(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/2618253/ForumPhotos/topix.PNG) Breaking News, Latest and Most Recent News from the Countries in Oceania. Be first to get all news updates from Australia, New Zealand, Fiji Island, and Pacific Regions.
Break up big supermarkets: senator
Chicken added to grocery price wars Australia's two major supermarkets are offering no apologies for their price wars.
Source: Break up big supermarkets: senator (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/03/break-up-big-supermarkets-senator?fromrss=1).
That's according to a cross-cultural study of attitudes toward obesity to be published in the April issue of Current Anthropology.
Source: Negative Attitudes Toward Fat Bodies Going Global, Study Finds (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/03/negative-attitudes-toward-fat-bodies-going-global-study-finds?fromrss=1)
Oysters have long been linked to love because of their supposed aphrodisiac qualities.
Source: Appetising oysters (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/03/appetising-oysters?fromrss=1)
Trace amounts of radiation from the damaged Japanese nuclear plant have shown up in seven U.S. states including Alabama, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
Source: EPA: Traces of radiation in Ala., 6 other states (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/03/epa-traces-of-radiation-in-ala-6-other-states?fromrss=1)
An Australian mother and her giggling 13-month-old daughter were kicked off a bus for making too much noise, a local newspaper reports.
Source: Laughing baby kicked off bus (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/03/laughing-baby-kicked-off-bus?fromrss=1)
You might think it gets easier to stomach news of a good friend or terrific individual ''disappearing'' in China (http://www.topix.com/world/china), given the rate at which it has been happening.
Source: My friend, the writer who 'disappeared' (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/03/my-friend-the-writer-who-disappeared?fromrss=1)
OVERTIME BILL: SES workers across the state worked around the clock as floods battered centres like Rockhampton , Bundaberg, Brisbane, Ispwich, the Lockyer Valley and Toowoomba and then cyclones flattened far north Queensland.
Source: Flood crews cost $10.5m in overtime (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/03/flood-crews-cost-10-5m-in-overtime?fromrss=1)
Prime Minister Julia Gillard has been showered with praise by Fremantle residents for her government's proposed carbon tax during a community cabinet meeting in the West Australian port city.
Source: Fremantle thanks PM for carbon tax (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/03/fremantle-thanks-pm-for-carbon-tax?fromrss=1)
NEW ROOTS: Zarko Vrhovac, from Slovenia, received a kowhai tree from Hastings District Council to mark becoming a New Zealand citizen.
Source: Taking a shine to Hawke's Bay's sunny skies (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/03/taking-a-shine-to-hawkes-bays-sunny-skies?fromrss=1)
COSMETIC procedures in Australia, including breast augmentation and liposuction, is now worth about $1 billion a year, a conference of surgeons has been told.
Source: Our $1bn addiction to cosmetic surgery (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/03/our-1bn-addiction-to-cosmetic-surgery?fromrss=1)
Various stations of CTSI Logistics donated $4,002 to the American Red Cross - NMI Chapter for disaster relief in quake- and tsunami-stricken Japan on Wednesday, March 30, 2011.
Source: CTSI Logistics donates to Japan disaster relief (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/ctsi-logistics-donates-to-japan-disaster-relief?fromrss=1)
A second win in the three weeks since finishing runner-up at the Golden Shears has seen Hawke's Bay-based Far North shearer Rowland Smith installed as the TAB's favoured pick to beat prolific champion John Kirkpatrick in this weekend's New Zealand Open Shearing Championship.
Source: Rowland Smith chasing a Te Kuiti win (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/rowland-smith-chasing-a-te-kuiti-win?fromrss=1)
Stay the night Open house ... Boroka Downs. David Reyne finds some cosy lodgings, from coastal getaways with open fires to inner-city Italian chic.
Source: Stay the night: top Victorian B&Bs (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/stay-the-night-top-victorian-b-bs?fromrss=1)
New Zealand Sevens' captain DJ Forbes is expected to play a full part in this weekend's round of the IRB World Series in Adelaide.
Source: Sevens in Adelaide this weekend (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/sevens-in-adelaide-this-weekend?fromrss=1)
Zac Archer, 5, was treated in the US with his own cord blood for his cerebal palsy.
Source: Testing power (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/testing-power?fromrss=1)
SOLUTION: Hastings Intermediate has instituted a culture change at the school. Principal Andrew Shortcliffe says the move has worked, with an increasing roll and reducing truancy/exclusions. Photo / Duncan Brown We're told that it happens to everyone, that it's part of growing up, that it builds character.
