SYDNEY: Recent dire warnings by Australian scientists that they had monitored a rapid deterioration in the effects of global warming have now been withdrawn following the disclosure that Employment Minister Amanda Vanstone took an uncharacteristic swim at Bondi Beach last weekend.

ADELAIDE: European critics who have again heaped scorn upon Australian pianist David Helfgott do not understand what the performances mean, Helfgott's local agent says.
Helfgott, whose battle with mental illness formed the basis of the hit film Shine, gave his latest recital at the Albert Hall this week midway through a triumphant European tour. Yet critics have again called into question his playing style and ability.
Reviewers expressed surprise at Helfgott’s actions in the early stages of the concert when he removed his hands from the piano keyboard altogether and began hitting keys with his forehead.
Audience members were also amazed to see Helfgott leave the stage completely during a later piece and sit in a front row seat and give himself a standing ovation.
Several audience members left the hall when Helfgott returned to the stage, only to walk past his piano and begin constructing a small wooden spice rack on a workbench at the rear of the stage.
Helfgott’s agent says a series of concerts in the United States planned for next month will go ahead despite Helfgott’s statements at the end of his London performance that in the future he would play using only what he described as his “pink baton”.

MELBOURNE: No Victorian citizens were shot dead by police in the 24 hours to 9am yesterday.

BRISBANE: Queensland Police meanwhile have revealed details of an extortion attempt against this year’s Brisbane Ekka similar to the Arnott’s Biscuits case which cost the company tens of millions of dollars in lost sales earlier this year.
It’s understood one week before the Show opened in August, the RNA received a threat claiming pies on sale at the Ekka would be laced with meat unless a $500,000 extortion demand was met.
Police said yesterday they had kept the threat secret because that's what people would have expected them to do.

CANBERRA: Prime Minister John Howard has reinstated sacked minister David Jull and two of his closest aides after admitting that they may have kept him informed of travel rorts developments after all.
The Prime Minister told the House of Representatives: "After a complete checkup, my doctor has recommended further tests because I appear to be having trouble remem