Sydney news

Novak Djokovic has history and a record-equalling sixth Australian Open title in his sights when he takes on Andy Murray in Sunday night's final.

A man is in a critical condition after being cut free from the wreckage of a two-car collision on South Australia's Yorke Peninsula.

Michael Clarke signals return to cricket by playing for club side Western Suburbs, but refuses to rule out grander ambitions.

An "ecological burn-off" in a Tasmanian conservation area is boosting the health of native vegetation in the state's northern highlands, researchers say.

Emergency services are cleaning up across Sydney after damaging winds and heavy rain lashed the city, leaving 78,000 customers without power and the SES with 1,000 calls for help.

Backstage at Miss Gay and Miss Transsexual Australia, contestants share their thoughts on gender equality, acceptance and what it would mean to win the truly life-changing top prize.

Water levels in Adelaide's reservoirs are not expected to rise significantly but SA Water believes consumption will reduce after several summer hot spells.

Overnight storms put on a show in Melbourne as thunder and lightning moved across the city, but it also caused flash flooding, with up to 50 millimetres falling in some parts of the city.

Tasmanians still cleaning up after damaging heavy rain two days ago are warned to brace for the potential of more flooding, with a severe weather warning issued for the state's north-east and east.

Business owners in Garema Place fail to feel the benefits of the National Multicultural Festival, despite it bringing hundreds of thousands of potential customers within metres of their door.

Serena Williams denies nerves were responsible for her shock Australian Open loss to Angelique Kerber, saying she cannot win every match, despite expectations.

Tropical Cyclone Stan crosses the coastline in Western Australia's north-west Pilbara region, bringing heavy rainfall and wind gusts of up to 140 kilometres per hour.

Long time Snug resident and volunteer at the Channel Heritage Centre, Phyllis Norton, fills Tony Arthur in on this week's Spot on the Map - Snug in southern Tasmania.

Lucy Turnbull brings brought bold, contemporary Australian art into The Lodge, brightening up the Prime Ministerial residence in Canberra after it was unoccupied for more than two years.

A severe storm wreaks havoc on Sydney, with major roads flooded and power out across the city.

Australian Open winner Angelique Kerber says a near miss in the first round of the tournament helped her loosen up for what turned out to be a championship run.

Tropical Cyclone Stan is expected to make landfall overnight, bringing potentially damaging wind gusts of up to 200 kilometres per hour and heavy rain.

Officers have been called in to break up a fight that may have involved as many as 25 people in Brisbane's South Bank, police say.

A late penalty by Diego Castro saves Perth Glory in their A-League clash with Melbourne Victory at Perth Oval.

Angelique Kerber causes a stunning upset to beat world number one Serena Williams in the Australian Open women's final on Rod Laver Arena.

Angelique Kerber has defeated world number one Serena Williams in the Australian Open women's final, winning 6-4, 3-6, 6-4. Look back at how it unfolded in our live blog.

The Brisbane Roar climb back up to second place on the A-League ladder with an excellent 3-1 away win over Sydney FC at the SFS.

World number one Serena Williams has levelled the Australian Open women's final, winning the second set 6-3 against Angelique Kerber. Follow our live blog.

The first images to emerge from within Tasmania's fire-affected World Heritage Area illustrate the level of destruction caused by bushfire, as experts warn such incidents are signs of a changing climate.

Luis Garcia opens his A-League goal-scoring account in the Mariners' 3-1 away win over the Wellington Phoenix in Christchurch.

Up to 300 people voice their opposition to the NSW Government's plan to amalgamate Wollongong and Shellharbour councils at a weekend rally.

Novak Djokovic is expecting a fierce battle with an old friend and familiar protagonist when he makes a bid for history in the Australian Open final against Andy Murray on Sunday night.

Mystery surrounds a city-wide black-out that left thousands in the dark during a hot and humid day.

A severe storm wreaks havoc on Sydney, with some roads flooded, traffic lights out and thunder lighting up the skies in the second day of wild weather, as the rest of NSW and ACT braces for a stormy night.

Queensland teenager Oliver Anderson has won the Australian Open junior boys' singles title, with a three-set victory over Jurabeck Karimov at Melbourne Park.

A 38-year-old Queensland Police senior constable is charged with murder over the death of his two-month-old son in 2014.

A no-take fishing zone in the Houtman Abrolhos Islands fails to boost fish populations, a long-term study finds.

Shane Watson will captain Australia in the third Twenty20 international against India at the SCG on Sunday.

More severe thunderstorms are forecast for New South Wales and the ACT after fierce weather on Friday led to blackouts and hundreds of calls for help.

A nuclear waste facility will not be built at Hill End in central-west New South Wales because community opposition to the proposal is so strong, the Federal Government says.

Sydneysider Alex De Minaur and Brisbane's Blake Ellis have combined to win the Australian Open boys doubles title.

A prospector who had been missing in Western Australia's Goldfields, east of Kalgoorlie, is found safe and well.

Residents on Tasmania's east coast start are cleaning up from widespread flooding as authorities say the worst of the deluge is over.

A Macedonian Orthodox monk who was saved from a burning church when he jumped into the arms of police officers takes part in a service hours after the rescue.

A small group of rookie athletes are taking part in an Australian Institute of Sport selection camp this weekend, with the hope of being drafted into a high performance program for a combat sport.

Talented Darwin footballer Michael Hagan turns his back on a contract with West Adelaide so he can spend time with his family and play for the NT Thunder.

A group lobbying for a light rail service from Hobart to the northern suburbs believes the findings of a review bolster the case for one, despite finding the project is not economically viable.

Two people are rescued from a fire at an inner Sydney terrace house that appears to have been caused by a candle that was burning in a bedroom, authorities say.

A Macedonian Orthodox priest who was saved from a burning church when he jumped into the arms of police officers takes part in a service hours after the rescue.

A 17-year-old woman receives a shock from a lightning strike while sitting on a metal toilet seat in a public bathroom during a wild storm that moved across southern Queensland.

The body of a person feared dead in a plane crash on Victoria's Bellarine Peninsula is believed to be in the aircraft's missing main fuselage, police say.

Tropical Cyclone Stan is expected to make landfall later tonight and residents in the north-west Pilbara region of WA are bracing for potentially damaging wind gusts and heavy rain.

Residents on Tasmania's east coast start the clean up from widespread flooding as authorities say the worst of the deluge is over.

Bag and size limits on fish caught by recreational fishers in South Australia are being proposed under a State Government review to manage fish stocks.

Usman Khawaja was overlooked for Australia's ODI tour of New Zealand but the batsman is set to earn a call-up following Aaron Finch's hamstring injury.