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

The bodies of two Chinese backpackers, a 26-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman, were found in their submerged car near Kilkivan, Queensland, after they went missing on Tuesday. They were driving from Brisbane to the North Burnett region when they disappeared. A large-scale search involving police, the State Emergency Service, and helicopters located their vehicle on Wednesday afternoon. The discovery was made amidst major flood warnings across Queensland and parts of the Northern Territory, where hundreds of homes have been flooded. Authorities have notified next of kin and are working with the Chinese consulate. The incident is being called a tragedy as the tourists were visiting Australia.

Two bodies have been found in Queensland, Australia, believed to be those of two international tourists who went missing while travelling to the flood-ravaged North Burnett region. Police confirmed the discovery on Thursday, stating the bodies are likely the missing backpackers who were travelling from Brisbane. The tourists had failed to arrive at their intended destination in the flood-affected area. These deaths are considered the first flood-related fatalities in the region. Authorities are continuing their investigation.

Due to a deteriorating security situation, the Australian government has directed non-essential officials to leave Israel and the UAE, as announced by Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong on Thursday. Essential Australian officials will remain to provide support to Australians in need. The government is also urging Australians in Bahrain, Kuwait, Lebanon, Iran, Israel, Qatar, and the UAE to register for the Department of Foreign Affairs crisis portal. Domestically, the New South Wales government has extended its no-interest loan scheme amid cost-of-living concerns. Queensland and the Northern Territory are experiencing severe flooding, with Gympie particularly hard hit, causing significant damage to crops and infrastructure.