Sydney to Hobart yacht race newcomer Comanche did not need even five minutes to show she is the real deal as she made the most impressive start by a race rookie in memory.

A Sydney man arrested on terrorism-related charges will spend Christmas behind bars.

Most 18-year-olds put their feet up on Boxing Day and watch the cricket. Or simply savour the festive season. Not Emma May. She's doing the Sydney to Hobart instead.

Bright yellow sunflowers have been laid on the white coffin of Sydney cafe siege victim Tori Johnson at his funeral in Sydney.

A court has been told of fears the Sydney siege gunman could continue to influence his partner's extremist views from beyond the grave.

The Sydney to Hobart yacht race fleet have been warned they could face strong winds shortly after the start on Boxing Day.

The wife of the gunman killed during the Lindt cafe siege could be taken into custody if her bail is revoked in a Sydney court.

Just days before the Lindt Café Siege, an anonymous caller rang authorities to alert them to gunman Man Haron Monis' website.

The tragic Sydney siege is being used to make political points. But the points people are making are as opposite as the political positions held.

In five words, Ken Johnson - father of Sydney cafe siege victim Tori Johnson - summed up the emotion surrounding this week's Martin Place tragedy.

As Australia reels from the Sydney siege and its unhappy end, many will be wondering what can be done for the hostages stuck for hours with the gunman in the Lindt cafe.

Amid the sea of flowers and mourners at Sydney's Martin Place, siege survivor Harriette Denny set up her own tribute for her slain boss, Tori Johnson.

The "fake sheik" behind the deadly Sydney cafe siege railed against Australian "terrorism" on his website a day before he took 17 people hostage.

PM John Key said the Sydney siege gunman highlighted the conundrum for authorities over protecting citizens against potential terrorism and over-stepping their powers.

Man Haron Monis brought a nation to its knees. After taking 17 people hostage he was in charge, helping empty the heart of Sydney.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott will urgently review how a lone gunman known to federal police and ASIO was able to take hostages in a Sydney cafe.

Government MP Mark Mitchell argues that the Sydney hostage drama is 100 per cent justification for the anti-terrorist legislation he helped bulldoze through Parliament last week.

These are the six words that say it all. "I'll be back at work tomorrow."

Whenever there is a dramatic event, social media instantly comes alive with comment and conjecture as facts vie for attention with fiction.

Just hours after the Sydney siege ended with the death of two hostages, crowds gathered to pay their respects.

Pop stars, comedians and Kevin Rudd's daughter are among critics of Rupert Murdoch for his insensitive tweet about the Sydney hostage crisis.

Hostages caught in Sydney's siege have revealed how some of them managed to escape when the gunman's back was turned.

Haron Monis was known to authorities for a string of offences.

Some hostages held in the Sydney cafe may have had thoughts of attacking the hostage takers as survival instincts "come to the fore", a psychologist says.

The MP who chaired the anti-terrorist legislation rushed through Parliament last week, MarkMitchell, says the bill was "100 per cent" justified.

One or two words can be enough to turn a hostage situation, so language and rapport is everything, a former New Zealand hostage negotiator says.

Father-of-four Craig Stoker had just bought a coffee at the Lindt Chocolat Cafe in Sydney's Martin Place when he walked out and bumped into a "crazy-eyed" man.