National News

Federal Independent MP Rob Oakeshott has rejected an offer to be a minister in a Labor minority government. More...

Two Gold Coast brothers have been given six extra years in jail over the torture and shooting of a man. More...

A report has shown NT students, particularly those in schools outside Darwin, have the worst levels of literacy and numeracy in the country. More...

Fairfax Media will begin charging for some online news content within a matter of weeks when it launches its first subscription-based smartphone applications. More...

The Nationals are jostling for another spot on the opposition frontbench after increasing their parliamentary representation at the federal election. More...

Devoted family man Lance Corporal Jared MacKinney's life has been celebrated in Brisbane with a military funeral. More...

The heavily pregnant widow of the latest soldier to be killed in Afghanistan said his unborn son Noah will know what an incredible dad he had. More...

Independent MP Rob Oakeshott will speak with Prime Minister Julia Gillard later on Friday about her offer of a ministry in Labor's minority government. More...

Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens says his only major injury concern is over fullback Wade McKinnon ahead of Saturday night's NRL qualifying final. More...

The competition regulator has rejected Virgin Blue Holdings Ltd and Air New Zealand Ltd's proposed alliance on flights between Australia and New Zealand. More...

One of the drilling machines in the effort to free 33 trapped Chilean miners has halted for two days of repairs as a third machine arrives at the site. More...

Police are keeping an open mind on whether the bullet that killed trainee detective Will Crews came from the gun of a civilian, or a police officer. More...

Nationals frontbencher Barnaby Joyce is suggesting key country independent Rob Oakeshott sought a ministry in the Labor minority government. More...

A Florida pastor has called off a Koran-burning ceremony, claiming he has secured a deal to move a planned mosque in New York away from Ground Zero. More...

Hundreds have turned up at a Vienna bookshop where Natascha Kampusch, the Austrian girl held captive for eight years, read passages from her book. More...

After the historic formation of Australia's first minority government since the 1940s, the workload is unlikely to draw to an end for the prime minister. More...

A suicide car bomber has killed at least 16 people and injured more than 100 at a market in the Russian Caucasus. More...

Police have opened in investigation into Lions star Brendan Fevola's alleged indecent act in Brisbane last weekend. More...

Pakistan's cricket chief said three players under investigation in Britain for corruption can return home as no charges had been brought against them. More...

The latest shaky assessment of the global economy proves recovery will be an ongoing challenge, Treasurer Wayne Swan says. More...