significant free-for-all and visual pollution across the city that was happening..." he said.

Queensland will remain the only state in Australia where dolphins can be bred for entertainment following animal activist’s recent call to action. 

Animal justice party candidate Lindon Cox has received over 1200 signatures on a petition to the state government to ban the breeding and importation of the mammal. 

Agricultural industry development minister Mark Fuller said he is satisfied with the standards, and the proposed action will not be considered.