A crucial breakthrough against dog-fighting has been found, with more than 50 dogs rescued and evidence gathered after four Queensland properties were raided in the past week.

The Queensland government has announced it will fast-track a waste levy to ward off other councils cancelling their recycling programs.

The head of Delhi's Commission for Women is staging an indefinite hunger strike to push for stricter laws for rape in India, including the death penalty, after a series of horrific attacks on young girls.

Swati Maliwal, chairwoman of Delhi’s Commission for Women, has been refusing food since April 13, as protests flared nationwide over the separate alleged rapes of two girls ages 8 and 16.

Activists have rallied hundreds of supporters, speaking on her behalf, calling for stricter laws and equal rights for women.    

 

The international chemical weapons watchdog has entered the Syrian town Douma, where a suspected gas attack occurred which killed more than 40 people.

International investigators are waiting for the green light from a UN security team to begin work after delays and warnings by Western powers that crucial evidence had likely been removed.

Australian exporters of live animals have forwarded a proposal to decrease shipment sizes by an unspecified amount, allow inspectors from the RSPCA onto vessels carrying live cargo, and supporting an independent inspector general of animal welfare.

The framework for industry change comes after revelations about the poor conditions that livestock - sheep in particular - endure.

These voyages often see the health of transported animals significantly deteriorate and deaths amongst live cargos are not uncommon.

 

A same-sex couple in New South Wales South Coast reported they were asked to leave The Oaks Flats Roller Skating Rink after ‘pecking’ in front of an offended parent on Friday night.

Maddie Dellosa ad Amy Hudson were attending the rink on a date and after limited physical contact and a few pecks were approached by a manager at 9pm and asked to leave.

The Oaks Flats Roller Skating Rink has since permanently closed down over concerns for staff safety following online abuse and phone calls about the dispute after a post on the couple’s Facebook page went viral.

Queensland’s former electoral commissioner Walter van der Merwe has been charged with drug possession two months after he resigned over “serious allegations”.

Attorney-General Yvette D'Ath issued a statement saying the charge against the 54-year-old is of a very serious nature and must be dealt with through the court process.

Van Der Merwe is set to face Holland Park Magistrates Court next month where he will be charged with one count of possessing a dangerous drug - steroids.

 

Moreton Bay Regional Council are holding a 6-month trial of a dog beach at Scarborough near Redcliffe.

This is the second trial of a dog beach in Scarborough after feedback from the original 12-month trial showed the beaches to be ‘too rocky’ for dogs.

The new trial is currently being conducted at Queens Beach North, with positive feedback already inundating the council one month into the trial.