Australia

The United States is preparing to deploy up to six nuclear-capable B-52 bombers to northern Australia, a provocative move experts say is aimed squarely at China.

Australian officials have been accused of obstructing an official visit by a United Nations body that works to prevent torture.

Australian and Fijian military movements between the two countries will increase and be made easier by an agreement signed in Fiji.

Australia's Budget, to be released on Tuesday will have a "wellbeing" section, modelled on the New Zealand budget concepts.

Australia's Deputy Prime Minister and defence minister Richard Marles says his government's foreign policy on Bougainville remains unchanged.

Australia's federal government will unveil a further boost to foreign aid to the Pacific in next week's budget.

Vanuatu footballer Brian Kaltak has continued his long career by joining Australia's A-League.

Echuca, in Victoria's north, appears to have fared better than expected in the first flood peak to hit the Australian town, but authorities warn there's another peak on its way.

Residents in Victoria are being told to prepare to evacuate as floodwaters move downstream, and emergency warnings remain across sodden New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania.

Stranded residents have been rescued and dozens of others evacuated from Melbourne's west, after rapidly rising water from the Maribyrnong River flooded properties in the area.

When a biology student lifted a rock under a tree on a tiny island that lies between Australia and New Zealand, he could hardly believe what he saw.