News in 5: Cassie's plea deal approved; Mum-of-two died in NYC attack; Movember kicks off.

1. Cassie Sainsbury sentenced to six years after plea deal approved.

Cassie Sainsbury reaches plea deal https://t.co/7laKofz9ku pic.twitter.com/BF0l3L2z70

— Sky News Australia (@SkyNewsAust) November 1, 2017

Australian drug mule Cassie Sainsbury has been sentenced to six years behind bars, after a Colombian judge accepted her plea deal.

This means the 22-year-old Adelaide woman could be eligible for parole in 18 months, considering time already served and good behaviour taken into account, AAP reports.

Sainsbury was facing 30 years in jail after she was caught trying to fly out of Bogota’s El Dorado International Airport in April with 5.8 kilograms of cocaine stuffed into 18 headphones hidden in her luggage.

The case has been mired in controversy, with Sainsbury’s story changing repeatedly since her capture and the involvement of a mystery man – who Sainsbury called “Angelo” and said threatened the safety of her family – in constant question.

Today, the Colombian judge described Sainsbury as a “victim” and a “small fish” who’d been coerced into smuggling the drugs for a large criminal syndicate, News Corp reports. He also said the former personal trainer would have to pay a fine of almost $90,000.

“This is a big day for Cassandra,” Sainsbury’s lawyer Orlando Herran told reporters outside the court, News Corp reports. He also said Sainsbury might be able to arrange a home-based prison sentence within six months, but would need to set up a base in Bogota to do so.

The Colombian court was told last October that both the prosecution and defence had agreed to the deal. An earlier plea deal was rejected in August.

2. Belgian mother-of-two killed in New York terror attack.

In the aftermath of yesterday’s terror attack in New York, in which a 29-year-old man drove his rental truck into a pedestrian and bike path in Lower Manhattan killing eight people an injuring 11 others, the identities of the victims and their stories are slowly emerging.

Ann-Laure Decadt, 31, from the town of Staden in Belgium, was visiting New York with her mum and two sisters, the New York Post reports. She was struck from behind by the attacker – who’s since been identified as an ISIS sympathiser – and died at the scene.

Her husband, Alexander Naessens, has spoken to media in Belium calling the loss “unbearable” for himself and the couple’s two sons, one aged three, the other three-months.

“This loss is unbearable and cannot be overcome,” Naessens told the HLN Newspaper. “She was a wonderful wife and the most beautiful mum of our three-month- and three-year-old sons.”

The Mayor of Staden, Francesco Vanderjeugd, also spoke to the Post about Decadt’s death, saying it’s hit the small Belgian community – a village of only 11,400 people – hard.

“It’s an attack not only in New York but also an attack on our community, on our way of life,” he said. “Everybody knows each other. It’s like a bomb exploded here.”

Five other victims have also been publicly identified. They were a group of friends from Argentina celebrating the 30th anniversary of their college graduation.

They’ve been identified as Hernan Diego Mendoza, Diego Enrique Angelini, Alejandro Damian Pagnucco, Ariel Erlij and Hernan Ferruchi, AAP reports.

3. ‘Movember’ kicks off with survey showing what we’d miss most about the men in our lives.

Movember Australia 2017: The rules, how to donate and get involved >> https://t.co/K8sKzUMMJ5

— Herald Sun (@theheraldsun) October 17, 2017

Australians are being asked to take moment and think about what they would miss about the men in their lives if they were gone, as part of a campaign to stop men dying too soon.

A national survey of 4000 Australians, released to mark the start of ‘Movember,’ shows it would be the “little things” that people would mourn the most if a man close to them died, AAP reports.

These include: his stories (18 per cent), advice (16 per cent), smile (8 per cent) and his jokes (9 per cent).

Another 18 per cent said they would just miss the quiet times spent together.

On average men die an average six years younger than women, for reasons that are largely preventable.

Movember Foundation CEO Owen Sharp says there is a lot people can be doing to encourage men to be living healthier lives. He says action starts simply with talking to them.

“When we look at the stats, it becomes so clear that there is a men’s health crisis,” Mr Sharp said.

“By talking about it, by encouraging our friends to take action for their health and supporting them, we can help keep the men we love around to live happier, healthier, longer lives. They don’t have to miss out on those key moments that matter most,” Mr Owen said.

4. One-in-five young Australian women has had an unplanned pregnancy.

One-in-five young Australian women has had an unplanned pregnancy, according to a national survey.

The Galaxy Research survey of 1000 women aged 18 to 27 - commissioned by pharmaceutical company MSD Australia - found the incidence of the "stressful" event increased with age, AAP reports.

About a quarter of all women aged 22 to 27 who were surveyed said they had fallen pregnant unintentionally, compared to only 1-in-20 women aged 18 to 21.

The pill and condoms were the most popular contraception being used by the women.

A leading family planning expert said the high number of unintended pregnancies reflected the priorities of young women and greater awareness of other contraception methods was required.

"What suits you when you're 18 may be different to when you're 25 and different to when you're 36 and women can stay on the same thing whereas there may be ... something that will suit them better," Dr Deborah Bateson, Medical Director of Family Planning NSW said.

While just over one third would welcome an unplanned pregnancy, most said they would find it more stressful than losing their job, all their life savings or breaking up with their partner.

5. Malcolm Turnbull disappointed Senate President didn't disclose dual citizenship earlier.

Senate President Stephen Parry confirms he's a Brit and will resign: https://t.co/vT54faWGvx pic.twitter.com/96g8xfJmza

— The New Daily (@TheNewDailyAu) November 1, 2017

Malcolm Turnbull admits he's disappointed Stephen Parry didn't disclose his dual citizenship and potential ineligibility to sit in parliament sooner.

But the Prime Minister brushed off the idea of auditing all federal politicians, insisting it was up to MPs and Senators themselves to ensure they are eligible for election, AAP reports.

Mr Turnbull delayed his trip to Israel to sort out the mess left by the High Court's decision to disqualify Nationals leaders Barnaby Joyce and Fiona Nash, only to have another fire to put out while overseas.

He only found out on Tuesday - the day the as news broke - that Senator Parry was going to resign after receiving advice from the Home Office that he held British citizenship through his UK-born father.

The Senate President is the first Liberal to be enmeshed in the citizenship saga.

"I'm disappointed Senator Parry didn't make public this issue quite some time ago. I learnt about it the same time as you did, on Tuesday," he told reporters in Jerusalem on Wednesday.

He said the matter will have to be referred to the High Court - for a likely very short hearing - when parliament returns on November 27.

6. NSW teacher arrested for allegedly assaulting girls aged 11 and 12.

A male teacher from a primary school on Sydney's lower north shore is behind bars accused of indecently assaulting four girls aged between 11 and 12.

The 51-year-old was bundled into a waiting police van after officers arrived at the front door of a Russell Lea home about 7.30am on Wednesday following a month-long investigation, AAP reports.

It is alleged the teacher, who most recently worked at Mowbray Public School at Lane Cove, indecently assaulted his victims at a school on 13 occasions.

He has previously worked at a number of other Sydney schools including the elite St Joseph's College Hunters Hill, Marie Bashir Public School and Harcourt Public School, according to his Linkedin account.

"Specifically the secret to my success has been in translating the education experience in an accessible and engaging way for all, be it young students, teen students, parents, adult learners and recent refugees to Australia," he posted.

"I also make sure it is fun along the way."

A Department of Education spokesman told AAP on Wednesday the man arrested by police was not currently employed by the department.