The World Today

At least 30 homes have been destroyed in the New South Wales bushfires but the full extent of the damage won't be known until later this week. Catastrophic conditions over the weekend forced many residents to flee several fire fronts, including from one ongoing fire which has so far burned through at least 52,000 hectares. Insurance assessors have also begun to count the cost. They say the bill is expected to exceed $20 million dollars.

A psychologist involved in screening young men wanting to enter the Good Shepherd Seminary in Sydney has told the Royal Commission a committed homosexual would not be accepted. Sister Lydia Allen gave evidence that is a stated requirement of the Vatican. But a ban on men with a sexual interest in children is implicit only.

An inquiry into the future of the gaming industry for casinos and poker machines in Tasmania has heard some people are selling their houses to fund their addiction. The state government has called the inquiry as it considers ending a gaming monopoly in the state that is held by the Federal Group.

One of Australia's top scientists is today calling her fellow scientists onto the streets to join colleagues in a world-wide rally in April protesting against Donald Trump. Professor Emma Johnston is the Pro-vice Chancellor of Research at the University of New south Wales and President Elect of Science and Technology Australia. She says 'there must be something very important at stake' to bring scientists out of their labs.

Energy experts say detailed study needed of ALP's Albany wave power plan

Two of the most remote places on earth have been found to be harbouring man-made pollution, used during industrialisation. Most of the pollutants are now regulated or have been banned, but their lasting impact serves as a lesson about the impact of human development. Their remnants have been discovered in two of the world's deepest under-water trenches in the Pacific Ocean. It's next to impossible to clean up the mess, but researchers say it's vital to learn from the past, to ensure the same mistakes aren't made again.

The US President and the Canadian Prime Minister have held their first meeting at the White House. Donald Trump and Justin Trudeau were effusive in their praise of each other, and both spoke of their optimism over their economic relationship.

The race is on to save the critically endangered native Australian orange-bellied parrot. Researchers say there are just 14 of the small migratory birds left in the wild, with the population at the lowest levels ever seen. Breeding programs around the country are working to bolster numbers, while experts on the ground are trying something innovative to boost breeding in the wild.

As age increases, figures for immunisation fall. And with consent forms getting lost in school backpacks, Australian teenagers aren't getting immunised against cancer and other diseases. A paper published by the Immunisation Coalition suggests text message reminders and digital consent forms can improve vaccination rates.

A new mathematical formula shows that humans are driving the warming of the earth 170 times faster than natural forces. Scientists in Australia and Sweden developed the equation which assesses the impact of human activity on the climate and compares it to events such as volcanic eruptions and changes to the planet's orbit. They've found that the biggest change in the climate has come since 1970.