News

The New Year gets underway in Sydney with yet another dazzling fireworks spectacular.

Global times for viewing the spectacular Sydney fireworks on New Year’s Eve, live.

A pair of Australians are among the 427 passengers saved from the ferry which caught fire while sailing the Adriatic Sea.

An Indonesian studying in Melbourne was listed among the passengers aboard flight QZ8501.

NSW opposition leader forced to resign after it emerged he had signed a letter for Sydney siege gunman.

Prime minister aims to put jobs and families at the heart of his government’s agenda for 2015 with a new-look team.

"I'm not saying there aren't a lot of dangerous people out there, I'm saying a lot of those people are in government," says Russell Brand, in his video blog about the Sydney siege.

Martin Place becomes moving floral memorial to the lives lost in the Sydney hostage crisis. Prime Minister joins mourners.

The two hostages who were fatally wounded when the siege was brought to a dramatic have been identified as a barrister and the manager of the Lindt café. A number of others received gunshot wounds.

Apparent gunshots and explosions heard as police put end Australian hostage crisis. Injured ferried to hospital.

Live blog of the Sydney siege hostage crisis in Martin Place, as it was being reported by Australian media.

The man holding hostages in Sydney is known to police as being on bail, charged with over 40 serious offences.

Australians say they will protect Muslim commuters from racism as #illridewithyou Twitter hashtag goes viral around the world following hostage siege in Sydney.

People near the Sydney siege hostage crisis have posted selfies on Twitter while others are reportedly drinking beer.

Police have made contact with the gunman in the Sydney siege crisis and five hostages are now free.

2GB talkback host, Ray Hadley, says he spoke on the phone to a hostage inside the Sydney café under siege but refused to put the call to air. He claims the gunman wanted to speak to the prime minister.

Hostages have been seen coming out of the café at the centre of the siege in Sydney.

Witnesses to the siege in Sydney’s Martin place tell of terrifying scenes.

The Sydney Opera House has been evacuated as hostage siege takes place in the city’s CBD.

A gunman has taken a number of people hostage inside a café in Sydney’s CBD. A black flag with Islamic text has been displayed in the window of the premises.

A Sydney mother could be hanged if found guilty of carrying 1.5kg of meth at Kuala Lumpur airport.

What got the world tweeting, commenting, sharing and liking this year?

What were the top hashtags, trends and tweeted moments this year?

Entertainment and sports celebrities post Aussies' most shared Twitter messages of the year.

David Hicks shouts down George Brandis about the torture he received at Guantanamo Bay, claiming the government at the time was fully aware of what happened to him

‘Shirtfront’ muscles out ‘Team Australia’, ‘man-bun’, ‘Ned Kelly beard’, and ‘coward punch’ to claim Word of the Year title.

Australia drops a staggering 21 places on Climate Change Performance Index due to Abbott government policies, states a new report.

Kalynda Davis's world came crashing down when she was charged in China with possessing 36kg of crystal methamphetamine. She has made it home to Australia but her Tinder partner remains behind and could face death by firing squad if found guilty.

Aussies travelling abroad are becoming "serial pests" to Australian embassies and consulates by asking for the strangest things. The government is clamping down.

Australia stops to join in mourning with family, friends and cricket players gathered in a small country town for the funeral of Phillip Hughes.

Cricket players, celebrities, politicians, family and locals come together in Australian country town for funeral of Phillip Hughes.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott admits it’s been a tough period for his government but is unapologetic.

Australia House, the High Commission in London, will host a public memorial to former Prime Minister Gough Whitlam this month. You must register by this Monday to attend.

Some of the best #putoutyourbats tribute photos as cricket lovers join extraordinary outpouring of grief for Phil Hughes.

The mother of a newborn baby dumped into a drain has been charged with attempted murder.

Victorians in London have this week to vote in person for the Victorian state elections at the Agent Generals office.

Australian foreign minister, Julie Bishop, warns UN Security Council that tech savvy terrorists are a global threat.

A 2.5 metre great white has been caught in the shark nets off Australia’s Bondi Beach.

In a speech delivered to the Australian parliament Indian prime minister, Narendra Modi, backed Tony Abbott’s push for a ramping up of trade between the two nations.

“It’s hard to confuse Tasmania and China, but I have.” - Australian prime minister, Tony Abbott.

The Brisbane G20 was a drama packed episode of boatfronts, backhanders, beers and koala bear diplomacy.

Surviving a 15,000 km charity trek across Australia, in a Star Wars Stormtrooper get-up, means snacking on lizards, snakes and other delicious items from the local roadkill deli.

Angry and offended Australians lash out at Australia’s PM for saying the country was nothing more than a couple of bushes prior to colonization.

British PM David Cameron has delivered a speech to Australia’s parliament, noting the two nations’ shared history and the need to defend shared principles, highlighting trade and the struggle against Islamic extremism.

Protesters bury their heads in the sand at Bond Beach to highlight lack of focus on climate change at G20 summit.

Deployment of Russian ships near Australia ahead of G20 summit labelled a distracting “stunt” by Bill Shorten.

UN told healthcare provided to asylum seekers is comparable to what is available in Australia and that “all but a few children will be out of detention” within months.

During the traditional APEC ‘silly shirts’ family photo, Abbott and Putin appeared to avoid direct eye contact, despite standing barely a metre apart.

Following APEC meeting with Tony Abbott, US president says he is asking all partner nations to review their commitment to the evolving campaign against Isis.

Latest expat survey reveals Australia is most popular destination for Brits living overseas, while UK politicians call for greater ties.