A previously unknown species of humans that lived on an island in what is now the Philippines some 50,000 years ago has been discovered.

The species, dubbed Homo luzonensis after the island of Luzon where its remains were found, is not a direct ancestor of modern day humans, but rather a distant ancient relative.

The discovery, published in the journal Nature on Thursday, adds to a growing body of evidence that human evolution is not as linear as was once thought.

Two people and their dog have had a lucky escape from a burning yacht in waters off Moreton Island in South-East Queensland this morning.

Authorities were alerted to the burning boat on the south-west side of the island just after 5:30am. Police said the 16-metre yacht was well alight when water police arrived.

Queensland Ambulance said paramedics were assessing two patients with smoke inhalation at the Port of Brisbane. It's not known what caused the fire.

Leaders of the Australian electoral parties have flown to western Sydney suburbs on Thursday to begin election campaigning.

Current Prime Minister Scott Morrison has chosen to begin his campaign in John Howard’s home seat of Lindsay with western suburb of Macquarie also expected to receive a visit from ScoMo.

The election was called for May 18th and will see five weeks of campaigning for the electoral parties.

Queensland-based company, Starts at 60, are heading to the grand final of a world-renowned startup competition after winning the Australian final in Brisbane this week.

Starts at 60 - Australia’s top media site and e-commerce platform for Baby Boomers - were one of 10 Australian startups chosen to compete in the national finals of the Startup World Cup.

They will battle it out with other winners from 40 nations vying for the ultimate investment prize of US$1 million in capital.

Brisbane City Council is calling on residents to share their memories of Riverstage, from the good to the bad.

More than 400 events have been held at the venue in its 30-year history, and lord mayor Adrian Schrinner said the council was putting out the call for Brisbane residents to share their memories.

Retired Pope Benedict XVI has published a letter which blames clerical sex abuse on the "all-out sexual freedom" of the 1960s.

He said in his letter address, that cultural and historical change of the sexual revolution led to a "dissolution" of morality in Catholicism. Leading to homosexuality and paedophilia in Catholic establishments. The former pope then claims the only solution to the problem of rampant sexual assault and abuse in the catholic church, was "obedience and love for our Lord Jesus Christ".

After three decades of autocratic ruling Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir has been forced to step down by the military.
 

Sudan's army warned on Thursday it would enforce a night-time curfew, state media reported, as protesters vowed to continue demonstrating against a military council set up after the expulsion of President Omar al-Bashir.

Wallabies star Israel Folau is set to have his contract terminated after sharing a post on his instagram that promoted homophobic and hateful ideas.

Rugby Australia and New South Wales Rugby Union, who govern Australia’s super rugby teams, stated "He does not speak for the game with his recent social media posts,”.

Folau, who previously played for the Brisbane Broncos in the NRL, has 73 caps for Australia and was expected to play in this years Rugby World Cup.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has reacted to news of Julian Assange’s arrest by saying Assange will receive no special treatment or help from Australia.

Morrison said the matter of Assange’s arrest ‘has nothing to do with us [Australia], and it is a matter for the US’ as a result of the multiple judicial matters.

The Prime Minister said Assange will face the judicial system of the countries where he is wanted, just as other Australians would.