Thousands of homes in Australia’s Barrier Reef coastal region remain without power and face clean water shortages as Cyclone Ita continues to batter the northern coastline. Emergency authorities announce on Saturday that nearly 16,000 homes were without electricity and a number of roadways were shut down due to flooding while residents of worst-hit Cooktown were warned that clean water was about... 

Primadonna: Tonka dropped a fifth of his body weight because he was depressed that he wasn't getting enough cuddles. Now Donna Kilpatrick, 16 and Jayden Doevendans, 16, have cheered him up. Handlers at an animal sanctuary in north-east Australia were mystified when their star attraction was brought low by a mystery illness. Tonka the wombat shed 20 percent of his body weight after Cyclone Yasi... 

Battering: The giant Cyclone Yasi hits the Australian shore at northeast Queensland. Cyclone Yasi hit the Australian coastline today as tens of thousands holed up in shelters to survive the worst storm in the country for generations. The massive storm crashed into Queensland in the north east this lunchtime, ripping roofs from buildings and cutting power to thousands of homes. Officials and residents...