National & World News

Large bush fire threatens buildings

A fire is threatening a church, a shopping centre and a house in south-east Queensland. >>

New G-G hailed as a drought breaker

New Governor-General Quentin Bryce has a talent very much in demand - she's a drought breaker. >>

Drought hit Queensland town gets water

A drought-hit outback Queensland town has received its first shipment of water. >>

Man jailed for park bashing death

A man who killed a late-night walker in an ambush in a suburban Brisbane park has been declared a serious violent offender and sentenced to 12 years' jail. >>

Qld police cars to carry corporate ads

Queensland police cars will carry corporate advertising, in an Australian-first for a law enforcement agency. >>

SA govt submits desalination plant plans

The SA government has submitted plans for Adelaide's new desalination plant to the federal government to ensure the project meets environmental standards. >>

NSW not economic basket case: Rees

NSW is not an economic basket case, Premier Nathan Rees says. >>

Former senator Sheil dies in Brisbane

Former National Party senator for Queensland Glenister Sheil has died in Brisbane aged 78, ABC Radio reports. >>

Palm Islander on trial over riot

The trial of alleged Palm Island rioter Lex Wotton will start in Brisbane on Monday. >>

Banks 'need to explain' rates position

The banks have refused to give any detail as to why they can't pass on the benefits of an interest rate cut, opposition Treasury spokeswoman Julie Bishop says. >>

Probe starts into Henson school visit

The principal who allegedly allowed controversial artist Bill Henson into her school seeking children to photograph will speak with department officials today. >>

Croc to be X-rayed for man's remains

A crocodile captured near Cooktown has been taken to Cairns for scans to determine whether it is responsible for the death of a man, ABC Radio reports. >>

No more defections likely: Qld premier

Anna Bligh says she doesn't expect more MPs to jump ship after the defection of Ronan Lee, who left Labor to become Queensland's first Greens parliamentarian. >>

Rows brewing in Europe over bank plan

European leaders have spent Sunday trying to shore up battered domestic banks, but a bloc-wide row was soon brewing over how best to guarantee savers' deposits. >>

Aussie could win Nobel Prize in medicine

Australian-born US citizen Elizabeth Blackburn and American Carol Greider could be candidates for the Nobel Prize in medicine for their work in cancer research. >>