Breaking News

Today

4:12AM (AEST): AmEx to pay $US75.7m in settlement

AMERICAN Express will pay at least $US75.7 million in fines and customer repayments over what authorities say was misleading marketing of some products. Read more
4:12AM (AEST): NSW man charged over child abuse material

POLICE say they've seized child abuse material from a man who was allegedly caught filming people on his phone at a Macquarie Fields shopping centre. Read more
3:41AM (AEST): US durable goods orders jump 3.5%

ORDERS for durable goods have jumped 3.5 per cent in November, the latest evidence of a rebound in US manufacturing. Read more
1:38AM (AEST): NSW house fire leads to cannabis discovery

POLICE say they found dozens of cannabis plants and a hydroponic set up at a western Sydney home which caught alight last week. Read more
1:33AM (AEST): Arsenio Hall crashes his Porsche

US talk show host Arsenio Hall has escaped uninjured after he lost control of his Porsche and drove into a dirt shoulder in Los Angeles. Read more
12:28AM (AEST): Two young boys taken from Qld home

TWO young boys taken by a man from a home south of Brisbane may be at risk say police, who are seeking public help in finding the children. Read more
12:28AM (AEST): A very merry Christmas for Aussie shops

AUSTRALIAN retailers have enjoyed their biggest Christmas in years, and now they're bracing for bumper Boxing Day sales. Read more

Yesterday

11:31PM (AEST): Medicals scrapped for older SA drivers

ANNUAL medical tests for drivers aged over 70 will be abolished in SA, as research shows they do not lower crash rates. Read more
10:54PM (AEST): Qld crash takes Xmas road toll to 4

THE death of a man whose car hit a tree near Bundaberg in Queensland has taken the Christmas holiday road toll to four. Read more
10:16PM (AEST): Belfast peace talks fail to reach deal

NEGOTIATORS have failed in an overnight attempt to find a solution to some of Northern Ireland's most bitter disputes. Read more
10:16PM (AEST): Cyclone could develop Christmas Day

A BLUE alert has been issued for people in or near communities between the WA/NT border and Mitchell Plateau as a cyclone is expected to form. Read more
10:16PM (AEST): Man dies after car hits tree in Qld

A MAN has died after his car left the road and crashed into a tree northwest of Bundaberg. Read more
10:16PM (AEST): Canada and US face Christmas blackout

HUNDREDS of thousands of people across Canada and in parts of the US are facing a Christmas without electricity. Read more
8:00PM (AEST): Police officer punched, spat on

THREE men have been arrested after a police officer was punched and spat on in Sydney's southeast. Read more
6:52PM (AEST): Indon official in trouble over plane rage

AN Indonesian official could be jailed because he allegedly ordered his staff to block an airport runway after he was declined a ticket. Read more
5:37PM (AEST): Man stabbed, woman left unconscious

A MAN has been found stabbed in the neck and a woman found unconcious, in Sydney suburb of Guildford. Read more
5:02PM (AEST): Alleged Hells Angel charged over drug haul

POLICE have charged an alleged Hells Angel bikie over a drug haul which netted crystal methylamphetamine. Read more
5:02PM (AEST): Vic shoppers battle last-minute crowds

THOUSANDS of Victorian shoppers have left it late to fill their stockings this Christmas, with many battling large last-minute crowds. Read more
5:02PM (AEST): Stocks to watch at close on Tuesday

STOCKS of interest on the Australian Securities Exchange at close on Tuesday Read more
4:50PM (AEST): Sexting MP cleared by Qld parliament

QUEENSLAND Parliamentary Clerk Neil Laurie says his investigation has found nothing to support claims sexting MP Peter Dowling misused his entitlements. Read more
4:43PM (AEST): Vic mental health services under pressure

MENTAL health services in Victoria are struggling to keep pace with demand, a report outlining the government's reform plan says. Read more
4:32PM (AEST): OK to eat peanuts while pregnant

THERE'S no reason for a woman to avoid peanuts during pregnancy unless she is allergic. Read more
4:28PM (AEST): Police finish property search in Dodd case

WA police have completed a new search of a property linked to the disappearance of teenager Hayley Dodd in 1999. Read more
4:28PM (AEST): Body found after lying in house for days

AN elderly Gold Coast man could have been dead for four days before his body was found. Read more
4:11PM (AEST): Dazzling pics of Saturn from space

NASA has released dazzling new images of the ringed planet Saturn and its moons taken from a spacecraft in the outer solar system. Read more
4:05PM (AEST): Welby posts Christmas video message

THE Archbishop of Canterbury is urging the 77 million Anglicans across the globe to spread the joy of Christmas. Read more
3:53PM (AEST): Qld pedestrian deaths prompt Xmas warning

QUEENSLAND police have reacted to a spate of pedestrian accidents with a call for people to pay more attention on the road. Read more
3:44PM (AEST): Man charged for attempting to groom child

A MAN has been charged for allegedly trying to groom a 13-year-old boy over a social networking site in an attempt to lure him into sexual activity. Read more
2:40PM (AEST): PaperlinX to axe jobs in Europe

