A 19-year-old Chinese giant panda, Chuang Chuang, has died at the Chiang Mai zoo in Thailand.

Giant pandas have a life expectancy of 25 to 30 years in captivity, causing social media users to criticize the zoo’s care of the animals. 

They were regarded as endangered but were reclassified as "vulnerable" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, following an increase in numbers.

India's Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said electronic cigarettes will be banned in India as it health risks among young people escalates.

Mr Sitharaman announced the ban would prohibit the production, manufacturing, import, export, sale, distribution and advertising of e-cigarettes.

Vaping as an alternative choice to smoking has increased rapidly in the US and India.

The ban on e-cigarettes would see offenders facing up to three years in prison.

Libra ad campaign showing menstrual blood for the first time on Australian TV does not breach the industry’s code of ethics according to regulators.

Over 600 complaints were made about the “disgusting” and inappropriateness of the advertisement.

Libra’s parent company, Asaleo Care, said the adverts addressed the shame experienced by many women and girls when having their period.

The ad was based off Essity’s #BloodNormal campaign launched in 2017 across the UK, featuring sanitary pads stained with red liquid.

A new study has found that anxiety drug Alprazolam is still being overprescribed and misused by Australians.

The federal government introduced a policy in 2017 to curb inappropriate use and prescription, but it has not had the desired effect, according to researchers at the University of New South Wales. 

Prescription approvals have increased by 18 per cent in the last two years and people are still receiving large doses which are not consistent with best practice guidelines. 

Two wards at Redcliffe Hospital have closed following a norovirus gastro outbreak. 

The hospital admitted to treating a number of patients with gastro and are encouraging all visitors to make an extra effort to wash their hands upon arrival and departure. 

Redcliffe Hospital’s medical director Dr Catherine Yelland says gastro virus cases tend to spike at this time of year, but symptoms subside within a few days. 

Due to contamination, the closed wards include Level 5 east and the Rehabilitation unit. 

Local people with disabilities and carers in South East Queensland will attend a forum in Cleveland next Wednesday to call for urgent changes to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). 

Attendees will participate in a Q&A style panel to discuss what is working with the NDIS and where the scheme is falling down.

A spokesperson for organisation Every Australian Counts says while the NDIS is making a difference for some people, too many people are missing out on the benefits and falling through the cracks. 

Ecuador’s parliament has rejected a bill allowing abortion in rape cases.

Current laws only allow abortion after the rape of women with a mental disability, or if the mother’s life is in danger.

Women undergoing terminations face up to two years in jail.

The controversial proposal was five votes short of the 70 required for its approval at the National Assembly.

A toxic haze from forest fires in Indonesia is seriously affecting Borneo’s endangered orangutans. 

The Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation released a statement claiming the thick smoke is endangering the health of staff and the 355 orangutans being cared for at a centre in Kalimantan. 

"As many as 37 young orangutans are suspected to have contracted a mild respiratory infection," the foundation said. 

Liberal member for La Trobe, Jason Wood has been accused of abusing public resources as a fundraising vehicle for the Liberal party.

Labor reveals the party hosted under the Pinnacle Club, which is a registered associated with the Liberal Party.

The Australian Electoral Commission said the Pinnacle Club’s address is the same as Mr Wood's Berwick electorate office.

A spokesperson for Wood said he managed his offices and expenses according to the guidelines.