The best photos from the international wire agencies as chosen by our picture editors

Sydney’s youngest and oldest school children will return to classrooms from October 18, Victorian healthcare workers are being told to ‘prepare psychologically’ for the next few months and Queensland remains on high alert after new cases of COV...

The Bureau of Meteorology has confirmed a tornado occurred in the NSW Central West region on Thursday afternoon, while hail has landed in Sydney’s north-west.

A slew of new locations across Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Townsville are among more a growing list of exposure sites now linked to Queensland’s growing COVID-19 scare.

Justice Robert Bromwich has mused that the case, which centres on allegations broadcaster Erin Molan was racist during an on-air radio segment, would have been “particularly worthy” for a jury to decide.

Victoria recorded 1438 new local cases on Thursday, a roughly 50 per cent increase on Wednesday’s numbers.

Mobility data suggests that there was more movement in Melbourne over the Grand final long weekend than at any time during the lockdown.

Fully vaccinated people who visit pubs, restaurants and supermarkets will no longer be identified as close contacts and forced to isolate for two weeks if exposed to COVID-19, under a planned overhaul of the state’s contact tracing methods.

From a position of relative comfort just a few short weeks ago, now it seems everyone in Wollongong someone who’s had COVID-19.

The NSW Education Department is also looking to buy about 10,000 air purifiers to help mitigate COVID-19 transmission in classrooms when students return.

A group of plaintiffs including aged care workers, a paramedic and a teacher are attempting to challenge vaccine mandates in the NSW Supreme Court.

Mr Buswell was charged on Thursday morning with attempting to pervert the course of justice by investigators from the special crime division and is being held in custody.

The threat to the Blue Mountains makes it vital to scrutinise the environmental costs and look at alternative solutions.

Alan Lancaster played the opening notes for Live Aid, the biggest global television event of all time.

Three employees from high-profile firm Bosscher Lawyers were charged by the Crime and Corruption Commission in 2017.

Is the Queensland government’s “go hard, go early” mantra softening?

Today on Please Explain, senior culture writer Karl Quinn joins Nathanael Cooper to discuss the film Nitram and whether it should have been made.

When my son started to act strangely, it took me too long to realise it was a side effect of his asthma medication.

The introduction of Melbourne Airport’s third runway might see a planning shake-up that stymies development in the city’s growing northern and western suburbs.

NSW will extend its financial support to businesses hit by COVID-19 until the end of November at a cost of about $500 million despite the federal government pulling the pin on its contributions.

“Supercell” storms that could bring giant hail, destructive wind gusts and heavy rainfall are possible over coming days, as widespread showers shift to the east coast.

The chairwoman of the Australian Sports Commission says the fight against institutionalised racism can no longer be left to those who are the targets.

The fight to save two historic Sunshine Technical School buildings from demolition has begun.

Their lawyer told the Brisbane Supreme Court there had not been any infections in the police service since the start of the pandemic.

A worker died after ground collapsed at Fortescue Metals Group’s Solomon Hub this morning and operations have been suspended.

The year 9 student and budding inventor has used the past three months to design a needle-free alternative to the EpiPen for people who suffer from anaphylaxis.

Golfers were happy to return to their courses this week, but some were hopping mad to find club toilets closed because of public health directions.

Thousands of people who have tickets to the NRL grand final and other matches will be told their tickets are not valid, as stadiums shed 25 per cent of crowds under new COVID restrictions.

As the state inches closer to a 90 per cent first-dose vaccination rate, Premier Gladys Berejiklian confirmed the reopening of schools would be brought forward a week.

I’ve always believed that words have the power to profoundly change the way we feel about and see the world. It’s why I chose a career in journalism, and it’s why I’m particularly proud to work for the Herald as its new Indigenous affairs rep...

The department is specifying it wants the supply of units that have high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) certified medical-grade filters.

Local COVID cases continue to grow in Queensland and authorities have announced changes for this Sunday’s NRL grand final.

A man has been charged after allegedly storing a stolen vehicle that police allege was used in the failed plot to murder Hamze last month.

Of the 32,000 fines handed to Victorians for breaching public health directions over the past year, only 10 per cent have been paid.

Tradies’ wages are up 12 to 15 per cent while mining graduates are earning as much as $110,000 in WA, where the skills shortage is biting hard.

Sam Barnett believes he has been defamed by stories in The West Australian that imputed he was defying Supreme Court orders that froze some of his assets.

The judge had a difficult past after he was stood down after committed acts of misconduct in relation to tax arrangements, but he was never charged.

Police said the people in the SUV were unable to exit after it caught fire following the “extremely graphic” crash on a motorway west of Brisbane.

Is there a mismatch in messaging between the ONJ Cancer Wellness and Research Centre and its “founding champion”?

Research based on a survey of 6000 adolescents across Australia has alarmed experts who believe the worst is yet to come after nearly two years of lockdowns, homeschooling and isolation.

The number of cancer biopsies, scans and surgeries in Australia plummeted last year, sparking concerns of up to 20,000 missed cancer cases as extended lockdowns halt routine medical check-ups.  

Stephanie Lake, 13, has been waiting for her local indoor pool to reopen and was then turned away from an outdoor pool this week because of her age.

The education industry is demanding a plan for the return of overseas students, with principals from some of Victoria’s most expensive schools warning the state’s international student market could “fall off a cliff”.

Millions of Australians under 40 will have put up with never owning a home unless housing supply is increased.

When two former prime ministers, from different political sides, find substantial cause to roundly criticise the government’s actions, we surely know there has been substantial failure.

Free legal services across the state, including Legal Aid, will benefit from a $95 million funding boost from the federal government over the next four years. 

Forty years ago, the newly-wed Tom Waits spoke of marriage and misfits ahead of two concerts at the Capitol Theatre.

Only Poland and Bulgaria recorded bigger falls, while Botswana,Turkey, Argentina and Greece are among the countries that outperform us.

Trivia buffs: test your knowledge with today’s interactive superquiz and target.

Do I need to wear a face mask when bushwalking? Can I visit my husband in regional Victoria? Find answers to the questions readers have about the road map out of lockdown and the changing rules.