National News | theage.com.au

Cyclone Christine closer to Western Australia's north coast

A category 2 cyclone off Western Australia's Kimberley coast was expected to intensify.

Tale of Israel's Prisoner X Ben Zygier is headed to television

MICHAEL IDATO The life and dramatic death of the Australian-born alleged Mossad agent Ben Zygier is set to become a television series.

Third vessel heads to rescue passengers on Akademik Shokalskiy, trapped in Antarctic ice

Anne Davies, Nicky Phillips The operators of a ship stricken in the Southern Ocean are facing a multimillion-dollar expense bill, as a third vessel began a rescue attempt five days after the tourist ship became trapped in sea ice.

AC/DC's original lead singer, Dave Evans

ANNABEL ROSS On New Year's Eve in 1973, a young band was readying for its first proper gig, a plum slot at the now-closed Chequers nightclub, then one of the hottest venues in Sydney.

Coalition considers end to free GP visits

GARETH HUTCHENS The Abbott government is refusing to rule out a $6 fee for every GP visit in a bid to rein in health spending, sparking fears that it will ultimately end Medicare and affordable healthcare.

Rescue of iced-in ship could cost owners a packet

NICKY PHILLIPS A third vessel has began a rescue attempt five days after the tourist ship became trapped.

TV series on life of Mossad agent Ben Zygier

MICHAEL IDATO The life and dramatic death of Australian-born Mossad agent Ben Zygier is to become a television series.

Test cricket attendances break records

MICHAEL GLEESON Winning the Ashes on the back of a snorting, moustachioed fast bowler channelling our inner Dennis Lillee has given this surprising Ashes victory a retro feel-good flavour that has driven record numbers back to the game.

Zimbabwe ambassador Jacqueline Zwambila's asylum claim 'won't hurt relations'

HAMISH BOLAND-RUDDER A diplomatic law expert says granting Zimbabwe's former ambassador asylum could actually help the Zimbabwe-Australia relationship.

Man enters embassy in Jakarta carrying knives

1:44pm Police have reportedly found two knives and a rope on a man who scaled the Australian embassy wall in Indonesia.

Sydney-to-Hobart race update: Gales slam into fleet, damaging boats

David Beniuk 8:17am Four more boats are out of the Sydney to Hobart yacht race after a night of tough weather conditions.

Death of a hero means we can finally leave the 20th century behind

Neil McMahon Only after a turbulent 2013 can the world truly embrace the 21st century.

Ecstasy use on the rise in new powdered form called molly

RACHEL OLDING A powerful, powdered form of ecstasy is gaining prominence in Australia as a dramatic rise in police seizures shows the party drug is coming back into fashion.

Coalition cuts Labor, Greens Parliament staff

BIANCA HALL You can tell a lot about a government's priorities by what is kept and what is canned in a tight economic environment.

End of an epoch: as the year ends, so too does the 20th century

Neil McMahon The final days of 2013 wrap up more than just a chaotic year. The 20th century is belatedly over and an uncertain era awaits.

Asylum seeker ambassador accused of treason in Zimbabwe media

PHILLIP THOMSON Defecting Zimbabwe ambassador Jacqueline Zwambila has been labelled treasonous in her home country after her decision to seek asylum in Australia made headlines across the world.

Go home, community leaders tell Lebanese asylum seekers

Natalie O'Brien Dozens of Lebanese asylum seekers detained on Nauru and Manus islands are being urged to return home voluntarily to avoid spending the ''best years of their life'' locked up in detention.

Guantanamo Bay: FOI reveals Howard government knew David Hicks would not get a fair trial

Natalie O'Brien Papers reveal the Howard government knew the US would allow evidence obtained by torture in David Hicks' court case.

The ugly truth: plastic surgery won't help disorder sufferers because it's all in the brain links

John Elder A new imaging technique has uncovered a weak link in the brain of people who obsessively believe themselves to be ugly, a condition known as body dysmorphic disorder.

Advice to Lebanese asylum seekers: you're wasting your life

Natalie O'brien Dozens of Lebanese asylum seekers detained on Nauru and Manus islands will be urged by community leaders to return home voluntarily to avoid spending the 'best years of their life' locked up in detention.

Powdered ecstasy party drug hitting new highs

RACHEL OLDING A powerful, powdered form of ecstasy is rapidly gaining prominence in Australia.

Best selfie of the year: a few tips

Tim Barlass To qualify for ''best selfie of the year'' you need to find something out of the ordinary. Or maybe something out of this world.

Defecting ambassador called a traitor in Zimbabwe

PHILLIP THOMSON Defecting Zimbabwe ambassador Jacqueline Zwambila has been labelled treasonous in her home country after her decision to seek asylum in Australia made headlines across the world.