June 12, 2010

Weird News

Put kids to sleep with Chavez, mums told
Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez is offering parents a cure for children who do not want to go to sleep: have them watch his televised speeches.

Ugliest power pole competition
The small town of Woodbridge in southern Tasmania has this year attracted plenty of visitors to its annual photographic exhibition.

Dear Friend Hitler: Bollywood takes new direction
India's Bollywood film industry, famous for its lip-synched singing, exuberant dancing and wet sari scenes, is set to stray into unfamiliar dark territory with a film on Adolf Hitler.

Latest Indigenous News

DPI takes Aboriginal trust to court over rabbits
The Department of Primary Industries (DPI) is prosecuting the Framlingham Aboriginal Trust for failing to control the rabbit population in the Deen Maar Indigenous protected area.

Aboriginal health records get cyber treatment
The Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance in the Northern Territory has welcomed a $1.5 million funding boost to expand e-health services to remote Indigenous patients.

Cooktown gears up for annual settlers festival
The annual re-enactment of the first European settlers landing on the east coast of Australia will be played out this weekend in far north Queensland.

Latest Environment News

Sydney residents fight to save historic trees
Dozen of protesters have gathered at a train station on Sydney's north shore to try to stop RailCorp workers from cutting down five historic fig trees.

Uranium mine caused abnormal salt levels in Kakadu creek
The company that operates the Ranger uranium mine has confirmed higher-than-normal salt levels in a creek in Kakadu National Park is a result of its operations.

Japan's 'space yacht' starts sailing
Japan's kite-shaped "space yacht" has successfully started sailing through space using solar-power generation.

Latest Science and Technology News

Chemist claims breakthrough on diabetes drug
Young scientists in Melbourne say they have discovered a form of insulin that does not require refrigeration.

Inspectors seize record number of dodgy toys
A record number of dangerous toys has been seized and destroyed in Victoria this financial year.

No evidence to link flu vaccine with boy's death
Queensland Health says there is no link between the death of a two-year-old boy in Brisbane in April and the flu vaccination he received the day before.

Latest Health News

Chemist claims breakthrough on diabetes drug
Young scientists in Melbourne say they have discovered a form of insulin that does not require refrigeration.

Inspectors seize record number of dodgy toys
A record number of dangerous toys has been seized and destroyed in Victoria this financial year.

No evidence to link flu vaccine with boy's death
Queensland Health says there is no link between the death of a two-year-old boy in Brisbane in April and the flu vaccination he received the day before.

World News

Modernist painter Sigmar Polke dead at 69
One of Germany's most important painters, the modernist Sigmar Polke, has died aged 69 after a long battle with cancer, his dealer Erhard Klein said on Friday.

Ugliest power pole competition
The small town of Woodbridge in southern Tasmania has this year attracted plenty of visitors to its annual photographic exhibition.

Catherine Zeta-Jones awarded royal honour
Hollywood star Catherine Zeta-Jones and Formula One racing driver David Coulthard are among those who have been awarded British royal honours.world

Latest Australian Sports News

Jones won't return for Socceroos
Socceroos reserve goalkeeper Brad Jones has officially withdrawn from the World Cup, with Eugene Galekovic drafted into the 23-man squad.

Hewitt on track to meet Federer
Australia's Lleyton Hewitt remains on course for a showdown with world number two Roger Federer after reaching the semi-finals at the Halle Open grasscourt event in Germany.

Blues in disarray as Tahu quits
New South Wales winger Timana Tahu has sensationally walked out of the Blues' State of Origin camp after taking offence to remarks made by assistant coach Andrew Johns.

Australian Political News

Insulation inspections fall short of recommendations
A secret report shows the Federal Government is inspecting fewer than the recommended number of homes that had insulation installed under its axed scheme.

Sydney residents fight to save historic trees
Dozen of protesters have gathered at a train station on Sydney's north shore to try to stop RailCorp workers from cutting down five historic fig trees.

No apology for saying MPs should be shot
The New South Wales Opposition has lashed out at Labor Minister Paul Lynch over comments he made in Parliament about wanting to shoot three Coalition MPs.

Latest Business News

Waratah trains allegedly riddled with defects
The troubled Waratah trains project in New South Wales is in strife again, this time over allegations of shoddy work from China.

Gillard stands by embattled PM
Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard has dismissed calls for Kevin Rudd to be replaced as Prime Minister if Labor is to have a chance of winning the next election.

