Australia, Pacific rocked by ocean heatwaves in 2024
Nearly 40 million square kilometres of ocean experienced marine heatwaves in the western Pacific region in 2024, a UN climate and weather agency says.
national news
Posties armed with citronella spray to ward off dogs
Australia Post will roll out spray to posties as a last line of defence to ward off an average of nine dog-related incidents a day.
Call for federal police to examine death in custody
An investigation into the death of a young Aboriginal man in police custody should be taken over by federal police, an Indigenous MP says.
Fireworks on way to ensure Territory Day isn’t a fizzer
A territory's explosive celebrations are back on track after a seized shipment of fireworks was released, ensuring the beloved event is not a fizzer.
Posties armed with citronella spray to ward off dogs
Australia Post will roll out spray to posties as a last line of defence to ward off an average of nine dog-related incidents a day.
‘High risk’: The Star’s $167m credit to money launderer
The scale of The Star casino's enabling of billions of dollars in risky transactions, including from at least one money launderer, has been exposed in court.
Jury begins deliberating in Weinstein’s rape retrial
Jurors have started deliberating in Harvey Weinstein's New York rape and assault crimes retrial.
Ex-premier tips Liberal leadership change to avoid poll
Rather than face a fourth election in seven years, a former premier believes a state Liberal party will change leaders in a bid to retain power.
‘Two faces’: online posts show mushroom cook’s duality
Accused murderer Erin Patterson has been quizzed over the state of her relationship with her in-laws prior to them eating a fatal lunch at her home.
Student’s testimony enough to back Dawson sex verdict
Evidence by one of Chris Dawson's former students was enough to prove he sexually abused her around the time he killed his wife, a court has found.
School jumping castle tragedy ‘impossible to predict’
The operator of a jumping castle that became airborne, killing six primary school children, has been cleared of criminal workplace safety breaches.
Jury hears more of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ ‘debauchery’
A model and social media influencer has told a jury she felt "exhilarated" the first time she had sex with a male escort in front of Sean "Diddy" Combs.
Steelworks sale on track despite hit on state budget
The sale of a steelworks is tracking better than expected after a state government handed down its no frills budget.
‘A new path’: independent turns tables in recount scrap
A teal independent has been declared the winner in the electorate of Bradfield by a tiny margin after a recount, but her Liberal rival is yet to concede defeat.
Australia’s big car love affair still fuelling sales
SUVs and utes have proven the big sellers on Australian car lots in May but the popularity of hybrid and electric vehicles is accelerating.
Man accused of sexually abusing children over decades
A man is facing accusations he sexually abused dozens of children across more than three decades while housing and providing schooling for alleged victims.
Chilling detail in superyacht worker’s abduction of ex
A superyacht worker wore black latex gloves so he wouldn't leave fingerprints when he abducted his former girlfriend after she broke up with him.
Australia seeks ‘best deal’ after UK tariff carve-out
Donald Trump's decision to grant the UK a tariff exemption offers some hope for Australia as the prime minister prepares for talks with the US president.
Combat might be launched from Australia: defence chief
Australians are being told by the nation's chief of the defence force to prepare for a possibility where combat operations are launched from home soil.
The Star faces $400m implosion over crime concerns
Backpacks full of cash, concealed transactions and gamblers with criminal links were ignored by The Star casino, which faces a fine of $400 million or more.
Productivity pickle a top priority for upbeat treasurer
Falling interest rates and Australia's competitive advantages are reasons for optimism, says the treasurer as he sets his sights on improving productivity.
‘Sad day’ as state faces fourth election in seven years
Ousted in a no-confidence vote, Tasmania's premier will seek re-election amid a backlash over budget debt, bungled new ferries and a contentious stadium plan.
Mushroom cook opens up on lies to police, in-laws
Erin Patterson lied to her in-laws about cancer tests before cooking them a deadly lunch because they made her "feel loved", she has told a jury.
Voters forgo sugar-hit as law and order tops budget
A pre-election budget has few sweeteners for voters as a state government focuses on boosting its law and order credentials with a $395 million package.
YouTube, Meta, TikTok reveal misinformation tidal wave
More than 25,000 Australian videos featuring misinformation have been removed from YouTube and TikTok as tech giants turn to AI tools to identify issues.
Diddy dangled Cassie’s friend off balcony, jury told
A friend of Casandra Ventura has told a jury she still has night terrors and paranoia after Sean "Diddy" Combs dangled her off a balcony in 2016.
So assertive: Liberal women rebuke party elder for jibe
A former party president's crack about Liberal women now being "so assertive" has sparked a wave of rebuke from within coalition ranks.
Liberal premier in crosshairs, fresh election possible
A Liberal state could be heading for a fresh election, with its minority premier vowing to fight on in the face of a no-confidence motion he is set to lose.
Animal advocates shoot down bill for enabling ‘yahoos’
Environmentally-minded MPs have savaged a bill to establish a bounty program to kill feral animals and expand hunters' rights as empowering a "fringe minority".
Film follows fight to heal Country from poison legacy
The film Yurlu/Country explores the impact of asbestos mining on a community that has spent decades fighting to heal their homelands.
Moment husband confronted mushroom cook over toxic meal
Erin Patterson has recalled fearing her children would be taken away after discovering she had served a poisonous beef Wellington meal to her in-laws.