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- Final warnings for Australians to leave Lebanon before government sponsored flights end
- A Victorian police officer accused of making the Nazi salute
- Concern the Queensland election campaign may impact Brisbane's Olympic preparations
Australians in Lebanon have been told their window to leave is closing fast - and no further sponsored flights will be run after Sunday.
The government has brought sponsored repatriation flights to a close amid a dwindling uptake of seats, despite earlier trips being filled or close to capacity.
The Arab Council of Australia spokesperson Hassan Moussa says the drop is largely due to fear of using the main road to the airport, which lies through Hezbollah's stronghold.
"Because the airport is really in the middle of the area that is being bombed by Israel. And the route from wherever they are living... is absolutely not safe for a lot of people."
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A Victorian police officer is facing potential criminal charges after being accused of performing a Nazi salute while on duty - twice.
The sergeant has been suspended with pay after allegedly making the banned gesture on Tuesday and Wednesday in front of colleagues at the Victoria Police training academy.
The force's professional standards command is leading an investigation into the allegations.
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The dog responsible for attacking its owner in Townsville had reportedly been the subject of previous safety complaints.
Senior Sergeant Scott Warwick says officers had previously investigated concerns - but he does not know what they are.
"I believe several weeks ago police may have received a call in relation a dog at that location that was causing some issues. I don't know the outcome. I'm not led to believe there was any serious attack at that time. I know the RSPCA and the Council (Townsville) have been involved in looking into that. The specifics I couldn't tell you at this point."
The 34 year old female owner of the pitbull remains in hospital after her arm was severed in the attack.
Meanwhile, a second woman is still in a critical condition after being mauled by three dogs in the Melbourne suburb of Dandenong.
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A new report has suggested that bumping up Australia's adult vaccination rates to the same level as children could unlock a billion-dollar economic frontier.
The report by consultancy Evaluate has found a $320 million government investment in immunisation rates could deliver a $1.1 billion net return.
Currently, only 51 per cent of older Australians receive all government-funded vaccination each year [[compared to 95 percent for children]].
Economist Saul Eslake says adults not getting jabs for common and preventable diseases can keep them from work or even force early retirement.
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Donald Trump's team has requested the use of military aircraft and vehicles to protect him in the final weeks of presidential campaign.
Both the New York Times and Washington Post have quoted a representative for the US Secret Service who says the former president has also asked for expanded flight restrictions and pre-positioned ballistic glass at events in battleground states.
US President Joe Biden has told reporters that he has authorised security to protect Trump as if he were a sitting president, and if the request falls in that category it should be granted.
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Hundreds of people have marched through Ghana's capital in a peaceful protest against unlicensed gold mining.
The demonstrators in Accra have called on authorities to act against what they say is a dangerous and environmentally damaging practice.
Illegal small-scale gold mining has picked up this year on the back of an almost 30 percent rise in global gold prices.
This protestor, Kennedy Kpodo, says they are concerned about the crime and the health impacts these mining practices encourage.
"The current president and the next president to come must make Galamsey a major priority. In fact, mining a major priority. If we are going to mine, we should ensure that we are mining without spoiling our environment, entering our forest reserves, or contaminating our water. And once that is done, we are good to go."
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To sport, concerns have been raised about Brisbane's readiness for the 2032 Olympics - because of the Queensland state election campaign.
Labor Premier Steven Miles has been criticised for ignoring an independent review's findings and opting to revamp ageing facilities instead of building new ones.
Meanwhile election favourite Opposition leader David Crisafulli has promised a 100-day review of 2032 infrastructure if elected.
His promises have led to concerns that preparations will be delayed in the event of a Coalition win, despite Brisbane being named host in 2021.
