Top Stories: Wellington, Dec. 23 : Almost two years after he walked out on his Black Caps contract to join the rebel Indian Cricket League, Lou Vincent has revealed his desire to return to the national side.n February 2008, Vincent - who scored a century and half century on his test debut against Australia - caused a stir after signing with the unsanctioned ICL while still contracted to New Zeala... ANI Wed, 23 Dec 2009 03:50:15 -0500Melbourne, Dec. 23 : The Australian batting line up is expecting a flurry of short pitch deliveries from the Pakistani pacers in the wake of West Indian captain Chris Gayle's disclosure that Aussie captain Ricky Ponting is weak against short-pitched balls. ANI Wed, 23 Dec 2009 03:50:06 -0500Washington, Dec 23 : Scientists in Australia and Germany have said that the air in some school classrooms may contain higher levels of certain toxic pollutants than polluted outdoor air. ANI Wed, 23 Dec 2009 02:30:23 -0500Hobart, Dec.23 : Close on the heels of the on-field altercations between West Indies spinner Suleiman Benn and Australian batsmen Brad Haddin and Mitchell Johnson during the third Test match at the WACA, Pakistan bowling coach Waqar Younis has called on his players to be aggressive, but without crossing the limit. ANI Wed, 23 Dec 2009 02:20:28 -0500Islamabad, Dec.23 : Sources close to former Pakistan cricket captain Younis Khan have rejected reports that incumbent skipper Mohammad Yousuf had called Khan to discuss his return to the national team for the Australia series. ANI Wed, 23 Dec 2009 02:20:27 -0500Melbourne, Dec 23 : Tiger Woods has resumed his relationship with New York showclub host Rachel Uchitel, according to reports. ANI Wed, 23 Dec 2009 02:20:19 -0500Perth (Australia), Dec. 23 : The war of words between West Indies captain Chris Gayle and Australian all-rounder Shane Watson has taken another turn, with the former labelling the latter "soft" and easy to wind up. ANI Wed, 23 Dec 2009 02:20:17 -0500Brisbane (Australia), Dec. 23 : New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori will join Queensland as a guest player in the Twenty20 Big Bash tournament beginning next week. ANI Wed, 23 Dec 2009 02:20:16 -0500Melbourne, Dec. 23 : About two-thirds of players (67 per cent) said they could envisage an Australian player rejecting a CA contract to ply their trade in leagues such as the IPL in the short to medium term. ANI Wed, 23 Dec 2009 02:20:14 -0500Melbourne, Dec. 23 : Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting will try to prove his fitness on Thursday ahead of the Boxing Day Test against Pakistan. ANI Wed, 23 Dec 2009 02:20:13 -0500London, Dec 23 (IANS) Hollywood actress Natalie Portman is romancing Chris Hemsworth, elder brother of Miley Cyrus' Australian boyfriend. IANS Wed, 23 Dec 2009 01:50:02 -0500Melbourne, Dec 23 (IANS) The jail sentence has been doubled for an Australian woman who drugged her 13-year-old daughter, removed her clothes and left her lying naked in bed so that she could be sexually assaulted by the woman's partner. Her photos were also taken on a mobile phone. IANS Wed, 23 Dec 2009 01:30:02 -0500Sydney/Mumbai, Dece 22 (IANS) Indian Premier League (IPL) chief Lalit Modi Tuesday said his comments on throwing away contracts of overseas players are absolutely untrue and baseless. IANS Tue, 22 Dec 2009 10:10:05 -0500Melbourne, Dec 22 : A Sydney couple has claimed that their dead son was "hand-picked by God" to have miraculous powers to help heal dozens of people. ANI Tue, 22 Dec 2009 09:01:48 -0500Melbourne, December 22 : Tom Cruise is being sued for allegedly spying on a magazine editor, according to reports.s per documents obtained by TMZ.com, Michael Davis Sapir has claimed that the 'Top Gun' star hired a private investigator to illegally wiretap the magazine editor's phone. ANI Tue, 22 Dec 2009 09:01:35 -0500London, Dec 22 : Teen star Miley Cyrus is going the Aussie way for her rumoured beau Liam Hemsworth who has been teaching her the lingo from his native country. ANI Tue, 22 Dec 2009 09:01:15 -0500Melbourne, Dec 22 : Actress Brittany Murphy's sudden death last Sunday