Support for Rudd plummets in WA
A new opinion poll shows support for the Federal Government in Western Australia has collapsed, despite Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's recent visit.

Latest Australian News

Boy killed after running onto road
A three-year-old boy has died in hospital after he was hit by a car in Brisbane this morning.

Gillard stands by embattled PM
Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard has dismissed calls for Kevin Rudd to be replaced as Prime Minister if Labor is to have a chance of winning the next election.

Armed men ransack home
Police are investigating a violent home invasion in Sydney's south-west which left one man in hospital.

World News

North Korea threatens strike on loudspeakers
North Korea says it will launch "an all-out military strike" on loudspeakers installed by Seoul to broadcast cross-border propaganda.

Thailand reveals names of arrested Red Shirts
The Thai government has released a list of arrested protesters more than three weeks after armed forces dispersed the Red Shirts rally in Bangkok.

Put kids to sleep with Chavez, mums told
Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez is offering parents a cure for children who do not want to go to sleep: have them watch his televised speeches.

Latest News

Boy killed after running onto road
A three-year-old boy has died in hospital after he was hit by a car in Brisbane this morning.

Gillard stands by embattled PM
Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard has dismissed calls for Kevin Rudd to be replaced as Prime Minister if Labor is to have a chance of winning the next election.

Armed men ransack home
Police are investigating a violent home invasion in Sydney's south-west which left one man in hospital.

News Commentary

Of smiles, hope, football and the other horn of Africa
I'm smiling. Over the past few weeks I've reported on the build up to the World Cup and most of those stories have been positive. This is a revelation. Cheering has led to singing. The nation of South Africa is moving to a quickening beat. Millions of South Africans are smiling ... "Feel it," they say, "We're free and we're alive!"

Plan of action: living the World Cup from home
Farewell sleep my old friend. We shall rendezvous on the other side. For the next 31 nights the dream hours will be filled by the deeds of Fernando Torres, Lionel Messi, Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka and with an ounce of luck Tim Cahill. It's one thing to follow the World Cup through news clips, radio reports and highlights shows but for the full experience there's no substitute for living the tournament as it unfolds.

The Oz v. Overland

Lesson for Rudd: never fight naked
Some in the Government brains trust say the fight with the miners is one the PM is happy to prolong, to show that he is tough. But anyone normal who has been even briefly exposed to real violence will tell you, most fights are best avoided and the unavoidable ones are best ended quickly. The Prime Minister has taken lots of hits and needs to end this brawl quickly because the oxygen is being punched out of his Government's lungs.

Weekly wrap: suck it up
What a week this has been. Well, not really. This week showed that invidious positions are simply something that great leaders must deal with.

Latest News

Fishing boat to rescue solo teen sailor
A plane has been sent to monitor 16-year-old sailor Abby Sunderland until a French fishing boat can reach her location in the Indian Ocean later this afternoon.

Gillard stands by embattled PM
Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard has dismissed calls for Kevin Rudd to be replaced as Prime Minister if Labor is to have a chance of winning the next election.

16 die in US flash floods
Flash floods have hit a rugged and mountainous area of the US state of Arkansas, leaving at least 16 people dead.

World Cup hosts break the ice
South Africa coach Carlos Albert Parreira has praised the World Cup host for holding its nerve to conjure a credible 1-1 draw with Mexico in a pulsating Group A opener at Soccer City.

Insulation inspections fall short of recommendations
A secret report shows the Federal Government is inspecting fewer than the recommended number of homes that had insulation installed under its axed scheme.

Top News Stories


Abby in 'great spirits' when found
June 12, 2010 at 12:32 PM


TEEN sailor Abby Sunderland was in "great spirits" when she was spotted in the Indian Ocean, and rescuers are expected to reach her about 4.30pm.
 

'No link' to flu jab in child death
June 12, 2010 at 12:22 PM


A CORONER'S autopsy has found no evidence to link a two-year-old Brisbane girl's death with a flu shot she received a day before she died.
 

Teen girl dies in house fire
June 12, 2010 at 10:44 AM


A TEENAGE girl is dead and a man and teenage boy are in a critical condition following a house fire in Toowoomba this morning.
 

Emergency nurses 'need Tasers'
June 12, 2010 at 9:47 AM


MEDICAL experts have proposed the use of Tasers to subdue unruly patients in the emergency department of the Gold Coast Hospital, as nurses fear for their safety.
 

Boy serious after being hit by car
June 12, 2010 at 7:36 AM


A YOUNG teenage boy is in a serious condition after being hit by a car near Bli Bli, northwest of Maroochydore.
 

