The EU’s efforts to keep Northern Ireland in the single market continue to hinder the final stages Brexit negotiations.

The British negotiating team accuse Brussels of trying to annexe the province and say a hard border would threaten the constitutional integrity of the United Kingdom.

EU officials and diplomats say there has been an evolution in the commission’s thinking but the chances of finding a compromise this week remains 50 - 50.

The US Midterm elections on November 6th is being described as “extremely important for American history”, with a referendum on the state of the country’s leadership expected.

The future of issues such as tax regulation, immigration, border protection, abortion and healthcare are expected to be determined as a result of the midterms.

The current Republican control of the House, as well as the numerous Governor races across the US show a possibility for Democratic control under current predictions.

The Australian War Memorial in Canberra will see a 500 million dollar upgrade to improve spaces for both display and reflection.  The first upgrades to the site since 1941 are expected to take nine years to complete.

The site will contain a digital display for commemoration, with collections presented from recent engagements in Afghanistan, Iraq and East Timor.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison outlined that the upgrades will “tell new stories in new ways”.

Working holiday visas are changing to allow backpackers and other visitors to stay in Australia up to three times longer.

The federal government’s plan aims to help farmers fill agricultural job shortages, particularly in the strawberry industry.

Other changes include raising the age limit to 35 years, allowing visa workers to remain in their jobs for over six months and creating opportunities in a wider range of regions across the country.

A Brisbane high school has gone ‘off-grid’, with the school hosting Queensland’s ‘first green energy’ classroom.

Bracken Ridge State High School will be the first in the nation to be battery and solar powered, with rooftop solar panels and a battery storage system in place.

This plan was implemented by Energy Minister Angus Taylor, with similar ‘green’ classrooms to be introduced into seven schools in two thousand and nineteen.

Over 5000 living donors have contributed to Griffith University’s body donation program, helping support a decade’s worth of successful medical research.

Over 410 deceased donors have been accepted since 2007, with strict guidelines regarding time and cause of death.

The program has identified new anatomy variations that have helped medical professionals in their practice, supporting growth and research.

The first UN-led aid since January has finally been delivered to the 50,000  civilians stranded in the settlement of Rukbang on the Syrian-Jordan border.

The convoy had seen months of delays following the blockage from the Syrian army’s control.

Food parcels, hygiene kits and vaccination campaigns are being provided by the convoy, with the camp being described as “one of the most desperate places in Syria”.

Citizens of New Caledonia have cast their referendum ballot, with early indications suggesting over 60 per cent have voted against independence.

The nation has seen social and economic divisions arise from the referendum, with the independence movement drawing its main support from Indigenous populations, in contrast with a large segment of Europeans favouring French rule.

New Caledonia will have three more chances to agree to independence, with further referendums expected in 2020 and 2022.