Western Australia has become the latest state to promise tough new anti-bikie laws,
ramping up pressure on Victoria and the ACT after they scuttled plans for a national
approach.

NSW centre Joel Monaghan has two disappointed parents and a shattered best mate as
reasons why he needs to star in next week's State of Origin II clash at ANZ Stadium.

There will be no rebate for solar panels for some months, Climate Change Minister
Penny Wong has confirmed, after a scheme to massively boost renewable energy was put
on hold.

The Wallabies have confirmed they will embark on an end-of-year grand slam tour of
the UK and Ireland for the first time in 25 years.

The sound of millions of tonnes of ice breaking away from the South Pole may be
climate change's canary in the earth's climatic coal mine, scientists say.

Australian Greens leader Bob Brown has hit back at coalition claims he misled the
public when he declared he was at risk of bankruptcy.

A gunman has surrendered peacefully, more than eight hours after entering a
McDonald's restaurant on the NSW mid-north coast and firing shots into the air,
terrifying patrons.

NRL chief executive David Gallop hopes Manly can end their internal struggles after
Sea Eagles boss Grant Mayer quit the club on Wednesday.

Gangland widow Judy Moran is a danger to the community with easy access to guns and
cannot be released on bail, a court has ruled.

Australia has swung into a new pandemic "protect" phase, as the number of swine flu
cases soars past 2,000.