has left hubby Simon Monjack devastated, who says his "world is destroyed". ANI Tue, 22 Dec 2009 09:01:08 -0500Melbourne, Dec. 22 : Pakistani batsman Imran Farhat thinks that Ricky Ponting is still a fantastic batsman and rejected suggestions that the Aussie captain is becoming vulnerable to the short ball. ANI Tue, 22 Dec 2009 09:00:55 -0500Karachi, Dec. 22 : With reports suggesting that the pitch at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) would offer some help for the spinners, Pakistan are mulling over the option of playing two spinners in the first Test against Australia starting December 26. ANI Tue, 22 Dec 2009 09:00:37 -0500Melbourne, Dec. 22 : The Federation of Community Legal Centres has said that capsicum spray, which is used to subdue trouble makers can be lethal and can make a volatile situation worse. ANI Tue, 22 Dec 2009 09:00:33 -0500Sydney, Dec. 22 : Australian captain Ricky Ponting is worried about the forthcoming Test series against Pakistan, as he believes that the visitors could give tough competition to the hosts during the series. ANI Tue, 22 Dec 2009 09:00:32 -0500Melbourne, December 22 : Brittany Murphy had planned to go to Australia for the New Year in order to lend her voice in the sequel to director George Miller's animated hit 'Happy Feet'. ANI Tue, 22 Dec 2009 09:00:31 -0500Sydney, Dec. 22 : Australian all-rounder Shane Watson says he's not embarrassed about his over-the-top antics when he dismissed Chris Gayle in Perth, as he claims he was provoked by the West Indies skipper. ANI Tue, 22 Dec 2009 09:00:30 -0500Perth (Australia), Dec. 22 : West Indies captain Chris Gayle last night claimed every fast bowler in the world now knew how to exploit Ricky Ponting's "major weakness" against the short ball. ANI Tue, 22 Dec 2009 09:00:21 -0500Sydney, Dec. 22 : New South Wales opener Phillip Hughes is all smiles these days after being recalled to the Australian squad for the Boxing Day Test against Pakistan in Melbourne. ANI Tue, 22 Dec 2009 09:00:19 -0500Melbourne, Dec 22 : Lisa Swinton, from Haberfield was shocked to discover the face of Jesus Christ on banana peel. ANI Tue, 22 Dec 2009 09:00:16 -0500Sydney, Dec. 22 : Former Australian coach John Buchanan believes it is time for Ricky Ponting's team to revisit the Spirit of Cricket pledge that was signed during his tenure, and urged Shane Watson not to undo years of hard work and control his emotions. ANI Tue, 22 Dec 2009 09:00:16 -0500New Delhi, Dec. 22 : Former Australian High Commissioner to India John McCarthy has been appointed as the new Chair of the Australia-India Council (AIC). ANI Tue, 22 Dec 2009 09:00:09 -0500Melbourne, Dec 22 : Swimming sensation Stephanie Rice has revealed why she split from management company International Quarterback to take control of her own affairs. ANI Tue, 22 Dec 2009 08:30:12 -0500Melbourne, Dec. 22 : A Queensland man has been fined 210,000 dollars by the Federal Court of Australian for being found guilty in a spamming scam that sent billions of emails to websites in India. ANI Tue, 22 Dec 2009 08:30:06 -0500Sydney, Dec 22 (IANS) Indian Premier League (IPL) chief Lalit Modi has threatened to tear up the contracts of Australian players if they do not skip the last round and the final of the Sheffield Shield season for the Twenty20 extravaganza in India. IANS Tue, 22 Dec 2009 07:40:03 -0500A Federal Court judge has cleared one of Australia's richest men, Andrew "Twiggy" Forrest, over allegations he and the company he founded - Fortescue Metals Group - misled investors. Mr Forrest said ... WA Today Wed, 23 Dec 2009 04:03:23 -0500Police are searching the club house of the Gypsy Jokers bikie gang in Maddington in relation to a serious assault. Detective Senior Sergeant Steve Potter said police were looking for an offender in c... WA Today Wed, 23 Dec 2009 04:03:20 -0500JUNIOR MINING JavaScript Tag // Tag for network 658: United Stations // Website: Mineweb.com // Page: Mineweb - ROS - Junior Mining // Placement: Mineweb - ROS - Junior Mining ROS Button 160X35 (125... Mine Web Wed, 23 Dec 2009 03:51:24 -0500A wildfire has hit an Australian