Wind change fans unpredictable fires as towns evacuated
Dozens of communities have been urged to leave or take shelter as an out-of-control bushfire was fuelled further by gusty winds on a day of extreme conditions.
national news
Grave fears for boy swept off rocks into sea
A multi-agency search is underway to find a boy swept off rocks and into the sea while with a group of friends on a popular beach.
auto trends
automotive equipment
consumers
environmental issue
environmental politics
environmental pollution
pollution
road transport
transport
Australia urged to power ahead on EV charger rollout
Australia is not moving fast enough on vehicle charging and is holding back apartment dwellers, one of the country's biggest energy firms says.
‘A love story’: rebuilding Darwin after Tracy
Survivors gathered at the shoreline in Darwin at dawn to remember the moment 50 years earlier when Cyclone Tracy made landfall, claiming 66 lives.
Christmas conditions sparkle for millions of Aussies
From the beach to the bush, Australians were treated to a day of sunshine on Christmas though it remains a time when many are doing it tough.
breaking_news
disaster and accident
emergency incident
emergency planning
fire
forecast
warning
weather
Third town told to leave immediately as bushfire rages
Residents in the Grampians towns of Bornes Hill, Moyston and Pomonal have been told to leave immediately and seek shelter as a bushfire threat is imminent.
Measles, polio detected as authorities urge caution
Health authorities are urging people to monitor for measles symptoms after an infectious case was detected while polio was also found in wastewater.
disaster and accident
emergency planning
history - arts, culture and entertainment
meteorological disaster
natural disasters
politics
Australian story: PM remembers 50 years of Tracy
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has reflected on how Cyclone Tracy impacted the nation on the eve of the 50th anniversary of Darwin being flattened.
Shoppers to splash the cash in $1.3b Boxing Day spree
Cost of living pressures are not high enough for Australians to miss out on bumper billion-dollar Boxing Day sales after a season of early shopping tactics.
Alec Baldwin’s movie manslaughter case dropped
Alec Baldwin's lawyers say he's been vindicated after prosecutors dropped an appeal so he won't be tried for manslaughter over a fatal shooting on a movie set.
Aussie Cossack’s ‘attractive’ offer to seal prison swap
A perennial thorn in the Australian government's side has vowed to make it worth their while if he's sent to Russia in a swap for prisoner of war Oscar Jenkins.
central bank
economy, business and finance
inflation and deflation
international economic institution
macro economics
politics (general)
RBA says rate cuts coming soon, IMF warns on inflation
The Reserve Bank's interest rate settings are appropriate but the battle against inflation is not yet won, a check-up of Australia's economic health has found.
Leaders praise Aussie resilience and Christmas spirit
The resilience of Australians has been celebrated by political leaders as communities battle natural disasters over Christmas.
New Year’s show goes on but fireworks loom in train row
Millions of people can enjoy Sydney's world-famous New Year's Eve fireworks after a union and government paused a pay fight during the holidays.
Christmas inferno fears spark total fire bans
Total fire bans have been declared in two states over the Christmas break as emergency services prepare for the worst conditions since Black Summer.
Festive frenzy is full swing ahead of Santa’s arrival
The countdown to Christmas is more frantic than festive for most Australians, with many tipped to complete their preparations with a last-minute rush.
Australia to send ex-fighter pilot to Trump-led system
A former fighter pilot's Australian family is considering its options after condemning the "inhumane" approval of his extradition to the US.
‘A gentleman’: tributes flow for longtime federal MP
Liberal Party stalwart Kevin Andrews has been remembered as "a man of honour in the bear pit of public life" at a state funeral.
Foxtel sale a game changer for sports fans, industry
The $3.4 billion sale of Foxtel Group to British streaming behemoth DAZN is being called a landmark for Australian sports broadcasting.
Fears for Australian soldier captured in Ukraine
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says it is concerning news that an Australian citizen is reportedly being held hostage by pro-Russian forces in Ukraine.
festive event (including carnival)
labour dispute
politics
politics (general)
public employees
railway
transport
unions
Work bans dropped after premier knocks back free fares
A long-running stand-off between a transport union and state Labor government over pay appears a long way from resolution as a peace deal is rejected.
Ready to burn: travellers urged to reconsider travel
Millions of residents and travellers across the country are being warned to be on high alert as the risk of Christmas-week infernos intensifies.
Disaster team back home after marathon Vanuatu mission
A Queensland-based team of 66 including paramedics, engineers and firefighters has spent almost a week helping locals following Vanuatu's deadly earthquake.
‘John’s cooked’: writing on the wall for Liberal leader
A state Liberal Party could opt for its fourth leader in four years as a backflip by incumbent John Pesutto fails to cool tensions.
Four-year-old boy dies in WA house fire
A heartbroken Western Australian family is mourning the death of a four-year-old boy who died in a house fire just days before Christmas.
Pesutto facing chop as MPs call second Deeming meeting
Senior Liberals have turned on Victorian Opposition Leader John Pesutto, calling a meeting after he backflipped on readmitting expelled MP Moira Deeming.
Watching for doves in Reserve Bank’s Christmas reveal
A dovish tilt was detected in the Reserve Bank's last post-meeting comments, so traders will hope for more traces of an upcoming rate cut in its board minutes.
Blazes force evacuations amid rising risk of Xmas fires
Firefighters are working around the clock to prepare for sweltering Boxing Day conditions as warnings for several major blazes are downgraded.
Trump says he might demand Panama hand over canal
Donald Trump has threatened the US could retake control of the Panama Canal if it continues to be charged 'ridiculous' fees to use the vital shipping route.
Extreme weather scaring off tourists
Threats of floods, storms, bushfires and heatwaves are making summer holidays difficult to plan and navigate for tourists.
Cost of giving diminishes Christmas joy
As families make cutbacks and sacrifices to save the spirit of Christmas, charities warn that many will face a bleak festive season devoid of celebrations.