Rudd on countdown to 'oblivion'
June 12, 2010 at 12:00 AM


LABOR veteran turned mining executive says PM must go if super profits tax dispute drags on.
 

High-seas dash to rescue Abby
June 11, 2010 at 11:00 PM


THE race to reach stranded US sailor Abby Sunderland will intensify as her parents face mounting outrage for letting her sail solo around the world.
 

Cost hikes hit families hard
June 11, 2010 at 11:00 PM


ELECTRICITY, water and rate rises are putting Queenslanders in the red with families saying they are struggling more than ever to make ends meet.
 

Slain Digger patrolled with mate
June 11, 2010 at 11:00 PM


QUEENSLAND soldier Jacob "Snowy" Moerland was on patrol in Afghanistan with his best mate from school when something went terribly wrong.
 

Land buyer 'tipped off by Hajnal'
June 11, 2010 at 11:00 PM


HAJNAL Ban tipped off the developer who bought a $2.25 million property from an old, frail friend, tribunal documents claim.
 

Asylum seeker shock for Dalby
June 11, 2010 at 11:00 PM


DALBY could become home for up to 500 asylum seekers in a scheme that has shocked the mayor and the federal member.
 

Clem7 team knew of risk
June 11, 2010 at 11:00 PM


SERIOUS doubts were raised about the validity of the Clem7 tunnel's traffic projections at least four years ago by financial analysts.
 

Unsafe taxis nabbed in raid
June 11, 2010 at 7:13 PM


ONE in every eight taxis pulled over in a six-hour sting in Brisbane's inner north were not fit to be on the road, police said.
 

Mandelas in mourning as Cup opens
June 11, 2010 at 5:39 PM


NELSON Mandela's 13-year-old great-granddaughter has been killed in a car crash on the way home from a World Cup kick-off concert.
 

Mandelas mourn as Cup opens
June 11, 2010 at 5:39 PM


NELSON Mandela's 13-year-old great-granddaughter has been killed in a car crash on the way home from a World Cup kick-off concert.
 

Teen sailor 'found safe'
June 11, 2010 at 5:19 PM


SEARCHERS have made contact with teenage solo sailor Abby Sunderland and she is alive and well but her boat has been dismasted..
 

Queensland Rail 'broke rules'
June 11, 2010 at 4:24 PM


THE Federal Court has found Queensland Rail breached workplace agreements in its rush towards privatisation, a union says.
 

ABC host on child porn charge
June 11, 2010 at 3:56 PM


ABC personality Andy Muirhead has been charged with a child porn offence, the broadcaster's website said today.
 

Man breaks legs, swims ashore
June 11, 2010 at 3:14 PM


A FISHERMAN whose legs were broken in a boat crash swam ashore before being rescued.
 

Latest Queensland News

'No link' to flu jab in child death
June 12, 2010 at 12:22 PM


A CORONER'S autopsy has found no evidence to link a two-year-old Brisbane girl's death with a flu shot she received a day before she died.
 

Teen girl dies in house fire
June 12, 2010 at 10:44 AM


A TEENAGE girl is dead and a man and teenage boy are in a critical condition following a house fire in Toowoomba this morning.
 

Emergency nurses 'need Tasers'
June 12, 2010 at 9:47 AM


MEDICAL experts have proposed the use of Tasers to subdue unruly patients in the emergency department of the Gold Coast Hospital, as nurses fear for their safety.
 

Boy serious after being hit by car
June 12, 2010 at 7:36 AM


A YOUNG teenage boy is in a serious condition after being hit by a car near Bli Bli, northwest of Maroochydore.
 

Towing industry 'out of control'
June 11, 2010 at 11:36 PM


QUEENSLAND tow truck drivers have called for an overhaul of the state's licensing system to stop violence and intimidation that is plaguing the industry.
 

A youthful sense of mission
June 11, 2010 at 11:03 PM


YOUTH affairs advocate Yassmin Abdel-Magied, 19, founded Youth Without Borders two years ago - and is in the running for a Pride of Australia award.
 

Asylum seeker shock for Dalby
June 11, 2010 at 11:00 PM


DALBY could become home for up to 500 asylum seekers in a scheme that has shocked the mayor and the federal member.
 

Cost hikes hit families hard
June 11, 2010 at 11:00 PM


ELECTRICITY, water and rate rises are putting Queenslanders in the red with families saying they are struggling more than ever to make ends meet.
 

