Sydney news

The trainer of Canberra racehorse Fell Swoop tries to limit the excitement surrounding the four year old, despite the horse making an impressive start to its career.

Resident and owner of the local Antique shop, Shane Johnson, joins Mark Sutton to talk about our Spot on the Map this week - Franklin in Tasmania.

Mitch Nichols returns to haunt his old side, scoring a late equaliser to secure a 2-2 A-League draw for the Western Sydney Wanderers against Perth Glory.

The Melbourne Renegades win their first Big Bash League game, downing the Brisbane Heat by seven wickets at the Gabba.

Fire crews will work through the night to contain several blazes still burning in Victoria with the CFA confirming a number of buildings have been lost in a bushfire that started south of Scotsburn, near Ballarat. Water bombers (pictured) as well as 300 firefighters are on the scene.

Melbourne City wins an incredible Melbourne Derby 2-1, beating the Victory at AAMI Park in an end-to-end encounter.

The contract of superstar forward Sam Burgess is officially registered by the NRL, confirming his signing with South Sydney.

A late Roy Krishna penalty salvages a 1-1 draw for the Wellington Phoenix against Sydney FC in Wellington.

The Country Fire Authority confirms a number of buildings have been lost in a fire that started south of Scotsburn, near Ballarat, but it is not yet clear how many.

An emergency warning is issued for Elaine and nearby Scotsburn as erratic winds fan fires which are expected to impact on homes in the area.

The Hobart Hurricanes and Perth Scorchers win one game each in their Women's Big Bash League double header in Rooty Hill, while the Melbourne Stars and Sydney Thunder kept alive their perfect starts.

A total fire ban is declared for Sunday in the ACT, as a 47-hectare bushfire continues to burn at Mount Clear in the Territory's south.

Victorian firefighters are called to over 300 fires on a hot, windy day when temperatures topped 42 degrees Celsius in many parts of the state.

Mullaloo Beach in Perth's northern suburbs is reopened to the public after it was closed when a tagged tiger shark was detected.

A Canberra court clears the husband of Australia's former ambassador to Spain of two child sex charges, but is unable to reach a verdict on a third charge.

A Canberra court clears the husband of Australia's former ambassador to Spain of two child sex charges, but is unable to reach a verdict on a third charge.

Several fires continue to burn in hot, windy conditions in Victoria, but all of the emergency warnings have been downgraded, CFA officials say.

Scorchers skipper Nicole Bolton scores 45 but Perth loses to the Hobart Hurricanes by one run in the WBBL.

The Country Fire Authority issues an emergency warning for a fast moving out-of-control grassfire at Wonthaggi South, in South Gippsland.

Mullaloo Beach in Perth's northern suburbs is closed until further notice after a tagged tiger shark is detected.

A proposal for a major waste tip in WA's Wheatbelt is dumped amid concerns it would have threatened an endangered numbat population.

The number of homes destroyed in the Pinery bushfire has risen from 87 to 91, as the South Australian Government prepares to hand out its first relief payments to those affected by the fire next week.

A sub-contractor at Canberra's jail is allegedly caught taking drugs into the prison in his work car.

An emergency warning is issued by the Country Fire Authority for Wandin North and Wandin East for a fast moving out-of-control grassfire.

A crackdown on mixed martial arts, Muay Thai and other combat sports that could see members of crime gangs banned from competition is being considered by the ACT Government.

A group of Army and Air Force cadets have completed a 239-kilometre journey across south-east Queensland, honouring soldiers from WWI.

A proposal for a major waste tip in WA's Wheatbelt is dumped in the face of considerable opposition from green groups and the local community.

After more than 30 years, the Sydney Entertainment Centre hosts its last event tonight with a performance by Sir Elton John, who holds the record for the most concerts there.

A Big Bash League umpire has admitted to incorrectly giving Travis Head out in the Strikers' clash with Melbourne Stars at Adelaide Oval.

An emergency warning is issued by the Country Fire Authority for Wandin North and Wandin East for a fast moving out-of-control grassfire.

Police are appealing to drivers around Darwin to slow down after a host of serious road crashes as the first monsoon of the Wet Season unleashes heavy rain over the Top End.

Australia top order batsman Usman Khawaja says he expects to return from a hamstring strain and be passed fit for the Boxing Day Test against West Indies.

Queensland's resources council says it does not accept that Australia's largest proposed coal mine in the Galilee Basin may not go ahead.

A woman is thrown to the ground and indecently assaulted while walking home from a train station in Perth, suffering bruising and swelling to her face.

Marine biologists studying the Great Barrier Reef prepare for widespread coral bleaching early next year with an El Nino weather event predicted to turn many of the animals white.

A scientific analysis of wastewater reveals a jump in the use of the drug ice in parts of Melbourne in the past 12 months.

The latest Global Coal Outlook from the world's peak energy agency says mining projects worth nearly $40 billion in Queensland's Galilee Basin are unlikely to go ahead.

A bushfire burning at Mount Clear to the south of Canberra is now 14 kilometres from the Monaro Highway, but firefighters say it is under control.

The families of eight children who were killed in a Cairns home are gathering in the far north Queensland city to mark the first anniversary of the tragedy and to thank the community.

Legendary Brisbane rock musician Ed Kuepper is aiming for "good vibes" as he releases his 50th album on his birthday.

Catch up with the latest podcast of Saturday Talkback Gardening with Jon Lamb and Ashley Walsh.