Australian footballer Hakeem al-Araibi will return to Australia within the next 24 hours, after an extradition case against him in Thailand was dropped. The director-general of international affairs for the Thai Government confirmed to the ABC that the Attorney-General requested the case for Mr al-Araibi’s extradition to Bahrain be dropped. About 9:00pm AEDT on Monday, Prime Minister Scott Morrison confirmed …

A Chinese billionaire who has been prevented from returning to Australia has asked political parties to return the millions of dollars in donations he’s made. Huang Xiangmo quickly rose to become a leading pro-China lobbyist, courting politicians and donating at least $2 million to Australian political parties directly and through his companies. But a decision from the Home Affairs Department to …

As Hakeem Al-Arabi’s teammates at Pascoe Vale Football Club in Melbourne prepare to start a new season, their star defender is about to mark two-and-a-half months in a Bangkok jail. The Bahraini refugee and Australian permanent resident was arrested in November last year, on an invalid Interpol red notice from the country he fled as he entered Thailand for his …

A crisis is unfolding in western Queensland where graziers are discovering the full scale of damage caused by floodwaters, with their losses expected to worsen. Floodwaters have killed up to 300,000 head of cattle in western Queensland, with losses so far put at a staggering $300 million. But the number is expected to rise as the floodwaters reach the big …

Mike Baird won’t talk about running for the top job at NAB, but UBS analyst Jon Mott says the former NSW premier is a real contender. Former NSW premier Mike Baird won’t talk about running for the top job at NAB, but plenty of others are linking him with the role. Mr Baird on Friday refused to be drawn on …

In a place where weasel words often pass muster, the most powerful intelligence officials in the world delivered a message to the United States Congress in clear, concise terms — China is a threat to America. Instances of military aggression, cyberattacks, bullying of smaller neighbours and attempts to interfere in western politics were referenced. Director of National Security Dan Coats …

The gates of Townsville’s dam have opened to their full setting, with the city council warning several suburbs should prepare for imminent flooding from a rapidly rising Ross River. The Ross River Dam will release approximately 1,900 cubic metres of water per second. The council says dangerous and high-velocity flows will occur and residents in the suburbs of Rosslea, Hermit …

A New South Wales police officer and volunteer firefighter involved in a car crash in Sydney’s south last week has died in hospital. Timothy Proctor, 29, a probationary constable with the Liverpool Police Area Command, was driving on Heathcote Road at Lucas Heights, in Sydney’s south, about 2:00pm on Thursday when another car crossed to the wrong side of the …

Australian Defence officials have revealed two RAAF fighter jets were involved in a bombing mission in Iraq that led to the deaths of Iraqi civilians, with an Iraqi man whose family members were killed putting the civilian death toll at 35. The US-led Coalition estimated between six and 18 civilians may have been killed in the attack but that was …

A young couple who dubbed themselves an “Islamic Bonnie and Clyde” are eligible for parole after being sentenced in the NSW Supreme Court. In late 2015 and early 2016 Alo-Bridget Namoa and Sameh Bayda planned a street attack on non-Muslims. It was never carried out but in October last year the couple were found guilty of planning a terrorist act. …