Health authorities are investigating a cluster of fungal infections at a transplant ward at Sydney's Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, after two people died and four others fell ill.

The infections are linked to common mould known as Aspergillus fungus which can be found in plants, dirt, dust, and also at construction sites.

Sydney Local Health District says construction work at the hospital could have been a potential cause.

Two former patients of Melbourne gynaecologist Dr Simon Gordon have set up a private support group which they say has been joined by almost 200 women in two days.

An ABC Four Corners investigation revealed Dr Gordon's patients were repeatedly operated on for what they were told was severe endometriosis despite that diagnosis not being seen in pathology results.

Dr Simon Gordon has now been referred to police and maintains he acted responsibly and ethically and always in the patients best interests.

Federal Opposition frontbencher Melissa McIntosh says she cringed when she heard the Prime Minister label former Australian of the Year and child sexual abuse survivor Grace Tame as "difficult".

Anthony Albanese's comment came at an event in Melbourne yesterday, when asked to describe a range of public figures in one word.

He clarified today that he was referring to her difficult life - but Ms Tame responded to say that it was a "patronising cop out from a total coward".

Ms McIntosh says the PM should also understand the connotations of the word when directed at a woman.

Defence Minister Richard Marles says the environment in the Middle East is "fast moving" amid escalating tensions between the U-S and Iran.

High level talks between Washington and Tehran are due in Geneva but there are rising concerns the U-S will strike Iran if it doesn't agree to a deal on its nuclear programme.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is telling Australians in Israel and Lebanon to consider leaving now while commercial flights are still available.

Two teenage girls and a man in his 70s have been injured after suspected lightning strikes in Perth.

The man was reportedly struck just after 8:30 AM in the north Perth suburb of Hamersley - and then just after 10 AM, the two girls were struck at a school in Mount Helena.

It's understood the man is in a serious but non-life-threatening condition - while both girls are also in non-life-threatening conditions.

Grace Tame has hit back at the prime minister over his claim he was misinterpreted when he called the former Australian of the Year "difficult".

At an event yesterday, Anthony Albanese used the term to describe Ms Tame, but has since said he actually meant she'd had a "difficult life".

On social media, Ms Tame has suggested Mr Albanese's remarks were condescending and misogynistic, and likened him to his predecessor Scott Morrison.

One of the youngest Australians stuck in north-eastern Syria has recounted their failed journey out of the camp, amid hopes of a return to Australia.  

The 23 Australian children and 11 women are in Al Roj camp, which houses families of killed and captured Islamic State fighters.

They attempted to leave last week - but were turned around by Syrian government forces 50 kilometres down the road.

While the women and children all have passports, the Australian Prime Minister insists Canberra won't help them return.  

Two men charged over the alleged kidnapping and murder of Sydney grandfather Chris Baghsarian have faced court.29-year-old Gerard Andrews and 24-year-old Daniel Stevens are facing charges of murder and kidnapping in company with intent to ransom over the mistaken-identity abduction of 85-year-old Chris Baghsarian, whose body was found near a golf club on Tuesday. Neither of the men applied for bail during their first court appearance via video link in Blacktown Local Court, where the cases were adjourned to April.

A New south Wales teenager has become the first Australian confirmed to have died from a tick-induced red meat allergy.

After initially believing Jeremy Webb's death was caused by other medical conditions, the state deputy coroner has now handed down her findings.

He's one of only two people known to have died of that condition worldwide.

Anthony Albanese was forced to evacuate the prime ministerial residence in Canberra this week after a bomb threat, which turned out to be linked to a Chinese dance troupe performance.

The Shen Yun group is touring Australia next month but its known for having links to the Falun Gong movement, which opposes the Chinese communist regime.

Threatening emails claimed explosives had been planted around the Lodge in Canberra and demanded the tour be cancelled.

But officials say there never were any explosives, either in Canberra or at a theatre on the Gold Coast which received similar threats.

Reserve Bank governor Michele Bullock says she doesn't think inflation is taking off again, adding it's unclear whether the board should raise or lower interest rates from here.

Economists say the latest figures show the cash rate is running hot and it's fuelling speculation of another rate hike, potentially in May.

It's also led to a political fight as the opposition accuses the government of too much spending arguing it's driving up the cost of living.

New South Wales teenager Jeremy Webb has become the first Australian confirmed to have died from a tick-induced red meat allergy, and only the second in the world.

The 16-year-old from the Central Coast began having difficulty breathing after eating beef sausages on a camping trip at MacMasters Beach.

His teenage friends attempted to revive him, but he collapsed and later died in hospital.

A US attack on Iran is looking ever-closer as the build-up of American firepower in the middle east continues.

