Hundreds of climate protesters gathered at the Melbourne Convention Centre to stop the international mining conference. 

Starting at 6 am on Tuesday, activists from 11 different groups began to block access to the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre in police-intensive conditions.

A video broadcast by the Nine Network showed a clash between the police and the protesters, protesters shouting and raising slogans calling for mining to be “shut down” as they tried to push back to the police line.

Scientists in Sydney claim to have found the ancestral home of modern humans in Botswana.

A vast wetlands area that covered most of the current country of Botswana is said to have supported humans 200,000 years ago, sustaining them for another 70,000 years.

The scientists then propose that a shift in the earth’s tilt and orbit brought rains to other parts of the continent, allowing humans to move on to new areas. 

Shorebirds in Moreton Bay and across Australia are under threat from housing development that is being built on wetlands.

Biologists have said the competition in estuarine environments is becoming deadly for an increasing number of species as areas are transformed for projects such as airports and developments.

Richard Fuller, who is a Professor in conservation biology at the University of Queensland, said, "sometimes we can adjust development proposals so they don't affect these ecosystems.

The Palaszczuk Government has released a discussion paper on the state’s tow truck reforms as part of its two-year review.

Measures to address community complaints about alleged shady practices and intimidating tactics used by some towing operators were introduced in 2018, following an independent investigation into the industry.

President Donald Trump has declared Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is dead.

The operation began on Saturday afternoon when a team of elite US troops flew into Syria’s north-west.

Baghdadi fled into a subterranean area of the complex and into a tunnel, dragging three of his young children with him where he ignited his explosive vest and died, along with his children.

Mr Trump said, "the United States brought the world's number one terrorist leader to justice.”

The UK truck driver charged over the deaths of 39 people found inside a truck trailer will now stay in police custody for another month following his first court appearance.

Maurice Robinson was charged yesterday with 39 counts of manslaughter, conspiracy to traffic people and assisting with unlawful immigration and money laundering.

Prosecution lawyer Ogheneruona Mercy Iguyovwe  said, "this involves a global ring facilitating the movement of a large number of immigrants into the UK." 

Victorian police have been given orders to use lethal force on drivers who attack pedestrians.

Officers have been authorised to shoot to kill in order to stop vehicles being used as deadly weapons after the Bourke Street rampage two years ago.

The authorisation of a new “hostile vehicle” policy was outlined in an email sent to Victorian police officers.

Almost 1200 firefighters have been tackling large bushfires on the NSW mid-north coast among scores of fires around the state.

A dangerous blaze in the Darawank area has burnt more than 2300 hectares according to the NSW Rural Fire Service and warning levels for two bushfires on the NSW mid-north coast have been raised to watch and act.

Fire activity has heightened under the influence of erratic winds with firefighters battling 85 blazes around the state.

Queensland’s first cystic fibrosis research program has been established to help improve outcomes for patients living with the life-threatening genetic disorder.

The Queensland Cystic Fibrosis Program was announced yesterday with a total of $15 million in funding from The University of Queensland and several other donors.

Professor Peter Sly said, “the Queensland Cystic Fibrosis Research Program will improve outcomes for patients with CF in Queensland and elsewhere.”