Source: Whole school needs to resolve bullying issues (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/whole-school-needs-to-resolve-bullying-issues?fromrss=1)
For decades Britain forcibly shipped children in care to Commonwealth countries.
Source: Britain's child migrants (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/britains-child-migrants?fromrss=1)
The city of Sirte, on Libya's Mediterranean coast, has been a symbolic and strategic fulcrum in the civil war between forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi and rebels seeking to overthrow him.
Source: How Howard helped to rehabilitate Gaddafi (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/how-howard-helped-to-rehabilitate-gaddafi?fromrss=1)
Honeymoons aren't always easy for newlyweds, but six natural disasters? When Stefan and Erika Svanstrom of Stockholm set out on their 4-month-long honeymoon with their baby girl on Dec.
Source: Couple survives (natural) disaster honeymoon (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/couple-survives-natural-disaster-honeymoon?fromrss=1)
US online audience tracking company Comscore has released its latest study of online video viewing habits in New Zealand based on data from its Video Metrix service, which was launched here earlier this year.
Source: 3 of 4 New Zealanders watch online video (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/3-of-4-new-zealanders-watch-online-video?fromrss=1)
The Pacific nation of Niue has printed unusual commemorative stamps for Britain's royal wedding: an image of Prince William and Kate Middleton with perforations that split the couple down the middle.
Source: 'Innovative' Stamp Divides William, Kate (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/innovative-stamp-divides-william-kate?fromrss=1)
StarKist Co. president and chief executive officer In-Soo Cho and StarKist vice president of supply chain Pat Moody at StarKist Samoa facility yesterday.
Source: The real owner of StarKist - the Samoan people who built it says new CEO (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/the-real-owner-of-starkist-the-samoan-people-who-built-it-says-new-ceo?fromrss=1)
GROUNDED JETS: Two Skyhawks, one single-seat and one two-seat, will go to the Air Force Museum at Wigram, one to the Museum of Transport and Technology in Auckland and another to the Royal Australian Navy Fleet Arm Museum at Nowra, Australia.
Source: Air Force Skyhawks destined for museums (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/air-force-skyhawks-destined-for-museums?fromrss=1)
Parkes inaugural victory comes at 5-Star ASP Junior event Surfersvillage Global Surf News , 5 April, 2011 : - - Avatorua, Rangiroa -- Garrett Parkes 17, secured the first pro junior victory of his career taking down former World Junior Champion Dean Bowen in the final of the five star TNS Rangiroa Pro Junior in French Polynesia today.
Source: Garrett Parkes captures TNS Rangiroa Pro Junior title (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/garrett-parkes-captures-tns-rangiroa-pro-junior-title?fromrss=1)
Prices have fallen in the latest online dairy auction, run by Fonterra overnight.
Source: World dairy prices fall 2.4pc in overnight auction (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/world-dairy-prices-fall-2-4pc-in-overnight-auction?fromrss=1)
AN official inspection of Western Australia's Roebourne prison has slammed its cramped, rodent-infested cells, unsafe bunks and lack of air-conditioning in the harsh Pilbara heat.
Source: Inspection slams WA prison (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/inspection-slams-wa-prison?fromrss=1)
PROHIBITED: Crossbows will be banned in WA from this Saturday. Source: The Courier-Mail CROSSBOWS will become a prohibited weapon in WA, effective from this weekend.
Source: Crossbows banned from Saturday (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/crossbows-banned-from-saturday?fromrss=1)
Tobacco companies in Australia will be forced to strip all logos from their cigarette packages and replace them with graphic images such as cancer-riddled mouths and sickly children under legislation unveiled Thursday - a move the government says will make Australia the world's toughest country on tobacco advertising.
Source: Australia proposes tough cigarette packaging rules (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/australia-proposes-tough-cigarette-packaging-rules?fromrss=1)
Warned about the wrath of Djang... Yvonne Margarula, one of the traditional owners from the Mirarr people, in front of an image of her father.
Source: Forget the billions, return Jabiluka site to Kakadu (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/forget-the-billions-return-jabiluka-site-to-kakadu?fromrss=1)
Former union campaigner George Wright will be Labor's new national secretary after emerging as a compromise candidate and getting the nod from Prime Minister Julia Gillard.
