Prince William indulged in two great Australian traditions on Thursday - backyard
cricket and a barbecue.

There's a fresh climate change plan on the table - an early bird carbon tax to make
a start on reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Heatwave conditions predicted for NSW over coming days have put fire fighters on red
alert.
The state is set to swelter in temperatures of up to 43 degrees Celsius on Saturday.

Kevin Rudd has accused the coalition of plotting to end car industry subsidies.
Shadow treasurer Joe Hockey's call for a review of car sector handouts has already

Eyes wide open, Lleyton Hewitt is awake to the danger his gifted second-round
opponent poses at the Australian Open on Thursday.

Consumer confidence surged in January as more people found jobs and household
budgets comfortably absorbed three interest rate rises, economists say.

It took less than two days in Sydney to turn His Royal Highness Prince William into
a dinkum Aussie larrikin.

Victorians are bracing for another spell of dangerous bushfire conditions, with a
total fire ban declared for northwest Victoria on Thursday and a code red fire

A controversial Papua New Guinea businessman denies that intimidation is behind the
detaining of two Australian bankers in Port Moresby but says more arrests may be
imminent.

Whether meeting dignitaries, greeting admirers and celebrities or just chatting
happily with children, Prince William is definitely his mother's son.