A leading specialist on Victoria's outbreak of flesh-eating ulcers has accused the government of inaction and indecision amidst what is being termed an "exploding epidemic".

University of Melbourne Associate Professor Daniel O’Brien said more urgent funding was needed in order to stem the outbreak.

Confirmed infections have risen by 400 per cent in four years, with another 275 cases recorded in the past year, according to government figures.

The Israeli military has disabled a major tunnel that was dug by militants that reached into Israel from the Gaza Strip, which is the fifth Gaza tunnel that has been destroyed in recent months.

Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman said it was the longest and deepest tunnel of its kind Israel had discovered.

A military spokesman said it had been dug since the 2014 Gaza war, when Israel destroyed more than 30 tunnels, and stretched over "several kilometres" into Gaza and connected with other tunnels from which attacks could be launched.

Thousands of Catalan’s have held a demonstration in Barcelona demanding the release of separatist leaders from detention.

Police reported more than 300,000 attended the protest, although organisers claimed about 750,000 people participated.

The protesters came together after nine separatist politicians and activists were detained for their role in October's referendum on independence from Spain, ruled illegal by the courts.

Poorer migrants families will have to pay significantly more to support their relative’s Australian visa applications from next year.

According to The Department of Social Services, a couple who intends to financially support a family to migrate to Australia needs to earn an accumulated of  $115, 475 per year. A single person is required to earn over $80,000.

A department spokesperson believes the increase income requirement will ensure the migrants have sufficient financial capacity to provide an adequate level of support during the assurance period

A mother of two claims she is now a partial paraplegic after Logan Hospital allegedly failed to properly investigate and diagnose a spinal infection before it caused permanent damage.

Rachael Baker was taken to the hospital’s emergency department in 2014 after she started experiencing severe back pain and alleges that she was later discharged from the hospital without proper assessments and tests.

News Corp reports that Federal Opposition Leader Bill Shorten will travel to Brisbane today to announce funding for the $2.24 billion Cross River Rail project.

Funding would include $800 million towards construction. A 10-kilometre line between West End and Bowen Hills is set to be created and would provide a 50-50 split with the state government to run the project.

Mr Shorten is also expected to reveal Labor will match the prime minister's recent $1 billion promise to widen two sections of the M1 between Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

Buyers of counterfeit makeup have been warned, after the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) seized $700,000 worth of “fake makeup” which tested positive to high levels of bacteria and animal waste.

The LAPD raided locations in Santee Alley, a Los Angeles fashion district, after being tipped off by brand-name companies that had received complaints from consumers who said they had rashes and bumps after using their products, that had all been bought from the LA fashion district.

Thousand of people have marched across India for the end of sexual abuse against women after several attacks and murders in the past month.

Mass rallies were held in the streets of major Indian cities after a lawmaker from India’s ruling party was arrested in connection with a teenager’s rape. Activists alleged slow investigations by authorities to solve cases and arrest perpetrators.

Australian disabled theatre company, Sensorium Theatre, is taking their show to the Big Umbrella Festival in New York City, an arts festival dedicated to children with autism.

Sensorium's founder and co-artistic director Francis Italiano states "It is about being on an equal footing with our audience, because that's a pretty rare experience for a lot of them.”

The Big Umbrella is the world’s very first arts show all inclusive of children with disabilities, with shows running from April 10 to May 6.