Hundreds of migrants from Central America have travelled through Mexico and reached the US border in hopes of gaining asylum. 

During the year, there has been approximately 5,000 migrants from Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador fleeing poverty, persecution and violence. 

The US Defence Secretary, James Mattis is planning his first visit to the US-Mexico border, since thousands of US troops were deployed there.

Irish women are sharing photos of their underwear on social media following reports that jurors were encouraged to consider a teenager’s underwear choice during a rape trial in Ireland

The hashtag #ThisIsNotConsent has gone viral following Irish MP Ruth Coppinger drawing attention to the case in Parliament by holding up a lacy G-string and stating that more needs to be done to curb the “routine victim blaming going on in Irish courts.” 

According to an Australian Institute of Health and Wealth report, Western Australia remains the hotspot for asbestos-related disease. 

The report found that 5 in every 100,000 Western Australians have developed an incurable cancer caused by asbestos exposure. 

Australia’s first New Home Test Drive initiative in The Village, Townsville has proven a success, with a 20 per cent boost in sales as a direct result of the try-before-you-buy experience.

Member for Townsville Scott Stewart said the level of interest from potential buyers in The Village has increased significantly since the test drive initiative launched in April.

Homebuyers are loving the opportunity to immerse to test drive their new home for a night or two before they commit.

A youth group from War- a- binda has proposed to the council that it buys a car and hires locals to provide driving lessons in the community. 

This has been spurred by young people’s lack of access to cars which is preventing them from getting the hours needed to obtain a driver’s license.

It is hoped that the local council accepts the proposal. 
 

Queensland has seen a 4 percent increase in visits to their local GP year on year for the past 10 years, placing a severe strain on the state's health system. 

A new report has warned the rise in visits to their GP is mainly driven by an older population and the increase shows no signs of stopping. 

More than half the annual increase in doctor visits and hospitalizations from older people is due to the inflation of chronic disease.  

Oxford Dictionaries has chosen ‘toxic’ as the word of the year. 

Lexicographers at the Oxford University Press said that beyond its literal meaning, people have used “toxic” to describe relationships, politics and habits resulting in its increased popularity. 

The Word of the Year is chosen from a shortlist "drawn from evidence gathered by Oxford University Press’ extensive language research program.

The United Nations has unanimously agreed to lift a nine-year sanction against Eritrea. 

The sanction included an arms embargo, travel ban, and asset freeze against Eritrea amid fears that the government committed mass human rights abuses against civilians and supported terrorist group, Al Shabab.