After a new COVID-19 variant emerged in southern Africa, scientists, health officials and the public are concerned, and the World Health Organization is monitoring the situation closely. Here is what we know.

At some point on Friday afternoon, news flashed up on trading terminals across the globe indicating the new strain of COVID-19 found in South Africa  — and markets reacted, writes David Taylor.

The Defence Minister says China sees Australia and other countries in the region as subordinate states that should be submissive to it, as he warns Beijing would quickly dominate Asia if it succeeds in invading Taiwan. 

Prime Minister Sogavare's residence is under heavy police watch as protests continue for a third day, with more Australian police and troops to arrive in the capital, Honiara, later today. 

Here's why Australia is stepping in to help with the unrest in the Solomon Islands, and what our servicemen and women will be doing in the Pacific nation.

A Port Macquarie development proposal, scrutinised in an ABC Four Corners report examining the Obeid family's coastal property interests, has been knocked back.

South Australia records two new cases of COVID-19, as Premier Steven Marshall announces the state has reached 80 per cent double vaccination.

The former police officer's defence over the hit-and-run death of a man was that he was sleepwalking and not conscious of his actions at the time. Today, a judge rejected that argument. 

Professor Brett Sutton tells a coronial inquest his decision to direct all staff at St Basil's aged care home into quarantine in July 2020 was made in an attempt to save lives.

Police have charged a teenager with one count of murder, but have not yet revealed whether he was known to Ms Latimore.

Cricket Australia confirms it has chosen Cummins to lead Australia in the upcoming Ashes series, with former skipper Smith appointed as his deputy.

Pat Cummins has become the first Australian fast bowler in history to earn a full-time gig as Test captain. So why are quicks rarely picked for leadership? Simon Smale explains.

Police release photos showing the difficult terrain where they are searching for the bodies of missing campers Russell Hill and Carol Clay, as the man charged with their murder is transported back to Melbourne after appearing in a Gippsland ...

A mother whose army veteran son took his own life calls for reform at the start of the long-awaited Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.

Tasmania's borders are opening and COVID-19 is coming, so what are the rules if you get infected and you are unvaccinated?

Communities in coastal areas of the United States are having to consider a "managed retreat" from climate change as rising waters and destructive storms threaten their way of life.

Independent MP Alex Greenwich's voluntary assisted dying bill passes the lower house of parliament, 52 votes to 32.

The results of 300 tests are expected back later today. Authorities say lockdown settings will remain in place in Katherine today and will be reassessed over the weekend.

The Liberal Party is not a group of "warm bodies and drones" for the Prime Minister to push around, Scott Morrison says, as he responds to a week of government backbenchers in both houses voting against him. 

A renowned Chinese fashion photographer apologises for her past work after online critics called it insulting to the Chinese people and fashion house Dior removed one of her photos from a show in Shanghai.

Egyptian authorities unveil renovated ancient promenade in the city of Luxor that dates back 3,000 years. 

Big four bank ANZ will face court over a scheme where unqualified people pushed home loan customers towards the bank and got a commission for it.

Tui Kamikamica has been stood down by the Melbourne Storm after being charged over an alleged incident involving a woman outside a Brisbane hotel.

Interpol's member countries vote to appoint a Chinese public security official to the international law enforcement body's executive committee, despite objections from a group of Australian MPs and international human rights organisations...

In a rare decision, the Family Court has gone public about a missing child who hasn't been seen since April. The baby's mother says she left him with a woman at a Sydney shop but she has now been accused of withholding information that coul...