LGBTIQ+ advocates are alarmed by reports the federal government is planning to use new religious discrimination laws to stop employers from sacking workers for expressing religious views.

Equity Australia’s Legal Advocacy Director Lee Carnie said that would stop businesses from providing a safe, healthy and inclusive work-place for all. 

Carrie has called for the Attorney-General to release the bill for broader consultation as these new laws could target single mums, divorcees, women and LGBTQI+ people.

A raid on US billionaire Jeffrey Epstein’s New York mansion allegedly uncovered hundreds of nude photographs of underage girls amidst charges of sex trafficking.

The 66-year-old hedge fund manager, whose friends have included President Donald Trump and former President Bill Clinton, was arrested on Saturday and may face up to 45 years in prison if found guilty.

Mr Epstein has been remanded in custody until a bail hearing on Thursday, where prosecutors are expected to argue the witness might try to flee or intimidate witnesses.

A new report by Amnesty International of Philippino president Rodrigo Durterte’s drug war details the systematic killing of the poor and calls for a UN investigation into crimes against humanity.

It has been three-years since Duterte pledged to wipe out drug abuse by giving police forces unprecedented powers and near total impunity to kill any suspected drug addicts or dealers.

The report details nightly incidents of police shooting defenceless suspects with no accountability.

Experts have warned the planned ban on townhouse developments in Brisbane’s low density suburbs, which aim to protect the city’s character, could have unintended repercussions. 

The Brisbane City Council has been pushing for permission from the state government, and last month got the go ahead to introduce an amendment to the City Plan to stop new townhouse developments.

However experts caution that a townhouse ban could result in heightened property prices, making it more difficult for people to find affordable housing.

Katarina Carroll has been sworn in as Queensland’s police commissioner making her the first woman to hold the top job. 

Ms Carroll began her policing career 26 years ago before taking the role of Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner in December of 2014. 

She states she wants to work closely with her frontline, looking at their health, well being and in particular their mental health, and she also warned that bad behaviour from officers will not be tolerated.

Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Ken Wyatt, has revealed his plan for a referendum to create an Indigenous voice in parliament. 

In light of Naidoc week and its theme this year of “voice, treaty and truth”, Mr Wyatt said he needs to be pragmatic as the first Indigenous Australian to hold the ministerial position.

The landmark ‘Uluru Statement from the Heart’ called for a “First Nations Voice” in the Australian constitution in 2017, a process the minister said people would need to be patient for, in order to get it right.

Science and policy institute, Climate Analytics, says Australia and its fuel exports may be responsible for up to 17% of global emissions by twenty-thirty.

The report by the Berlin-based science institute found planned coal and gas expansions could push Australia’s share of emissions higher over the next decade. 

The Australian Conservation Foundation’s, Gaven McFadzean, says coal and gas are the cause of the ‘climate crisis’ with Australia the number one exporter of both.

The UK Government has begun an inquiry into the leaked emails from UK ambassador, Sir Kim Darroch, which called the Trump administration ‘inept’ and ‘uniquely dysfunctional’.

The Foreign Office says the leak on Sunday was ‘mischievous’ but did not deny the accuracy of the memos, and a formal investigation into the leak will be launched.

Conservative MP Tom Tugenhadt says whoever was responsible for the leak must be prosecuted, as diplomats must be able to communicate securely with their governments.

Iran has threatened to ramp up uranium enrichment to 20 per cent purity, with the UN's nuclear watchdog confirming it has already passed a limit agreed to in a 2015 nuclear deal.

The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed on Monday Iran had broken the 3.67 per cent threshold, passing to 4.5 per cent.

Despite Iran’s threats, the US says its “maximum pressure campaign” against Tehran is working.