Climate change demands more blood, prevents collection
Extreme weather events caused by climate change are seeing a rising need for blood donations but also making it more difficult than ever to collect them.
fire
Almost 150 dead after boat catches fire in DR Congo
A boat carrying as many as 500 passengers in Democratic Republic of Congo has caught fire, killing almost 150 people, the country's media report.
Residents rattled as ‘lovely’ mum dies in alleged arson
Shock and devastation has gripped teary neighbours after a man allegedly murdered his wife and set fire to the family home.
Insurer profits boom to $6.1b after steep premium hikes
Insurance companies have collectively banked $6.1 billion in annual profit after raising premiums and facing fewer significant weather events.
Clue in hunt for ‘lowlife’ arsonists over deadly attack
A tip-off to police and a new image of a person of interest could help investigators find those responsible for a firebombing that killed an innocent woman.
South Korea’s worst wildfires are almost contained
The most destructive wildfires ever to hit South Korea are almost contained, authorities say, after rain and cooler temperatures helped fire crews.
South Korea fights dire wildfires as death toll hits 27
South Korea's military is aiding firefighting efforts as deadly wildfires double in size, killing at least 27 and destroying historic sites.
Global flight turmoil as fire closes London’s Heathrow
Qantas flights are among those disrupted worldwide by the closure of Britain's Heathrow Airport after a fire at a substation cut power to the international hub.
Heathrow reopens as airlines scramble after shutdown
London's Heathrow Airport is back in business a day after a fire knocked out power to Europe's busiest airport, throwing air travel into chaos worldwide.
Firefighters killed as South Korea battles wildfires
At least three firefighters have died as South Korea struggles to contain dozens of wildfires amid dry, windy conditions.
UK government orders probe into Heathrow shutdown
The UK government has ordered an investigation into the country's energy resilience after an electrical substation fire shut Heathrow Airport for almost a day.
Helicopter pilot among dead as S.Korea battles fires
At least 24 people have died, including a helicopter pilot, and thousands have fled their homes as dry winds whip up some of South Korea worst-ever wildfires.
At least 32 dead as massive US storm causes carnage
At least 32 people have died in a massive US storm, with extreme weather conditions forecast to affect an area that's home to more than 100 million people.
At least 51 dead in nightclub fire in North Macedonia
At least 51 people have been killed and dozens more injured after a nightclub caught fire during a concert in a small town in North Macedonia.
Fire at North Macedonia nightclub kills 59, injures 150
The death toll from a nightclub fire in north Macedonia has risen to 59, with more than 150 injured.
Hundreds evacuated as tourist hotel roof catches fire
The glitter strip was rife with activity in the early hours after a blaze broke out on the top of a hotel sparking hundreds of evacuations.
Director faults firefighters over toxic recycling blaze
A former company director once responsible for processing 60 per cent of Victoria's recyclable waste has partly blamed firefighters for a major toxic blaze.
Police close in on arsonists after innocent life lost
The death of an innocent beloved burlesque performer after a home she was in was set alight in a case of mistaken identity has been linked to tobacco gang wars.
Better water systems needed to survive firestorms
Recent fires that consumed entire Los Angeles neighbourhoods showed water utilities generally are not designed to respond to large urban fires.
Brave neighbour tried to save residents in deadly blaze
Scenes of shock and panic have been recalled by neighbours near a fire that killed a mother and her young daughter as investigators work to determine its cause.
Four dead, 24 injured after store blast in Taiwan mall
Authorities in Taiwan say an explosion at a department store in Taichung city has killed four people.
Six dead, 100 evacuated from S Korea construction fire
A fire at a construction site in the South Korean city of Busan has killed six people, officials say.
Weather on firefighters’ side in race to control blazes
Concerns have been raised about how health services deal with fire threats, as a cool change offered fire crews a chance to contain raging blazes.
Crews guard richest collection of rock art from blazes
Emergency crews are fighting to contain out-of-control bushfires from scorching a rich concentration of Indigenous rock art as hotter weather looms.
Firefighters rush to contain blazes ahead of heatwave
A few days of hot weather poses fresh risks for firefighters battling blazes and nearby communities.
‘A lot of anguish out there’: lessons from Black Summer
A mobile stage dubbed Beryl has helped bring bushfire-affected towns together, as research highlights the need for recovery funds years after disaster strikes.
Fire-ravaged state on high alert for ‘killer’ heatwave
There will be no reprieve from a summer heatwave for several days for residents of a bushfire-ravaged state as conditions fuel blazes.
Homes lost, fire crew’s lucky escape from burning ute
One of 114 fires started by dry lightning has destroyed two homes and a shed, while another blaze engulfed an emergency vehicle as wild weather lashes a state.
Fears lightning to strike twice as fire threat lingers
The danger isn't over in fire-hit areas now threatened by new lightning strikes, with emergency crews backburning as a cool change sweeps in.
‘It came in hot and fast’: lucky locals count blessings
Residents and firefighters are still on edge as weather conditions are forecast to heighten bushfire dangers as many grateful locals escape serious damage.
Crews race to prepare as blazes rage ahead of hot spell
Fires continue to burn out of control on the western flank of a national park, with people urged to leave or monitor conditions while crews work on containment.