Source: Union campaigner to be Labor boss (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/union-campaigner-to-be-labor-boss?fromrss=1)
UPDATE: Vibrations which rattled windows across Perth this afternoon were caused by a Defence Force pilot in an F-18 fighter jet breaking the sound barrier.
Source: 'Quake' was pilot breaking sound barrier (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/quake-was-pilot-breaking-sound-barrier?fromrss=1)
Did Michael Jackson commit suicide? Get your lowdown on what's happening in the world of Hollywood, right here! A defence lawyer for Michael Jackson's doctor Conrad Murray has reportedly claimed that the King of Pop was so anguished about his deteriorating finances in his final days that he took his own life.
Source: Did Michael Jackson commit suicide? (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/did-michael-jackson-commit-suicide?fromrss=1)
TWO intellectually disabled men paid as little as $1.79 an hour are suing the federal government and their former employers in a test case on fair wages that will affect the earning capacity of 20,000 disabled workers.
Source: Case to challenge disabled wages (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/case-to-challenge-disabled-wages?fromrss=1)
Airport security hurt by contracting out: Union Transport Workers Union says there's no independent oversight of contractors employed by Qantas to provide security at Tullamarine Airport.
Source: Man who caused airport chaos slips away (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/man-who-caused-airport-chaos-slips-away?fromrss=1)
DYING ART: DIY is in danger as an high incomes and lack of skills turn new generations off power tools, according to Mitre10 CEO John Hartmann.
Source: Do-it-yourself a dying art (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/do-it-yourself-a-dying-art?fromrss=1)
Ian Powell learnt that he had a great uncle, Frederick Fletcher, who died at the bloody Battle of Fromelles in France in World War I. Photo: Rebecca Hallas IAN Powell didn't realise that he had a connection to the World War I Battle of Fromelles until he received a call from the Army last year.
Source: Fromelles Digger discovery reveals a long-lost relative (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/fromelles-digger-discovery-reveals-a-long-lost-relative?fromrss=1)
Melaine Kupsch ran towards the crumpled car, trying to ignore the flames leaping from its battered bonnet.
Source: Bravery award for car blaze rescuer (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/bravery-award-for-car-blaze-rescuer?fromrss=1)
LAWYERS have questioned the political will of governments to deliver a national disability insurance scheme, estimated to cost taxpayers $12.5 billion a year.
Source: Cost of disability scheme under question (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/cost-of-disability-scheme-under-question?fromrss=1)
An integrated women's health service is a first for the country. Gynaecologist Digby Ngan Kee isn't one who sees a glass half empty.
Source: Working together for everyone's sake (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/working-together-for-everyones-sake?fromrss=1)
Classic outlook ... David Jones models wear Bassike and Jac & Jack designs. The store found women aged 40 to 50 wanted a larger range.
Source: Fashion for women over 30 (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/fashion-for-women-over-30?fromrss=1)
Exodus ... Rebecca Longworth, who works in Sydney, comes from a farm in Mungindi.
Source: Making hay by having the best of both worlds (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/making-hay-by-having-the-best-of-both-worlds?fromrss=1)
Six years after it was formed by a group of blokes with serious science smarts, Wellington's Magritek has proved it's got the business nous to match.
Source: High Quality: Magritek chief executive Andrew Coy with components for the Teranova-Mri product. (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/high-quality-magritek-chief-executive-andrew-coy-with-components-for-the-teranova-mri-product?fromrss=1)
Research and development business specialises in NZ's key crop - grass. More revenue means Grasslanz can fund more research, says John Caradus.
Source: Success: Down to earth focus earns growing revenue (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/success-down-to-earth-focus-earns-growing-revenue?fromrss=1)
Taranaki is the world's melanoma hot spot. A recent study confirming New Zealand has the world's highest rate of melanoma shows a much higher rate in Taranaki than anywhere else in the country.
Source: Region hot-bed of skin cancer (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/region-hot-bed-of-skin-cancer?fromrss=1)
PLASTIC FANTASTIC: Sales of furniture, hardware and appliances rebounded in March, but overall the value of electronic card transactions was up just 0.5 per cent in the month.
Source: Petrol, appliances lift card sales (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/petrol-appliances-lift-card-sales?fromrss=1)
THE way the federal government sets the wages of workers with disabilities is designed to keep their pay rates low, a court has been told.
