General News

Firms 'risk huge sums' in public-private partnership bids

Created Fri, 1^st of Aug 2008

The head of a major international rail infrastructure company says the high cost of bids and tenders is hindering private investment in important rail and road projects. Tony Shepherd from ... more
NZ town's name censored over 'F-word' pronunciation

Created Fri, 1^st of Aug 2008

The New Zealand town of Whakatane has found itself censored in cyberspace because the pronunciation of the word is close to the offensive 'F-word'. The censorship was uncovered when a visitor to ... more
13 dead in Indian train blaze

Created Fri, 1^st of Aug 2008

At least 13 people died and four were injured when fire spread quickly through a packed train in southern India early on Friday, a railway official said. "As of now 13 have been confirmed dead," ... more
Nelson to discuss climate change on UK, US trip

Created Fri, 1^st of Aug 2008

Federal Opposition Leader Brendan Nelson has announced he will be making a 10-day visit to the United Kingdom and the United States from next week. Dr Nelson says he will be discussing global ... more
Defence, AFP must improve peacekeeping cooperation: Senate

Created Fri, 1^st of Aug 2008

A Senate inquiry has called for Australian troops and Federal Police to improve their cooperation in overseas peacekeeping missions. The Senate's Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and ... more
US anthrax scientist kills himself amid attack charges

Created Fri, 1^st of Aug 2008

A senior United States Government scientist who helped investigate a series of deadly anthrax attacks in 2001 has died from an apparent suicide, just as the Justice Department was about to charge ... more
Aust to support Indian nuclear technology deal

Created Fri, 1^st of Aug 2008

Foreign Affairs Minister Stephen Smith says a new deal that will give India greater access to nuclear technology will not change the Federal Government's ban on uranium sales. The International ... more
Man awarded $400k in ABC defamation case

Created Fri, 1^st of Aug 2008

The New South Wales Supreme Court has awarded a man more than $400,000 after he was defamed on ABC television in 1995. Tim Macartney-Snape has been awarded $448,500 after a jury found an episode ... more
Qantas passengers stranded in Adelaide

Created Fri, 1^st of Aug 2008

Dozens of Qantas passengers were stranded at the Adelaide Airport for more than four hours today, because of a technical problem with a plane. The flight to Sydney was due to leave just after ... more
Suncorp Metway drags share market down

Created Fri, 1^st of Aug 2008

Insurer Suncorp Metway dragged down local stocks after announcing profit will nearly halve in 2008 to around $550 million. It has blamed the credit crisis, share market volatility and higher ... more
Natural art prize awarded

Created Fri, 1^st of Aug 2008

A Tasmanian artist has taken out a prestigious art award at the South Australian Museum for the second time. Michael McWilliams has won this year's $50,000 Waterhouse Natural History art prize for ... more
Calls for RBA, banks to lower rates

Created Fri, 1^st of Aug 2008

There are calls for the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) to cut interest rates next week although economists expect it to leave them on hold. Evidence is mounting that the economy is ... more
Beaconsfield inquest hears of ground support concerns

Created Fri, 1^st of Aug 2008

The former Beaconsfield mine foreman has revealed he was not satisfied with the type of ground support being used at Beaconsfield before a fatal rockfall. Stephen Saltmarsh has given evidence at ... more
Japanese flock to Kngwarraeye's Tokyo exhibition

Created Fri, 1^st of Aug 2008

The largest collection of works by an Australian artist has been seen by more than 100,000 people in Japan. The exhibition, to be shown later this month at the National Museum in Canberra, was of ... more
Low vitamin D in pregnancy linked to schizophrenia: research

Created Fri, 1^st of Aug 2008

Researchers at the University of Queensland say they have found a link between low levels of vitamin D during pregnancy and schizophrenia. Queensland Brain Institute Professor John McGrath says ... more