Several high profile women’s rights activists who have been imprisoned for over six months in Saudi Arabia have experienced severe physical and psychological abuse while in custody.

Four eyewitnesses reported accounts of floggings and electric shocks during interrogations, while families of the victims are afraid to detail the conditions of the prison for fear of retribution.

A statement by a Saudi official, said the women are going through the standard Saudi judiciary processes, which do not rely on the use of torture.

A 31-foot sperm whale found dead in Indonesia’s Wakatobi National Park had over 6 kilograms of plastic in its stomach, including plastic bags, water bottles and two pairs of flip-flops.

Though marine species conservation coordinator at WWF-Indonesia, Dwi Suprapti, says the cause of death has not yet been established, the discovery of the whale comes at a time of increasing concern over the impact of plastic pollution on marine life.

Facebook has come under fire after an auction was held on the site for a 16-year-old, South Sudan girl’s hand in marriage.

The social media site said the post was taken down as soon as it was made aware of it, however, this wasn’t until 15 days later, after the girl had been bid on by five men and married.

Activists are worried this could inspire other families to follow suit, as the price of 500 cows, 3 cars and $10,000 agreed upon for the bride is the largest recorded in the region.

Tasmania’s lower house has passed reforms making it easier for transgender people to change their sex on their birth certificate.

The changes will require parents to “opt-in” to having their newborns sex recorded on their birth certificates, and allow those as young as 16 to change their sex by filling out a statutory declaration.

It's unclear if the reforms will pass the state’s upper house but the vote is being touted as a major win for transgender rights nationally.

A surge in cyber attacks on Australian businesses over the past year has been orchestrated by China’s peak security company.

The attacks which were intended to steal intellectual property are in direct breach of an intelligence sharing alliance between Premier Li Keqiang, former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and other nations.

The cyber theft places significant pressure on the Morrisson government to respond either through law enforcement or diplomatic channels to uphold this agreement.

Drought affected farmers who are unable to afford school fees are having to decide which of their children to remove from boarding schools, the Isolated Children’s Parents’ Association says.

Wendy Hick, president of the ICPA, said parents are often forced to choose the most viable child to continue with their education while others are brought home to help out on the farm, which often means the end of their secondary schooling.

A new study conducted by researchers at the University of Queensland found tobacco smokers are at an increased risk of psychotic disorders.

The findings of the study suggest that those who smoke tobacco have a two-fold increased risk of developing schizophrenia or psychosis.

Associate Professor James Scott said the findings have raised serious concerns about the rising popularity of e-cigarettes among young people, but more research is needed to properly investigate its relation to mental health.

The Governor of Manus Island, Charlie Benjamin, has slammed Australia over plans to redevelop a joint naval base on the island in Papua New Guinea, labeling the plan unnecessary and not in the best interest of locals.

Benjamin said that he does not trust Australia to work on Lombrum naval base, as Australian workers would be paid high wages while local PNG workers would only be paid minimum wage.