An orchestra in Dorset, England has formed what is thought to be the world’s first ensemble of disabled musicians.

The Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra is led by disabled conductor James Rose, who has cerebral palsy, 
and conducts the group using a specially-designed baton attached to his glasses.

The musician’s disabilities include blindness, autism and partial deafness. Mr Rose says he would like the group to challenge the industry’s perception of musicians.

US magazine, National Geographic, has apologised for decades of racist coverage on Aboriginal Australians.

The magazine had previously featured images of Indigenous Australians with captions reading “South Australian Blackfellows: These savages rank lowest in intelligence of all human beings." Editor Susan Goldberg said that the captions had left her “speechless”.

A researcher who released a study into the mental health of Fly In Fly Out workers has revealed there has been significant negative backlash on the report.

On social media many people attacked the report saying that FIFO workers know what they signed up for and the financial gain is worth the sacrifice.

The report detailed how many FIFO workers feel they should toughen up regarding their mental health and do not have the right to speak out because of their high income.

A new ‘environmentally friendly’ cattle breed has been introduced in Queensland.

Dr. Steve Murray said the breed have 25 percent less methane production and a 15 percent reduction in nitrogenise gases and carbon dioxide.

Dr. Moore from the University of Queensland says it is fairly daunting to start with but is what we have to do in order to improve the system.

Tasmania has become the first state in Australian history to elect a majority of female MPs, with votes from the election in early March finalised this week.

Local politicians said this milestone was “overwhelmingly exciting” with 13 women and 12 men elected to Tasmania’s lower House of Assembly.

Michelle O'Byrne, the deputy leader of the opposition Labor party, said, "it demonstrates to young women that a political future and leadership roles are attainable".

Two rival Somali clans have signed a groundbreaking peace deal which aims to end the cycle of revenge killings.

There has been tension between many Somali clans due to rivalry and competition over resources such as grazing land for livestock and access to water.

MP Ahmed Bahir Mahmood says it has been recognised that the punishments are more severe than before and says the deal with the new strict measures would work.

The main rebel group in southern Syria says it is negotiating with a United Nations delegation about ceasefire, aid and the evacuation of urgent medical cases.

Reports estimate that approximately 50,000 people had left the southern pocket of eastern Ghouta in the past 72 hours and that thousands had left on Sunday.

Wael Alwan,the Istanbul-based spokesman for the rebel group Failaq al-Rahman, states the group is in serious negotiations to guarantee the safety and protection of civilians.

Health officials warn a confirmed case of measles has been identified in the Brisbane area.

Public Health physician Dr Bhakti Vasant said the infected person visited Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary last Sunday, Woolworths on Fifth Avenue in Marsden on Wednesday, and Logan Hospital on Thursday and Friday.

Health officials say anyone who develops measles-like symptoms in the next three weeks should stay at home and contact their doctor for advice.