Independents strike reform deal Federal Parliament will have an independent speaker under changes agreed by the three country independents and the major parties.
Crook declares support for Abbott West Australian Nationals MP Tony Crook says he will side with the Coalition, in response to demands that he publicly declare who he will back to form government.
Qantas plane in mid-flight emergency A Qantas plane bound for the Philippines capital Manila has been forced to turn back to Sydney airport after concerns over its landing gear.
Christchurch shop owners sift through rubble Christchurch is still being shaken by aftershocks following Saturday's powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake, but some people are returning to their businesses to assess the damage.
Storm-hit areas of NSW declared disaster zones Parts of southern New South Wales ravaged by a violent storm have been declared a natural disaster zone by Emergency Services Minister Steve Whan.
Greenpeace activists get suspended jail terms A Japanese court has found two Greenpeace activists guilty of stealing a box of whale meat, handing them a one-year suspended sentence.
Stosur may pay price for historic win Samantha Stosur said she may not even find time to practise for her US Open quarter-final with titleholder Kim Clijsters after her dramatic triumph over Elena Dementieva on Monday.
'No malice' in Rice's Twitter slur Team-mates of Olympic champion Stephanie Rice have described a homophobic slur on the swimmer's Twitter account as "out of character".
