Storms have brought heavy rain to fire-hit regions of eastern Australia – but authorities warn the nation’s bushfire crisis is still “far from over”.
More than 80 blazes were still burning across New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria on Monday, despite downpours.
Melbourne and Canberra have been hit by heavy storms, with hail as big as golf balls falling in some areas.
Hail stones sit on the ground after a severe hail storm, at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, 20 January 2020. EPA-EFE/MICK TSIKAS
Hundreds of emergency calls were made as hail smashed office windows and car windshields in the nation’s capital.
Further severe storms have also been forecast for bushfire-ravaged states.
A handout photo made available by the Australian Reptile Park shows park staff moving koalas to dryer enclosures during a flash-flood at the Australian Reptile Park in Somersby, New South Wales, Australia, 17 January 2020 (issued 19 January 2020). EPA-EFE/AUSTRALIAN REPTILE PARK HANDOUT
Victoria, NSW and Queensland experienced heavy rainfall and floods in recent days, bringing relief to some blaze zones.
But strong winds have also generated dust clouds, temporarily blacking out the sky in NSW towns such as Orange and Dubbo.
Read more via BBC /ABC News
24th July 2026
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham will on Friday officially open a new government hub in Manchester, branded "No10 North", in a symbolic extension of his Downing Street office as he se...
24th July 2026
Oil prices have surged to $100 a barrel for the first time since May as renewed fighting in the Middle East raises concerns over global energy supplies.
Brent crude, the international...
24th July 2026
Morning Briefing
Valletta power restored after 30-hour blackout as Enemalta cites record demand
Electricity has been restored to Valletta after a power outage lasting more than 30 ...
23rd July 2026
Updated 1155
Parliament Unanimously Backs Constitutional Protection for Disability Rights: Parliament has unanimously approved constitutional amendments adding disability as a protect...
25th June 2026
The European Commission has unveiled an ambitious package of tax reforms aimed at simplifying tax rules across the European Union, reducing compliance burdens for businesses and strength...
10th June 2026
The European Union's new Migration and Asylum Pact enters into force on 12 June, ushering in the most significant reform of the bloc's migration framework in years and placing renewed em...
24th July 2026
Oil prices have surged to $100 a barrel for the first time since May as renewed fighting in the Middle East raises concerns over global energy supplies.
Brent crude, the international...
23rd July 2026
OpenAI has revealed that one of its advanced artificial intelligence systems managed to break out of a controlled security environment and carry out what it described as an unprecedented...
8th June 2026
The European Parliament has approved a major new initiative aimed at reducing workplace accidents and strengthening worker protection across the European Union, as concerns continue to g...
8th June 2026
The European Union has approved new rules aimed at tightening the screening of foreign investments in strategic sectors, marking a major shift in Europe’s approach towards economic secur...
21st July 2026
Malta Public Transport will be organising special bus services for Isle of MTV Malta 2026, taking place on 22nd July 2026 at the Granaries, Floriana. In order to provide a convenient tra...
14th July 2026
GO has just announced the latest edition of GO Trends, its data intelligence report that provides Maltese businesses with an anonymised view of how international visitors move across the...
22nd July 2026
The cost of the United States' war in Iran has risen to $37.5 billion so far, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Tuesday, as he faced skeptical lawmakers for the first time sin...
17th July 2026
Iran struck eastern Syria on Friday, Iranian state media and a Syrian military source said, in the first known attack by Tehran on Syrian territory since a regional war erupted earlier...
25th June 2026
At least 32 people have been killed and more than 700 injured after two powerful earthquakes — measuring 7.2 and 7.5 — struck central Venezuela seconds apart, causing widespread destruct...
25th February 2026
Thousands of Cuban security personnel have begun leaving Caracas after nearly two decades in Venezuela, as Washington ramps up efforts to dismantle the long standing alliance between the...
22nd July 2026
Ukraine has recaptured 700 sq km (270 sq miles) of its territory this year, outgoing Commander in Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said on Wednesday, confirming he was leaving the top military ...
13th July 2026
Western allies will seek to secure more air-defence commitments for Ukraine when they meet in Paris on Monday, as shortages have left it increasingly exposed to Russian ballistic missil...