Australian shares plunge after weeks of strong gains
After its near-record start to 2024, the local share market has finished down 1.4 per cent, its worst one-day drop since July, with losses across every sector.
national news
Australia urged to support genocide case against Israel
Palestininian Australians want the federal government to support a genocide case filed by South Africa against Israel at the International Court of Justice.
Two more homes lost as WA bushfire threat continues
Multiple blazes across Western Australia are testing firefighters, with authorities warning there are more "difficult" days ahead.
Shoppers to spend almost $24b on Boxing Day sales
Australians are expected to spend big in the Boxing Day sales, the "Grand Final" of shopping around the nation which starts on Tuesday.
Far north open to tourists as flood clean up continues
Queensland's deputy premier has encouraged tourists to return to the far north as volunteers help Cairns residents clean up their homes after flooding.
Leaders wish Australians a safe and Merry Christmas
The prime minister and opposition leader have wished Australians a Merry Christmas and expressed their gratitude to those giving up their day to help others.
Lithium-ion batteries fires warning for Christmas
The fire risk from lithium-ion batteries is rising as Christmas shoppers continue stocking up on gadgets and devices that run on the rechargeable power source.
Tiddas: Heiss takes novel from the page to centre stage
Indigenous author Anita Heiss' novel Tiddas, which celebrates the strength of sistahood, has been adapted for the stage and will feature at the Sydney Festival.
Flood victims face another Christmas of uncertainty
NSW Northern Rivers communities devastated by flooding in 2022 say it could take a decade to recover after progress was hampered by a mismanaged buyback scheme.
Fed up to the back teeth: rural dental divide revealed
A country dentist says exposure to rural areas during study inspired his professional calling, as an inquiry calls for incentives to study and work in the bush.
Inflation to eat into Christmas lunches, presents: poll
Christmas will be less merry than usual for many Australians, with a union poll showing a sizeable number of people plan to spend less on lunch and presents.
‘Fascinating’: red crabs marching on Christmas Island
Tens of millions of red crabs are scurrying to the coast of Christmas Island, in one of the world's most colourful annual mass migrations.
Boxing Day bargain hunt after flat period for retailers
Deeper discounts could greet Boxing Day shoppers as retailers look to boost flatter sales ahead of Christmas from interest rate hikes and economic uncertainty.
Storms smash Sydney, with flooding rescues under way
Large parts of NSW are on alert for dangerous weather over the Christmas long weekend, as storm cells smash Sydney bringing hail, strong winds and downpours.
PM on lunch duty as Australia takes Christmas breather
The prime minister has served lunch to the homeless as Australians celebrated Christmas their own way, while wet weather put a dampener on festivities for some.
Church leaders call for hope and love at Christmas
Australians have been urged to look at Christmas as a time for hope in the midst of natural disasters, international conflicts and economic challenges.
‘A simple life’: the reincarnation of rural churches
Rural churches are getting second lives as music studios, luxury homes and cosy BnBs after the COVID-19 pandemic, which left many in search of a quiet life.
Shoppers seek Boxing Day bargains across the country
Australians have splurged at unprecedented sales on Boxing Day spurred on by a cost-of-living crisis this year.
Cultural burns help to protect country from bushfires
With bushfires raging across some parts of the nation, Aboriginal land management techniques are showing how to reduce the severity of the damage.
Electric car show returning to Australia, twice as big
Double the number of electric vehicle makers will be racing into Sydney in 2024 after demand for the low-emission rides tripled.
Australia’s breakfast king Bill Granger dies at 54
Australia's breakfast king, chef and restaurateur Bill Granger, has died at the age of 54 in a London hospital surrounded by his family.
Search for swimmer, 19, swept out to sea
A 19-year-old man was caught in a rip and swept out to sea after coming to the aid of a family member in difficulty in the surf off the NSW South Coast.
Storm toll mounts with second body at flooded campsite
A man's body has been found near an inundated campsite where a woman was discovered dead the day before, in Victoria's east.
Australian shares hit highest level in 20 months
The ASX200 has finished up 0.8 per cent and is closing in on its all-time high reached in August 2021.
Older swimmers, tourists warned of peak season danger
The period between Christmas and New Year is the deadliest for drownings in Australia, and the week has already taken a major toll.
De Minaur sidesteps showdown with girlfriend Boulter
Australia's United Cup campaign will begin against Great Britain in Perth, with Alex de Minaur keen to avoid girlfriend Katie Boulter in the mixed-teams comp.
DFAT investigating reports Australian died in Lebanon
Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is investigating following reports an Australian has died in Lebanon.
Travel warning as strike kills two nationals in Lebanon
The federal government has repeated warnings against travelling to Lebanon after an air strike there killed two Australians.
TikTok privacy breach allegations under spotlight
Concerns social media giant TikTok breached Australian privacy laws through its data harvesting practices are being looked at by the information commissioner.
Two-year-old girl drowns in backyard pool
A two-year-old girl has died after being pulled unconscious from a pool in northern NSW as the number of drownings this holiday season continues to rise.
‘Much loved’ teen surfer killed in shark attack
The surfing community is in mourning after a 15-year-old was killed by a shark on South Australia's Yorke Peninsula, the state's third fatal attack this year.