Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Denmark to pull troops out of Iraq
Denmark has announced it is withdrawing all of its 460 troops stationed in Iraq in August.[MORE]
Car bomber kills 13 in holy Iraqi city
Iraqi police say a suicide car bomb has exploded at a police checkpoint near a busy market in the holy Shiite city of Najaf, killing 13 people and wounding 35 more.[MORE]
Indonesia urged to free Papuan prisoners
Human Rights Watch has criticised Indonesia for detaining Papuans as political prisoners.[MORE]
Aust urged to pressure Philippines on killings
A United Nations investigator says Australia should use defence talks with the Philippines this week to pressure the country to take seriously allegations of extrajudicial killings by its military. [MORE]
Tigers draw first blood
The Melbourne Tigers have downed the Cairns Taipans in the opening match of their NBL semi-final series, winning game one 100-87 at Melbourne's State Netball and Hockey Centre on Wednesday night.[MORE]
India, Pakistan sign nuclear deal
India and Pakistan have signed a deal to reduce the risk of a nuclear arms accident in a show of cooperation and defiance against terror attacks that killed 68 people from both countries. [MORE]
$46m Antarctic airstrip on track
The Australian Antarctic Division says construction of its $46 million airstrip at Casey Station is on schedule despite equipment problems.[MORE]
Police defend officers in axe man shooting
The Victorian Ethical Standards Department is investigating this morning's fatal police shooting in Melbourne's west.[MORE]
PM quiet on RBA chief's rate assessment
Prime Minister John Howard has refused to be drawn on the likelihood of an interest rate rise this year.[MORE]
Australia, UK on same page on Iraq: Downer
Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer says the attitude of the British Government towards troop withdrawal from Iraq is identical to that of the Australian Government.[MORE]
Real Madrid to protest to UEFA about van Bommel gesture
Real Madrid will protest to European football's governing body UEFA about Bayern Munich's Mark van Bommel's obscene gesture, according to Spanish media reports. [MORE]
Outback dust may slow climate change: scientists
Scientists believe dust from Australia's drought stricken regions may help to slow climate change.[MORE]
Japan raises interest rates
Interest rates in Japan have reached their highest level in more than a decade after the country's central bank approved lifting rates to 0.5 per cent.[MORE]
Israeli forces kill Islamic Jihad leader
Israeli undercover forces killed an Islamic Jihad commander today, a day after a Palestinian suicide bomber he had sent to Israel was captured by police near Tel Aviv. [MORE]
Burke lied about controlling ministers, inquiry hears
Former Western Australian premier and lobbyist Brian Burke has told a corruption inquiry in Perth that he made up claims that he could get two serving ministers to do anything he wanted. [MORE]
Minister flags crackdown on 'ice' dealers
The Northern Territory Government wants harsher penalties for local drug dealers trafficking crystal methamphetamine also known as ice.[MORE]
Police warn protesters ahead of Cheney visit
Police say they will not hesitate to make arrests should protests during the visit to Sydney by United States Vice-President Dick Cheney get out of hand.[MORE]
Police 'smash' bikie-linked drug syndicate
The Nomads motorcycle gang has been targeted in police raids in Queensland and northern New South Wales.[MORE]
Court considers Thomas control order
The High Court has heard the Federal Government's powers to issue control orders are not needed because Australia is not facing an imminent terrorist threat.[MORE]
Beaconsfield mine manager resigns
The manager of the Beaconsfield Gold Mine in northern Tasmania, Matthew Gill, has resigned.[MORE]
Iran disregards UN nuclear deadline
Iran has ignored a United Nations (UN) Security Council deadline for it to suspend its nuclear program.[MORE]
Govt wades into Indigenous remains dispute
The Federal Government has announced it will intervene in court action to try to prevent further scientific testing of the remains of 17 Tasmanian Aborigines.[MORE]
Woodside posts record $1.4b profit
The head of Perth-based oil and gas company Woodside says it has had to overcome huge cost increases to post a record $1.4 billion profit.[MORE]
PM won't follow UK lead on troop reduction
Prime Minister John Howard says Britain's decision to withdraw some troops from Iraq does not mean Australia should do the same.[MORE]
Rudd urges Bracks to compromise on water
Federal Labor leader Kevin Rudd has asked the Victorian Government to reconsider its opposition to the Commonwealth's plan to take control of the Murray-Darling Basin.[MORE]
