And in the US, at least 339 openly LGBTIQ+ candidates are running for the midterm election - a record number of people putting their hands up from the rainbow community. 

California has the highest number of LGBTIQ+ candidates at 57, however they’re closely followed by the traditionally conservative Texas, who has 37 candidates. 

Polls will open in just five days, and the Republican party’s narrow hold in some seats such as Vermont could see the first ever transgender governor of a US state in the Democratic candidate Christine Hallquist. 
 

A Japan Airlines pilot arrested before takeoff at Heathrow Airport has admitted to being over ten times the alcohol limit.

Police were alerted to the pilot’s state by a crew bus driver who could smell the alcohol on him when dropping him off at the plane.

It’s reported the pilot had 189 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood in his system.

NASA has sent two miniature satellites smaller than shoe boxes on a mission to Mars, in just a 10cm by 10cm box.

A spokesperson said in order to develop the new satellites, they first had to miniaturise technologies such as a navigation and propulsion system as well as cameras, a battery and solar panels.

Satellites will land on the red planet on November 27, and NASA plans to live-stream the landing.

The Prime Minister has ruled out raising Newstart payments, following news Labor plans to increase the support.

When asked about the unemployment benefit, Scott Morrison said he would raise the pension first, although the Government says it can not afford to increase either.  

Pensioners presently receive $834 a fortnight, compared to the $538 those on Newstart receive.  

Hatchling turtles are at risk of being trapped in their nests, following predictions of no rainfall across the east coast.

On Wednesday, the first turtle came ashore on Bundaberg's Mon Repos beach for the start of nesting season.

In a recent issue of the Australian Journal of Zoology, scientists warned that a lack of rain could mean the sand atop nests can harden, preventing hatchlings from digging their way out.

Queensland’s Container Refund Scheme has officially launched this week, with residents able to swap their plastic drink containers, aluminum cans and beer bottles for 10¢ each.

The long-awaited scheme was first announced by the Queensland government in July 2016.

There are currently 232 collection points across Queensland, with an additional 70 sites expected to open within the next year.

The Queensland Police Service has launched a 3-month operation targeting fake license plates and unregistered vehicles after it was revealed that such actions are costing the QLD government $19 million in settlement payments in the past five years.

A rise in fake plates has triggered the operation, which will see officers looking out for drivers running red lights, using their mobile phone, and not wearing a seat belt.

The re-emergence of the “choking game” on social media has sparked concerns amongst teachers at Kelvin Grove State College, who are urging parents to caution their children on participating in it.

In an email sent to parents, the school’s principal noted there are over 36 million YouTube results for how to play the self-asphyxiation game linked to the death of a Queensland teenager two years ago.

Dreamworld is opening a $17 million virtual reality attraction in time for the summer holidays.

The ‘Sky Voyager’, a simulator that will mimic a flight through Surfers Paradise and Sydney Harbour, is built upon a motion platform and guests will wear VR headsets to experience the ride.