The mayor of Venice is blaming climate change for the island’s historic flooding this week. 

The Italian canal city experienced the second-highest levels ever recorded, with financial costs expected to be in the millions of euros. 

Venice’s mayor Luigi Brugnaro says the flood was 'a wound that will leave a permanent mark', which he blamed on climate change.

The world’s longest research flight from London to Sydney will depart tomorrow morning, traveling 17,800km on a Qantas Boeing 787-9. 

Qantas CEO Alan Joyce says he is excited, rather than nervous about the record-breaking voyage. 

 “It's a very historic moment. It is last-frontier aviation. We believe there is a big demand for it,” Mr Joyce said. 

Researchers will test the impact of the ultra-long-haul flight on people in the cockpit and cabin and a decision will be made on whether it’s financially viable by the end of the year. 

A suspected arsonist has been arrested as a result of being caught acting suspiciously by the crew on an army Black Hawk helicopter in Sydney’s Royal National Park, late yesterday. 

The crew followed the man from in the air and alerted the police.

Police have yet to confirm the report. 

A water-bombing helicopter crashed at Pechey north of Toowoomba in a firefighting operation when the pilot attempted to perform an emergency landing in strong winds. 

Queensland Police’s Acting Inspector Regan Draheim said water-bombing pilots put themselves in treacherous situations to benefit others. 

“He’s obviously done what he’s seen best to try and recover the aircraft and to obviously save his own life,” Mr Drageim said. 

The experienced pilot was injured but survived the crash. 

A fire broke out in bushland behind the Helensvale Aquatic Centre at around 3:30 yesterday afternoon. 

Queensland Fires and Emergency Services says people in the area will be affected by the smoke, which will reduce visibility and air quality, however, properties are not under threat. 

Forecasters indicated it is unlikely there would be any rainfall to help ease the fires.

Turkey is sending foreign IS fighters back to their countries of origin, with more than 20 Europeans set to be deported. 

Turkey has criticised Western countries for refusing to repatriate their citizens who left to join the group in Syria and Iraq, and stripping some of them of their citizenship. 

Turkey has been frequently sending back its IS fighters to their countries of origins in recent years, increasing pressure on Europe to bear the responsibility of home-grown terrorism.

Hong Kong chief executive Carrie Lam has labelled the city’s pro-democracy protesters as ‘the people’s enemy’ after police shot protestors at close range in Sai Wan Ho in eastern Hong Kong, leaving the protestors in a critical condition.

Another traffic policeman was also speeding on a motorbike into a group of protestors, which was criticized as an ‘out of control act’ by executive Lam.

Authorities suspect two fires that were started on Tuesday in Turramurra on Sydney's north shore and Loftus in the Royal National Park, were deliberately lit.

NSW Rural Fire Service commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons has called for anyone caught lighting fires to spend time behind bars, as authorities investigate to find the potential culprit. 

Disgraced cardinal George Pell has been granted one final chance to fight his child sexual abuse conviction, after the High Court granted the imprisoned cardinal leave to appeal, which was announced this morning in Canberra.

Cardinal Pell’s lawyers will still need to lodge a formal appeal to the High Court, and the case is unlikely to be heard until next year.