Seven people, including a couple and their five-month-old baby, have died in two
horrific crashes on NSW roads, in a day police describe as "sickening".

Australian troops acted within their rules of engagement in the shooting deaths of
two Afghans and the wounding of a third, the defence force says.

Shares in Village Roadshow Ltd closed four per cent lower on Thursday despite
management reassurances that the company continues to perform well after reporting

Essendon are confident captain Matthew Lloyd and ruckman Patrick Ryder can be part
of Saturday's do-or-die AFL clash with Hawthorn.

South Africa's ugly but effective kick-chase game has drawn support from former
Wallabies coach Eddie Jones, who believes it's no different to Robbie Deans'

The swine flu toll has surged past 40 in NSW with another five deaths of people with
the virus.
The state's chief health officer Kerry Chant on Thursday confirmed 41 people with

Sacked Wallabies star Lote Tuqiri has revealed he met with Sydney Roosters chairman
Nick Politis before jetting out to France to hold talks with cashed-up rugby sides

After three months and 12,500km of cycling, kayaking and running his way around
Australia, Craig Goozee has triumphantly returned home having raised more than

The opposition has promised bipartisan support to repair the military justice system
but only if the federal government scraps plans to abolish the Federal Magistrates
Court.

Clubless Socceroos captain Lucas Neill and injured star Tim Cahill will miss next
week's friendly against South Korea, while Harry Kewell is also in doubt.