PAPER merchant PaperlinX plans to cut 140 jobs in Germany and the United Kingdom as it continues to restructure its operations. Read more
2:39PM (AEST): Saputo lifts stake in Warrnambool Cheese

CANADIAN dairy giant Saputo has increased its stake in Warrnambool Cheese and Butter to 17.9 per cent. Read more
2:37PM (AEST): Rio considers dumping Alaskan mine stake

RIO Tinto is reviewing its 19.1 per cent stake in a massive proposed copper mine in southern Alaska. Read more
2:36PM (AEST): Kiwi steady against major currencies

"THE kiwi has left for an early Christmas, there has been absolutely no movement," says Peter Cavanaugh, client adviser at Bancorp Treasury. Read more
2:30PM (AEST): WA police warning about domestic violence

WA police are concerned about the increase in domestic violence during the festive season and are warning people to seek help early. Read more
2:10PM (AEST): Teen winched to safety after fall

A TEENAGER is in hospital after he fell more than twenty metres onto a rock ledge in Sydney's northern beaches. Read more
2:10PM (AEST): Adventure World labels Abyss a success

ADVENTURE World says last month's fire at the iconic castle has not affected attendance, and has labelled the new Abyss ride a success. Read more
2:10PM (AEST): Cyclone warning issued for parts of NT

A CHRISTMAS cyclone warning has been issued for parts of the Northern Territory. Read more
1:54PM (AEST): Trio assaulted with bat in home invasion

THREE people were bashed with a wooden bat, while three more were injured after being confronted by a burglar with a rake in two Queensland home invasions. Read more
1:52PM (AEST): Remember those facing tough times: Oppn

FEDERAL Opposition Leader Bill Shorten says Christmas is a time to remember those facing tough times as well as defence personnel and emergency workers. Read more
1:45PM (AEST): UN warns South Sudan over alleged crimes

ALLEGATIONS of war crimes in South Sudan will be investigated, says United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon. Read more
1:45PM (AEST): Vic regional dispatch service unmanned

VICTORIA'S regional emergency services dispatch centre was unstaffed for a few hours overnight but the work was picked up by the metro centre. Read more
1:30PM (AEST): Asylum seeker gets Christmas reprieve

THE Federal Court has granted a temporary reprieve for a young Iraqi asylum seeker set for deportation. Read more
1:30PM (AEST): Blowtorch used in armed robbery

POLICE have released CCTV footage of a thief armed with blowtorch who has robbed a service station in Sydney's inner west. Read more
1:24PM (AEST): Man winched to safety from rock ledge

A HELICOPTER has been used to rescue man who was stuck on a rock ledge overnight on Sydney's northern beaches. Read more
1:04PM (AEST): Media union: Drop charges against journo

RIGHTS group and others attack charges against veteran Australian journalist as attempt to stifle reports critical of Thai navy's treatment of boat people. Read more
1:02PM (AEST): Church sympathy for Holden workers

THE Catholic archbishop of Adelaide says his "powerless" church is seeking practical ways to support Holden workers who will lose their jobs. Read more
12:40PM (AEST): Aussies still in strife-torn South Sudan

THE Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is urging all Australians in South Sudan to leave or take refuge to avoid the escalating violence there. Read more
12:26PM (AEST): NZ share buyers into pre-Xmas bargains

THE NZX 50 Index has gained about one per cent in relatively thin Christmas Eve trading, with institutional investors away on holiday. Read more
12:26PM (AEST): Cloudy Christmas expected

CLOUDY conditions are expected in Sydney over Christmas, as light breezes bring relief to cities across the country. Read more
12:26PM (AEST): Libs hold solid lead in SA

THE South Australian opposition continues to hold a solid lead over the Labor government according to the latest opinion poll. Read more
12:26PM (AEST): SA children arrested over stolen car

BOY, 12, and girl, 14, arrested after children seen in a stolen car in Adelaide in the early hours of Tuesday. Read more
12:08PM (AEST): Move to deport boat pest unfair: judge

A BRITISH immigration judge says boat race protester Trenton Oldfield has made an "enduring positive contribution to society" in the UK. Read more
11:54AM (AEST): Hugh Jackman slips Houdini role

AFTER five years working on a Broadway musical about showman Harry Houdini, Hugh Jackman has walked away from the project. Read more
11:40AM (AEST): WA bash victim teenager dies in hospital

FOUR youths have been charged over the fatal bashing of a 16-year-old boy at a Perth park at the weekend. Read more
11:40AM (AEST): SA man again found guilty of murder

AN unemployed meatworks worker has been found guilty of murdering his girlfriend at his SA Supreme Court retrial. Read more
11:40AM (AEST): Lifesavers urge care after drownings

LIFESAVERS and emergency workers are urging anyone heading to the beach or river this summer to take extra care of their safety. Read more
10:57AM (AEST): NZ election weighs on equity market:broker

THE possibility of a Labour/Green coalition being elected is starting to impact sharemarket performance, First NZ Captial says. Read more
10:57AM (AEST): Rifle designer Mikhail Kalashnikov dead

