Australia
Australia battles 'catastrophic' wildfires as PM rushes home
Australia's most populous state was paralyzed by "catastrophic" fire conditions Saturday amid souring temperatures, while one person died as wildfires also ravaged the country's southeast.
Sydney's desalination plant creates unexpected boom in fish populations
The desalination plant in Sydney, Australia, which creates 250 million litres of vital drinking water per day, has an unexpected benefit of also attracting close to four times as many fish to the area, researchers revealed on Thursday.
Australian Outback warned to brace for record-breaking heatwave
Central Australia has been warned to prepare for potentially record-breaking temperatures.
Australia launches review of foreign aid priorities
The Australian government has launched a review of its foreign aid priorities.
New Zealand police open criminal probe into volcano deaths
Survivors of a powerful volcanic eruption in New Zealand ran into the sea to escape the scalding steam and ash and emerged covered in burns, say those who first helped them.
11 Australians missing, 13 injured in New Zealand eruption
Australia's prime minister said Tuesday that 11 Australians remained unaccounted for and 13 had been hospitalized after a volcano eruption in New Zealand.
Trust in Australian gov't falls to all-time low: study
Australians' trust in government has hit an all-time low, according to the latest Australian Election Study (AES).
Australian PM announces biggest public service changes in 32 years
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced the biggest overhaul of the nation's public service in decades.
3 charged over Australia's largest crystal meth seizure
Two customs agents and an information technology worker appeared in a court on Thursday charged with drug offenses over Australia's largest seizure of methamphetamine, which had been smuggled to Melbourne from Bangkok in stereo speakers.
Smoke-filled skies become new normal for Sydney
The Australian city of Sydney was once again blanketed in dense smoke on Tuesday as nearby bushfires filled the air with hazardous smog, prompting locals to wonder when they will see the sky again.