TOP STORIES

NKorea test fires another seven missiles

Last Updated: Sat, 04 Jul 2009 20:52:00 +1000

South Korean officials say North Korea has test-fired seven short-range missiles on the eve of the United State's Independence Day holiday.

Ban Ki-moon acknowledges he is on a difficult mission in Burma. [ABC]

Burma's military denies UN request to meet with pro democracy leader

Last Updated: Sat, 04 Jul 2009 14:47:00 +1000

Burma's military junta has rejected the UN Secretary General's request for a meeting with pro democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

Thousands evacuated due to floods in China

Last Updated: Sat, 04 Jul 2009 20:56:00 +1000

Torrential rain in southern China has forced more than 150,000 people from their homes.

China wealth fund to purchase shares in Canadian mining firm

Last Updated: Sat, 04 Jul 2009 15:53:00 +1000

China's sovereign wealth fund says it will buy $US1.5 billion worth of shares of the Canadian mining company Teck Resources.

Resumption of peace talks expected between Philippines government and Moro rebels

Last Updated: Sat, 04 Jul 2009 20:23:00 +1000

The Philippine government's chief negotiator with the rebel Moro Islamic Liberation Front or MILF says peace talks are expected to resume anytime this month.

EU could soon lift ban on Indonesia's Garuda Airlines

Last Updated: Sat, 04 Jul 2009 19:51:00 +1000

The European Union is set to soon lift its ban on Indonesia's national airline Garuda flying into European airspace.

Tibet repression immoral, says Dalai Lama. [AFP]

Dalai Lama meeting angers China

Last Updated: Fri, 03 Jul 2009 11:54:00 +1000

China has expressed anger at a visit by Australian parliamentarians to meet the Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, in India.

Rudd to promote trade and soccer World Cup bid

Last Updated: Sat, 04 Jul 2009 08:19:00 +1000

Australia's prime minister, Kevin Rudd, will spend most of next week travelling in Europe.

Queensland paleontologists reveal the bones of three new species of dinosaur, which roamed Australia 98 million years ago.

New dinosaur species discovered in Australia

Last Updated: Fri, 03 Jul 2009 17:46:00 +1000

Scientists have unearthed three new dinosaur species in the Australian outback.

Michael Jackson's family has announced plans for a public memorial service to be held in Los Angeles.

US memorial service announced for Michael Jackson

Last Updated: Fri, 03 Jul 2009 15:23:00 +1000

Michael Jackson's family has finalised the details of a public service to memorialise the singer, who died June 25 in Los Angeles.

Rights group seeks ban of Malaysian caning law

Last Updated: Fri, 03 Jul 2009 21:40:00 +1000

Human rights group Amnesty International is urging Malaysia to abolish caning as a punishment for migrants.

Russia and Japan's territory dispute heats up

Last Updated: Fri, 03 Jul 2009 21:59:00 +1000

Japan's parliament has passed a law asserting sovereignty over four islands at the centre of a dispute with Russia.

The members of the charity rowing team who lost contact during the Indian Ocean race from Geraldton, Western Australia, to Mauritius. [ABC]

NZ ocean rowers back in contact

Last Updated: Fri, 03 Jul 2009 09:18:00 +1000

Four rowers who lost contact with shore during a race from Western Australia to Mauritius earlier this week are back in touch.

Afghanistan, and the biggest airborne offensive by the marines since Vietnam. [ABC]

Marines swoop on Afghan valley

Last Updated: Fri, 03 Jul 2009 12:28:00 +1000

Thousands of United States marines have stormed into Taliban territory in southern Afghanistan, marking the start of a major offensive by the Obama administration to regain the initiative in the war.