A Sheikh. A Muslim cleric. An Iranian refugee, A hostage taker, Who was Man Haron Monis - the man accused of the Sydney siege?
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.
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.
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.
Funerals are meant to be solemn affairs, according to the Catholic Church in Australia, and only religious music is allowed.
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.
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.
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.
A play opening in Sydney might make for uncomfortable viewing -- its star Mamdouh Habib based the play on his experiences as a Guantanamo detainee.
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.
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.