In his State of the Union address US President Donald Trump accused Iran of "sinister" nuclear ambitions and warned that although he preferred diplomacy, he wouldn't hesitate to proceed with military action.

The Australian Government's told people in Israel and Lebanon to leave now before commercial flights are potentially grounded and it's also offering to evacuate the families of officials in several embassies. 

The US vice president says there's evidence Iran ​is ‌trying to rebuild its nuclear program as the Trump Administration threatens the regime while positioning war ships in the region.

If the US strikes Iran, it's vowing to hit back and fears of a regional conflict are prompting a warning from the Australian Government to citizens in Israel and Lebanon to leave while they can.

The Trump Administration has put new sanctions on Iran, ahead of fresh talks in Geneva later today.

The ABC's gained access to a camp in north-eastern Syria housing the wives and children of killed or captured Islamic State fighters.

Two young girls have spoken about their desire to go home and buy things like toys and ice cream, as debate rages in Australia about whether to assist them, given the poor conditions in the camp.

The Federal Government's insisting it won't do anything to help them come home, even though it can't stop most of them entering the country, if they do make it to Australian shores.

A teenager from the New South Wales' Central Coast has become the first Australian confirmed to have died from a tick-induced red meat allergy.

Jeremy Webb began having difficulty breathing after eating beef sausages on a camping trip and he later died in hospital.

The state's coroner has ruled he died from an anaphylactic reaction to mammalian meat allergy, which triggered an asthma attack.

There's only been one other fatal case known of in the world.

The federal government's telling Australians in Israel and Lebanon to consider leaving now, after US president Donald Trump renewed his threat of strikes on Iran ahead of more expected negotiations today.

DFAT's warning the circumstances are unpredictable and that citizens should leave the countries while flights are still available.

The department is also offering to evacuate the families of officials in some of its embassies across the middle east.

Other countries are making similar moves as the US amasses warships in the region.

One of the youngest Australians in a camp for the families of killed and captured Islamic State fighters in north-eastern Syria says she just wants to get home to Australia.

The young girl made the plea for help as the group of Australian women live in a state of limbo after their first attempt to return to Australia failed. The federal government's insisting it won't do anything to help them come home, even though it can't stop most of them entering the country, if they do make it to Australian shores.

Australia's Winter Olympians have touched down on home soil following the country's most successful campaign ever.

Closing ceremony flag bearers and medal winners Cooper Woods and Danielle Scott were among the cohort to arrive.

Australia finished with six medals including three gold, at the Milano Cortina games.

The federal treasurer says tackling inflation will be a key consideration of his government's budget in May, as it faces pressure over the potential of another rate hike.

The latest inflation figures are hotter than expected and above what the Reserve Bank wants.

The Albanese Government's copping criticism from the opposition for spending too much, which it says is fuelling inflation.

The United States has issued a new wave of sanctions against Iran as tensions between the two countries continue to escalate.

Another round of high-level talks are due in Geneva while US President Donald Trump threatens to strike Iran if it doesn't agree to a deal on its nuclear programme.

This comes as the Australian Government urges people to leave Israel and Lebanon, while offering the families of diplomats in the middle east evacuation, ahead of a potential conflict breaking out.

Results from a preliminary research report have been revealed, looking at the causes of South Australia's harmful algal bloom that devastated marine industries and saw dead sea animals washed up on beaches.

A few converging causes have been highlighted including the extra nutrient load from Murray River floods, cold water upwellings, and a marine heatwave.While the crisis has eased for now there's still elevated levels of the harmful algae in some places.

A seemingly standard by-election in the UK could serve as a make or break moment for Britain's prime minister Keir Starmer.

The prospect of another interest rate hike is stoking a federal political blame game about what's causing inflation to stick around.

The opposition says the government's spending too much while the Treasurer Jim Chalmers is suggesting the scrapping of energy bill rebates is a factor behind the hotter than expected inflation figures.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics says the largest contributor to annual inflation in January was the high cost of housing.

Australia's among several countries around the world that are taking steps related to withdrawing diplomats and their families or encouraging people to leave the middle east, as the threat of a US strike on Iran continues to loom.

The Australian Government's told people in Israel and Lebanon to leave now before commercial flights are potentially grounded and it's also offering to evacuate the families of officials in several embassies.

The US has warships in the region and a conflict could break out if Iran doesn't agree to demands aiming to stop the hardline regime from eventually producing a nuclear weapon.

Authorities in Cuba say their forces have killed four people aboard a US-based speedboat.At least seven others were injured and are receiving medical attention.The incident took place amid heightened tension between Cuba and the US, which has blocked virtually all oil shipments to the Communist-run island.