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.
national news
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
‘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.
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.
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.
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.
End of the world: tsunami seared into survivors’ minds
December 26 marks 20 years since a monster earthquake in the Indian Ocean triggered a tsunami that killed 230,000 people including 26 Australians.
Retailers buoyed as shoppers swarm Boxing Day sales
Aussies are expected to splurge on homewares and beauty products, with bargain hunters set to spend more than $1.3 billion on Boxing Day sales.
Chatbot therapy: can generative AI treat loneliness?
Researchers are creating artificially intelligent companions to help people get through challenges but that does not necessarily cut humans out of the picture.
Victoria could be a key election battleground: Newspoll
Victoria could be a big player in deciding the next federal election result, according to a new Newspoll analysis.
‘Most perfect son’ feared dead after swept off rocks
Tributes are flowing in for 15-year-old Luca Bennett as rescue crews scale back a search for the teenager after he was swept off rocks at a popular beach.
Two fighting for life after suspicious house blaze
Three residents are in hospital, with two of them in a critical condition, after a house fire authorities suspect was deliberately lit.
Bushfire rages but cool change a chance to check damage
The threat of bushfires will linger in Victoria's already-scorched Grampians region even after hot and windy conditions move north.
Libs Battin down the hatches as leader outlines vision
Brad Battin has vowed to tackle the cost of living, crime, budget repair and regional roads after ousting John Pesutto as Victoria's Liberal party leader.
Tragedy strikes twice in Sydney-Hobart as sailors die
Crews desperately tried to save the lives of two sailors who died in separate incidents in the Sydney to Hobart in challenging weather conditions, police say.
Body of boy found after swept off rocks to sea
Rescuers have found the body of Luca Bennett, his family says, after dolphins were seen circling near where the teen was swept off rocks at a popular beach.
Calmer waters for remaining Sydney-Hobart fleet
A sailor aboard the winning boat in this year's Sydney to Hobart yacht race has described the conditions as the worst of his 11 Sydney to Hobart races.
Liberal leader promises party unity after messy battle
Brad Battin has paid his respects to former leader John Pesutto after taking his place at the helm of the Victorian Liberals.
The chef championing native foods from island backyards
Food is part of culture, connection and community for this Torres Strait Islander chef, who has returned home to showcase the flavours of her childhood.
Bushfire destroys homes as calmer conditions on horizon
Stable conditions and cooler weather are giving firefighters welcome relief as initial damage assessments reveal at least three homes have been lost to fire.
Crocodile count raises concerns about swimming holes
Fifty years after almost being wiped out in the Top End, the number of crocodiles is raising alarms about new places the apex predator is lurking.
Australia set to go off with a colourful bang on NYE
Preparations are under way for a fireworks extravaganza across the nation with Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne all set to sparkle with skyline light shows.
Financial help on its way as bushfires hit livelihoods
Farmers, tourism operators and others suffering income loss following a huge bushfire will be eligible for financial support.
All ahead AI: fresh risk, different rules, new features
Generative AI tools have already changed the way Australians work, communicate and study. Experts say more changes are coming in 2025.
Laws to rev up electric car race at starting line
Australia's automotive industry will look different in 2025 after a change in laws inspires a long list of electric and plug-in hybrid challengers.
Youth pastor killed by shark while fishing with family
A man has died after being attacked by a shark while on a fishing trip with his family in the Keppel Bay Islands National Park.