Phil Mercer

Hostages run past a police officer (C) near Lindt Cafe, at Martin Place in central Sydney December 16, 2014. Australian security forces on Tuesday stormed the Sydney cafe where several hostages were being held at gunpoint.

An Iranian refugee and self-styled Muslim cleric is blamed for a hostage crisis in Sydney

A Sheikh. A Muslim cleric. An Iranian refugee, A hostage taker, Who was Man Haron Monis - the man accused of the Sydney siege?

An Iranian refugee and self-styled Muslim cleric is blamed for a hostage crisis in Sydney
The World

A Yacht Race in the Tasman Sea

A Yacht Race in the Tasman Sea

A Cardboard Cathedral for Christchurch

A Cardboard Cathedral for Christchurch

Australia Calls for Media Probe into Phone-Hacking Scandal

Australia Calls for Media Probe into Phone-Hacking Scandal
The World

Australia to Impose Tax on Greenhouse Pollution

Australia to Impose Tax on Greenhouse Pollution
The World

In Australia, left & right slug it out over a planned carbon tax

Phil Mercer reports on the heated debate in Australia over a proposed carbon tax. The government says the tax would help fight greenhouse gas emissions, but some of Australia's most powerful interests are against it.

In Australia, left & right slug it out over a planned carbon tax
The World

Australia hoping for Oprah effect

Oprah Winfrey is filming some of the last episodes of her TV show in Sydney, Australia. And the Australian government is hoping Oprah will provide a much-needed boost to the country's sagging tourism industry. Phil Mercer reports from Sydney.

Australia hoping for Oprah effect
The World

Whale rider wanted by Australian officials

An eye-witness says a boy climbed onto the back of a southern right whale off the coast of Australia and 'rode' on its back. The report has caught the attention of the authorities. Anchor Lisa Mullins gets details from the BBC's Phil Mercer in Sydney.

Whale rider wanted by Australian officials

No secular music for funerals, says Australian Catholic Church

Funerals are meant to be solemn affairs, according to the Catholic Church in Australia, and only religious music is allowed.

No secular music for funerals, says Australian Catholic Church
The World

Australian church bans secular music for funerals

Catholic officials in Australia have issued new guidelines that ban secular music from being played at funerals. It's meant to guard against music that isn't considered 'solemn' enough. Anchor Lisa Mullins finds out more from the BBC's Phil Mercer.

Australian church bans secular music for funerals
The World

Geo answer

Researchers are developing a robot that they hope will one day provide home care for the elderly. They've enlisted the help of a Sydney performance artist to make the robot seem more human. Correspondent Phil Mercer has the story.

Geo answer
The World

Geo answer

The answer to today's Geo Quiz today is Australia. Something's happening in parts of the country that hasn't happened for years. It's RAINING. Correspondent Phil Mercer reports from the farming town of Forbes.

Geo answer

Ex-Gitmo detainee's one-man show

A play opening in Sydney might make for uncomfortable viewing -- its star Mamdouh Habib based the play on his experiences as a Guantanamo detainee.

Ex-Gitmo detainee's one-man show
The World

Ex-Guantanamo detainee opens one-man show in Australia

Former Australian Guantanamo Bay detainee Mamdouh Habib is starring in a new play about his three years in U.S. custody. The BBC's Phil Mercer spoke to the cast at rehearsals and tells us about the play.

Ex-Guantanamo detainee opens one-man show in Australia
The World

New Years celebrations from around the world

Today is New Year's Eve, and that means citizens of the world will be ringing in 2010 when the clock hits midnight. We're leaping through time zones with reporters from across the globe for a look at how some cities are getting ready to celebrate.

New Years celebrations from around the world