Judge rejects order to repatriate Aust women from Syria
A Federal Court judge has ruled against forcing the Australian government to repatriate 31 women and children from Syrian detention camps.
disaster and accident
Bushfires add to pain for farmers battling drought
Bushfires sparked by dry lighting strikes have burnt through more than 35,000 hectares near the NSW-Queensland border, leaving farmers in dire straits.
Search postponed for man killed by shark off SA coast
No trace has been found of man who was likely attacked and killed by a 4.2 metre great white shark while surfing off South Australia's Eyre Peninsula.
Explosives, homes under threat as fire rages in NSW
A town of 4000 residents has become the epicentre of NSW's firefighting efforts after seven blazes ignited to its north, west and south.
Widespread floods exposed insurance industry failings
A review of the response by insurers into the widespread and catastrophic flooding on the nation's east coast has found multiple weaknesses in the industry.
Surfer dies after shark attack off SA coast
Police believe a surfer has died after he was bitten by a shark off South Australia's Eyre Peninsula.
Homes, livestock destroyed after ‘dreadful’ fire in NSW
Large amounts of land and livestock has been lost and some homes destroyed by multiple bushfires around the historic NSW township of Tenterfield.
Recovery of couple killed in plane crash postponed
Strong winds have postponed the recovery of a couple in their 70s who were killed in a light plane crash in mountainous terrain in north Queensland.
Town saved but bushfire heartache continues for others
Firefighting crews are still battling a ferocious blaze on the Western Downs after quick thinking saved a border town amid extreme conditions.
Total fire bans as temperatures soar and bushfires rage
Queensland firefighters are bracing for a day of high temperatures and strong winds as a fierce blaze continues to burn west of Brisbane.
Community vigil for siblings who died in shed fire
A vigil has been held to honour three young siblings killed in a shed fire in Victoria and show support for their distraught family.
Plane crashes into mountain, killing two grandparents
A couple in their 70s have died when their light plane slammed into a mountain in a remote region in north Queensland.
Lightning sparks major blazes across northern NSW
More than 1000 personnel have been deployed as NSW tackles bushfires across the state's north with lightning strikes igniting further blazes.
Interstate, NZ help for weary Queensland firefighters
Firefighters are set to receive reinforcements from interstate and potentially New Zealand as they continue to battle fires in southern Queensland.
‘Heroic’ boy dies after trying to save siblings in fire
A third child has died after trying in vain to protect his two young siblings in a shed fire, while his six-year-old sister remains in a critical condition.
Firefighters hopeful of containing deadly blaze
A fire that has claimed a life and destroyed homes may finally be brought under control after the erratic blaze burned more than 11,000 hectares over four days.
Community reeling as fire claims life, destroys homes
A body has been found in southern Queensland where a ferocious bushfire described as a "wild beast" has destroyed homes and caused about 350 people to flee.
Seven killed in Louisiana car crashes due to ‘superfog’
A dense "superfog" in Louisiana has caused a multi-car pileup and dozens of other crashes that killed seven people and injured 25 others.
Millions to eradicate fire ant, devastating super-pest
Hundreds of millions of dollars will be pumped into wiping out fire ants, the tiny invasive insect which poses a huge risk to Australian agriculture.
Residents returning to homes after Qld bushfires threat
People who fled a fire at Beerwah have been told they can return, as grants are announced for those impacted by a fire still burning near Gladstone.
Seven homes lost in northern NSW bushfire
A fire on the NSW mid-north coast that claimed the life of a man defending his property has also destroyed several other houses.
Crew awarded for record-breaking marine rescue mission
The officers involved in Australia's longest-ever offshore rescue mission have been formally recognised for bravery after battling 8m seas in darkness.
Residents told not to return home as bushfires burn
Bushfires are continuing to burn in central Queensland, ensuring residents who evacuated their homes days ago still can't return.
Man dead as bushfire scorches NSW mid-north coast
The body of a man has been found at a property near Kempsey on the NSW mid-north coast, after a bushfire swept through the area.
Flood loss a return to past trauma for retiree
A retiree forced from his home in mismanaged floods says the ordeal made him relive the trauma he experienced fleeing war-torn Europe as a child.
Australia cancels humanitarian flights from Israel
Australia has cancelled planned repatriation flights out of Israel, citing the "highly challenging and rapidly changing" environment.
Teen arson charges over Woolies store destroyed by fire
A fire has destroyed a Woolworths supermarket and sparked the evacuation of a shopping centre, with two teen boys to be charged with arson.
Man dies in bushfire on NSW north coast
A man has died in a bushfire on the NSW mid-north coast, with a watch and act warning still in place for the out-of-control blaze.
Officials defend Flemington flood wall after disaster
A racing industry official has defended a wall built around Flemington Racecourse which locals believe worsened the impact of floods on surrounding homes.
At least four dead, 80 hurt as train derails in India
At least four people are dead and dozens injured after a train derailed in the Indian state of Bihar.
Modelling behind flood warning failure, inquiry hears
The Victorian State Emergency Service boss has conceded poor modelling contributed to the lack of warning about major flooding along the Maribyrnong River.