Sussan Ley fills frontbench holes temporarily

Opposition Leader Sussan Ley on Friday allocated responsibilities formerly held by the Nationals to existing Liberal shadow ministers on a temporary basis. This will get the opposition through the next parliamentary week, starting Tuesday. It also gives the Nationals a chance to rethink their split of the Coalition, if they choose.

Senate leaders scramble to save bipartisan deal to avoid partial shutdown

WASHINGTON (AP) – Senate leaders were scrambling on Friday to save a bipartisan spending deal and prevent a partial government shutdown this weekend as some Republicans pushed back on a rare deal between President Donald Trump and Democrats.

2 Arrested in Melbourne with 3D Printed Guns

Victoria Police's Illicit Firearms Squad has arrested two people and seized 3D printing equipment during a crackdown on the illegal manufacture of firearms in Melbourne. On 12 August, detectives executed search warrants at homes in Doncaster, Heidelberg Heights, and Viewbank.

Australian base in Italy gives Aussie athletes home edge at Winter Olympics

MILAN (AP) – Nestled in a lakeside town in northern Italy is Australia’s “home away from home” for the Milan Cortina Olympics – right down to the coffee and Vegemite.  Nearly 15 years ago, the Australian Institute of Sport opened the European Training Centre in Gavirate, about an hour’s drive from Milan.

Journalist Don Lemon Arrested After he Covered a Minnesota Church Protest

WASHINGTON (AP) – Journalist Don Lemon and three other people were arrested Friday in connection with an anti-immigration enforcement protest that disrupted a service at a Minnesota church and increased tensions between residents and federal officials.

Meteor Triggers Sonic Boom Across Central Victoria

A blazing meteor lit up Victoria's skies on Sunday night, unleashing a powerful sonic boom that rattled homes across the state. The spectacular event occurred just after 7:30pm, with sightings reported from the state's east through to Melbourne, Ballarat, and Bendigo.

Government promises $25 billion boost to hospital funding

Federal and state governments have resolved their standoff on public hospital funding. The deal struck at National Cabinet on Friday includes a A$25 billion boost to hospital funding, and state government commitments on disability services for children. But while public hospitals will get more money, there's no clear plan to manage surging costs and rising demand.

US stocks fall while gold drops 11% and silver drops 30%

NEW YORK (AP) - Stocks closed lower on Wall Street while gold and silver prices plunged as investors tried to gauge what President Donald Trump's new nominee to lead the Federal Reserve will mean for interest rates going forward. The S&P 500 dropped 0.4%. The Dow fell 0.4%, and the Nasdaq sank 0.9%.  Gold's price dropped 11%, and silver sank more than 30%.

Jeremy Howe Hospitalised After Heavy Collision

Collingwood veteran Jeremy Howe was taken to hospital following a heavy head clash with Hawthorn's Jai Newcombe during the Hawks' commanding 17.8 (110) to 6.10 (46) victory at the MCG. The incident occurred in the opening minutes when both players contested a loose ball on the wing, resulting in a sickening head-on collision.