The United States has decided to reduce its number of troops in Iraq following Baghdad’s victory over the Islamic State last year.

This decision marks a significant shift in focus for the United States after the collapse of the self-imposed Islamic State Caliphate, with only 4,000 troops planned to remain in Iraq for training purposes.

The withdrawal of troops also comes about three months ahead of Iraqi national elections in which paramilitary groups with close ties to Iraq are set to play significant roles.

A report by an international aid coalition claims hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees are being pushed to return home, despite ongoing unrest.

The NGO’s report says the Syrian government’s defeat of Islamic State in many parts of the country have created a misleading rhetoric.

Governments in Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey have issued eviction notices and sent refugees home, though research indicates that for every Syrian that returns, three more will be newly displaced.

Formula One have decided ‘grid kids’ will replace the long standing practice of having ‘grid girls’ walk the track to hold up drivers’ numbers.

The decision was made in order to make the pre-race ceremony more interesting and relevant to young fans, who will be selected by their local motorsport clubs based on merit or by lottery.

Formula One’s commercial managing director Sean Bratches says the experience will be an inspiration to “keep driving, training and learning.”

One of Western Australia’s largest building firms, Cooper and Oxley, has suspended operations because of financial viability issues, leaving many subcontractors out of pocket and the company’s future in doubt.

Work has stopped at major projects all over the state, leaving many subcontractors unable to collect their machinery and tools from locked construction sites.

One such project put on hold is a 101 million dollar development in Subiaco, which is believed to have contributed to Cooper and Oxley’s financial issues.

A 3.8 metre king tide on Yam Island in the Torres Strait has left 16 people homeless and sparked outrage among locals who are calling for greater flood protection.

Residents took to the streets to protest for the construction of a new seawall, which will provide protection to those living in high-impact areas.

Emergency Services Minister Craig Crawford, said the Queensland Government have activated disaster relief funding for Yam Island locals, but believes the federal government need to introduce seawalls in the long-term.

Saint Laurence’s College has announced their plans to hold a discussion night following spikes in interest regarding Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies among students at the school.

This follows QUT’s Business and accounting professor, Chrisann Lee, citing research that shows teenagers still may need further education on investing in cryptocurrencies despite being considered a tech-savvy generation.

One of the most prestigious universities in the world has admitted it has a “significant problem” with sexual misconduct after receiving 173 complaints in 9 months.

The University of Cambridge in the UK recently launched an anonymous reporting system where students and staff can report instances of misconduct.

Emma Chapman, a member of the 1752 Group which addresses sexual harassment in higher education said the high number of anonymous complaints highlights the shortfalls of official reporting processes in universities.

A multinational money laundering operation has been uncovered with major links to the United Arab Emirates government-owned Wall Street Exchange in Dubai.

Australian Federal Police Assistant Commissioner, David Stewart, says the operation was run by Altaf Khanani and laundered approximately $14 billion a year for organised crime such as drug movement and terrorism finance.

Khanani was moving drug money in Australia for bikie gangs and Lebanese mafia figures.

Environmental lawyers and academics have called for a reassessment into Australia’s environmental protection laws, warning that short-term politics are interfering in the decision-making process.

The Australian Panel of Experts on Environmental Law has launched a blueprint for a new generation of environment laws, which suggest the public be given a greater say on future development plans.