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.

Canberra, Australia’s capital, has a problem – too many kangaroos.

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.

The 2008 World Cup final at Queensland’s Suncorp Stadium is already a near sell-out.

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.

Elton John has criticised Australian Prime Minister John Howard's position on gay marriage.

Farmers enduring Australia’s worst drought in a century will get extra government handouts worth at least $350m (€210,000).

THE Taoiseach believes e-voting is a success, except for the software being faulty. That’s like saying the Government is a success, except for ministers being faulty.

Conservative Prime Minister John Howard’s government has invoked special powers to invalidate a territory’s law that had been the first in Australia giving legal recognition to same-sex relationships.

Australia’s conservative prime minister today vowed to block any legislation by the nation’s capital giving gay couples the same rights as married couples.

Munster 16 Australia 24

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.

Police have information on more than 500 Australians who access child porn and more arrests are likely, Australia’s police chief said today, a day after announcing the country’s largest ever crackdown on the industry.

POLICE seized computers holding more than 2 million images of child pornography - some involving children as young as two - and arrested scores of people, including two teachers, in Australia’s biggest child porn crackdown, police said yesterday.

Police seized computers holding more than 2 million images of child pornography – some involving children as young as 2 – and arrested scores of people including two teachers in Australia’s biggest crackdown on child porn, police said today.

A new blaze threat is looming over Australia, amid fears that hot, dry outback winds could whip up new infernos.

Hundreds of people began sifting through the charred remains of their burned-out homes today after the worst bush fires in the history of Australia’s capital, Canberra, left four dead.

Out-of-control bush fires raging near Australia's capital have destroyed several homes and are forcing thousands of people to evacuate.

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.