First drought and fires, now New South Wales is in chaos as storms bring torrential rains and floods; A key MP quits the Nationals; And the death toll from coronavirus is nearing 900, with more and more people in quarantine.

With key Nationals MP Llew O'Brien quitting the party, what does this mean for the leadership of the Deputy Prime Minister?

So just how tenuous is Michael McCormack's hold on the Deputy PM's job? Nationals MP Llew O'Brien quitting the party won't derail the government, but highlights the tensions that Mr McCormack and Scott Morrison would be keen to move on from.

Sydney's biggest downpour in decades has brought chaos for thousands of residents and commuters from satellite cities, and one person is unaccounted for.

A storm with hurricane force winds and heavy rain is lashing north-western Europe, forcing the cancellations of flights, train services, ferries, and sports matches.

Cruise ship passengers stuck in quarantine off Japan due to the coronavirus say the strain of being cooped up is starting to show, and there's concern about regular medications running out.

While the novel coronavirus is not considered a pandemic, public health experts say lessons need to be taken from the crisis, and they say investment in preparedness is crucial.

Revelations about another multi-million dollar Federal Government sport program that appears to have targeted marginal Coalition seats; Finally, after a summer of drought, pollution and devastating bushfires, heavy rain is falling on parts of the East Coast; And the plan to send thousands of Chinese students to remote parts of the country as part of the Coronavirus quarantine program.

Another chapter in the sport rorts saga - revelations that only a fraction of a multi-million dollar fund intended to improve facilities for women were spent on related projects.

A third group of Australians is expected to leave the locked down Chinese city of Wuhan within the next day on an evacuation flight organised by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.