The RSPCA is releasing images and reports of the worst animal cruelty cases in South Australia in a bid to highlight the extent of neglect in the state.

RSPCA chief inspector Andrea Lewis said difficulty in tracking down owners means only a fraction of cruelty cases are prosecuted, the worst involving severe emaciation.

The RSPCA says nearly 600 animals were abandoned across the state in the last year, a few cases more than the previous year.

Thousands of Indian tourists, pilgrims and workers are fleeing Kashmir after the Indian government raise the alarm over organised militant attacks.

Indian officials say they killed over five militants who tried to attack Indian troops and have found a mine with Pakistani markings.

A Pakistani defence spokesperson has rejected India’s accusations as “mere propaganda” and “blatant lies”.

A London scientist says breakthroughs in research will allow doctors to postpone menopause and allow women as old as 70 to have children.

Reproductive medicine expert Simon Fishel said menopause can trigger serious health problems for women and prevent them from building their careers.

Mr Fishel said his company ProFaM has already performed the $10,000 procedure on nine British women aged between 22 and 36.

The Good Grub Club food van has hit the streets of Brisbane, Logan and Redlands to make a difference for more than 5,800 people without a home in the region. 

Anglicare's Youth Homelessness Service manager Rees Maddren said the project is focused on identifying and helping homeless young people by giving them work.

The Good Grub Club is funded through the Queensland Government's Dignity First Fund issued to help prevent and reduce homelessness. 

Ongoing drought is pushing Stanthorpe families to the wire, with the town just weeks away from running out of water.

Laundromat owner Chris Reedy said families can hardly afford to wash their clothes, and he’s been helping out with some free loads where he can.

Motel owner Michael Jensen said he fears for the community, especially farmers and the elderly, if water has to be trucked in and cause water costs to skyrocket.

Australia is considering whether to join the United State’s efforts to guard against Iranian interference of oil shipments in the Persian Gulf.

Defence Minister Linda Reynolds said the United States made a serious and complex request, which is being considered according to Australia’s sovereign interests.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has placed confidence in an international coalition to protect key shipping routes, following Iran’s seizure of British tanker in July.

The Western Australian government has unveiled plans for a new rail line in Perth’s northern suburbs after a decade-long wait and promises from both major parties.

Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said the network will be a game-changer and halve public transport travel time in the region.

With construction set to conclude by 2022, the Opposition’s Libby Mettam said the projected costs and time frame are unrealistic.

Saudi Arabian women under 21 no longer need permission from a male authority to travel abroad following a royal decree introduced on Friday. 

The new decrees also allow citizens to obtain Saudi passports regardless of their gender, and women will be allowed to register births, marriages and divorces.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has been easing restrictions on women after lifting a driving ban last year, but has been cracking down on women’s rights activists.

A widespread 8-hour-long blackout plunged the Indonesian capital Jakarta and surrounding cities into darkness following a failure at a gas turbine plant on Sunday.

Jakarta’s train network, phone connections and traffic lights stopped working and affecting millions during the failure. 

Authorities say the 6.9-magnitude earthquake that hit the Java coast on Friday may have played a role in disrupting the electricity supply.