Security forces have killed at least 40 protesters in Iraq as a new escalation of anti-government protests erupted in the southern city of Nasiriyah, hours after the torching of an Iranian consulate in the holy city of Najaf.

Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi condemning the attack and demanded Iraq to take decisive action.

Curfews have been ordered both in Nasiriyah and the holy Shiite city of Najaf after violent protests.

A Japanese department store Daimaru Umedain the city of Osaka has reconsidered a plan for employees to wear badges when they're menstruating, which was originally aimed at fostering sympathy among co-workers but triggered a public outcry.

"We received many complaints from the public. Some of them concerned harassment, and that was definitely not our intention," said a male executive.

The Daimaru executive said the store had not intended to make the badge compulsory.

Australian farmer and owner of the Margaret River vineyard in Western Australia, Jeff Burch, is using a special "sunscreen" on the grapes to retain moisture in light of climate change.

Mr Burch has outlined new environmental changes as annual rainfall at his Margaret River winery is down 20 per cent.

Mr Burch said, "it's crucial to protect the grapes, so we give them a sunscreen so that the skins don't dry up and crack".

The South Australia Governments has won support for a controversial land tax bill with a $189 million dollar cost to the budget in the first three years.

After they gave early support to the changes when they were announced in June, the Greens wavered this week on the fourth version of the bill.

The Greens party was won over with promises of a public housing package worth more than $10 million.

A special walk to celebrate the rescue of 110 Bull Terriers by the RSPCA last year will take place tomorrow at Centenary Lakes dog park in Caboolture.

The walk has been organised by 110 and Friends group and approximately 40 bull terriers have indicated they will attend. 

Organiser Leanne De Lamour says, “we are gathering near the dog park Centenary Lakes Caboolture, entrance Via Elliot street, from 9-11 am Saturday  30th November.”

A koala mother and her joey who shot to fame when they were found huddled together amongst the ashes of the Canungra bushfires are doing so well they will be released back into the wild.

Seasoned mother Ainslee took such good care of Rupert during the September fire, south of Brisbane, that he emerged from the disaster with just smoke inhalation.

Ainslee, however, had burnt paws and all of her hair was singed.

The Bureau of Meteorology has given its first forecast for what Australia’s summer will deliver and one graph in particular is focusing minds.

If there’s part of Australia that is going to have a particularly hot and dry summer it’ll be in New South Wales and Queensland. Expect heatwaves the possibility of bushfires.

The first and the heat that has enveloped Australia over the last few months is likely to see spring declared as one of the driest on record.

A person visiting the Gold Coast during Schoolies has died after falling from a high-rise hotel balcony, police have confirmed.

Queensland Police confirmed it was suicide, but would not give further details.

It is understood the person was on the Gold Coast for Schoolies.

Queensland Ambulance said they were called to the scene but their services were not required.