Outback town, razing several buildings but causing no injuries.Authorities say the headquarters of the State Emergency Services was among the buildings destroyed Wedne... eTaiwan News Wed, 23 Dec 2009 03:51:05 -0500Australia's players have had a long and frank discussion about their on-field behaviour as aftermath of the heated battle with West Indies continues to simmer. Australia are trying to focus on Pakista... Cricinfo Wed, 23 Dec 2009 03:42:53 -0500Sex crimes detectives in Sydney arrested two men this morning, following an investigation into hundreds of reported sexual assaults against a 16-year-old boy. The alleged assaults date back to the 19... ABC Wed, 23 Dec 2009 03:38:15 -0500Experienced Pakistan batsman Misbah-ul-Haq believes Australia's aura has diminished after losing the fear factor of the bowling attack which dominated world cricket. Misbah says while Australia remai... ABC Australia Wed, 23 Dec 2009 03:38:10 -0500Retailers are hoping for a flood of last-minute shoppers, with Christmas spending so far coming in well below expectations. The Retailers Association says Christmas spending was lower than it was las... ABC News Wed, 23 Dec 2009 03:38:09 -0500SILVERWATER, AUSTRALIA, December 23, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ -- DBI-SALA, a Capital Safety brand solely dedicated to the fall protection market, has announced the launch of their NEW Ultra-Lok RSQ Sel... 24 / 7 Press Release Wed, 23 Dec 2009 03:30:34 -0500A postal worker has been charged with stealing mail after more than 160 gift certificates and vouchers were found at his home, NSW police say. The 31-year-old man was arrested outside an Australia Po... Sydney Morning Herald Wed, 23 Dec 2009 03:25:44 -0500Almost 200 predatory saltwater crocodiles have been removed from waterways around Darwin this year for the safety of residents, an official says. Rangers picked up 196 of the deadly reptiles in Darwi... Sydney Morning Herald Wed, 23 Dec 2009 03:25:41 -0500Virgin Blue recorded a small increase in passenger numbers in November, despite some weakness on its domestic routes. Virgin Blue carried 1.33 million domestic passengers in November, down 3.1 per ce... Sydney Morning Herald Wed, 23 Dec 2009 03:25:40 -0500Residents on Bahen Road, between Lockwood Road and Dobra Place in Hacketts Gully, have been advised to leave the area before the fire hits."This emergency warning means that if you are in this ar... perthnow Wed, 23 Dec 2009 03:25:04 -0500FuelWatch said some BP sites were increasing their unleaded petrol prices to 127.9 cents a litre - an increase of up to 14.4 cents a litre. Some Caltex Woolworths sites are hiking their prices by 10 ... The West Australian Wed, 23 Dec 2009 03:17:47 -0500Three youths who joined in an eight-hour crime rampage across Adelaide two years ago have been sentenced as adults by the District Court. Judge Peter Brebner said the three youths and a man committed... ABC News Wed, 23 Dec 2009 03:16:36 -0500New South Wales' in-form batting attack will chase 189 at the Sydney Cricket Ground after the Blues bowled out Victoria inside 47 overs in their domestic one-day clash on Wednesday. The visitors stru... ABC Sports Wed, 23 Dec 2009 03:16:28 -0500Almost 200 predatory saltwater crocodiles have been removed from waterways around Australia's northern city of Darwin this year for the safety of residents, an official said Wednesday. Rangers picked ... Breitbart Wed, 23 Dec 2009 02:58:19 -0500TREE growers in eight managed investment schemes operated by failed company Great Southern have voted to approval Gunns Ltd takeover of the schemes.Gunns Plantations Ltd will become the responsible en... The Examiner Wed, 23 Dec 2009 02:54:16 -0500THE public is being asked to report Tasmanian Devils killed on the State's roads over summer as part of the program to save the endangered animal.Save the Tasmanian Devil Program Manager Andrew Sharma... The Examiner Wed, 23 Dec 2009 02:54:15 -0500Catastrophic fire danger ratings have been issued for eight South Australian districts on Wednesday, with temperatures expected to reach 40 degrees Celsius and strong winds forecast around much of the... People's Daily Wed, 23 Dec 2009 02:51:21 -0500A Federal Court judge has cleared one of Australia's richest men, Andrew "Twiggy" Forrest, over allegations he and the company he founded - Fortescue Metals Group - misled investors. Mr Forrest said ... WA Today Wed, 23 Dec 2009 02:19:22 -0500Quote ) and its founder and chief executive, Andrew Forrest, Australian media reported. