Gas exploration firm BG Group turned up the heat on Australia’s Origin today by announcing plans to make an improved £6.7bn (€8.4bn) offer direct to shareholders.

BG Group expressed its surprise today after one of Australia’s biggest energy firms broke off discussions over a £6.6bn (€8.4bn) takeover.

Steve Irwin, the Australian television personality and environmentalist known as the Crocodile Hunter, was killed today by a stingray barb during a diving expedition.

Wild storms lashed eastern Australia overnight, tearing roofs off houses, toppling trees and flooding roads, emergency services said today. At least one person was feared swept away by the surging waters.

Former ballet dancer Wayne Sleep was today preparing to don a “rat-food suit” and crawl amongst 300 live rats in I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!

The 10 stars taking part in this year’s new series of I’m A Celebrity ... Get Me Out Of Here! were today hours away from entering their new jungle home.

A fire alarm at a backpackers' hostel had been switched off the night as flames swept through the building, killing 15 young travellers, a court has been told.