ABC News: Top Stories

Authorities are worried that emergency workers will be exhausted if more severe storms hit Queensland's south-east.

Emergency crews have been praised for their quick response to a balcony collapse on Brisbane's northside this afternoon.

Somali pirates who hijacked the Saudi oil super-tanker Sirius Star are demanding $US25 million ($40 million) in ransom and have set a 10-day deadline, one of the pirates said.

The weather bureau has broadened its severe thunderstorm warning across south-east Queensland.

Reserve Bank Governor Glenn Stevens has told a business community gathering in Melbourne that Australians should be quietly confident they can make it through the global financial downturn.

An 80-year-old former psychiatrist has admitted he lied to the medical board about having sexual relationships with female patients in his Perth clinic.

Brisbane's Lord Mayor Campbell Newman says the emergency response to Sunday's devastating storms has been superhuman.

A defence think-tank says the army, navy and air force should share employees with private businesses to attract and retain personnel.

After months of hype and anticipation, the world premiere of Baz Luhrmann's epic Australia has finally been held in Sydney.

The Prime Minister is heading to Brisbane this morning to inspect the damage in south-east Queensland from Sunday's wild storms.