A space shuttle-era main engine is defying the expectations of many critics as it undergoes a series of daily test firing to prove its reusability.

The Aerojet Rocketdyne AR-22 engine has no new hardware in it aside from minor modifications and is apart of a series of tests for Boeing’s plans to develop a reusable lower stage vehicle that can take over a ton of material into orbit.

Facebook has issued an apology to a Texas community newspaper, after the company flagged parts of the United States’ Declaration of Independence as hate speech.

To mark Independence Day on July 4, managing editor of the Vindicator Casey Stinnett published small sections of the declaration daily, in the lead up to the public holiday.

Stinnett criticised Facebook, and said that the company’s censorship ignores historical context and does not give users the option to appeal the company’s decisions.  

The NSW government will release its sexual assault strategy today, with a $1 million advertising campaign that tells young adults they always need clear verbal yes.

Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Minister, Pru Goward, says if you want sex you have to ask for it and if you want that sex, you have to say yes.

The strategy also focuses on preventing sexual assault and harassment in universities and workplaces.

Data from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology has revealed Australia has experienced it’s hottest maximum temperatures on record this Winter.

The Bureau of Meteorology's, David Jones, said it was quite remarkable how consistent the temperature anomalies were across the nation.

Dr. Jones says this occurrence is due to a lack of rain, which has resulted in severe drought conditions.

Gold Coast Burger Urge has unveiled what they claim to be the hottest burger in Australia, warning daredevils to eat it at their peril.

The limited edition Double Decker Death Wish burger is claimed to be so hot that stores are asking diners to sign a waiver before they take a bite, even providing them goggles and gloves to help them get through meal.  

Burger Urge managing director, Sean Carthew, said the secret behind “Australia’s spiciest burger” was lashings of ghost chilli sauce.

Britain has demanded Russia to provide details about the Novichok nerve agent attack on a former double agent and his daughter, after two British citizens were struck down with the same poison in March.

Russia has denied any involvement in the March incident and suggested the British security services have carried out the attack only to stoke anti-Moscow hysteria.

British officials have hypothesised the latest pair may have been contaminated in a different location from areas visited by the former Russian agent and his daughter.

After the successful referendum to decriminalise abortion, Ireland will hold yet another referendum to remove an article in it’s 1937 Constitution, which has been criticised as sexist.  

Article 41.2 of the Irish Constitution  recognises that women in the home are giving “the State a support without which the common good cannot be achieved”, adding in a second clause that the State should ensure mothers do not neglect their home duties for economic necessity.

Chief of the Defence Force, Mark Binskin retired yesterday, handing over command of the military, and making candid remarks about China in his final interview.

When asked about China’s growth since he became the Chief of Defence in 2014, the Air Chief Marshal agreed that China’s position has changed and that it’s very concerning that there are features of militarisation in their stance in the Pacific.

First Languages Australia and ABC Education are running an Aboriginal song competition for Australian and Torres Strait Islander schools and is one of several initiatives being undertaken to preserve and revive Indigenous languages.

Project officer at First Languages Australia, Annalee Pope, believes children hold the key to preserving Indigenous languages and that song is the best way to teach children about their importance.