AM ABC Podcasts

There's a lot of anger in Lebanon about how Government failings might've led to the massive explosion that's devastated large parts of Beirut; in Victoria there are 575 COVID-19 patients in hospital. So, how is the health system coping?; and the UK Government bought 50 million masks that are apparently not up to scratch.

There's a lot of anger in Lebanon about how Government failings might've led to the massive explosion that's devastated large parts of Beirut.

A Beirut firefighter who worked for 30-hours at the scene of the port blast has told AM of the horrific scenes and the "hurricane of emotions" he's experiencing.

It's going to be easier for businesses and workers to access the JobKeeper wage subsidy program after September, with the Federal Government agreeing to a major expansion.

With Parliament sitting in the last week of August, the lockdown in Melbourne and tighter restrictions across Victoria have presented a unique challenge for the state's Federal MPs.

The majority of Australians killed by COVID-19 have contracted it in Aged Care. But the industry is defending its infection control training, and arguing it's up to the Federal Govt to provide more guidance during the pandemic.