Matt Renshaw's half-century gives Australia reason to smile, but day one of the first Test against India in Pune goes largely as expected.

Australia's consumer watchdog plans to take legal action against more private health insurers this year, saying many patients are being slugged with unexpected hefty bills after hospital visits.

Attorney-General George Brandis was personally involved in the Bell Group matter one month earlier than he says he was, it has been claimed.

Iraqi forces capture Mosul airport hours after launching a major offensive against Islamic State militants, who control the western half of the city, state television reports.

One of the imams behind a call for Muslims not to vote for the Liberal Party says the current political climate has forced them to take a stand.

A worker who stood alongside Opposition leader Bill Shorten complaining the penalty cuts would cost him $109 a week will not lose a dollar — and is a Labor Party member.

Mexico reacts with anger to a Trump administration plan to deport non-Mexican illegal immigrants over their border if they entered the US from the southern neighbouring nation.

A pug dog that was reported missing by its Sydney owner, who allegedly spun a bizarre tale of violent robbery, died and was buried at the man's home, according to police.

Two teenage brothers from Canberra remain behind bars over an alleged social media blackmail scam that police say lured in victims on Grindr and Facebook.

Two teenage brothers from Canberra remain behind bars over an alleged social media blackmail scam that police say lured in victims on Grindr and Facebook.

The daughter of the pilot who died in Tuesday's plane crash in Essendon offers her condolences to the families of four other men killed in the tragedy, while paying tribute to her "generous and inspirational" father.

The ancient Chaco society, which ruled what is now the south-west United States, only passed on power to those born from elite women, new DNA evidence finds.

The ancient Chaco society, which ruled what is now the south-west United States, only passed on power to those born from elite women, new DNA evidence finds.

If Tony Abbott abandons hope of ever being prime minister again, he might settle for mortally wounding Malcolm Turnbull and letting someone else bury the corpse, writes political editor Chris Uhlmann.

If Tony Abbott abandons hope of ever being prime minister again, he might settle for mortally wounding Malcolm Turnbull and letting someone else bury the corpse, writes political editor Chris Uhlmann.

Ride-booking company Uber emails its users in Victoria, urging them to lobby the Victorian Government not to introduce a $2 trip levy on all taxi, Uber and hire car rides.

India loses three wickets in the opening 15 overs, including captain Virat Kohli for a duck, on the second morning of the first Test against India in Pune. Follow the action in our live blog.

India loses three wickets in the opening 15 overs, including captain Virat Kohli for a duck, on the second morning of the first Test against India in Pune. Follow the action in our live blog.

For Jan Pike, one of the biggest fights of her life has been dealing with the National Disability Insurance Scheme - so much so, that she says it almost cost her her life.

For Jan Pike, one of the biggest fights of her life has been dealing with the National Disability Insurance Scheme - so much so, that she says it almost cost her her life.

When Tony Abbott lost power one of the first things he did was promise the waiting throng of journalists there would be "no undermining" — so how has the former prime minister fared?

When Tony Abbott lost power one of the first things he did was promise the waiting throng of journalists there would be "no undermining" — so how has the former prime minister fared?

A judge describes the actions of Marcus Rappel, who killed his ex-partner Tara Costigan with an axe in her Canberra home while she held their week-old daughter, as being "vicious and cowardly".

Marine scientists are monitoring sea slug movements to chart climate change.

Sydney's Catholic Archbishop says reporting abuse to authorities that he heard about during a confession would be like "bugging the confessional".