Australian of the Year Ita Buttrose has lashed out at the fact Tony Abbott's new cabinet only contains one woman, saying it is unacceptable in 2013.

Nearly half the rebel fighters in Syria are aligned to jihadist or hardline Islamist groups, according to an analysis of factions in the country's civil war.

Australians yesterday began hearing details of how some of their most trusted organisations allowed child abuse to continue.

Egypt's former leader Hosni Mubarak claimed the United States was plotting to overthrow him as far back as 2005.

Tony Abbott has delayed moving into Australia's official prime ministerial residence.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel told voters the euro had secured German jobs and prosperity as she made a defence of the single currency the centrepiece of her campaign.

Prime Minister-elect Tony Abbott says he's disappointed there will be just one woman in his 19-member Cabinet.

Prime Minister elect Tony Abbott says Australia's contentious new policy on asylum seekers that includes turning back their boats to Indonesia would begin this week when his government is sworn in.