Fawzia Koofi is one of four women representing the government in the historic talks to end war in Afghanistan.

Starting on September 12, these are the first direct talks with the Taliban and relies on the US withdrawing all remaining troops from the country. 

After surviving several assassination attempts from the Taliban, the Afghani politician and women’s rights activist wants her injury  and her presence to symbolise the strength of Afghan women in the face of decades of oppression and adversity.

Queensland’s waste recycling industry is calling for the introduction of an independent Environment Protection Agency.

The industry is calling for more consistency and transparency before the state elections on October 31. Queensland is the only Australian state without an independent EPA. 

Former president of The Waste Recycling Industry Association (QLD) Rick Ralph says the Department of Environment is incompetent. He says its multiple roles at the moment prevent the organisation from solving problems head on.

The US and China are missing from the World Health Organisation’s global coronavirus vaccine distribution plan.

The WHO’s plan, published yesterday, contains a list of more than 60 wealthy nations backing a plan to facilitate coronavirus vaccine access to poor countries.

The plan, known as Covax, has the aim of creating two billion doses of safe and effective vaccines by the end of 2021.

Queensland’s Deputy Premier has indicated that restrictions relating to public gatherings could be eased further in coming days.

A trial was conducted at the Gabba last night where spectators were tested at 75 per cent capacity.

If this trial proves successful, Queensland's Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young will permit the AFL to host 30,000 spectators for the grand final.

Health Minister Steven Miles said some restrictions could be eased as soon as this Thursday.

Four million girls are at risk of child marriage in the next two years because of the coronavirus pandemic.   

Global charity World Vision said increasing poverty caused by the loss of livelihoods is likely to drive many families to marry off their daughters early. 

But 16-year-old Dola, one of several young activists in Bangladesh, is working to educate parents about the harm that can be done to children if they are married off at a young age.

A Queensland police officer was suspended following an investigation into the recent death of an Indigenous woman in custody.

Aunty Sherry Tilberoo was found dead in her cell at the Brisbane watch house on September 10 while waiting to be transferred to a correctional facility.

Assistant Commissioner Brian Codd said the Ethical Standards Command immediately started an independent investigation into allegations of failure of duty. But the advice from the coroner remains Aunty Tilberoo died of natural causes.

Researchers at the Queensland University of Technology have been developing a material that significantly reduces the lifespan of coronavirus on surfaces.

The microscopic spikes reduce survival time for COVID-19 from 72 hours to 6 hours on aluminium alloys used commonly in buildings and vehicles. 

QUT virologist Professor Kirsten Spann said the spikes were more effective on coronavirus than other viruses. But more testing is being done at QUT’s own secure facilities to find out more information.