Nordic countries have retained their top rankings for gender equality with Australia and New Zealand making the top 10, the World Economic Forum said.

Socceroo veteran and Queensland Roar captain Craig Moore has been forced out of Australia's World Cup qualifier in Bahrain after undergoing surgery for testicular cancer.

Treasury chief Ken Henry is confident Australia can avoid slipping into recession, a prediction backed by Finance Minister Lindsay Tanner.

AAP - NSW Small Business Minister Tony Stewart has been dumped from cabinet after refusing to resign following a probe that found he verbally abused a staff member.

AAP - Nicole Kidman has shared a photo, showing her dozing beside her baby daughter Sunday Rose, during an interview with US talkshow queen Oprah Winfrey.

AAP - Five extreme Muslims believed Australia's military presence in Afghanistan and Iraq was an act of aggression against Muslims that warranted a violent jihad, a Sydney jury has been told.

AAP - As Prime Minister Kevin Rudd questioned whether war was a "permanent" human condition, a former state premier used the 90th anniversary of the end of WWI to demand Australia pull its troops f

England are pushing for a northern hemisphere referee to control their Rugby League World Cup semi-final against New Zealand on Saturday night.

The federal opposition is continuing to pursue Kevin Rudd over the alleged leaking of a conversation between the prime minister and United States President George W Bush.

The Socceroos look set to be without midfield enforcer Vince Grella once more, but Harry Kewell looks a certain starter for the World Cup qualifier against Bahrain in Manama next week.