Perfect mix: stage set for ‘maximum’ bird flu damage
The concentration of a bird flu outbreak near the mouth of the Murray River is creating a perfect storm for the spread of the deadly virus, experts have warned.
emergency planning
Heatwave threatens to reignite France’s mega-fire
Firefighters have made headway against a major blaze west of Bordeaux, but rising temperatures mean the danger of France's biggest wildfire is yet to pass.
‘Very successful’: emergency alert exceeds expectations
A landmark test of Australia's new mobile emergency warning system which involved a siren blaring from phones is being hailed by authorities as a success.
Concerns cloud national emergency alert system rollout
Some states remain concerned about service gaps under Australia's new emergency warning system, days out from its first nationwide test.
Warnings ignored over $30k part that crippled Telstra
Despite multiple warnings a bug in a piece of equipment risked causing a major outage, Telstra failed to update or replace the $30,000 bit of tech.
Disaster recovery change sparks council funding fears
Outback mayors fear a federal disaster recovery funding change will leave them picking up the tab as a state government pumps money into an Olympics.
Bowen to back electrification at UN climate summit
Australia and Turkey have revealed that the global oil crisis will prompt a major focus on electrification at the United Nations climate talks in November.
Two suspected virus cases found in Spain, remote island
Authorities are racing to prevent further spread of the hantavirus from a cruise ship as more suspected cases are reported thousands of kilometres apart.
Warning after extreme weather’s financial toll revealed
The eye-watering cost of extreme weather for 2025 has been revealed, sparking a warning the financial toll may only get worse.
Japan eases tsunami alert after powerful quake strikes
Japan has downgraded tsunami warnings triggered after a magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck in waters off its northeast coast.
Tourism funding boost to help cyclone-hit towns recover
Towns reliant on tourism will receive help to rebuild with a support package on its way for businesses rocked by Cyclone Narelle.
New cyclone threat looms for battered far north
A potential cyclone is looming off the Australian east coast, threatening further devastation to a region still cleaning up from the last natural disaster.
Deadly quake off Indonesia triggers small tsunami
An undersea earthquake has toppled buildings in parts of northern Indonesia, killed at least one person and generated a small tsunami.
‘Screaming winds’: severe cyclone pummels holiday town
A severe tropical cyclone has hammered a holiday town, ripping off roofs and flooding homes as it winds its way down Australia's west coast.
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Long-lived cyclone intensifies as it skirts coast
After traversing three states, Cyclone Narelle could intensify into a category five system as it passes a series of isolated coastal communities.
Town on high alert in cyclone’s wake amid flood fears
Just when they thought it was safe to forget about the water, residents of a sandbagged outback town are bracing for a second round of flooding.
Rain-hit region braces as tropical storm sweeps past
Top End locals are wary of another flood threat after a former cyclone swept past, causing less damage than first expected as it speeds toward another state.
Hospital evacuated as sodden ground braces for Narelle
Communities still reeling from recent flooding are now dealing with evacuated hospitals, the prospect of extreme weather and surging tides.
Relief as hundreds evacuated from path of cyclone
Evacuees from the path of a cyclone feel safe but are anxious about the homes and pets they left behind as flood-hit Top End communities face a further deluge.
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‘Not out of danger’: hundreds flee as mega storm nears
Authorities warn northern Australia remains under threat from Cyclone Narelle as it moves west after crossing the coast, unleashing heavy rain and gales.
‘Something’s coming:’ worst cyclone in a century looms
A remote community is bracing for the biggest cyclone to hit the region in more than a century, seven years after a category four storm devastated the town.
Biggest cyclone ‘in living memory’ set to impact coast
Tropical Cyclone Narelle is barrelling toward northern Australia and could impact the coast as a category five system, inflicting winds up to more than 250km/h.
Nervous wait for flood zones as tropical cyclone looms
Northern Australia is bracing for more destructive weather in coming days as a low becomes a tropical cyclone in the Coral Sea and heads west.
Flood tragedy as fruit pickers found in submerged car
The families of two international backpackers will fly to Australia after the travellers' bodies were found in a flooded car as heavy rain wreaks more havoc.
Waterlogged city waits to learn extent of latest floods
Hundreds of homes have been hit by flooding at a regional community but the full extent of the damage may not be known for days.
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flood
indigenous people
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Floodwater rescues prompt warning for motorists
Multiple flood warnings have been issued as a major highway is cut and communities are urged to go to higher ground and postpone travel.
Australian conflict role unlikely as Iran tensions rise
Australia is standing with every day Iranians in the face of an escalating conflict, Anthony Albanese says, with thousands of people stranded in the region.
Australia’s driest town swamped as deadly storms swirl
Torrential rain, severe storms and dangerous floods continue to cause havoc, leading to the death of a motorcyclist who was swept away in a creek.
Got a phone? Prepare for an unsolicited message
Almost all Australians will get the same alert later this year as part of a nation-wide test of a new emergency warning system.
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weather news
‘You are in danger’: hundreds call for help amid storms
Heavy rain, high winds and life-threatening floods have brought chaos to city and suburban streets as authorities respond to hundreds of emergency calls.
Rail link cut, shelves stripped as floods swamp outback
Flooding has cut a major rail line, inundated roads and triggered rescues but parts of the country are welcoming potentially drought-breaking rain.