Firefighters say they were beaten back by flames as they tried to save a young family from an “intense” house fire in Singleton in the NSW Hunter Valley which has left three children dead. Two five-year-old twin girls, Matilda and Scarlett Rinkin, were taken to Singleton Hospital but could not be saved and the body of their 11-year-old brother was later …

One wanted a hug. Another thirsted for a beer. A third wept tears of joy. A triumphant trio of Australian women reacted with a common theme after delivering an unheralded burst of brilliance to Australia’s sporting landscape. Within a dozen hours; Australia found three fresh sporting heroines. Around 11pm Australian time on Sunday night, Ashleigh Barty became women’s tennis world …

A ban on mobile phone use in Victorian public schools aimed at curbing distraction and cyberbullying has divided opinion among teachers and students. Education Minister James Merlino said the ban, which would be in place during school hours in state primary and secondary schools, would start in the first term of 2020. Phones must be kept in school lockers from …

Ash Barty is one win away from joining Australian tennis royalty after booking her spot in the Birmingham Classic final. Barty, after beating Czech veteran Barbora Strycova in Saturday’s semi-final, will become only the fifth Aussie world number one if she wins Sunday’s decider against Julia Goerges. If she succeeds, the French Open champion will emulate the feats of Evonne …

The Matildas have crashed out of the Women’s World Cup, losing to Norway in a penalty shootout after scores were locked at 1-1 after extra time. In a tense, dramatic and controversial affair, Australia looked to be mounting another trademark comeback, before Alanna Kennedy was sent off in the 104th minute to turn the tide in favour of the Norwegians. …

French Open champion Ash Barty warmed up for Wimbledon with a comfortable 6-4, 6-3 win over Venus Williams to reach the semi-finals of the Nature Valley Classic in Birmingham. Barty is now two wins away from becoming the first Australian woman to top the tennis rankings in more than 40 years as a title win in Birmingham will allow her …

The ABC is considering legal action for the return of about 100 documents seized during a federal police raid on its Sydney headquarters, its chair has confirmed. Recently appointed ABC chair Ita Buttrose said the broadcaster had consulted lawyers about its options but had not “briefed anybody yet”. “At this point, we’re really assessing the allegations to see what actions can be taken and …

A man abused by notorious paedophile Christian Brother Edward “Ted” Dowlan is suing George Pell, alleging the disgraced Cardinal did nothing to protect him. The man was a student at East Melbourne’s Cathedral College when he was abused by Dowlan, who was first jailed in the 1990s for abusing boys in the 1970s and 1980s. Taking civil action in the …

Ash Barty is through to the French Open final after beating American teen Amanda Anisimova 6-7, 6-3, 6-3 in a three-set tussle on Court Suzanne Lenglen. The Queenslander is the first Australian finalist at Roland Garros in nine years after fighting back from a set down and a break down in the third set. She will now face unseeded Czech …

A former Australian military lawyer charged with leaking classified documents at the centre of police raids at the ABC on Wednesday says he is facing life imprisonment but maintains he was acting in the public interest. Due to appear in the ACT Supreme Court on June 13, David William McBride, 55, is charged over leaks to ABC journalists Dan Oakes, …