Source: Disabled workers' pay rates kept low (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/disabled-workers-pay-rates-kept-low?fromrss=1)
New Zealand's struggling opposition Labour Party has been labelled a "gaggle of gays" by one of its own disgruntled MPs.
Source: NZ opposition a 'gaggle of gays', says MP (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/nz-opposition-a-gaggle-of-gays-says-mp?fromrss=1)
These two Brooklyn (http://www.topix.com/city/brooklyn-ny) natives aren't the typical Joey's from the neighborhood. Two baby yellow-footed rock wallabies have made their debut at the Prospect Park Zoo's reopened Australian (http://www.topix.com/world/australia) Walkabout exhibit.
Source: OMG Cute (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/omg-cute?fromrss=1)
DRESSED FOR SUCCESS: The Stretton Group, which regularly shows its collections at various fashion weeks, has set a target of $60-million in annual revenue.
Source: Stretton ready to frock Australian market (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/stretton-ready-to-frock-australian-market?fromrss=1)
VETERAN wildlife campaigner Bob Irwin reckons his late famous son would have been proud of his arrest at a coal seam gas protest in Queensland.
Source: Steve Irwin's dad arrested at protest (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/steve-irwins-dad-arrested-at-protest?fromrss=1)
The Pacific nation of Niue is defended its royal wedding stamps which raised eyebrows around the world by splitting Prince William from his bride-to-be. The stamps, approved by Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, have a perforated line between the royal couple.
Source: She's $2.40, he's $3.40 (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/shes-2-40-hes-3-40?fromrss=1)
IN a little over two months some of the nation's most prominent CEOs will stick on a woolly hat, slip into a sleeping bag and spend a chilly mid-winter night under the stars.
Source: The 6th annual Vinnies CEO Sleepout will raise money for the nation's 105,000 homeless on June 16. (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/the-6th-annual-vinnies-ceo-sleepout-will-raise-money-for-the-nations-105-000-homeless-on-june-16?fromrss=1)
Bouncing down a pockmarked Afghan road in the back of an armored truck can be rough on weapons.
Source: Troops find English isn't the same (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/troops-find-english-isnt-the-same?fromrss=1)
Two 12-year-old Kiwi boys have gobsmacked police by stealing a tanker and ploughing it through a security fence with one on the wheel and the other on the pedals.
Source: Kiwi boys share driving in stolen truck (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/kiwi-boys-share-driving-in-stolen-truck?fromrss=1)
The Burger King Breakers led the Perth Wildcats 52-43 at halftime in their Australian NBL semi-final decider on the North Shore.
Source: Breakers led 52-43 at halftime (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/breakers-led-52-43-at-halftime?fromrss=1)
Goway has two ways to save in New Zealand, with both an airfare deal and a special offer on tours.
Source: Fare Deals: Discover 'Best of New Zealand' (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/fare-deals-discover-best-of-new-zealand?fromrss=1)
"House" star Hugh Laurie is headed to Papua New Guinea and New Zealand for a feature adaptation of the best-selling novel "Mr. Pip." Andrew Adamson will direct and produce from his adaptation of fellow New Zealander Lloyd Jones' novel.
Source: Hugh Laurie playing 'Mr. Pip' for Shrek director (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/hugh-laurie-playing-mr-pip-for-shrek-director?fromrss=1)
An aerial view of the site of Lend Lease's proposed residential development at Werribee (http://www.topix.com/au/werribee) bordered by Black Forest, McGrath and Bulban roads.
Source: Lend Lease reveals $1b homes plan (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/lend-lease-reveals-1b-homes-plan?fromrss=1)
The stranded Chinese coal carrier leaking oil into the sea around Australia's Great Barrier Reef in April 2010.
Source: Coal ship grounding on Great Barrier Reef blamed on fatigue (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/coal-ship-grounding-on-great-barrier-reef-blamed-on-fatigue?fromrss=1)
The remains of a Massachusetts airman missing in action from World War II have been identified and will be returned to his family for burial, the Department of Defense said Wednesday.
Source: WWII airman's remains identified (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/wwii-airmans-remains-identified?fromrss=1)
Gregg Wallace and John Torode present the show from what appears to be a vast, sunlit warehouse.
Source: MasterChef: have things gone stale? (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/masterchef-have-things-gone-stale?fromrss=1)
As Britain decides whether to change the way MPs are elected, can we learn anything from Australia, the only major democracy that uses the method on offer? The BBC's Rebecca Keating, an Australian herself, explains how elections work Down Under.