Land buyer 'tipped off by Hajnal'
June 11, 2010 at 11:00 PM


HAJNAL Ban tipped off the developer who bought a $2.25 million property from an old, frail friend, tribunal documents claim.
 

Clem7 team knew of risk
June 11, 2010 at 11:00 PM


SERIOUS doubts were raised about the validity of the Clem7 tunnel's traffic projections at least four years ago by financial analysts.
 

Slain Digger patrolled with mate
June 11, 2010 at 11:00 PM


QUEENSLAND soldier Jacob "Snowy" Moerland was on patrol in Afghanistan with his best mate from school when something went terribly wrong.
 

Tzvetkoff was 'unrealistic'
June 11, 2010 at 9:48 PM


DANIEL Tzvetkoff allegedly harboured "unrealistic" notions about his business's expenses, which included hiring GulfStream jets and corporate sports boxes.
 

Police step up search for rapist
June 11, 2010 at 8:44 PM


GOLD Coast police have taken DNA samples from almost 40 potential suspects as the hunt for a rapist who dragged a jogger from a busy road continues.
 

Unsafe taxis nabbed in raid
June 11, 2010 at 7:13 PM


ONE in every eight taxis pulled over in a six-hour sting in Brisbane's inner north were not fit to be on the road, police said.
 

Three trapped in highway crash
June 11, 2010 at 4:42 PM


A CAR crash has closed a southbound entrance to the Bruce Highway at Burpengary.
 

Queensland Rail 'broke rules'
June 11, 2010 at 4:24 PM


THE Federal Court has found Queensland Rail breached workplace agreements in its rush towards privatisation, a union says.
 

Latest Australian and International News

Aussie couch potatoes try for TV record
June 12, 2010 at 4:40 PM


FIVE Australians will attempt to break a Guinness World Record by watching television continuously for more than 86 hours during the 2010 World Cup.
 

Toddler dies after being hit by car
June 12, 2010 at 3:54 PM


A TODDLER who ran onto a road and was struck by a car has died, police say.
 

Defence jets join Abby's rescue party
June 12, 2010 at 3:16 PM


THE Australian Defence Force has deployed two aircraft to Cocos Island, in the Indian Ocean, to assist in the rescue of US sailor Abby Sunderland.
 

WA cabbie nears end of epic ride
June 12, 2010 at 3:05 PM


AFTER swimming with whale sharks and guiding a blind man though stunning Kimberley landscapes, cabbie Doug Slater is about to cross the finish line after driving nearly 14,000km to showcase Western Australia to the world.
 

'More sites on radar' for asylum seekers
June 12, 2010 at 2:45 PM


DEPUTY Prime Minister Julia Gillard has confirmed more mainland sites are actively being sought to cope with the continued surge in asylum seekers.
 

Miner 'preparing work at shelved project'
June 12, 2010 at 1:41 PM


XSTRATA has been accused of misleading Australians over the impact of the proposed super-profits tax after signing a contract for work on a project the company said had been shelved.
 

Oil cleanup workers stopped by gas leak
June 12, 2010 at 12:03 PM


ABOUT 800 Gulf oil response workers aboard 120 vessels have been recalled to shore after dozens aboard a supply boat were hospitalised from exposure to a natural gas leak, BP has said.
 

Girl dies as seven others flee house fire
June 12, 2010 at 10:32 AM


A TEENAGE girl has died in a house fire in Toowoomba, west of Brisbane.
 

16 dead in flash flood at camp site
June 12, 2010 at 9:40 AM


AT least 16 people have been killed by floodwaters that rose at more than 2 metres an hour tore through a campground packed with holidaying families in Arkansas.
 

Wall St shrugs off poor retail data
June 12, 2010 at 9:17 AM


US stocks have clawed back from losses to close with modest gains as reports on consumers' outlook and retail spending sent mixed signals about the health of the economic recovery.
 

Wall St shrugs off poor retail data
June 12, 2010 at 9:17 AM


US stocks have clawed back from losses to close with modest gains as reports on consumers' outlook and retail spending sent mixed signals about the health of the economic recovery.
 

Gas leak on oil spill response vessel
June 12, 2010 at 9:10 AM


THREE dozen workers aboard a supply vessel in the Gulf of Mexico have been hospitalised following exposure to leaking toxic fumes at a natural gas platform, US officials said.
 

Teen girls charged over carjackings
June 12, 2010 at 9:04 AM


SIX teenage girls have been charged with carjacking three vehicles in different locations across Sydney's west.
 

