Wednesday, March 03, 2004
At least 39 killed in Nepal violence
Hundreds of Maoist rebels stormed a telecommunications tower in eastern Nepal, killing 29 soldiers in their biggest offensive since peace talks with the government collapsed in August, the military said. [MORE]
Blackmailers threaten bombing campaign on French railways
The French government is being blackmailed by a previously-unknown group which has planted at least one bomb on the country's railway system and is demanding a ransom of more than $US5 million, the interior ministry said on Wednesday. [MORE]
Godzilla gears up for 50th anniversary monster mash
Japan's favourite monster Godzilla will bid farewell to the big screen in December with the release of Final Wars marking the 50th anniversary of the giant lizard's movie debut, its distributor has said. [MORE]
Bulldogs board defers penalty decision
The Bulldogs rugby league club have deferred making a decision against players breaking the club's code of conduct.[MORE]
Bulldogs board defers player penalty decision
The Bulldogs rugby league club have deferred making a decision against players breaking the club's code of behaviour.[MORE]
Tour operators offered compensation for falls closure
The CLP Senator for the Northern Territory has announced $1 million in compensation for tourism operators working in Kakadu who now cannot offer swimming in Twin Falls to their customers.[MORE]
Confusion over bushfire warnings, inquest told
The coronial inquest into Canberra's bushfires has heard there were no clear guidelines about warning residents in forest settlements about an approaching bushfire.[MORE]
West Bank barrier protester dies
A 21-year-old Palestinian man has died from wounds sustained last week when Israeli forces opened fire on a protest against the West Bank barrier, medics and fellow activists said. [MORE]
Opium production fuelling HIV spread: UN
The UN says Afghanistan's rising cultivation of opium poppies is fuelling not only heroin abuse but also the rapid spread of AIDS and HIV.[MORE]
Giants toast beer tie-up
Belgian brewer Interbrew and Brazil's Ambev have announced they are joining forces to create a global beer giant. [MORE]
Hearts consider 'home' league game in Melbourne
Scottish Premier League side Hearts are considering playing a home league game against Celtic next season in Melbourne instead of Edinburgh, the club said.[MORE]
Aviation industry shoots down parachute plan
Canada has issued a patent for a futuristic commercial jet design that would protect passengers in an emergency by breaking apart and letting the sections parachute gently to the ground. [MORE]
DNA sample serious offenders: Vic committee
A Victorian parliamentary committee says serious offenders who are sentenced to at least five years in jail, should be forced to give a DNA sample, without a court order.[MORE]
Springborg hopeful of reviving Qld Coalition
Opposition leader Lawrence Springborg says he is hopeful of patching up the failed Coalition talks.[MORE]
Attack kills Iraqi as Shiites mourn their dead
An Iraqi civilian was killed early on Wednesday when a rocket was fired at Baghdad's central telephone exchange, police said. [MORE]
Bracken bows out of international rugby
England scrum half Kyran Bracken has announced his retirement from international rugby to concentrate on playing for his club Saracens.[MORE]
Blues-Bulls game vital to Tas game plan
Tasmania will be keeping a close eye on the four-day game between New South Wales and Queensland starting in Sydney tomorrow in its quest to reach the final of the domestic competition.[MORE]
Bomb attacks threatened on French railways
An unknown group is threatening to bomb several sections of France's SNCF state railway if it is not paid about four million euros ($6.5 million), officials said on Wednesday. [MORE]
States fight over extra GST revenue
New South Wales is furious its Federal grants have been reduced and the Victorian Treasurer John Brumby says his state is propping up lazy, inefficient states like Queensland.[MORE]
Court probes failed deportation bid
The Federal Court has heard how the Immigration Department failed to deport a man last year in a nation-hopping exercise to South Africa, Tanzania and back to Australia, after Sudan rejected him.[MORE]
Lee routs Sri Lankans
Australia has begun its second innings in the match against a Sri Lankan President's XI in Colombo after deciding not to enforce the follow-on.[MORE]
Car sales hit all-time February high
Australia's automotive industry is hoping for another record year, with more new vehicles sold last month than in any other February.[MORE]
NT bodies find sparks murder investigation
Northern Territory police are treating the discovery of two female bodies in the Adelaide River, south of Darwin, as a double murder investigation.[MORE]
Nepal attack leaves 39 dead: police
At least 39 people have been killed in a major gun battle between the security forces and Maoist rebels in eastern Nepal, the most serious clashes between the sides for months. [MORE]
Owner of allegedly stolen Cezanne ups its price tag
The man who says a previously unknown artwork by the French master Cézanne was stolen from his home last week has tripled his estimate of its value.[MORE]
