SYDNEY (AAP) - July 29 - A senior pilot and a highly skilled engineer have been stood down by Qantas after they threatened to go on strike.

SYDNEY (AAP) - July 29 - Tots to teens have filed in without incident for a controversial children's beauty pageant in Melbourne, oblivious to protests that the show sexualises young girls.

SYDNEY (AAP) - July 29 - Two police officers have opened fire on a knife-wielding woman in northern Victoria, shooting her in the shoulder and leg.

SYDNEY (AAP) - July 29 - A woman who used a hammer and a telephone book to beat her six-year-old son to death has been granted parole on the condition she doesn't visit his grave.

SYDNEY (AAP) - July 28 - James Magnussen became the first Australian man to win the 100m freestyle at a world championships after storming his way to victory in Thursday night's final in Shanghai.<

SYDNEY (AAP) - July 28 - A crocodile that gave far-north Queensland morning motorists a fright has been successfully captured.

SYDNEY (AAP) - July 28 - Todd Carney believes spending time with Australia cricket captain Michael Clarke could be the key to rediscovering the form and focus that saw him win the Dally M Medal las

SYDNEY (AAP) - July 28 - Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens says the GWS Giants will be flat-out trying to top struggling AFL new boys Gold Coast, let alone challenging the NRL's western Sydney clubs.

SYDNEY (AAP) - July 28 - AFL finals hopefuls the Western Bulldogs have gambled on seven selection changes for their must-win clash with West Coast on Saturday.

SYDNEY (AAP) - July 28 - Australian environmental groups have cautiously welcomed draft legislation to adopt a carbon tax as a main plank in the government's strategy to slash harmful emissions.