MIKHAIL Kalashnikov's legacy, the AK-47 is the world's most popular firearm, favoured by guerrillas, terrorists and the soldiers of many armies. Read more
10:57AM (AEST): Ring extracted from Qld 'thief' auctioned

A $27,000 ring swallowed by an alleged thief has fetched $16,000 at an online auction. Read more
10:40AM (AEST): Flu vaccine more effective for women

SCIENTISTS say they now know why the flu vaccine is generally less effective for men than for women. Read more
10:09AM (AEST): Hyundai, Kia to pay millions in settlement

HYUNDAI and Kia will pay up to $US395 million ($A443.10 million) to US consumers as part of a proposed settlement over overstated gas mileage. Read more
10:09AM (AEST): 100,000 expected at fish market

THERMAL imaging shows as many as 80,000 customers have chosen to stock up on fish for Christmas over the past 36 hours. Read more
10:09AM (AEST): Vic motorcyclist dies in crash

A MOTORCYCLIST has died after he crashed in Cobrico in Victoria's southwest. Read more
10:09AM (AEST): SA man jailed for scissors attack

AN Adelaide man who accused his neighbour of being a pedophile has been jailed for attacking him with scissors and punching the victim's mother. Read more
9:35AM (AEST): Tiger fatally mauls mate at San Diego Zoo

A FEMALE tiger in a US zoo has died after the male she was supposed to be mating with mauled her to death. Read more
9:35AM (AEST): Man charged after woman shot in chest

POLICE have charged a 30-year-old man over the shooting of a woman on a street in Brisbane's north. Read more
9:05AM (AEST): Secure your home before holidays: police

POLICE and firefighters are urging residents to properly ensure their homes are safe from fire and thieves before taking a Christmas break. Read more
9:05AM (AEST): Weak earthquake detected near Wellington

A WEAK earthquake has been recorded near Wellington in New Zealand. Read more
8:49AM (AEST): Vic man threatens passengers with knife

A MAN has been captured on camera threatening passengers with a knife on a Melbourne train before he was arrested by protective services officers. Read more
8:39AM (AEST): Melbourne police to trial body cameras

POLICE in south Melbourne to begin three month trial of body cameras. Read more
8:39AM (AEST): Vic trio throw rocks at cars

THREE teenage boys will be charged on summons for throwing rocks at cars from a carpark in Melbourne's west. Read more
8:32AM (AEST): One dead, another injured in road crash

ONE man is dead and another critically injured after their car split in two following a high speed crash. Read more
8:13AM (AEST): Finance News Update, what you need to know

FINANCE News Update, what you need to know Read more
8:11AM (AEST): Talley's to lift Open Country stake

TALLEY'S is increasing its stake in Open Country Dairy to as much as 70.5 per cent from 55.5 per cent. Read more
8:00AM (AEST): Man to face court over stabbing

A MAN will face court on Tuesday over the alleged stabbing of another man in Sydney's inner west last week. Read more
7:58AM (AEST): Gold slips in quiet holiday trade

GOLD futures prices have fallen 0.6 per cent in a quiet day of trading on Comex ahead of the Christmas break Read more
7:58AM (AEST): Seven arrested in drug raids

A MAJOR heroin syndicate has been busted in Sydney's southwest and six men and a woman have been arrested. Read more
7:58AM (AEST): Copper is little changed on the LME

COPPER futures have closed little changed on the LME amid quite trade with many traders already off on the Christmas break. Read more
7:49AM (AEST): Plane wing clips Joburg airport building

THE wing of a British Airways plane clipped a Johannesburg airport building after it used the wrong taxi way, an aviation spokeswoman says. Read more
7:35AM (AEST): US Federal Reserve turns 100

THE Federal Reserve, set up by US bankers and lawmakers to create a more stable banking system, turns 100. Read more
7:35AM (AEST): World News Update, what you need to know

WORLD News Update, what you need to know Read more
4:33AM (AEST): US consumer spending up 0.5% in November

US consumer spending has risen 0.5 per cent in November, the best showing since June. Read more
4:33AM (AEST): Montreal mafia boss Rizzuto dies

THE leader of the Montreal mafia, Vito Rizzuto, has died of natural causes, a hospital says; he was 67. Read more
2:33AM (AEST): South Pole trek soldiers hail Harry

THE British contingent of the Walking with the Wounded expedition to the South Pole have hailed Prince Harry for "just mucking in with everyone else". Read more
1:43AM (AEST): NAB enters undertaking with ASIC

THE NAB has entered into an enforceable undertaking with ASIC following an inquiry into a share price spike on the ASX. Read more
12:35AM (AEST): Church leaders reflect on Christmas

AUSTRALIA'S church leaders have reflected on selfies, sourpusses and seeking asylum in their annual Christmas messages. Read more
12:21AM (AEST): Remember those doing it tough at Xmas: PM

THE prime minister has called on Australians to remember those doing it tough this Christmas and those spending the holiday away from their families. Read more
12:21AM (AEST): Archbishop questions asylum seeker policy

THE Anglican archbishop of Adelaide has criticised federal government asylum seeker policies in his Christmas message. Read more