Torrential rains have caused rivers to burst their banks, tearing through more than 170 villages in Sukabumi district of West Java province.

The spotting of Chinese warships near Taiwan follows President Lai Ching-te's tour of the Pacific, including the US state of Hawaii, which has angered Beijing.

With ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his family in Russia, his presidential palace is vacant and people are taking selfies and making off with the furniture.

The debate over Australia's energy future took place on 7.30 with Ted O'Brien making "assurances" for the opposition when it came to costings.

School leavers allegedly assaulted tourists on Rottnest Island and pelted bottles at police, with officers trained in controlling riots and public unrest called in to help restore order on the holiday island.