Melbourne businesses were preparing for as Victoria entered a snap lockdown. 

Lockdowns could be a way of life for months to come as the Delta strain crosses borders, but businesses were still struggling to cope without financial support from the federal government.

This came as both Queensland and Melbourne recorded new local cases and clusters.

Over sixty people have been killed in Germany and Belgium as floodwater has destroyed houses and cars.

Local premier Armin Laschet blamed the record rainfall on climate change, calling on Germany to speed up climate protection measures.

More heavy rain was forecast in the area on Friday.

A draft plan for more apartments and industry in Southside Brisbane suburbs may put the home of one Australia's most elusive aquatic creatures at risk, a freshwater scientist says.

Brisbane City Council's draft neighbourhood plan for the suburbs of Moorooka, Salisbury and Nathan proposes to increase industrial, commercial, and residential developments. 

But freshwater scientist and long-term Salisbury resident Alisha Steward has raised concerns the proposed density increase could impact upon creeks flowing through the suburbs.

Community support has boosted Brisbane's struggling Polish Club as a critical deadline nears to repay a $150,000 loan and avert the sale of the club's Milton home.

More than $90,000 has been fundraised since the club's new management committee put out an urgent call for help three months ago, but the club still needs to raise a further $60,000 by early August.

The new committee of "Polonia", the Polish Association of Queensland, was elected in April following years of dispute between the former committee and some of its members.

Griffith University research is on the verge of understanding the benefits interactive social robots can offer early childhood educators in the classroom.

Dr Michelle Neumann, a leader in early childhood education research, is pioneering a behavioural study in childcare centres to observe how young children interact with  the humanoid robot known as ‘NAO’ created by SoftBank Robotics.

She said social robots used in the study could play a significant role in teaching children social and emotional skills.

A recent national survey provides insights that the majority of Australians want ‘race’ removed from the constitution. 

The poll of 1,050 found that 87% agreed that all Australians, regardless of their background, race or ethnicity, should have equal political rights 

In response to the research Morgan Begg, director of the IPA’s Legal Rights Project says, “Australians do not want to be divided by race, this is an obsession of the ruling political class and cloistered academics who are disconnected from mainstream Australians and their values.”

The Australian military is closely tracking a high-tech Chinese surveillance ship making its way towards Queensland ahead of large-scale military exercises which begin this week. 

The ship is expected to remain outside of Australian territorial waters. 

Similar Chinese spy vessels watched Australia's war games in 2017 and 2019.