The Royal Commission into Aged Care has heard half of the residents of troubled Gold Coast nursing home Earle Haven were being physically restrained in the weeks before it closed last month.

The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission report from June 25 showed not only were 50 per cent physically restrained, 71 per cent were also being chemically restrained with psychotropic medication.

Emergency talks are underway over the supply of water to towns in southern Queensland that are just a few months away from running dry.

Without a major downpour to top up supplies, The Granite Belt city of Stanthorpe is expected to run out of water by December. 

Southern Downs Mayor Tracy Dobie says local council will launch a new advertising campaign to encourage people to adopt simple water-saving measures, such as turning off the tap while brushing teeth.

Monsoon rains in Myanmar have caused raging floods, forcing tens of thousands of people out of their homes in recent weeks.

Emergency services are helping people get to safe ground, many of them have looked for shelter in local monasteries.

The UN’s Office for Coordinated Humanitarian Affairs said that around 89,000 people have been displaced from their homes in the last few weeks but many have managed to return home.

The United Nations has warned efforts to minimise the impact of climate change will be ineffective while attempting to feed a growing population.

As the global population is predicted to increase, how land is managed by governments, industry and farmers will be a core part of limiting or accelerating the effects of climate change. 

A family from the Maldives, who have been living in Australia for six years, are facing deportation and are concerned that their three-year-old disabled son won’t survive if his visa application is rejected.

The family, who moved in 2013 to Western Australia, received a notification from the Department of Home Affairs that all of their visas had been approved except their three-year-old son who requires round-the-clock medical care.

Members of New South Wales’ lower house voted to decriminalise abortion late last night, following several amendments and three days of debate. 

The bill, which was introduced by independent MP, Alex Greenwich, was passed 59 to 31

Health Minister, Brad Hazzard, who was one of 15 co-sponsors of the bill, said this is the opportunity to write a wrong that was enacted into law.

The University of Queensland will become the second institution to offer a Western civilisation program from next year after signing a $50 million deal with the Ramsay Centre.

The extended major will teach subjects ranging from The Classical World and European  Enlightenments to American Epic and Situating Australia.

Peter Hoj, University of Queensland vice-chancellor says the investment came at a time when opportunities to fund the humanities were diminishing.

Several fire crews rushed to Bonogin, Gold Coast, after a grass fire broke out in bushland on Thursday. 

It is understood the blaze is burning near Aylesham Drive and Ferny Ridge Court.

A Queensland Fire and Emergency Service spokesperson says the fire is posing no threat to any properties at this stage.