Sydney news

Planned industrial action by Regional Express pilots today has been downgraded, following last-minute negotiations with the regional carrier.

An aquaponic growing system is successfully raising cold climate rainbow trout in summer while growing vegetables with minimal water.

Police from Tamworth, in northern New South Wales, are appealing for witnesses to come forward after a man was arrested and charged for allegedly filming people in a toilet block.

Water restrictions come into force in Launceston for the first time in years because of ongoing dry conditions.

Police hope CCTV footage will help them capture two men who threatened drivers with a gun and a knife in late December.

High in the mountains of New Guinea, Brian discovered soldiers who still lay where they'd been killed during WWII. (R)

The promoter of the East Coast Blues and Roots Festival is defending the event's record on caring for a nearby koala colony.

As thousands of cyclists hit the road in the Tour Down Under's Challenge Tour, Adelaide is experiencing tropical-like conditions after welcome overnight rain.

A blood-stained hammer is allegedly found in a bin outside the home of the accused murderer, Simon Kepenci.

A gold medal won by India's men's table tennis team at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne is stolen during a break-in at a home in the city's north-west.

The Federal Member for Parkes says re-allocating money in the ABC's budget would enable it to broadcast a regional television service.

Tasmanian fire crews hope easing conditions will help in the battle to contain dozens of fires burning across the state.

A Northern Territory Indigenous community is hoping to make the most of a bumper Kakadu plum crop.

The Mayor of a southern New South Wales council has told the ABC he is yet to see the report that outlines why they should merge with another shire.

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Look back at the highs and lows of Lleyton Hewitt's 18-year professional tennis career.

A New South Wales MP is urging councils in the western region to step up talks on formalising Joint Organisations in a bid to reap substantial savings.

A national body which advises UNESCO on world heritage sites will raise official concerns with the WA Government about its deregistration of Aboriginal sites along the route of the controversial Roe 8 project.

New figures show Garran Primary School will be full to overflowing this year, with more students than the ACT Government says it is built to handle.

Lleyton Hewitt slams as "an absolute farce" his name being put on a list of players linked with match-fixing claims after bowing out of his final Australian Open.

The NSW Government is progressing with plans for Newcastle's new light rail service, calling for industry to come forward with ideas for the design and construction.

TAFE teachers call on the NSW Government to replace a new computer system, which they say is once again causing havoc with enrolments in the Hunter.

Trucks, tractors, farm equipment and hay are destroyed in a $2 million shed fire on the upper Yorke Peninsula in South Australia overnight.

Williamtown residents question why planning officials have extended the consultation period for plans for a controversial sand quarry.

The Christmas bushfire that destroyed 116 houses at Wye River and Separation Creek burned for 34 days. While the focus now shifts to rebuilding, one resident who lost everything, says her insurer is ducking.

A woman has died and four people have been injured in a two-car crash in Hobart's central business district early this morning.

Hunter Water said $16 million in improvements at the Burwood Beach Wastewater Treatment Works will further improve the quality of water at local beaches.

Months of consistent rain have left some New South Wales graziers reporting some of their best pastures in years.

Aussie mangoes have touched down in the United States and are selling in markets around the state of Texas this week.

After eating peas and beans for 12 years in a refugee camp, the Balebanga family can finally cook their traditional Congolese food at home in the NSW Hunter region.

Adelaide Festival is on track for a bumper year with organiser Karen Bryant tipping sales will be the strongest in the past decade after attracting strong acts like French pyrotechnic spectacular Groupe F.

An avid fisherman claims summer is the best time to catch bull sharks in the Brisbane River, with the average catch measuring about 1.4 metres long.

A man has stab wounds and a woman has facial injuries after the pair was attacked at a home in Sydney's west early this morning.

A man has been charged with staging a bomb hoax in Brisbane, which closed roads and a park when the suspicious device was found in a public toilet block.

Australian cyclist Bridie O'Donnell is about to challenge the world hour distance record for women riders.

The bomb squad is called in to investigate a "suspected improvised explosive device" found in a public toilet block in a park at Kangaroo Point in Brisbane's inner city.

Angelique Kerber booked her place in the Australian Open third round with a workmanlike 6-2, 6-4 win over Romania's Alexandra Dulgheru at Melbourne Park.

Bernard Tomic will meet countryman John Millman in the Australian Open third round after beating Italian Simone Bolelli in straight sets.

The Tasmanian Fire Service urges people to remain on alert as several fires continue to cause concern in the state's north-west.

Lleyton Hewitt has farewelled professional tennis, ending his singles career with a straight-sets defeat to David Ferrer in the Australian Open second round on Thursday night.

Perth's Fringe World Festival, the third biggest fringe festival in the world, kicks off this week with a 31-day program of events.

Lleyton Hewitt ended his decorated singles career with a gallant straight-sets loss to eighth seed David Ferrer in their Australian Open second-round match. As it happened.

A dashing unbeaten century by Usman Khawaja piloted Sydney Thunder to an emphatic eight-wicket victory against Adelaide Strikers in Thursday night's Big Bash League semi-final at Adelaide Oval.

A week after a police officer and a security guard are injured in a shooting at Nepean Hospital the New South Wales Government says an audit of hospital security will be carried out.

A man dies in hospital after suffering a cardiac arrest while diving off Shelley Beach, on Sydney's northern beaches.

The thought of a better life for her son is what drove 17-year-old Aboriginal student Victoria Lansen to finish her studies in a remote NT town.

Australian cyclist Bridie O'Donnell is about to challenge the world speed record for women riders.

A thunderstorm is threatening the northern half of Sydney as it continues to move north with more rain expected for Friday and the weekend.

The CFMEU calls for a legal case against its members in Western Australia to be discontinued after a third of the defendants are dropped from the action.

Rugby star and social activist David Pocock urges the nation to take stock of its shortcomings on January 26, during his first speech as the ACT's Australia Day ambassador.