AUSTRALIA 
Troy Buswell (AAP)
Buswell quits as WA opposition leader
Troy Buswell has quit as leader of the West Australian opposition, saying he wants the public's focus to be on the failures of the Carpenter government and on not him. read more...
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Thorpe to sue over doping allegations
Swimming star Ian Thorpe is to take legal action against a French newspaper he says defamed him with claims he took performance-enhancing hormones. read more...
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CASA announces Qantas investigation
Qantas says it welcomes an investigation by the aviation watchdog, amid growing public concern the airline's safety standards may have slipped after a third emergency landing incident in just over a week. read more...
Minister plays down prospect of beating Athens medal tally
Friday, 8th August,2008Australia may struggle in Beijing to beat its gold medal tally in Athens, Sports Minister Kate Ellis says. read more...
AFP smash international drug ring
Friday, 8th August,2008Australian Federal Police say they have smashed an international drug syndicate following the world's single largest seizure of 4.4 tonnes of ecstasy. read more...
Uncertainty over employment market
Friday, 8th August,2008Economists say unemployment conditions are expected to continue to soften in the next few months, despite an increasing number of jobs in July. read more...
Symond steps down as Aussie boss
Friday, 8th August,2008Aussie Home Loans boss John Symond is stepping down as chief executive of the company to focus on developing new business. read more...
Couples flock to wed on lucky August 8
Friday, 8th August,2008A record number of couples hope to maximise their good fortune by getting married at a Queensland registry on a day the Chinese believe could be one of the luckiest on the calendar.
More off-beat stories read more...
Employment up, despite slowing economy
Thursday, 7th August,2008The number of people in full-time employment surged by 53,700 in July, putting employment figures at odds with other data suggesting the economy is slowing. read more...
Carpenter calls September 6 election
Thursday, 7th August,2008West Australian Premier Alan Carpenter is set to call an early election and capitalise on turmoil within the state Liberal party. read more...
Qantas jet aborts take-off over noises
Thursday, 7th August,2008A Qantas domestic flight carrying 111 passengers pulled out of a take-off today at Melbourne Airport after noises were heard coming from the undercarriage. read more...
In profile: Shane Kelly and Stuart O'Grady
Thursday, 7th August,2008In Beijing, Shane Kelly and Stuart O'Grady will become the first Australian cyclists to compete at five Olympic games. read more...
Kelly, O'Grady make Australian cycling history
Thursday, 7th August,2008Well before Shane Kelly and Stuart O'Grady made their Olympic debuts in 1992, their then-head coach Charlie Walsh knew they were outstanding. read more...
WA voters go to polls on September 6
Thursday, 7th August,2008West Australian Premier Alan Carpenter called a snap election but sought to dampen speculation that the move was aimed at capitalising on opposition disarray. read more...
Beijing bound Rudd to raise China human rights
Thursday, 7th August,2008Prime Minister Kevin Rudd says the international community should continue to pressure Beijing on human rights, even though he believes the Chinese deserve credit for progress on the issue. read more...
Australian native seeds sent into orbit
Thursday, 7th August,2008The Wollemi pine has spread around the world since it was discovered in Australia almost 15 years ago and now it's gaining a foothold in space. read more...
Keating gives Rudd a few pointers
Wednesday, 6th August,2008Former Labor prime minister Paul Keating says current Labor boss Kevin Rudd lacks a clear message and is "running at the behest of little press secretaries". read more...
Australian stocks surge on interest rate hopes
Wednesday, 6th August,2008The Australian share market made strong gains today, closing more than three per cent higher following a strong US lead and hopes of cuts to domestic interest rates. read more...