Posthumous honour for Australian music legend
Midnight Oil drummer Rob Hirst, who died on Tuesday, has been awarded an Australia Day honour - on a date he wanted to change.
national news
Astronaut, distance runner win nation’s highest honours
The first astronaut to train under the Australian flag has been honoured with the 2026 Australian of the Year award, with other top achievers also recognised.
Bushfires rage as heatwave grips Australia’s southeast
Smoke has blanketed a major city after a bushfire drew within striking distance of a rural town during a widespread heatwave.
Remote town tip-off in search for accused triple killer
Police are searching farms and homes over a vast area as they respond to a potential sighting of alleged triple murderer Julian Ingram.
Shark safety boost after horror spate of attacks
More drones will be deployed along the NSW coast as part of a multimillion-dollar boost to shark-safety programs after the death of a 12-year-old boy.
Residents brace for heavy rain as Luana heads inland
Residents of Western Australia's north coast are bracing for heavy rain as Cyclone Luana tracks inland, despite the storm running out of steam.
alliances
armed conflict
breaking_news
diplomacy
international military intervention
politics
unrest, conflicts and war
war
‘No better hands’: Rudd successor named for US post
Australia's next ambassador to the US has been welcomed as the right person to drive progress on the AUKUS nuclear submarine deal.
Liberal hopeful branded ‘extreme’ as foes circle leader
Labor has framed one of the frontrunners for Sussan Ley's leadership as a fringe, right-wing figure as momentum builds for a spill.
Man charged over Australia Day threat to mosque
A man accused of posting threats and inciting violence against minority groups on Australia Day has been charged over an "abhorrent" message.
computing and information technology
health
health treatment
healthcare policy
litigation and regulation
regulatory policy and organisation
science and technology
software
technology (general)
The chatbot will see you now: why AI is tackling health
After being swamped with medical questions, one AI firm is trialling a dedicated health service. Experts say more are coming and their prognosis is unclear.
Pride and shame: national day leaving many conflicted
There are mixed emotions for many about Australia's national day. For some it means celebration, for others mourning and marking the beginning of colonisation.
‘From the heart’: Wolfe Brothers sweep Golden Guitars
The Wolfe Brothers have swept Australia's peak country music awards, winning five Golden Guitars including the top gong for album of the year.
Schoolboy loses fight for life after shark attack
Nico Antic, 12, has died from critical injuries suffered when bitten by a shark at a popular swimming spot.
Publican banned after man placed in induced coma
A NSW publican has had his liquor licence revoked for breaching Responsible Service of Alcohol obligations after a man suffered severe injuries from a fall.
Rob Hirst: a legacy of connections and kindness
Friends, collaborators and fellow musicians remember the late Midnight Oil drummer as a giant songwriter who changed the national conversation.
Nats’ demands complicate Liberal leadership speculation
Liberals are weighing up their options ahead of a looming leadership coup against Sussan Ley but fury at the Nationals leader is complicating the situation.
UK artist pips homegrown musicians to top annual poll
With streaming giants under no compulsion to program local artists, Australian music has been disappearing from the nation's biggest annual music poll.
Search widens in manhunt for alleged triple murderer
Police fear an accused triple murderer may be receiving assistance to avoid arrest as they ramp up the search for the alleged gunman.
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fire
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weather news
High alert as cyclone, heatwaves, fires loom large
Extreme weather is threatening to derail the long weekend, already disrupting holiday plans and major sports events.
‘Partisan warrior’ farewelled after tragic death
A prominent former Labor strategist, who died after an alleged assault outside a nightclub, has been farewelled by political leaders, friends and loved ones.
Safety warnings as ‘heat dome’ looms over long weekend
A "heat dome" is set to bring potentially record-breaking temperatures and fire danger to parts of the nation over the Australia Day long weekend.
arts, culture and entertainment
country music
entertainment award
festive event (including carnival)
music
Rising Australian country star comes full circle
Lane Pittman won millions of hearts and minds when he auditioned for The Voice as a teenager. Now, he's performing with the biggest names in country music.
Savings coming for households able to use energy in day
Australia is pressing ahead with its three-hour timeslot of free electricity as critics warn the design could disadvantage some customers.
The election campaign threat that has parties worried
Labor's review of its thumping 2025 federal election victory has found the biggest threat to its future success might lie beyond the floundering opposition.
‘Unlawful’ police powers ruling a win for protesters
A declaration that gave police the power to search people without a warrant was unlawful and invalid, a Federal Court judge has ruled in a win for protesters.
Showdown locked in for Eels, Lomax NRL courtroom biff
Parramatta Eels will get a swift answer in court as to whether their former winger Zac Lomax can exit the club early and defect to the Melbourne Storm.
Hailstorms, cyclones prompt multibillion-dollar claims
From hail damage on cars to rooves ripped off homes, severe weather events across Australia caused an eye-watering $3.5 billion in insured losses in 2025.
Climate change made heatwave five times more likely
Australia has just experienced its worst heatwave in six years but it's set to become much more common under existing policies to curb carbon emissions.
Leadership reset on the cards to mend coalition divorce
A change in leaders for both the Liberals and Nationals might be needed if the conservative parties are to reconcile their differences amid rising tensions.
Magic number that could decide an interest rate hike
Traders now tip a greater-than-50 per cent chance of an interest rate hike in February, but some pundits are holding out hope for a Reserve Bank reprieve.
‘Nation has stood up’: mourners resilient after attack
A message of defiance grounded in Jewish tenets has marked an emotional commemoration for Bondi massacre victims as political and religious leaders unite.