Australia's south sweltered through a brutal heatwave on Wednesday (Jan 7) that delivered temperatures above 40 deg C in some cities, triggering health warnings, straining power grids and causing bushfires to flare.

Watch the Sydney New Year’s Eve fireworks live as the city welcomes 2026. Here’s how to stream the show, the full event schedule, and what time fireworks begin.

Sydney, Australia, is 16 hours ahead of the United States' East Coast, meaning it is already Jan. 1, 2026, down under. So Australians already switched their calendars to 2026, while it was only 8 a.m. in New York City, and most folks on the West Coast hadn't even rolled out of bed yet.

England were 174 for three in their second innings at tea on the fourth day of the fifth Ashes test at Sydney Cricket Ground on Wednesday, still nine runs behind Australia's first-innings tally of 567.

England looking for back-to-back wins after two-day victory in Boxing Day game at MCG; Australia have retained Ashes, lead 3-1 after victories in first three Tests at Perth, Brisbane and Adelaide; Usm

Sydney celebrated passing into 2026 with a stunning display of fireworks sparking all over the city's landmarks.

Elvis Presley fans and tribute artists kicked off their annual journey to the Elvis Festival in the Australian regional town of Parkes on Wednesday.

While the new restrictions on firearms have broad support, new police powers to crack down on some protests were criticized as limits on civil liberties.

The Australian government has been accused of failing to heed warnings about antisemitic threats ahead of the deadly attack.

Police in Australia's New South Wales state said on Saturday they would bolster staffing at the Sydney Cricket Ground for the fifth Ashes test starting on Sunday, weeks after gunmen killed 15 people at a Jewish event in the city.

In the United Cup Sydney quarterfinals, Belgium faces Czechia on Jan. 8, and Poland battles host nation Australia on Jan. 9. Czechia's 4-2 match record was the best among second-place finishers.

It's a long way from the U.S., but Sydney, Australia is worth the trip. Here are just some of the things a first-time visitor can do.