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Sica loses bid for judge-only trial

Kym Agius 4:24pm An accused triple murderer has lost his bid in Brisbane to have a judge-only trial.

Court gives bond to disgraced developer

4:34pm A Sydney magistrate has fined disgraced Wollongong developer Frank Vellar and given him a good behaviour bond.

Resources tax risks minnows: industry

Andrea Hayward 3:44pm Changes to the Petroleum Resources Rent Tax risk burdening small companies involved in onshore and offshore oil and gas production, the industry says.

Fiji church leaders banned from travel

Tamara McLean, AAP South Pacific Correspondent 2:54pm Fiji's military regime has banned church leaders from travelling overseas just days after forcing the cancellation of an annual Methodist conference.

Audit gave Securency clean sheet: RBA

Colin Brinsden 2:44pm An initial audit of scandal-hit banknote maker Securency gave it a clean bill of health, the Reserve Bank told a hearing on Friday

Defence probes 'other suspects' on Rayney

2:39pm The defence team of prominent Perth lawyer Lloyd Rayney, accused of murdering his wife, has sought information from police on "other suspects" in the case.

Lavicka coy on Emerton role

Rob Forsaith 2:29pm Sydney FC coach Vitezslav Lavicka wants to speak with Brett Emerton before making any decisions on the marquee signing's role with the club.

Same midwife at two fatal home births

Tim Dornin 1:44pm A coroner has been told that the same midwife supervised the home births of two baby girls who died soon after being delivered.

Sarkozy in Pacific amid unrest

1:44pm French President Nicolas Sarkozy has arrived in New Caledonia on his first official visit since islanders backed his election four years ago.

Coal seam gas moratorium wanted: poll

1:24pm Most Australians want a moratorium on coal seam gas operations, poll conducted for the Greens shows.

Japan PM announces resignation

3:24pm Naoto Kan has resigned as president of the Democratic Party of Japan,