Australia

Australia's Prime Minister has acknowledged the nation's security system failed to keep track of the Sydney gunman. Audio

One of the first hostages to flee the Sydney cafe siege has described his relief at escaping. Audio

Karen Middleton reports on the debate raging over how the gunman Man Haron Monis, who took 15 people hostage at a Sydney cafe, was out on bail when he'd been charged as an accessory to the murder of… Audio

Auckland woman Golnaz Bassam-Tabar says already her mother and sister feel like they've been on the receiving end of offensive comments as a result of the siege. Audio

Here New Zealand Muslims are bracing for a backlash in the wake of the Sydney siege. Audio

An acquaintance of the Martin Place gunman, Man Haron Monis, says the Iranian cleric was very secretive and harboured fantasies of being linked to the Iran government. Audio

And our reporter Kate Newton is in Martin Place. Audio

Sydney's mayor is confident the siege in Martin Place won't change the city's multi-cultural, welcoming feel. Audio

The two hostages who died in the Sydney siege are being hailed as heroes. Audio

Kate also spoke to these two lawyers who had come to lay flowers in memory of lawyer Katrina Dawson. Audio

Thousands of people have been lining up at a makeshift memorial in Sydney's Martin Place to pay tribute to the victims of the fatal siege at the Lindt cafe. Audio

A former New Zealand police negotator says the deaths of two of the hostages in the Sydney siege will have a terrible impact on everyone, including the New South Wales hostage negotiation team. Audio

The Prime Minister is being accused of political opportunism by linking the Sydney siege and New Zealand's recently toughened anti-terrorism laws. Audio

Australia is on high alert after heavily armed police stormed a Sydney cafe early today, freeing most of the 17 hostages held there, though two were killed. Audio

Thousands of people have come to Martin Place throughout the day, stopping to place flowers and sign condolence books. Audio

The New South Wales Deputy Police Commissioner Catherine Burn says security's being beefed up around Sydney. Audio

Monis was sentenced to 300 hours community service in September last year for offensive letters he sent to the families of seven Australian soldiers killed in Iraq and Afganistan. Audio

Monis forced some of the hostages to appear in online videos where they make demands for him, speaking of bombs and Islamic State, and referring to Monis as "the brother". Audio

Details are emerging from the Sydney siege about how a cafe manager wrestled with the mentally unstable gunman, giving time for other hostages to escape, before he was shot dead. Audio

2GB radio host Ray Hadley has been close to events unfolding in Sydney over the past 24 hours or so. The Australian radio host says he received several calls from a hostage while they were being held… Audio