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) had brought the suit, claiming Forrest misled share... Mine Web Wed, 23 Dec 2009 02:07:12 -0500Sydney - Port Lincoln residents were "fleeing for their lives" Wednesday as an out-of-control forest fire bore down on the south-coast Australian town famous for its tuna fishing industry. At least si... Earth Times Wed, 23 Dec 2009 02:00:39 -0500Ricky Ponting's team-mates are confident he will lead the team in the Boxing Day Test, despite his failure to bat in the nets at the MCG on Wednesday. Ponting put in a vigorous performance in a fieldi... Cricinfo Wed, 23 Dec 2009 01:59:43 -0500A replacement turbine engine for the Weddell Power Station has arrived in Australia after being flown in from the United States. A routine inspection earlier this month found damage to the previous e... ABC Australia Wed, 23 Dec 2009 01:55:25 -0500A Sydney man has been charged with attempted murder after allegedly trying to throw a woman from the upper floor of a shopping centre car park. Police say the 22-year-old woman was sitting on a raili... ABC News Wed, 23 Dec 2009 01:55:03 -0500A helicopter and 55 police patrols have been deployed across South Australia as part of police efforts to curb arson on high fire danger days. Catastrophic fire danger ratings have been issued for ei... ABC News Wed, 23 Dec 2009 01:54:58 -0500Foreign firepower...Queensland coach Trevor Barsby said Vettori's presence will also be a boost for Chris Simpson. (Getty Images: Julian Herbert)... ABC News Wed, 23 Dec 2009 01:54:57 -0500SYDNEY- Almost 200 predatory saltwater crocodiles have been removed from waterways around Australia's northern city of Darwin this year for the safety of residents, an official said Wednesday. Rangers... Inquirer Wed, 23 Dec 2009 01:53:57 -0500SYDNEY-- Five kangaroos have been found with arrows in their bodies in the past two weeks, authorities said Wednesday as they probed the crossbow attacks on the jumping marsupials. The wounded animals... Inquirer Wed, 23 Dec 2009 01:53:54 -0500Last-minute Christmas mail could be delayed in Victoria after hundreds of postal workers walked off the job on Wednesday. About 400 Australia Post workers marched through Melbourne's CBD to the compa... Sydney Morning Herald Wed, 23 Dec 2009 01:43:04 -0500Toll road owner and operate Transurban Group said that its 50 per cent-owned Interlink Roads Pty Ltd subsidiary has completed the refinancing of $510 million of non-recourse project debt for the M5 So... Sydney Morning Herald Wed, 23 Dec 2009 01:43:02 -0500The corporate regulator has lost its Federal Court case against iron ore miner Fortescue Metals Group and its founder, Andrew Forrest. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has ... Sydney Morning Herald Wed, 23 Dec 2009 01:43:00 -0500Cronulla forward Paul Gallen has admitted to having major frustrations at the Sharks, but says he will be there at training when the NRL club's players return next month. In an unusually frank club s... Sydney Morning Herald Wed, 23 Dec 2009 01:42:58 -0500MULTIPLE houses have been lost and the SES headquarters destroyed beyond repair during a bushfire which continues to burn out of control at Port Lincoln, on South Australia's Eyre Peninsula... The Australian Wed, 23 Dec 2009 01:41:36 -0500MICK Cocks, founding member of rock band Rose Tattoo, was "one of a vanishing kind", Angry Anderson said in tribute today. The Australian Wed, 23 Dec 2009 01:41:33 -0500A LEAKED memo does not prove the Queensland government had plans to privatise the state's coal rail business before the last election, Transport Minister Rachel Nolan says. The government has receive... Courier Mail Wed, 23 Dec 2009 01:41:33 -0500Four men face thousands of dollars in fines after allegedly being found with large numbers of abalone and undersize catches in the State's Great Southern earlier this month. The West Australian Wed, 23 Dec 2009 01:35:17 -0500AXJO added 35.05 points to 4,739.30, based on the latest available data, its highest close since Dec. 3. The gains come on top of a 1.5 percent rise on Tuesday. The market is scheduled to close a... Yahoo!7 News Wed, 23 Dec 2009 01:34:50 -0500Reuters ) - The Australian dollar was pinned near 11-week lows by the U.S. dollar, which found strength in upbeat housing data and a steepening... Yahoo!7 News Wed, 23 Dec 2009 01:34:43 -0500Gloucester Coal jumped 27.8 percent to A$8.37, while Macarthur added 5.6 percent to A$10.25 after the two resumed trading following Macarthur's... Yahoo!7 News Wed, 23 Dec 2009 01:34:34 -0500SYDNEY — Despite widespread acknowledgement over the past 66 years, Japan believes that responsibility for torpedoing an Australian hospital ship during World War II is still unclear, The Austr... Japan Today Wed, 23 Dec 2009 01:23:42 -0500PERTH - Trees were torn from the ground and buildings were badly damaged as Tropical Cyclone Laurence roared through parts of Western Australia's Pilbara coast, a witness says. Karina Turner, whos... The Examiner Wed, 23 Dec 2009 01:09:55 -0500LOS ANGELES - Britney Spears has taken aim at some of the tabloid stories that dogged her through 2009, publishing a list of the top 75 articles deemed to be the most ridiculous. A statement on Spears... The Examiner Wed, 23 Dec 2009 01:09:54 -0500, John Pattar, a managing director of CLSA Capital Partners told Dow Jones Newswires in a recent interview. "Right now, the best value for us is really in... Morning Star Wed, 23 Dec 2009 01:09:09 -0500The Australian government on Wednesday released draft legislation that aims to ensure fibre optic networks are laid in new residential and commercial developments around the nation. Under the legislat... People's Daily Wed, 23 Dec 2009 01:06:57 -0500Perth has a huge variety of events on offer to welcome in the New Year with a bang. Everyone has New Year's horror stories. Whether you're the organiser of the group and have been trying to get you... WA Today Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:52:38 -0500The Federal Government says the Copenhagen summit was useful in getting India to take action on climate change. India has confirmed it worked with China and other emerging nations to ensure there wer... ABC News Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:28:48 -0500Authorities are warning of widespread flooding across north-western New South Wales, as Cyclone Laurence breaks up and moves inland. Rainfall of more than 200 millimetres is predicted around Gilgandr... ABC News Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:28:47 -0500A man armed with a knife and wearing a grim reaper mask has held up a post office at Tranmere in Adelaide's north-east. Police say the man threatened staff about 12:00pm (AECT) before leaving with a ... ABC News Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:28:40 -0500AWB Ltd continues to expect its full year profit to rise as much as 51 per cent, as the grains marketer and rural services provider looks at potential growth opportunities. AWB chairman Peter Polson ... Sydney Morning Herald Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:17:05 -0500Japan says the circumstances surrounding the sinking of the Australian hospital ship Centaur in WWII are unclear, after deep-sea searchers found the vessel's watery grave. Prime Minister Kevin Rudd s... Sydney Morning Herald Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:17:01 -0500A survey conducted by the Professional Footballers Association Australia (PFA) has revealed the standard of A-League pitches is compromising the quality of the game and player safety. The results of ... Sydney Morning Herald Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:16:58 -0500Incitec Pivot Ltd says its first quarter results so far show its businesses are performing to expectations. Managing