Torrential rain and gale force winds lashes Australia's biggest city Sydney causing commuter chaos, flooding streets, railway stations and homes, grounding flights and leaving hundreds of people without electricity.

Strong winds across Australia's southeast coast cause commuter chaos at Sydney and Melbourne airports, the country's two busiest, with thousands of air travellers stranded after dozens of flights were cancelled.

Babar Azam hit 68 and Imad Wasim marked his return with three wickets to guide Pakistan to a resounding 66-run win over Australia in the opening Twenty20 International at the Zayed Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.

Australia has reinforced the security of its maritime borders with expanded aerial surveillance and on-water patrols.

Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop resigned from new Prime Minister Scott Morrison's Cabinet yesterday, two days after a bruising leadership battle that toppled former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull and led to a major ministerial shake-up.

Already eliminated Peru get their first World Cup win in 40 years and their first goal in 36 with a 2-0 victory over Australia on Tuesday.

Papua New Guinea says it is mulling a temporary shutdown of Facebook to uncover false accounts and block fake news in the Pacific nation, which hosts a major global summit later this year.

The Netherlands and Australia moves toward launching legal action against Russia, accusing Moscow of being behind the 2014 shooting down of flight MH17 over war-torn eastern Ukraine.

Annoyed at seagulls that pester its patrons, a restaurant in the Australian city of Perth arms customers with water pistols to stop the birds from ruining the waterfront dining experience.

Australia cruise to a 19-run victory in a rain-affected T20 tri-series final with against Zealand Wednesday to claim the world number one ranking for the first time.

Cameron White replaces injured Chris Lynn in Australia's squad for this month's one-day international series against England.

Australia claimed the big wicket of Alastair Cook to take the early ascendancy on the opening day of the fifth Ashes Test in Sydney.

Australian institutions "seriously failed" children in their care with tens of thousands sexually assaulted, the final report from a five-year inquiry says as it recommends that celibacy among Catholic priests should be voluntary to help curb abuse.

The Australian Parliament votes to allow same-sex marriage across the nation, following a bitter and divisive debate settled by the government polling voters in a much-criticized ballot survey that strongly endorsed change.

Steve Smith produces a defiant unconquered century as Australia take the edge in the first Ashes Test at the Gabba on Saturday.

The oldest human remains found in Australia has been returned to the Outback desert that he roamed some 42,000 years ago in a ceremony celebrated by traditional owners.

Honduras accuse Australia of using a drone for "espionage" giving an extra edge to their winner-takes-all playoff to reach next year's World Cup.

The government of Australia has issued a travel alert for its nationals in Bangladesh, saying that it has “reliable information to suggest

Climbing the world's largest monolith Uluru is banned amid concerns it was becoming a "theme park", undermining the giant red rock's deep cultural significance.

Usman Khawaja takes a swipe at Australian selectors after being dropped for Tests this year in India and Bangladesh, saying chopping and changing created instability in the team.