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Easter product already in the stores

SUPERMARKETS have defended the early arrival of Easter products in shops, saying they are just giving in to consumer demand. Six days into the new year, and three months out from Easter, major chains, including Coles and Woolworths, have displays of Easter eggs. But it’s not only chocolate fans who are set to benefit in the long lead-up... [Read more of this review]

Will the Great Barrier Reef stop growing by 2050

SCIENTISTS fear the already declining growth rate of the Great Barrier Reef’s corals will stop completely by 2050, killing off the reef and making way for algae. A new report shows the most robust corals on the reef have slowed in growth by more than 14 per cent since the “tipping point” in 1990. The paper, published in the international... [Read more of this review]

$1.1 billion from NSW poker machines, but what should be done

THE state’s greediest pubs are raking in a staggering $1.1 billion from poker machines each year, with each machine in Western Sydney taking almost four times the annual average wage. The revelations have prompted calls for access to pokies to be slashed and a reduction in the number of machines in lower socio-economic areas. Documents... [Read more of this review]

Anyone else got a Rare Bugatti supercar in their garage?

A RARE Bugatti supercar left to gather dust in an English garage for half a century could fetch millions when it goes under the hammer next month. Experts believe the car - one of just a handful ever made - could fetch as much as £6 million ($12.51 million) when it is auctioned at the Retromobile car show and sale being organised by Bonhams... [Read more of this review]

Experts warn against going cold turkey

GIVING up alcohol can have serious side effects and people should find out if they are dependent on drink before going cold turkey in the New Year, rehabilitation experts warn. Figures from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare show that one in 10 Australians consume alcohol at levels harmful to health in the long term, while one... [Read more of this review]

UK Mum’s Forum Members Go to War

Anyone who has ever joined an online mother’s group or forum knows that it’s not al peace, love and parenting advice. No, stick thousands of often bored, sleep-deprived and isolated mothers of young children together and what you have is an all-out bitchfight. Take Mumsnet, a hugely popular UK website and forum. It’s hit the... [Read more of this review]

Nipples out in new piercing rules

MINORS will be banned from having their nipples and genitals pierced and children under 16 will need parental consent for any other body piercings under new Victorian laws. View Original Article  Read More →

Teacher stays in classrooms despite swearing, discipline complaints

A PRIMARY school teacher accused of swearing at his Year 5 students and allowing them to chase each other around the classroom with a baseball bat has been given the all-clear to continue working with children. Victoria’s top teaching watchdog has found the man, who is referred to only as RJS, may remain registered as a teacher despite... [Read more of this review]

Don’t quit just yet, smokers told

SMOKERS intent on butting out for good have been told to wait until the holiday season is over. Quit, a help service for smokers wanting to stop, says smokers making a New Year’s resolution should wait two weeks into the new year so their plan doesn’t get lost in the busy holiday season. Quitline manager Ian Ferretter said... [Read more of this review]

Twelve Apostles lead Uluru, Great Barrier Reef in voting for New7Wonders of Nature

AUSTRALIA is full of natural wonders, but is Victoria’s Twelve Apostles really our greatest national icon, ranked ahead of Uluru or the Great Barrier Reef? A search to find Australia’s nominee to make the list of Seven Natural Wonders of the World is about to put forward the crumbling rock formations off Victoria’s coast... [Read more of this review]

Summer time, timely reminder you also share the water with Sharks

So far this month, Surf Life Saving South Australia’s aerial patrol has spotted sharks 39 times along the state’s coastline - the same number for the entire summer of 2007-08 and more than 2005-06. Surge in beach shark sightings | National News | News.com.au  Read More →

Emu stabbed to death at Alexandra Park Zoo in Queensland

POLICE are investigating the stabbing death of an emu at a zoo in Queensland’s Wide Bay-Burnett region, capping off a “horror year” of animal cruelty cases, The Courier Mail reports. The suspicious death of the bird happened at Bundaberg’s Alexandra Park and Zoo on Tuesday night. RSPCA spokesman Michael Beatty described... [Read more of this review]

Gifts stolen from under Christmas tree

Armed intruders stole presents from under the Christmas tree of a Sydney couple during a “heartless” robbery in Sydney’s north-west last night. The pair also stole a number of other items from the house, including electrical goods and jewellery, before loading them into their car and driving off, police said. The occupants of... [Read more of this review]

Fed-up Queensland nurses turning to prostitution

EXHAUSTED and demoralised nurses would rather work as prostitutes than in Queensland’s crumbling hospitals, The Courier-Mail reports. A former registered nurse of 10 years’ experience has told how she and at least four of her colleagues have found new jobs working in brothels. “We could no longer work in such an understaffed... [Read more of this review]

Boy found alone at Christmas lights display at Vermont South in Melbourne

THE parents of a five-year-old found alone at a lights display said they accidentally left him there due to having a large number of children. Alexander spent the night with police after he was found alone in Vermont South last night. When located this afternoon, his parents told police they had taken the family in two cars to visit the display... [Read more of this review]