Hello, Joanna Nicholson with the top stories on ABC News.
Four people remain trapped on a riverbank in Central Western Queensland with floodwaters continuing to rise. Authorities are urging residents in low-lying areas near Townsville to evacuate with more rain forecast. The local council has decided to release more water from the Ross River Dam, putting a further 90 homes at risk of inundation.
Two bushfires south-east of Melbourne have been downgraded from emergency warnings to Watch and Act alerts. It comes as almost 600 fire personnel work to hold containment lines in Tasmania. Better weather conditions have given fire-fighters a chance to gain the upper hand, but authorities warn the reprieve is temporary.
The United States will suspend a major nuclear arms treaty with Moscow, after long running accusations that Russia is violating the terms of the deal. The suspension will last six months but will become permanent if negotiations fail to allay US concerns of Russia's non-compliance with the treaty.
And the North Queensland Cowboys have sacked new recruit Ben Barba for a breach of contract. The 29-year-old was planning to return to the NRL after a two-year hiatus due to a drug scandal.
And those are the latest stories from ABC News.