Balloons, disposable cups and food containers are being banned at events held on council property in Melbourne’s north.

Greens councillor Trent Mcarthy said the initiative demonstrated leadership on environmental issues concerning the community.

The ban will be phased in over a two year period and the council will provide exemptions for events where disposable plastic is unavoidable for health and safety.

New research has revealed that the oldest artwork was not made by humans but by neanderthals.

By analysing the crusts formed over the cave art, scientists were able to determine that the artwork pre-dated the arrival of modern humans in the area by 20 000 years.

This adds to the growing evidence of the intelligence of neanderthals and the minimal difference between them and modern humans.

Six months after giving women the right to drive, Saudi Arabia is now permitting women to join the military.

Women have until February 29 to apply and must meet 12 requirements, including to be aged between 25-35 and have a high-school diploma.

This is the latest initiative to socially reform Saudi Arabia by Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salam, in the ongoing ‘Vision 2030’.

A very lucky tenant in Cairns has found diamonds when cleaning out his rental property.

Police have not revealed any details about the diamonds but believe they may have been stashed sometime around the year 2000.

Police also say that it is unlikely the diamonds will be traced back to an original owner and if they remain unclaimed will likely be returned to the tenant who found them.

This week is the final week of the BrisAsia festival.

A showcase of both the traditional and modern arts of Asia, the BrisAsia festival runs over three weeks and is held right across the Brisbane area.

This is the sixth year running where the cultural festival has been celebrated with artwork, dance, activities, craft and music.

Streets went underwater in Toowoomba Monday night as a line of thunderstorms made its way over the inland city.

Before hitting Toowoomba, the thunderstorms caused localised flooding in Chinchilla.

By now the storms have cleared out to sea, leaving the rivers and storm water drains with a lot of water to absorb in the meantime.

A major mould outbreak at the Nauru Detention Centre has left asylum seekers exposed to fungal bacterial cells that are capable of causing disease.

Department official, David Nockles said this is the first time the department has been made aware of reports regarding mould related illnesses.

Fifty thousand dollars is being spent on an industrial steam cleaner in attempt to rectify the issue.

Empty aisles have been reported in Taiwan as a result of shoppers bulk-buying toilet paper.

Manufacturers are said to be responsible for this after they released warnings that the cost of toilet paper is set to rise by 10-30 percent next month.

The government of Taiwan is launching an investigation to see if the local toilet paper vendors raised the prices unjustifiably.