A staff member at an aged care home in Laidley has been confirmed as one of two new Covid-19 cases in the state this morning.

One resident and a small number of staff who had contact with the infected person are self-isolating as a precaution.

Testing is underway for all staff and residents of the Karinya Place facility.

Pope Francis has made his first public appearance in almost six months addressing followers outside the Vatican on Wednesday.

In his address the Pope urged those present to come together in solidarity with one another in the wake of COVID-19.

500 faithful followers were in attendance at the address, all wearing masks and adhering to social distancing measures.

Authorities have confirmed that Russian Opposition Leader Alexei Navalny has been poisoned in an attempted murder.

Mr Navalny remains in a coma after findings reveal he was poisoned using a Novichok nerve agent, in what German chancellor Angela Merkel has described as an attempt to silence him.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has condemned the attack, describing it as outrageous, and says the world will be looking to Russia for answers.

The Federal Government has announced that for the first time it is considering introducing legislation to protect genuine Indigenous art.

A parliamentary inquiry has found that Indigenous cultural items are being reproduced without consent, and Minister for First Australians Ken Wyatt says he wants to stamp out the practice.

Australia is now officially in its first recession in over 30 years, with GDP falling 7 per cent for the June quarter.

The Australian Bureau of statistics has confirmed that this is Australia’s second consecutive quarter at a loss; a trend which meets the definition of a recession.

GDP in Australia hasn’t seen a decline this severe since 1974, and economists are attributing the 7 per cent decline to the impacts of COVID-19.

The Palaszczuk government has announced a new Indigenous language policy which will aim to preserve, promote and revitalise some of the world’s oldest languages.

Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Craig Crawford has described the policy as another significant step towards a reframed relationship with First Nations People.

Brisbane has recorded two new cases of coronavirus in the last 24 hours.

The discovery has prompted Queensland Health to release an updated list of COVID confirmed locations with such names as Woolworths, Priceline and Dominos among those listed.

Health Authorities are continuing to urge Brisbane residents to stay updated as more locations are revealed, to monitor their health and to get tested urgently if experiencing symptoms.

The Brisbane City Council is considering feedback from a  poll debating if fire pits should be allowed in Brisbane backyards.

The Health Safety and Amenity Local Law is still in place which limits backyard fires in residential areas.

Brisbane residents believe backyard fires are a cosy essential for wintertime, while others are concerned about air pollution and possible health risks.