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2026 Audio Reel: Emergency Broadcasting

Samples of emergency warnings as broadcast on ABC Local Radio stations during the 2026 severe weather season

Fearing China clash, Japan asks fishermen to avoid flashpoint islands

There have been renewed tensions between Japan and China over a chain of islands both countries say is theirs. The diplomatic spat over coast guard patrols is far from a drop in the ocean for local fishermen.

China watching marriage numbers to measure economic growth

China says its economy has hit its five per cent growth target for the year, but its birth rate continues to shrink. The government's watching marriage numbers to see if a wedding rebound is here to stay, hoping it could lead to more births and higher spending.

Louvre staff union threatens strike as issues mount after heist

First a jewel heist, then a water leak; now the Louvre might have to contend with its staff going on strike next Monday. The staff union is arguing worker shortages, maintenance issues and rising prices for some tickets are threatening the building's security and overall visitor experience.

Push to plug mental health care access gaps in Melbourne’s suburbs

with Natalie Heslop and Nyah Barnes

Bangladesh political tensions spark concerns for garment industry

Many Bangladesh locals have welcomed the death penalty handed down in absentia to the country's exiled former leader. Sheikh Hasina was found guilty of ordering the killing of hundreds of student protesters last year. But the political uncertainty since then has taken a toll on some of the

End of 'SNAP' food support piles on US shutdown pressure for millions

Low-income families and federal workers have been feeling the pinch from the US government shutdown, with the workers missing their first full paycheque. There's a shrinking safety net to fall back on as food support programs come to a stop across most of the country.

Mental health care barriers in Melbourne's west revealed as support boosted

Locals in Melbourne’s west are facing a “significant geographic disparity” in psychiatry wait times and costs, Medicare claims data has revealed. While those measures rise, a growing number of community-based services are starting to support Victorian patients and their families outside of the Medicare system. Politicians across the aisle

Changes to Hajj to tackle rising temperatures as prices climb, too

Muslims have visited Mount Arafat to mark a key festival during the annual Hajj pilgrimage. Saudi Arabian officials say they've made changes to prevent a repeat of last year's surge in heat deaths. It's not just rising temperatures that are raising concerns this year,

Netherlands leader resigns after asylum feud brings down coalition government

Dutch prime minister Dick Schoof has officially resigned after his far-right coalition partner, Geert Wilders, walked away from the four-party agreement. The internal turmoil over immigration policy has brought down the government just as the country is expecting to host foreign guests at a NATO summit later this month.

Syria's post-war rebuild puts energy and economy on agenda

Assad may have left Syria, but the country is still grappling with the effects of years of war, including the destruction of infrastructure like its electricity grid. Syria is trying to rebuild its power network as it pushes ahead with development projects and seeks support from foreign investors. But the

Nigerian floods kill dozens, turning rescue hopes into recovery efforts

More than 150 people have died after floods hit central Nigeria last week, with more unaccounted for. Locals are still digging through debris days after the water receded.

US-China artificial intelligence tensions squeeze tech firm Nvidia

The share price of technology company Nvidia has lifted after it told investors it beat sales expectations. But the US firm has forecast billions of dollars in losses as it's caught in the middle of international tensions.

More than 200 war prisoners dead, Ukraine says about Russian conflict

Ukraine says more than 200 of its soldiers held by Russia as prisoners of war have died in captivity. The two countries had exchanged hundreds of prisoners over the weekend as air strikes continue.