Now smokers are really in trouble - the political parties are ganging up in favour
of higher cigarette taxes.

Australian author Christos Tsiolkas has won the Commonwealth Writers' Prize for his
novel about suburban morality, The Slap.

A man accused of assaulting another man with a lawnmower and a microwave has been
extradited from Victoria to face charges in Western Australia, WA police say.

North Melbourne coach Dean Laidley says he cannot remember a more exciting time at
the AFL club - despite his side's 70-point defeat to Geelong and the uncertainty

Newcastle demonstrated their NRL premiership credentials with a fantastic 38-6
victory over the Sydney Roosters on Saturday night.

Treasurer Wayne Swan says the federal government can't force superannuation funds to
invest in infrastructure projects, but that hasn't stopped the opposition accusing

Twenty-eight people in Australia are awaiting test results for swine flu, Federal
Health Minister Nicola Roxon says.

Rio Tinto shares rebound 7.4%

'No need' for other Sharks to go public

Man charged over bushfire deception