Telstra has accused Communications Minister Helen Coonan of being a failure, but she says the company should end its "King Kong-like antics" and get on with improving services.

Already tense relations between the Federal Government and Telstra soured even further when Telstra wrote to all 1.6 million shareholders, accusing the government of excessive, costly regulation.

That relates to the company's move to close down the CDMA mobile phone network, established in 1999 to supercede the old analog network in regional areas.

“If I had to use one word to describe the environmental state of the planet right now, I think I would say precarious. It isn’t doomed. It isn’t certainly headed toward disaster. But it’s in a very precarious situation right now.”

Journey to Planet Earth

Abbott warns states of hospital revolt

The Federal Government is defending plans to scrap state and territory control of public hospital funding.

If re-elected the Government says it will require hospital budgets to be managed by local boards as part of health funding arrangements.

The idea has received a mixed response.

Federal Health Minister Tony Abbott is warning states and territories they will face a public backlash if they oppose the changes.

Europeans angry after Bush climate speech 'charade'

· US isolated as China and India refuse to back policy

Howard announces $1m for Xmas parade

Prime Minister John Howard has announced that the Federal Government will provide $1 million in funding for an inaugural Christmas parade to be held in Sydney.

The parade will be similar to Thanksgiving and Christmas parades held annually in America and will be held on November 25 this year.

In a statement, Mr Howard says that the parade aims to "strengthen a sense of community by encouraging people to join together to celebrate the holiday season."

Turd blossom is so well known as a fly hunter among his White House staff, says Snow, that somebody "made him White House fly swatters."

Pacific Highway a priority, PM tells Vic

Victoria will not miss out on funding in any pre-election road-funding blitz, Prime Minister John Howard said.

Responding to a News Ltd report that his government would next week announce a $5 billion roads package that snubs Victoria, Mr Howard said Victoria would be "fairly treated".

But he refused to commit to any new roads funding for the state, instead nominating the Pacific Highway, linking Sydney and Brisbane, as being a priority.

Lomborg is at it again...

actually he never stopped.

Dirt files 'having little impact'

So-called dirt files have shown no indication of doing damage to political parties in the lead up to this year's federal election, Newspoll chief executive
Martin O'Shannessy said today.

To date most people were very much listening to which party had the best plan for the future, hesaid.

Mr O'Shannessy was speaking as another poll showed a slight strengthening of the coalition vote, but still leaving it well behind Labor.

Israel, US Shared Data On Suspected Nuclear Site

Bush Was Told of North Korean Presence in Syria, Sources Say

Israel's decision to attack Syria on Sept. 6, bombing a suspected nuclear site set up in apparent collaboration with North Korea, came after Israel shared intelligence with President Bush this summer indicating that North Korean nuclear personnel were in Syria, U.S. government sources said.

Nullarbor set to have world's biggest golf course

The Federal Government has agreed to fund what is set to become the world's biggest golf course.

The 18 hole course stretches 1,300 kilometres across the Nullarbor Plain between Kalgoorlie and Ceduna in South Australia.

It will also provide historical information at each hole.