Pik Botha, a key figure in South Africa’s fight against Apartheid rule has passed away at the age of 86.  

Although originally in defense of the apartheid system, he was considered liberal, working closely with Mandela to achieve harmony.

Mr Botha served as Foreign Minister for 17 years, until 1994 at the end of the apartheid era, as well as serving under Nelson Mandela’s post-apartheid government.

A crowd of over 1000 braved Sunday’s rain, marching outside Queensland Parliament in support of proposed changes to the state’s abortion laws.

The laws will allow up to 22 weeks gestation, allocating safe access zones around clinics, as well as requirements for objecting doctors to refer patients to another medical professional.

The Bicentennial Bikeway from Brisbane CBD to Toowong has officially clocked 1 million bicycle trips this year, making it one of the most-used bikeways in the world.

Bicycle Queensland chief executive Anne Savage says Brisbane features in the top 10 of 211 counters worldwide, with 5000 people riding along daily.

Anne Savage expressed praise for the ongoing investment in infrastructure, seen as vastly improving the city’s liveability.

A fairfax survey has indicated that 74 per cent of voters reject the laws to allow religious schools to select students and teachers based on sexual orientation.

Around 30 percent of Coalition voters have supported the idea, with Morrisson taking the plan to the party room on Tuesday.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison would change laws to ensure schools could not expel gay students, however have suggested that a ‘broader conversation’ is necessary.

A report this week ranked Australia's standard passport as the seventh most powerful in the world. The report comes as demand for Australian citizenship reaches never-before-seen levels, with 189 000 people waiting for the approval of their applications.

The Australian passport currently gives holders access to 183 nations without having to pay a fee or pre-apply for a visa before arriving.

Saudi Arabia has rejected threats to punish their country over the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul.

An unnamed official from the Kingdom says the country will retaliate against any sanctions with tougher measures.

The comments come after US President Donald Trump threatened "severe punishment" for Riyadh if it turned out Khashoggi was killed in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.

Anger has grown in Italy after far-right interior minister, Matteo Salvini, has ordered hundreds of refugees to be moved out of Riace, a small town in Calabria.

The town - whose population was dwindling for many years - was previously celebrated as a model of integration of asylum seekers, welcoming them in an attempt to revitalise itself.

Fortitude Valley’s own Hidden Lanes Festival is currently underway, showing off local talents across mixtures of art and music.

The festival features exhibitions and food events such as coffee workshops and cocktail making, as well as locally designed fashion parades.

The mastermind behind the festival, laneway developer Arthur Apostolos, said the lanes were designed to create an environment where creatives could flourish in a like-minded community.