Source: Aussie rules (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/aussie-rules?fromrss=1)
THE commonwealth watchdog will investigate if excessive force was used to quell dissident asylum seekers on Christmas Island.
Source: Police riot force to be investigated (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/police-riot-force-to-be-investigated?fromrss=1)
Is there any benefit to taking iodine after the Japanese nuclear reactor problems? - RS, Tauranga The short answer is no.
Source: No need to go in search of iodine (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/no-need-to-go-in-search-of-iodine?fromrss=1)
Former federal treasurer Peter Costello has been recognised for his contribution to society along with 39 other Australians at a ceremony at Government House.
Source: Costello gets gong, slams carbon tax (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/costello-gets-gong-slams-carbon-tax?fromrss=1)
An anonymous reader writes "As New Zealand politicians are looking to rush through a new copyright law , 92A, which imposes a 'three strikes' regime on people accused of file sharing, some New Zealanders were a bit amused to see Parliament Member Melissa Lee stand up to speak in favor of the bill just hours after tweeting how she was enjoying a ...
Source: NZ MP Enjoys Copyright Infringement, Votes For 3 Strikes (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/nz-mp-enjoys-copyright-infringement-votes-for-3-strikes?fromrss=1)
Male humpback whales often combine snippets of classic tunes with new material. Photograph: Don Emmert/AFP/Getty Images Humpback whales spread catchy songs to each other through the ocean, research has shown.
Source: Humpback whales spread catchy tunes to each other, study reveals (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/humpback-whales-spread-catchy-tunes-to-each-other-study-reveals?fromrss=1)
Coast Community College District Trustee David Grant was dinged with a $200 fine from the Fair Political Practices Commission for failing to disclose campaign expenditures in a timely manner last year.
Source: Former college president fined over campaign filing (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/former-college-president-fined-over-campaign-filing?fromrss=1)
If - like me - you are old enough to say, "It didn't used to look like this," then - like me - you're probably seeking places that are still relatively unaffected by rampant tourism.
Source: A taste of the real Fiji (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/a-taste-of-the-real-fiji?fromrss=1)
New Zealanders are eating on average one-and-a-half teaspoons of salt each day, prompting a call for Kiwis to halve their intake.
Source: New Zealand health experts are calling on Kiwis to reduce their salt intake. (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/new-zealand-health-experts-are-calling-on-kiwis-to-reduce-their-salt-intake?fromrss=1)
In 1793 British Captain James Colnett placed an empty wooden post barrel on Floreana Island in the Galapagos so passing ships could aid each other in getting mail to the mainland and even today the tradition continues.
Source: Post office on Floreana Island in the Galapagos (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/post-office-on-floreana-island-in-the-galapagos?fromrss=1)
A 5.4 magnitude earthquake has shaken far north Queensland with a 5.3 magnitude aftershock hitting quake-devastated Christchurch just minutes later.
Source: Earthquake rattles north Queensland townships (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/earthquake-rattles-north-queensland-townships?fromrss=1)
Seventy-five rare Australian (http://www.topix.com/world/australia) gold bars, a bank draft for almost $2-million, and a dramatic Emergency Task Force raid on a Rosedale mansion - sound like the makings of a perfect plot for a Hollywood North blockbuster.
Source: Five arrested in $2-million gold bar robbery (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/five-arrested-in-2-million-gold-bar-robbery?fromrss=1)
Should Australians believe the hype about the damage a carbon tax will do to industries? The big polluters warn a carbon tax would be a disaster - jobs would go offshore, and so could whole industries.
Source: Is this the great carbon con? (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/is-this-the-great-carbon-con?fromrss=1)
Greg Johnson will tour small towns around New Zealand - and Wellington - on his Small Towns and Ball Gowns Tour in May and June.
Source: Breezing through the backblocks (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/breezing-through-the-backblocks?fromrss=1)
Attacking welfare recipients as "dole bludgers" used to be a right-wing stunt. Now it's gone mainstream.
Source: A vicious war on a soft target (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/a-vicious-war-on-a-soft-target?fromrss=1)
TOP TWINS: Nellie and Eliza Jenkins, from New Zealand's Next Top Model, will tutor modelling classes in Invercargill alongside Aliana McDaniel.
