Thousands of tourists, many of them Australians, have been warned to stay put in storm-ravaged Fiji as rising rivers threaten to burst their banks, triggering more flash flooding.

Australian aviation pioneer Nancy Bird Walton will be honoured with a state funeral after the family accepted an offer from NSW Premier Nathan Rees.

(AAP) - Mining giant Xstrata will shed 89 contractors and 60 employees at its Mt Isa zinc operation in response to the world financial crisis.

(AAP) - The impact of the slowing world economy will be felt in Australia's jobs market, with the latest figures due out on Thursday, Treasurer Wayne Swan says.

(AAP) - Prince Harry has personally apologised to a young soldier he called "Paki" in a home-made video.

(AAP) - Fire crews have contained a bushfire which earlier threatened several homes in Sydney's north shore.

(AAP) - Biggest Loser host Ajay Rochester is sorry for claiming welfare payments when she knew she was not entitled, but deserves a second chance, her lawyer says.

Health authorities in Fiji have warned of a possible typhoid outbreak following four
days of torrential rains which have flooded large areas and killed seven people.

Police have charged the son of gangland figure Roberta Williams over a recent spate
of burglaries around Melbourne.

Western Force flyhalf Matt Giteau insists he has no problem with coach John Mitchell and says he is happy in Perth and will consider re-signing with the Super 14 club beyond 2009.