A lawyer representing a proposed class action says Indigenous women were coerced into sterilisation without proper and informed consent.

Following an independent review in January 2017, the Saskatoon Health Region apologised for the past forced sterilisation of Indigenous women.

At least 60 Indigenous women are pursuing a class-action lawsuit, alleging they were forced into sterilisation over the past 20 to 25 years in Saskatchewan.

Astronomers say they have detected compelling evidence of an alien world orbiting one of the closest stars in the neighbourhood.

Alien super earth planet dubbed Barnard’s Star b is thought to be 3.2 times the mass of the Earth, and one of the closest planets to the solar system ever found - located just six light years away.

Astronomer Jon Honti of the University of Southern Queensland said the findings push the boundaries of what’s possible with current technology.

A federal anti-corruption commission now appears to be a live option, with legislation to establish a body that would investigate corruption likely to be introduced into Parliament before Christmas.

The election of independent Kerryn Phelps in the Wentworth by-election has boosted the numbers of crossbenchers in the House of Representatives who have put the establishment of a federal integrity commission at the top of their wish list.

Education Minister, Dan Tehan, has announced an immediate review into limitations on freedom of speech at universities, leaving many Australian universities questioning what has prompted this review.

The review, lead by High Court chief of justice, Robert French, will consider existing material on free speech, such as codes of conduct, enterprise agreements, policy statements and strategic plans.

Universities Australia chair, Margaret Gardner says the review is unnecessary and has been driven by media reporting.

Brisbane City Council joined the ranks of public agencies requesting consumers’ metadata from telecoms companies, prompting calls of ‘Big Brother’ from the council’s Labor opposition.

According to the telecoms industry, the request includes details of numbers called by phone users, their location, the length of calls, email addresses and other information they are obliged to keep for two years under 2015 national security laws.

Brisbane City Council is the only Queensland council requesting this information.

Under new legislation passed in State Parliament, Queensland resource companies will be required to financially contribute to rehabilitate abandoned mines in Queensland.

Deputy Premier, Jackie Trad described the new laws as ground-breaking, saying the reforms ensure mine rehabilitation will happen in Queensland.

The legislation will not be retrospective, a decision welcomed by the Head of Queensland Resources Council Ian Macfarlane.

The United Nations (UN) has lifted its sanctions on Eritrea in Africa, nine years after they were imposed by the international organisation.

In 2009, the UN imposed a nationwide arms embargo, travel ban and asset freeze on certain people and entities after accusing Eritrea of supporting armed groups in Somalia. Eritrea denied the accusations.

The decision to lift the sanctions were made during a meeting of the UN Security Council and follow a rapprochement between Eritrea and neighbouring Ethiopia in recent months.

British Prime Minister, Theresa May, has won the backing of her senior ministers for a draft European Union Brexit deal, said the draft agreement is in the UK's national interest.

Ms May said the choice is between a deal taking back control for the UK, or for one of more division and uncertainty.

The Prime Minister also faces growing opposition from pro-European Union politicians who said the public should get a new vote on whether to leave or stay.