director James Fazzino told shareholders at the fertiliser and industrial chemical... Sydney Morning Herald Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:16:55 -0500THE fight to save whales from Japanese researchers has erupted in war with claims of acid bombs, lasers, and high-tech spy boats being deployed. perthnow Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:16:23 -0500A BRITISH man has appeared briefly in a Perth court to face charges linked to what police say is Australia's biggest-ever EFTPOS card skimming operation. perthnow Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:16:20 -0500AN inquiry into the stabbing deaths of two patients at a Melbourne psychiatric hospital has come up with seven recommendations, including a requirement that knife sets be kept in drawers. News.com.au Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:16:10 -0500AN "extremely dangerous" fire has destroyed homes on the outskirts of Port Lincoln in South Australia, while another blaze is burning out of control in the southeast. News.com.au Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:16:04 -0500AN "extremely dangerous" fire has destroyed homes on the outskirts of Port Lincoln in South Australia, while another blaze is burning out of control in the southeast. The Daily Telegraph Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:16:00 -0500AN "extremely dangerous" fire has destroyed homes on the outskirts of Port Lincoln in South Australia, while another blaze is burning out of control in the southeast. The grass fire near Port Lincoln... The Courier Mail Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:15:47 -0500THE state coroner has recommended no criminal charges be laid over the deaths of three boys killed by a train, despite finding the driver was driving dangerously. Hayden Duncan, 10, and his brother G... Courier Mail Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:15:33 -0500The decision was handed down in the Federal Court in Perth today. The Australian Securities & Investments Commission, which pursued the case, had claimed that Mr Forrest misled investors in 2004 when... The West Australian Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:09:13 -0500A 49-year old man facing eight charges of possessing child pornography is likely to plead guilty to some of the charges in the New Year, his lawyer told the Perth Magistrates Court today. The West Australian Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:09:03 -0500ASX 200 index .AXJO was up 26.75 points to 4,730.0 by 0418 GMT, its highest level since Dec. 3. The gains come on top of a 1.5 percent rise on Tuesday. New Zealand's benchmark NZX 50 index .NZ50 r... Yahoo!7 News Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:08:23 -0500CNX.AX ) (PINK:CNXAF) is in the final stages of constructing its 5 MW power station which will be powered by syngas produced from its underground coal gasification (UCG) facility at Bloodwood Creek in... Yahoo!7 News Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:08:14 -0500Forward Danny Wicks has quit the Newcastle Knights after being charged with the supply and possession of illegal drugs. The 24-year-old was arrested last week and charged with six counts of supplying... ABC Sports Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:07:36 -0500AN "extremely dangerous" fire has destroyed homes on the outskirts of Port Lincoln in South Australia, while another blaze is burning out of control in the southeast. The Australian Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:03:35 -0500FORMER Tasmanian Tigers cricketer Glenn Hughes has been stood down as a state selector after an alleged incident in Perth led to him being charged with sexual assault. Cricket Tasmania confirmed yeste... The Examiner Tue, 22 Dec 2009 23:45:28 -0500CANBERRA - Kevin Rudd has returned from Copenhagen strongly defending the outcomes of the heavily criticised climate change summit. With many commentators saying the summit was largely a failure, the ... The Examiner Tue, 22 Dec 2009 23:45:26 -0500 | 
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