Australia

At least 12 homes have been lost with many more feared destroyed after bushfires in southern Australia. Cooler conditions on Sunday helped more than 800 firefighters trying to contain the fires.

A major emergency is declared in south eastern Australia as bushfires rage out of control near Adelaide and Victoria, putting homes and lives at risk.

Watch the finale of the fireworks display in Sydney as Australians welcome the new year.

Police in Australia arrest a woman on suspicion of murdering seven of her children, who were found stabbed in her home.

Eight children from the same family, aged 18 months to 15-years-old, are found murdered in their home in Cairns. A woman who was mother to seven of them has been taken to hospital with stab wounds.

Australia’s Prime Minister Tony Abbott reveals the gunman behind the Sydney cafe siege was not on a government watchlist – despite his radical views and charges linked to the murder of his ex-wife.

Police storm the Lindt cafe in Sydney ending a 17 hour siege by a gunman identified as an Iranian refugee. Police say the gunman and two hostages were killed.

Australia captain Michael Clarke breaks down in tears as cricket fans gather from across Australia to mourn the death of batsman Phillip Hughes.

A storm tore through Brisbane on Thursday, uprooting trees and ripping roofs off homes. Hail the size of golf balls fell, 12 people were injured and 83,000 homes left without power.

Cricket fans and sports stars including Sachin Tendulkar, Geoffrey Boycott and Stuart Broad join a touching global tribute to the Australian cricketer who died on Thursday.

Tributes pour in for Phillip Hughes, the Australia batsman struck on the head by a bouncer two days ago, after his death is announced.

Australian cricketer Phil Hughes remains in an induced coma after being struck on the head by a short-pitched delivery during a game.

Australian cricketer Phil Hughes has been put into an induced coma after he was injured by a ball during a match. We look at the risks batsmen face and whether the game can ever really be made safe.

Geopolitical summits like the G20 are saturated in symbolism and double-meanings – so even if you’re officially shunned, you can always meet away from prying eyes.

A mother, who stumbled naked out of an Australian rainforest after going missing 17 days ago, survived on just insects and creek water.