Japan says it will complain to Australia about its release of graphic photographs of whales being killed by a Japanese fleet in Antarctic waters.

Fitch Ratings placed MBIA insured issues of Australian infrastructure projects - Lane Cove Tunnel Finance Pty Ltd, Sydney Airport Finance Co Pty Ltd, Transurban Finance Company Pty Ltd and Southern Cross Airports Corp Pty Ltd - on negative watch.

A powerful explosion tore through a building in inner-city Sydney on Monday, injuring two men and forcing the evacuation of 1,000 others.

Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith has criticized Taiwan's decision to hold a referendum on U.N. membership, calling it "completely inappropriate." Smith made the comments during a meeting in Canberra with his counterpart from China, which may soon overtake Japan as Australia's biggest trading partner. From Sydney, Phil Mercer reports.

Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and his Australian counterpart Stephen Smith started their first round of bilateral strategic dialogue in Canberra on Tuesday and reached a broad consensus on various issues.

Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith has made his first official trip to Washington to meet U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. During his visit, Smith made clear that the new Australian government will go ahead with its plan to withdraw its troops from Iraq within six months. From Sydney, Phil Mercer reports.

Rock royalty is headed to the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra in founding Deep Purple member and one of the world's most influential Hammond Organ rock blues players, Jon Lord.

Australia has been celebrating its national day, with parties, concerts and special events across the nation. For some people, the day is doubly special: 14,000 immigrants from more than 100 countries were sworn in Saturday as Australian citizens - a situation not without its critics. From Sydney, Phil Mercer reports.

Australia will press on with plans to withdraw its troops from Iraq in June this year, although promises were made by the nation's foreign minister that relations with the United States will not be affected by the move.

The Australian share market has clawed-back all of this week's losses to end the session 5 per cent higher, following strong economic news out of Asia and gains in New York overnight.

Foreign Affairs Minister Stephen Smith says the strength of Australia's alliance with the United States will continue, despite the change of government.

Organisers hope to attract more than 11,000 bootscooters to a world-record line dancing attempt at the Tamworth Country Music Festival this weekend.