Source: Jenkins twins (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/jenkins-twins?fromrss=1)
Land sale fell sharply in the December 2010 quarter, with sales down by 40.4 per cent compared to the same quarter in 2009 / File Land sales down 40 per cent Deteriorating housing affordability Weak year for home building Penalties: Dole crackdown on way AUSTRALIAN residential land sales have reached their lowest level in a decade, after almost ...
Source: Land sales slide to lowest in decade (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/land-sales-slide-to-lowest-in-decade?fromrss=1)
A British man who has lived in Australia for 40 years has been deported and sent back to London because of his criminal record.
Source: Australia Deports British Criminal (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/australia-deports-british-criminal?fromrss=1)
Sydney can look forward to rain over the Easter weekend after a warm and dry start, weatherzone.com.au says.
Source: Cool winds and showers threaten Easter weekend (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/cool-winds-and-showers-threaten-easter-weekend?fromrss=1)
Move over, beef. Camel meat could become the newest Australian export as early as 2012 if an Egyptian businessman is successful with his bid to open a slaughterhouse and meat processing plant in a rural South Australian town.
Source: Camel meat could become newest Australian export (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/camel-meat-could-become-newest-australian-export?fromrss=1)
Ken James and his partner Rosemarie Stuhlener are part of a growing group of couples that are committed to each other but choose to live apart.
Source: Together-apart: lifestyle choice that may have a catch (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/together-apart-lifestyle-choice-that-may-have-a-catch?fromrss=1)
Home brewing is often fairly serious business. I've plenty of friends who part with their handmade brew with the same gravity as the knight in Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade .
Source: Home brewing just got its Clover (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/home-brewing-just-got-its-clover?fromrss=1)
Wednesday, 20 April 2011, 1:30pm Source: TV3 A man who shot an Auckland police officer four times was today jailed for 18 years with a non-parole period of 10 years.
Source: Cop shooter arefused to accept responsibilitya (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/cop-shooter-arefused-to-accept-responsibilitya?fromrss=1)
EMPTY SEATS: Queenstown has reported a significant slump in tourist numbers since the February 22 Christchurch earthquake.
Source: South Island tourism hurting (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/south-island-tourism-hurting?fromrss=1)
A $15 million project to build temporary housing in the flood-ravaged Kimberley community of Warmun will allow evacuated residents to return home in June, the West Australian Government says.
Source: $15m outlay for Warmun flood victims (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/15m-outlay-for-warmun-flood-victims?fromrss=1)
An Australian (http://www.topix.com/world/australia) teacher accused of tying a 5-year-old boy to a chair in front of his classmates as punishment for misbehaving has been suspended while the case is investigated, education officials said Wednesday.
Source: Australian teacher accused of tying up student (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/australian-teacher-accused-of-tying-up-student?fromrss=1)
Researchers insert a satellite transmitter tag into a whale's blubber. Humpback whales can swim thousands of kilometres in a straight line, suggesting they may use a unique compass mechanism, according to researchers.
Source: Whales swim straight as an arrow Apr 20, 2011 9:42 Am Et a " Humpback... (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/whales-swim-straight-as-an-arrow-apr-20-2011-9-42-am-et-a-humpback?fromrss=1)
A building in the central business district is damaged following a 6.3-magnitude earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Source: Christchurch City Center Losing Bankers, Brokers After Quake (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/christchurch-city-center-losing-bankers-brokers-after-quake?fromrss=1)
Kiwifruit exported from the Port of Tauranga. Photo / File. Zespri has slammed a survey's finding on attitudes to the kiwifruit industry as meaningless and misleading.
Source: Knives out between Zespri and T&G (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/knives-out-between-zespri-and-t-g?fromrss=1)
Up to 100 people being held at Sydney's Villawood Detention Center were involved in the riots, which began Wednesday night when two detainees climbed onto a roof, immigration officials said.
Source: Rioters set fire to Australian detention center (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/rioters-set-fire-to-australian-detention-center?fromrss=1)
Surfers, weekend trippers, the elderly and young children - many have left Christchurch in the two months since the quake, leaving it feeling a little too quiet and empty.
Source: Quietly quaking (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/quietly-quaking?fromrss=1)
Cinematheque, April 22-23, 27-28 at 9:00 pm, with a Skype Q&A with filmmaker, and former Manitoban, Leanne Pooley after the Friday show.
