ABC News

Port of Melbourne hopeful bay dredge will start this week

The Port of Melbourne Corporation is hopeful the dredging of Port Phillip Bay will start as planned later this week.

Unfit Tait quits cricket indefinitely

Australian fast bowler Shaun Tait has revealed he is suffering from physical and emotional exhaustion and will rest himself indefinitely from all forms of cricket.

Bush admits US economy 'is slowing'

US President George W Bush sought to calm Americans' fears about the economy today while charting a course he hopes will keep him relevant in his final year in office.

Harbhajan suspension downgraded: reports

A charge against Indian Test spinner Harbhajan Singh for a breach of International Cricket Council (ICC) code of conduct has been downgraded at a ICC appeal hearing at the Adelaide Federal Court, according to Indian reports.

Local market slumps on US concerns

Persisting concerns over the United States economy led to $31 billion being wiped from the value of the Australian share market today.

Second YouTube video attacks Aust whaling stance

Another anti-Australian video has been posted on an internet site, attacking Australia for its opposition to whaling.

Alleged Madrid bombings mastermind arrested

A suspected mastermind of the 2004 Madrid train bombings has been arrested in Morocco.

Labor challenges McEwen election result

The Australian Labor Party is challenging the federal election result in the Victorian seat of McEwen.

Police hold man over Gold Coast shooting

Police have detained a 31-year-old man over a murder on the Gold Coast.

Driver claims alcohol 'poured down throat'

A legal row has erupted over a man's admission that he caused another's death by dangerous driving in the Adelaide hills, more than three years ago.

'Cling-wrap death': Doctor didn't examine body

A doctor issued a death certificate for a man who was allegedly bound in plastic wrap and suffocated by his daughter because he assumed the death was from natural causes, a Sydney court has heard.

Ledger had charisma as 'natural as gravity'

Christopher Nolan, director of Batman sequel The Dark Knight, has told of working with Heath Ledger, remembering him as a creative actor that had a memorable presence on set.

Bush promises $2b for climate fight

The United States will commit $US2 billion ($2.25 billion) to promote clean energy technologies and fight climate change, President George W Bush said in his final State of the Union speech today.

Police name Gold Coast gunman

Police have released the name of a man wanted for questioning in relation to the murder of a 30-year-old man on the Gold Coast yesterday afternoon.

Aussie workers not shy about retiring

An international survey commissioned by investment firm AXA has found Australian workers expect to spend more years in retirement than workers overseas.

Two shot in Philippines courtroom

At least two people have been shot in a lower court in central Manila during a hearing, police said.

Sea lions massacred in Galapagos Islands

Ecuadoran authorities are investigating the massacre of 53 sea lions that were found with crushed skulls in the Galapagos Islands.

Share market lower despite optimistic start

The Australian share market is trading lower, despite Wall Street closing higher overnight.

Economy trend pointing down: NAB

A monthly survey by the National Australia Bank (NAB) indicates business conditions remained very strong in December, but are starting to trend down.

Junk food may lower stress: research

New Australian research shows that eating junk food appears to lower stress levels.

Harbhajan appeal underway

The appeal hearing against Harbhajan Singh's three-match suspension has begun at the Adelaide Federal Court.

Govt whaling monitors useless: Sea Shepherd

The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society says the Federal Government's monitoring of the Japanese whaling fleet in the Southern Ocean is not doing much good.

Fitzgibbon raises questions on Defence spending

Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon says he has questions about spending on some major defence force projects.

Truck inferno causes highway gridlock

A truck has been engulfed by flames on the F3 in northern Sydney, causing major traffic problems.

Little danger from rogue US satellite: experts

A disabled US spy satellite is likely to break into small pieces when it falls to Earth within weeks, posing little danger to humans, US government officials and space experts have said.

Foetus rescued after mother killed in gang fight

Hospital medics in Guatemala rescued an unborn baby by caesarean section after its mother was shot dead in the middle of a fight between rival gangs, doctors said.

The Don handed test reprieve

It looks like Sir Donald Bradman will remain a part of Australia's citizenship test.

Thorpe not willing to put pressure on Phelps

Ian Thorpe says he is reluctant to speculate on whether Michael Phelps will break Mark Spitz's 1972 record of seven Olympic gold medals at the Beijing Olympics.

Indigenous groups divided over apology: Rudd

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd says an apology to the Stolen Generations is needed to help achieve improvements in Indigenous health, education and living standards.

Gunns mill 'could cost Tasmania $300m'

A new report says timber company Gunns' proposed pulp mill is likely to cost Tasmania $300 million.