Andrew Laming has been blocked from re-contesting the seat of Bowman by Queensland’s Liberal National Party after The Applicant Review Committee recommended they reject his application. Dr Laming is currently on medical leave for empathy training and counselling after Prime Minister Scott Morrison ordered him to take leave due to the harassment allegations against him. Dr Laming is also being investigated by The Australian Electoral Commission for potential breaches of electoral law.

European regulators have approved a Brisbane-based firm AnteoTech’s 15 minute COVD-19 test for use. While not yet approved for use in Australia, the reusable test is expected to be integrated into mass-testing programmes in Europe and the UK. AnteoTech says the saliva-based test works with 97.3% sensitivity and will effectively limit the further spread of COVID-19

A 21 year old woman from Adelaide is in a critical condition after contracting invasive meningococcal as South Australia Health says the strain of the disease has not yet been identified. A number of people who were in close contact with the woman have been identified with 6 of them directed to receive clearance antibiotics. This time last year only one case of invasive meningococcal disease had been reported in South Australia compared to the two so far this year.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif has accused Israel of being responsible for a cyber attack on an Iranian nuclear facility in Natanz last night in a suspected effort to undermine US-Iran talks on reviving their 2015 nuclear deal. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani was at the Natanz labs on the weekend to unveil the country’s new uranium enrichment technology. Zarif says Iran reserves the right to punish those responsible for what he called ‘nuclear terrorism’ and that it will take its revenge in due time.

In a bid to reduce carbon emissions French lawmakers are moving to ban short-haul domestic flights where there are train alternatives. Journeys that could be made by train in less than two and a half hours are to end however connecting flights will not be affected by this change. Before the measures become a law they must be voted on in the Senate.

Brisbane Youth Week kicks off this week, from April 10 to 18, celebrating and showcasing young people between 12 and 25 years of age.

Events include a girls only learn to skate workshop, comedy and clowning workshops, learn-to-fish workshops and live music across Brisbane.

Details about the events can be found on the Brisbane City Council website or Facebook.

Brisbane City Council has also issued revised plans for a New Farm Park upgrade after requests from community members.

New Farm Park Life, a community-run Facebook group, say the revised plans will stop undesirable redirection of traffic and “make it clear that the community must have a say” in the future of the park.