Dozens of people have been killed as Ukraine's descent into a spiral of violence accelerated on Thursday. http://ow.ly/tQ6OF

Protesters and riot police officers used firearms in a clash apparently intended to reclaim areas of Independence Square, shattering a truce that had been declared just hours earlier. Kiev's city health department said 67 people had been killed since Tuesday, which meant at least 39 died in Thursday's clashes, Reuters reported.

#Kiev   #Ukraine  

Australia's first medal at Sochi: Congratulations to snowboarder Torah Bright, who has won silver in the ladies' halfpipe. http://ow.ly/tz9Fy #Sochi   #Sochi2014   #TorahBright  

A 16-year-old boy has been charged with one count of sexual assault by detectives investigating the alleged gang rape of a 14-year-old girl that has shocked the community and inflamed racial tensions in western Sydney. http://ow.ly/tBB4m

Treasurer Joe Hockey has signalled the federal government is ready to throw a lifeline to Qantas.

Qantas has sought a government-backed debt guarantee as it battles Virgin Australia for market share, and in an exclusive interview with Fairfax Media, Mr Hockey said in his view, the airline’s request for assistance met four essential pre-conditions. http://ow.ly/tzwXl

With Simon Gittany due to be jailed for up to two decades this week for murdering his fiancee by throwing her off a balcony, his girlfriend Rachelle Louise has used a paid TV interview to proclaim his innocence. http://ow.ly/trvsL