Australia

Australian police said they have charged the Vatican's treasurer, Australian Cardinal George Pell, with multiple sexual assault offences.

Australia said it would resume air strikes into Syria, ending a two-day suspension implemented after the downing of a Syrian military aircraft triggered a Russian threat against Washington-led coalition planes.

While Chanel, Tiffany & Co, Topshop, Zara and H&M grabbed big headlines when they opened new stores here, a new group of huge Australian retailing chains has arrived.

US Vice President Mike Pence said on Saturday the United States would honour a controversial refugee deal with Australia, under which the United States would resettle 1250 asylum seekers, a deal President Donald Trump had described as "dumb".

The highly secretive meeting being held in Queenstown this weekend is a gathering of intelligence and security agencies related to the Five Eyes spying network.

Whatever way you spin it, vinyl sales are up in Australia.

Fire has destroyed Adelaide's last remaining drive-in cinema, after someone used a car to break into the property and steal an ATM.

Roads have been cut around the cyclone-hit north Queensland communities of Bowen, Airlie Beach and Proserpine making it difficult for crews to get in and assess the damage.

Australia Prime Minister Tony Abbott has done himself - and the political aspirations of many Government-supporting women - no favours by appointing only one female to his Cabinet.

And so, after years of acrimonious debate and accusations of lies, deceit and political chicanery, Australia has a carbon tax.

Shane Watson made a triumphant return by captaining Australia to an emphatic 87-run victory over India on Sunday and ensuring the hosts a place in the final of the one-day international Tri-series.

Australia took India's last four wickets this morning to crush the tourists by 298 runs in the fourth test and record a 4-0 series sweep.

Peter Siddle took five wickets as Australia bowled India out for 272 before extending their lead to 382 runs by the close of play on third day of the fourth test today.

India, even if you won't hear them say it, have never had a better chance of clinching their first test series triumph in Australia than over the next month against a host nation in the turmoil of transition.

Michael Clarke's team has just taken one dramatic step in reverse after a couple of shuffles forward since it was branded the worst Australian test lineup in decades.