Source: You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll yodel with the Topp Twins. (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/youll-laugh-youll-cry-youll-yodel-with-the-topp-twins?fromrss=1)
A motorcyclist has been killed in south-west Sydney, lifting the NSW Easter holiday road toll to two.
Source: NSW road toll at two as motorcyclist dies (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/nsw-road-toll-at-two-as-motorcyclist-dies?fromrss=1)
Even though the trappings of civilization are all around us, there are still some parts of the globe where our influence is small.
Source: The 10 most pristine places on Earth (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/the-10-most-pristine-places-on-earth?fromrss=1)
A powerful earthquake has struck in waters off the Solomon Islands in the South Pacific.
Source: Powerful Earthquake Strikes Off Solomon Islands (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/powerful-earthquake-strikes-off-solomon-islands?fromrss=1)
Three protesters who have remained on the roof at Sydney's Villawood Detention Centre following a fiery riot have asked to come down, a refugee advocate says.
Source: Villawood detainees ask to come off roof (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/villawood-detainees-ask-to-come-off-roof?fromrss=1)
Potatoes are thought to date back about 2500 years and have been a staple part of the diet of many civilisations for centuries.
Source: Humble spud the centrepiece of thrifty plates (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/humble-spud-the-centrepiece-of-thrifty-plates?fromrss=1)
LONG WAIT: John Jones, 91, of Auckland, was New Zealand (http://www.topix.com/world/new-zealand)'s first prisoner of war captured by Japan during World War II.
Source: POW still bitter (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/pow-still-bitter?fromrss=1)
Winston Peters writes a column for the Bay of Plenty Times Weekend. It is a fact that, out of the ruins of World War II, a number of western economies constructed for their people economic and social advances hitherto unmatched in history.
Source: Winston Peters: Childhood can be dog's life (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/winston-peters-childhood-can-be-dogs-life?fromrss=1)
After five years on the job as leader of the Royal New Zealand Air Force , Air Vice-Marshal Graham Lintott will leave his post at the end of April to become Wellington's defense attache in Washington.
Source: Air Vice-Marshal Graham Lintott (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/air-vice-marshal-graham-lintott?fromrss=1)
PM Julia Gillard leads a memorial service for those who died in the 'battle of Kapyong' in Korea.
Source: The heroes Australia forgot for 60 years (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/the-heroes-australia-forgot-for-60-years?fromrss=1)
Thousands of Australians and New Zealanders have made the annual pilgrimage to Gallipoli to honour the Anzacs who fought there, 96 years after the initial landing.
Source: Gallipoli hosts Anzac Day dawn service (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/gallipoli-hosts-anzac-day-dawn-service?fromrss=1)
Source: PerthNow ON November 1, 1914, the West Australian coastal hamlet of Albany was captivated by a convoy of ships berthed at Princess Royal Harbour and bound for Gallipoli.
Source: The home of Anzac Day remembers (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/the-home-of-anzac-day-remembers?fromrss=1)
China has warned Julia Gillard not to press too hard on human rights as she begins her first visit to China as Prime Minister.
Source: Show us respect: China (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/show-us-respect-china?fromrss=1)
HOT ITEM: Noel Leeming says most houses with a television already have a flat-screen, but now that prices have fallen, many people are buying three or four sets.
Source: Flat-screen TVs lead big price plunge (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/flat-screen-tvs-lead-big-price-plunge?fromrss=1)
Asylum-seekers protest on the rooftop of the Villawood detention centre in Sydney.
Source: Rooftop rebellion widens despite promised crackdown (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/rooftop-rebellion-widens-despite-promised-crackdown?fromrss=1)
THE Gillard government is planning to enlist a clutch of high-profile Australians, including the conservationist Tim Flannery and the retired High Court judge Michael Kirby, to publicise the $36 billion national broadband network.
Source: High-profile group to champion broadband (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/high-profile-group-to-champion-broadband?fromrss=1)
Australia's ambassador in Beijing, Geoff Raby, said China had aggressively resisted discussion about rights abuses in Tibet, Fairfax reported.
Source: China questions our rights record (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/china-questions-our-rights-record?fromrss=1)
Mel B is to become a judge on the Australian version of 'The X Factor', joining Boyzone star Ronan Keating and Australian singer Guy Sebastian on the panel for the pop star search show.
Source: Mel B will judge Australian X Factor (http://www.topix.com/world/oceania/2011/04/mel-b-will-judge-australian-x-factor?fromrss=1)