Environment
Weather
Temperatures to jump, smoke may linger over Sydney for second day
Sydney, the Hunter and the Illawarra will again face very high fire dangers on Wednesday as the mercury nears 30 degrees and humidity levels dive.
- by Peter Hannam
Latest
Bushfire
'The daughters lost everything': Why more Australians need to be prepared for disaster season
First responders say the difference between those who say "I wish I had" and those who say "I'm glad I did" can be devastating.
- by Cassandra Morgan
Food
How to control pests with your weapon of choice
Spring has sprung and the garden pests are breeding.
- by Jackie French
Social media
Reporter mocked for 'Oscar-worthy' Hurricane Florence broadcast
Mike Seidel is seen "bracing for his life" against strong winds, while two others in the background walk idly past.
- by Cassandra Morgan
Sydney
Temperature hits 34 degrees in Sydney, but expected to suddenly drop
Sydney sweltered through a short heatwave today, with the temperature soaring past all forecasts.
- by Esther Han
Water
'We're sleepwalking': The fix to Sydney's water woes when every drop matters
It's little wonder the Berejiklian government is eager to switch the Sydney Desalination Plant on and end the "water security mode" it has languished in since 2012.
- by Peter Hannam
Extreme weather
Sydney forecast to hit 30 degrees as 'vigorous' front lifts fire risks
Sydney's temperature is forecast to climb into the 30s for the first time this spring before a strong cold front sweeps in.
- by Peter Hannam
Extreme weather
'Massive damage': monster storms to slam into east coasts of US, China
A surge in storm activity in the northern hemisphere has spawned "monster" Hurricane Florence in the North Atlantic, super Typhoon Mangkhut in the north-west pacific and string of other dangerous tropical tempests.
- by Peter Hannam
Extreme weather
A 30-degree day could be on the cards with Sydney's first burst of spring heat
Spring's first burst of heat for Sydney will be "touch and go" for the first 30-degree readings, as warm, dry winds also nudge fire danger levels into the "very high" rating for parts of NSW.
- by Peter Hannam
Farming
'It'll be long-life or powdered for our children': dairy farmers crushed by drought and $1 milk
Without long-term change to milk pricing, fresh milk could become scarce and dairy farming would die out, farmer Tammy Whatman worries.
- by Julie Power
Extreme weather
'Unprecedented dryness' sees CFA declare fire season starts on Monday
Record heat has primed eastern Australia's forests to burn, with the CFA moving the start of the fire season for parts of Victoria to September 10.
- by Peter Hannam & Liam Mannix