More than 700 homes lost in New South Wales fires
Australia's Rural Fire Service says more than 720 New south Wales homes have been destroyed over the fire season so far.
Australia
Australian family of four among missing
Australian family of four among missing
A New South Wales family of four is listed among more than 100 people sought by friends and family in the wake of the Whakaari/White Island eruption off the North Island.
Fire crews brace as NSW set to swelter
Fire crews brace as NSW set to swelter
Firefighters across Australia's east coast were bracing for a fresh wave of fires as temperatures across the country's most populous state were expected to soar.
'Very, very hard day for Australian families'
White Island eruption: 'Very, very hard day for Australian families'
Up to three Australians have been killed after a volcano erupted in New Zealand, while eight others are missing and the death toll is expected to rise.
Global hunt for Aussie man over child abuse
Global hunt for Aussie man over child abuse
A global search is on to find a man wanted for sexually abusing children in Sydney over a six-year period in the 1980s.
'Megafire' raging near Sydney
'Megafire' raging near Sydney
A 'megafire' is ravaging areas north of Sydney as more than 100 blazes take hold in New South Wales amid deteriorating weather conditions.
Anti-terror squads to patrol Australian airports
Anti-terror squads to patrol Australian airports
Anti-terror police armed with assault rifles will patrol Brisbane and Canberra airports this Christmas.
Heatwave bears down on Queensland as fires rage
Heatwave bears down on Queensland as fires rage
Temperatures above 40C are expected in parts of Queensland as destructive bushfires rage across the state.
Instagram launches body image initiative
Instagram launches body image initiative
A new partnership in Australia involving Instagram aims to address body image issues on social media.
Rugby Australia apologises to Israel Folau
Rugby Australia apologises to Israel Folau
Rugby Australia has apologised to Israel Folau as part of its settlement with the former Wallaby over his sacking due to controversial social media posts.
Body of missing woman found in Outback
Body of missing woman found in Outback
A body believed to be that of a missing Alice Springs woman has been found two weeks after she went missing with two friends in the Northern Territory Outback.
Second member of trio missing in Outback found alive
Second member of trio missing in Outback found alive
A second person has been found alive after being lost for two weeks in the Northern Territory Outback and police are hopeful of finding a third person who remains missing.
Festival strip-searches 'may have been unlawful'
Festival strip-searches 'may have been unlawful'
The majority of strip-searches carried out on teenagers at an underage Sydney music festival earlier this year were potentially unlawful, an inquiry has heard.
Smoke plagues Sydney again amid fire risks
Smoke plagues Sydney again amid fire risks
Homes and properties have been destroyed by out-of-control bushfires near Batemans Bay on the New South Wales south coast, fire authorities have confirmed.
Hunt for missing pair after woman found alive
Hunt for missing pair after woman found alive in Outback
A woman who survived a traumatic fortnight stranded in Australia's unforgiving Outback saved herself by finding a water hole.
Third possible hot car death in Australia
Third possible hot car death in Australia
A 5-year-old Australian girl has died in hospital days after being found inside a hot car, a week after the deaths of two young sisters also thought to be due to being left in a hot vehicle.
NZ construction worker dies from explosion on work site
NZ construction worker dies from explosion on work site
The widow of a New Zealand worker killed when a pipe exploded on a Sydney construction site has described the moment she was taken to see his body in a hospital room.
Australian students kick off climate change protests
Australian students kick off climate change protests
Thousands of Australian students walked out of class on Friday to join rallies demanding stronger action to rein in climate change, which they say is contributing to the country's bushfire crisis.
Almost 150 fires burning across NSW
Almost 150 fires burning across NSW
The NSW Rural Fire Service has put out a fresh warning for residents to prepare for fire ahead of a hot and windy weekend forecast.
Sydney to end lockout laws
Sydney to end lockout laws
Sydney's lockout laws will be no more from January 14.