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Afternoon Edition. Thu 14 Apr 2011
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Top Stories	More Top Stories >
Rhetoric helps votes, not people: welfare groups A welfare rights group says both Labor and the Coalition are showing a lack of compassion and using people on social benefits as a political football. Ford cuts jobs in Victoria Ford Australia is cutting about 240 jobs at its Geelong and Broadmeadows plants in Victoria. AFP's detention riot response under scrutiny The use of force by Australian Federal Police during riots on Christmas Island last month will be investigated by the Commonwealth Ombudsman. Australian Navy rescues hostages from pirates The Australian Navy has rescued a group of sailors who were being held hostage by Somali pirates off the Horn of Africa. NSW electricity users slugged an extra 17pc New South Wales electricity users are to be slugged with another round of hefty price increases.
The Drum	More from The Drum >
Well Prime Minister, let's see if you can hold your nerve Julia Gillard claims to be both 'an activist and an optimist'. She'll need to be. In quick time the Gillard government has moved from being all but agenda-free to running a big target strategy of policy blockbusters destined to outrage and offend powerful interests. And those interests - cashed up and angry - will soon be running hard against her. Can the PM stay her course? Where is the money for the media? Who is going to pay for journalism, now that everything's going to buggery? It's one of the big questions, since media organisations began in recent years to accept that the downturn in advertising revenue was not a cyclical thing, and that the way people consume news has changed irrevocably. How about a new genre of journalism: the "foundation press"? Democracy's price may be too high for Syria Many Syrians fear the high possibility of a post-revolution civil war more than the repressive methods of the existing regime. The burger musician and the drive-thru single The majority of modern music is homogenised and stripped of any artistic value, with a ring-tone on the side and a large publicity stunt to wash it all back with. Changing Defence culture will take time The inquiries announced by Defence Minister Stephen Smith are important in addressing the Australian Defence Force Academy Skype sex scandal. However they will not be enough to bring about lasting cultural change. For an organisation as large and set in its ways as Defence to change, there are four vital ingredients: incentives to reward better performance; personnel prepared to support reform coming forward (with high-level support when they do); structures that encourage a better culture; and most importantly of all, time.
Just in	More Just In Stories >
Australian shares give up nine days of gains A flat lead from US shares, and further falls in commodity prices overnight, led the local market to its lowest level in nine trading days. Doctor guilty of inappropriately touching patients A New South Wales doctor has been found guilty of indecently assaulting two of his female patients. AFP's detention riot response under scrutiny The use of force by Australian Federal Police during riots on Christmas Island last month will be investigated by the Commonwealth Ombudsman.
World	More World Stories >
GE shares hit by hoax Shares in one of America's largest companies General Electric, fell sharply overnight after what turned out to be a fake press release, saying the company would repay billions of dollars in outstanding taxes. US citizens arrested in Bosnian war crimes probe Two naturalised US citizens of Bosnian origin have been arrested at the request of Bosnia and Herzegovina to face accusations they committed war crimes there 18 years ago. US town in shock after drowning tragedy An impoverished town in upstate New York experienced a "tragedy second to none" when a young mother drove a car full of children into the Hudson River.
Business	More Business Stories >
Australian shares give up nine days of gains A flat lead from US shares, and further falls in commodity prices overnight, led the local market to its lowest level in nine trading days. Roads Minister slams Flow Tolling 'stuff-up' Main Roads Minister Craig Wallace says he is furious over a payment processing error that could lump thousands of Queensland motorists with unexpected toll fees. Oz Minerals reports rise in copper, fall in gold output Oz Minerals has reported a 2 per cent rise in first-quarter copper production, but its gold output has fallen 23 per cent compared to the previous quarter.
Politics	More Politics Stories >
MP seeks flood compo for farmers The Tasmanian Government has come under pressure to extend its flood assistance program, after the latest deluge. Roads Minister slams Flow Tolling 'stuff-up' Main Roads Minister Craig Wallace says he is furious over a payment processing error that could lump thousands of Queensland motorists with unexpected toll fees. Newman says water restrictions should be relaxed Liberal National Party (LNP) leader Campbell Newman says restrictions on when people in south-east Queensland can water their gardens should be relaxed.
Sport	More Sport Stories >
Saia returns for in-form Reds Hooker Saia Faingaa has regained his place in the Queensland Reds' front row in the only starting change for Saturday night's Super Rugby clash with the Bulls at Lang Park. Broncos' Kemp makes code switch Brisbane Broncos winger Denan Kemp has signed a short-term contract with the Australian Rugby Union to switch codes and he could make his international Sevens debut in the IRB World Series next month. Injured Ginn to miss selection trials Australia's triple Olympic gold medallist Drew Ginn has been ruled out of the world rowing championships selection trials starting in Penrith on Friday.
Science & Technology	More Science & Technology Stories >
Scientists 'in shock' after festival cancelled There has been a disappointed response from scientists to the decision to cancel the long-running Australian Science Festival in Canberra. Snowy eagles a possible target There is concern wedge-tailed eagles are being targeted by property owners in the New South Wales High Country due to a perceived threat to stock. Cells in a dish replicate schizophrenic brain Researchers have successfully grown human schizophrenia nerve cells, enabling them to test out new drugs and better understand the complex mechanisms underlying the disease.
Environment	More Environment Stories >
Pelicans poisoned by flood runoff Recent heavy rainfalls in the Illawarra are being blamed for a rise in the number of very sick Pelicans on the south coast. Newman says water restrictions should be relaxed Liberal National Party (LNP) leader Campbell Newman says restrictions on when people in south-east Queensland can water their gardens should be relaxed. First divers assess ex-HMAS Adelaide The first civilian diver on ex-HMAS Adelaide off the New South Wales Central Coast, says yesterday's scuttling at Avoca Beach couldn't have been better planned.
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