SpaceX and NASA have collaborated to create an astronaut taxi blasting off from Florida bound for the International Space Station.

The spacecraft has lifted atop a Falcon 9 rocket and will spend five days docked to the orbiting outpost where the ISS crew will run tests.

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk believes this could be the beginning of opening up private space travel to customers.

A 36 year old man stranded in Oregon, survived five days trapped in his vehicle in the snow.

Jeremy Taylor is a regular outdoorsman and left his home on the 24th of February, with his dog Ally, before resting and waking up to find significant snow had fallen, leaving them both trapped.  

Jeremy and Ally were rescued five days later by a snow rescue team, surviving on Taco Bell hot sauce sachets and periodically starting his car up to keep warm.

The National Bowel Cancer Screening Program is getting a $10 million campaign injection to urge more Australians to participate in testing.

While the at-home test is free for Australians aged 50 to 74, only 40 per cent of those eligible are participating.

Cancer Council Director of Cancer Prevention and Advocacy Anita Dessaix says the test has potential to save thousands of lives, but more people need to take part.

The Australian Labour Party is pledging $60 million to assist victims of domestic violence by providing tailored support packages.

ALP leader Bill Shorten says the money for the pledge will come from Labor’s banking fairness fund, which hopes to supply 20,000 packages over the next four years.

The announcement is to be made official later on today by Mr Shorten. If you are in a situation like this or know someone who might need help call the Domestic Violence hotline on 1800 811 811 for assistance.

A baby was born with brain damage in a Queensland hospital caused by a fragmented use of the mother’s electronic medical record.

A case review aims to identify what happened and how to prevent similar incidents from occurring again.

A Queensland Health spokesperson says patient safety and care was always the priority of the department.

Sports Minister Nick de Brenni claims the Gabba is in need of a name change.

The Minister says the Gabba is in need of sponsorship amidst fears of the venue not generating enough revenue to prevent it from falling into disrepair.

The plans to move ahead on the $100 million dollar upgrade are highly criticised by cricketing and sporting fans despite the minister insisting the benefits it will bring to the infrastructure.

In Kashmir, India and Pakistan have violated a ceasefire, killing at least six civilians and two Pakistan soldiers.

Tensions between both countries have escalated after an Indian aircraft crossed into Pakistan on Tuesday as a pre-emptive strike. In retaliation, Pakistan shot down one of India’s fighter jets and detained its pilot, however, returned him to India on Friday as a “gesture of peace”.

World leaders are urging to head off an all-out war between the two countries.

The latest search for Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 ends today with no more extensions.

The Malaysian Government announced the ending of the search last week and says US private firm Ocean Infinity requested an extension to the 90-day search of the airplane until today.

Although it’s been confirmed that there will be no more extensions after this search, Malaysian Transport Minister Mr Loke says a full report into the investigation of the flight’s disappearance will be released once the offshore search ends.

Sydney’s Mardi Gras took an eco-friendly pledge this year, phasing out single-use plastics including bags and glitter.

Sunday’s parade still shone, with party-goers shimmering with biodegradable and compostable glitters. Floats glimmered with fairy lights, fluorescent paints, lanterns and other highly-reflective materials.

It is estimated 500 thousand spectators flocked to Sydney’s Oxford Street to cheer on over 12 thousand 500 marchers.