Pope begs forgiveness from abuse victims
June 12, 2010 at 8:37 AM


SURROUNDED by 15,000 white-robed priests, Pope Benedict XVI has begged forgiveness from clerical abuse victims at a Mass in St Peter's Square and promised to "do everything possible" to protect the world's children.
 

BP bounces back after shares dive
June 12, 2010 at 7:30 AM


SHARES in BP have rallied after recent sharp losses, amid reports it plans to defer dividends as it battles the Gulf oil spill.
 

Gunmen kill 19 at Mexican rehab centre
June 12, 2010 at 4:05 AM


GROUP of more than 30 gunmen storm drug rehabilitation centre and open fire.
 

Six dead as floods wash away camp site
June 12, 2010 at 2:49 AM


FLASH floods wash away camp site in Arkansas, killing six people, with rescuers still battling to free those stranded.
 
 

War graves desecrated with swastikas
June 12, 2010 at 1:26 AM


FRENCH President condemns vandals who daubed Nazi graffiti on British war graves in northern France.
 

Aborigines to greet Japanese spacecraft
June 11, 2010 at 11:28 PM


ABORIGINES will be among the first to see a capsule released by a doomed Japanese space probe.
 

Unions 'won't strike during World Cup'
June 11, 2010 at 10:09 PM


HEADACHE over for South African Government as public workers agree to delay any possible action until after the final.
 

Russell Crowe says he's not dead
June 11, 2010 at 8:54 PM


RUSSELL Crowe denies reports that he plunged off a mountain while filming in Austria.
 

Obama attacked over 'big mistake'
June 11, 2010 at 8:48 PM


IRANIAN President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says that US President Barack Obama has made a "big mistake" by pushing for UN sanctions, and "blocked the way" to friendly ties with the Iranian people.
 

Premier declares war on locusts
June 11, 2010 at 8:38 PM


THEY'RE pint-sized, broody gluttons capable of grounding planes and the Victorian premier wants them dead.
 

Soccer boss arrest for World Cup travel
June 11, 2010 at 8:21 PM


THE Rwandan Army has arrested the president of the national soccer federation for travelling to South Africa for the World Cup without prior permission.
 

Teen charged over vicious train assault
June 11, 2010 at 7:37 PM


A TEENAGER has been charged over an assault on a metropolitan Melbourne train last weekend that left a tourist with serious head injuries.
 

Australian woman freed from Yemen
June 11, 2010 at 7:34 PM


AN Australian woman detained in Yemen as part of an investigation into al-Qaida has been freed and is flying home with her two children.
 

Report finds bullying in fire brigades
June 11, 2010 at 6:51 PM


FIREFIGHTERS are being bullied and harassed, often by senior management, within the "boy's club'' ranks of the NSW Fire Brigades, a report has found.
 

Australia to pay for Abby's rescue
June 11, 2010 at 6:11 PM


AUSTRALIA will to pay for its part in the search and rescue of teenage solo sailor Abby Sunderland who encountered extremely rough weather in the Indian Ocean.
 

Mandela pulls out of World Cup opener
June 11, 2010 at 5:46 PM


SOUTH Africa's former president Nelson Mandela has pulled out of the opening ceremony of the World Cup, after his great-granddaughter was killed in a car accident involving a drunk driver today.
 
 

War vet indecently assaulted women
June 11, 2010 at 5:34 PM


A VIETNAM veteran who claimed he could read auras has admitted indecently assaulting three women.
 

BP considering dividend cut
June 11, 2010 at 5:23 PM


BP chief executive Tony Hayward said in an interview published today his firm was considering cutting its dividend amid growing US public anger at its handling of a devastating oil spill.
 

Share market up ahead of long weekend
June 11, 2010 at 5:07 PM


THE Australian share market closed firmly in the black as hedge funds covered short positions ahead of a long weekend for all Australian states except Western Australia.
 

US teen solo sailor 'safe'
June 11, 2010 at 4:37 PM


TEEN solo sailor Abby Sunderland has been located alive in the Indian Ocean, after fears were raised when she encountered extremely rough weather early today.
 

Woman jailed over daughter's sex acts
June 11, 2010 at 4:32 PM


A DRUG-ADDICTED woman who "permitted, encouraged and assisted'' her 13-year-old daughter to have sex with a truck driver will spend at least five and a half years in jail.
 

Dead humpback washes up on beach
June 11, 2010 at 4:13 PM


A DEAD humpback whale measuring nearly 9m has washed up on a public beach on New York's Long Island.