Sir David Attenborough: Saving life on our fragile planet earth …..

In the fifty years since his first documentary for the BBC, Sir David Attenborough has seen thousands of species on earth. Now his thoughts have turned to the impact of climate change on the natural world.

Racing industry may sue over horse flu …..

The Federal Government may face legal action over the horse flu outbreak which has brought Australia's lucrative racing industry to a standstill.

This morning the virus appeared to have spread to racehorses for the first time, with three thoroughbreds from the stables of Bart Cummings and Gai Waterhouse at Sydney's Randwick track showing possible symptoms. 

Generals Differ on the Timing of Troop Cuts …..

As the Bush administration mulls options for withdrawing forces in Iraq, fault lines are beginning to emerge in a debate between commanders in the field who favor slow reductions and senior generals at the Pentagon who favor cutting the number of combat troops more deeply...

Generals Differ On Timing Of Troop Cuts

Gunns takes control of Auspine …..

The Tasmanian timber company Gunns Limited now holds more than 50 per cent of the South Australian-based sawmiller Auspine.

It gives Gunns a controlling interest in Auspine's sawmills in south-eastern SA and two at Scottsdale in north-east Tasmania.

Demagogue: one who preaches doctrines he knows to be untrue to men he knows to be idiots.

H.L. Mencken

APEC Public Holiday …..

The NSW Government has announced details of a public holiday to coincide with the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) Summit to be held in Sydney in September 2007.

The public holiday on the 7 September 2007 has been declared for the Sydney metropolitan area only, including Penrith, Camden and Campbelltown. (see full LCA list below).

"The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy: that is the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness."

John Kenneth Galbraith

Nelson admits strip visit as Rudd fallout continues …..

Defence Minister Brendan Nelson has admitted visiting a strip club when he was younger.

As Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd comes under fire for a night at a strip club in New York four years ago, Dr Nelson has admitted visiting one almost 30 years ago.

"I remember being at one when I was 20, in Adelaide," he told ABC radio in Adelaide.

Wall St up and down as Aust dollar slumps …..

It has been another testing night on global financial markets.

Stock prices on Wall Street have slumped, then recovered, while the Australian dollar has been subjected to another drubbing.

Wall St Up & Down As Aust Dollar Slumps

Alberto Gonzales

US Attorney General

Counsel to the President, Judge Alberto Gonzales

Alberto R. Gonzales was sworn in as the nation's 80th Attorney General on February 3, 2005.

PM says Rudd is a 'political contortionist'

The Federal Government has used question time to take aim at Labor leader Kevin Rudd, with the Prime Minister John Howard labelling the Opposition Leader a "superficial opponent".

Earlier today Mr Howard told his party room he believes Labor's lead over the Coalition will narrow when people focus on who would be best to manage the country's economy.

Mr Howard had the backing of his senior Ministers who repeatedly questioned Mr Rudd's character.