Australia news live: government tells non-essential officials to leave Israel and UAE; NSW extends no-interest loans scheme

Minns government extends scheme amid renewed cost-of-living concerns during conflict in the Middle East. Follow updates liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastTwo backpackers were on their way to pick fruit when their car drove off a bridge into flood waters, Australian Associated Press reports.Their bodies were discovered at Kilkivan, west of Gympie, yesterday in the submerged vehicle during a search for two missing Chinese tourists who disappeared in flood-ravaged Queensland. Continue reading...