National news

Steve Smith credits the extreme focus he was able to draw upon during his vital century in Pune to help Australia to a 1-0 Test series lead over India.

A Nepalese asylum seeker says he is now in hiding fearing he could be killed, after being "involuntarily removed" from Manus Island.

Orthopaedic patients at the new South East Regional Hospital are in the dark about when they will be operated on, as surgeons walk away in support of a colleague.

Australian Capital Territory

A 22-year-old woman has died after being seriously injured in a horse riding accident at Canberra's Thoroughbred Park on Tuesday.

New South Wales

A number of flights arriving and departing Sydney Airport are delayed or cancelled due to wild weather, with heavy rain expected to lash the city as it hosts Mardi Gras this weekend.

A burst water main on Pitt Street in the middle of Sydney's city centre is causing traffic chaos as commuters try to get home on a very rainy day.

Northern Territory

The Federal Court dismisses an appeal by Nigel Scullion over a dispute with an organisation that helps sufferers of an incurable disease.

A large crowd gathers at a joint funeral for teenagers Rhys Simlesa and Rhys Walters, who were fatally struck by a car while leaving a party in Darwin a week ago.

Queensland

A missing piece of Australian music history, which was integral to punk music, is the subject of an Australia-wide search.

A 24-year-old nanny sexually assaulted in Brisbane last year has died in a traffic incident in Poland, in the same week her alleged attacker appeared in court, Queensland police say.

Ipswich Hospital managers shut down the intensive care unit so they can remove the source of a mould outbreak that could be a threat to patients with compromised immune systems.

South Australia

South Australians are asked to turn off non-essential appliances to avoid potential load-shedding after three units at the state's largest power generator go offline.

Tasmania

Offered a meat tray going cheap in Tassie? Before you accept it, police have issued a warning over lead-poisoned cows that were stolen and slaughtered.

A missing piece of Australian music history, which was integral to punk music, is the subject of an Australia-wide search.

The Tasmanian Opposition says the Human Services Minister "lied to the public" after she was forced to correct the record about her knowledge of a Right to Information request.

Victoria

The Catholic Church's Melbourne Archdiocese rejects an independent review's recommendation to extend compensation for child sex abuse victims to their families or carers.

Two Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II fighters will fly at Victoria's Avalon air show this weekend, but questions remain about the aircraft's effectiveness and operational readiness.

Western Australia

There are further signs of disunity in Pauline Hanson's One Nation party, with one of its candidates quitting and saying candidates have not been told the truth.

Flux the System, a micro-party which is using self-styled preference whisperer Glenn Druery as a consultant, is running 26 fake independent candidates in the WA election.