Morning television shows from Sydney to Tokyo interrupted programming to report the news of Michael Jackson’s death, and online fan pages dedicated to the King of Pop became impromptu memorial sites today.

Police believe they have found the bodies of almost everyone killed in Australia's wildfire disaster and the current death toll of 201 is not likely to rise dramatically, a senior commander said.

Chinese guards travelling with the Olympic torch could face arrest if they lay hands on any protesters during its visit to Australia’s capital next week, an official said today.

Australian state leaders today held up the introduction of tough new counter-terror laws in parliament, saying they had concerns the legislation threatened civil liberties and could breach the constitution.

A state of emergency has been declared in the Australian capital Canberra as out-of-control bush fires closed to within five miles of the city's suburbs.