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Rain eases in state’s southeast after teen rescued in Mareeba, while firefighters battle blazes in VictoriaFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA lucky escape by a teenager sucked into a drain has prompted a heartfelt plea to avoid flood waters as showers eased in a rain-hit region.Sunny skies were set to greet...

Firms accused of forcing households to pay for years of underinvestment after Ofwat agrees to increases to help fix sector• Thames Water to pay £18m penalty after breaking dividend rulesWater bills in England and Wales will rise by 36% over the next five years, as suppliers were accused of forcing struggling households to pay for years of underinvestment to fix leaky pipes and cut...