Griffith University researchers from International Water Centre and School of Medicine and the Australian Government launch a new tool highlighting the importance of water security for fighting COVID-19 in the Indo-Pacific.

Researchers created the COVID-19 Water Security Risk Index enables governments, communities and organisations to water-based interventions and reduce countries' risks of COVID-19 impacts in the short-term and build long-term resilience.

The largest rooftop farm is currently being built by company Agropolis in Paris, France.

The farm is designed to educate the public on healthy eating as well as offering a place for the community to plant and grow their own produce.

Urban areas have been transformed into rooftop gardens with a method called vertical farming which aims to reduce pesticides as well as use less water.  

Melbourne millionaires turned away at Gold Coasts marina after the 15-day voyage. 

Queensland's Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young revoked Melbourne yacht owner, Mark Simmonds and six others' travel exemption.

The yacht stopped along multiple New South Wales hotspots, and all seven people are required to pay for a 14-day government approved hotel quarantine.

The Juukan Gorge rock shelters in the Pilbara Region of Western Australia have been destroyed by iron ore mining.

These historical caves are among the oldest in Australia and are tangible evidence of Indigenous culture and habitation.

Mining company Rio Tinto stated that “.. the company failed to uphold one of the organisation's values - respect for local communities and their heritage”.

University of Queensland’s COVID-19 vaccine has presented their final result is safe and ‘likely to provide protection’ scientists say.

During the pre-clinical trials the doses were given to hamsters, Keith Chappell from the UQ School of Chemistry said ‘this was one step in the process.’

Late last night, Dr Chappell presented the data to the International Society for Vaccines Congress via video conference, and are in phase one of human trials.

Two thirds of Queensland is still drought declared and some areas are still experiencing water restrictions.

Wivenhoe Dam and Somerset dam are under pressure as they currently only contain up to 60% of their capacity.

Mike Foster from Seqwater says the average south east resident uses 150 litres of water per day. These numbers remind residents to remain aware of their water consumption.

The Africa Regional Certification Commission has now declared Africa as polio free.

Nigeria was the last country to have reported cases of wild polio after 95 per cent of the country's population has now been immunised.

In order to ensure Africa remains polio free, the World Health Organisation says that efforts to vaccinate should continue and it is important the countries remain vigilant.

A significant threat remains, Tropical Storm Laura targets the coast of Louisiana and Texas, United States of America.

Forecasters reported, Tropical storm Laura is expected to turn into a category three hurricane late Wednesday over the Gulf of Mexico. 

Mandatory evacuations have begun in parts of Louisiana and Texas in preparation for Laura’s landfall affecting hundreds of residents in low-lying areas.