The latest news stories updated from our NEWS.com.au network
Wilhelm to face trial over Brimble death
2:27pm MARK Wilhelm will face an eight-week trial over the manslaughter of cruise ship passenger Dianne Brimble later this year.
Bendigo Bank won't pass on full cut
2:26pm BENDIGO and Adelaide Bank has cut the interest rate applying to its standard variable home loan by 90 basis points.
Family Court review after Darcey death
2:18pm THE Federal Government has asked for a review of the Family Court's handling of a case involving the family of a young girl who was thrown from Melbourne's West Gate Bridge.
Octuplets mum in TV interview
2:02pm THE mother-of-six who gave birth to octuplets in California last week has broken her silence, saying she wanted a "huge family" to make up for a lonely childhood.
Stealing chopper was stupid, says ex-cop
1:55pm A FORMER policeman who stole a rare helicopter from a Sydney airport says he made a "stupid mistake" in hiding the chopper instead of handing himself in to police.
PM: Get out of the road, Turnbull
1:49pm KEVIN Rudd has demanded Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull "get out of the road" and pass the Government's $42 billion stimulus package.
41 stun guns seized in home raid
1:41pm A MAN has been charged with selling stun guns after police seized 41 of the weapons during a raid on a home in Sans Souci in Sydney's south.
Tyre plant to shut for fortnight
1:31pm TYRE producer Bridgestone Australia will close its Adelaide manufacturing plant for two weeks in April to cut stocks in the wake of the global economic downturn.
Twilight is the new Da Vinci Code
1:15pm US author Stephenie Meyer's bestselling vampire series, The Twilight Saga, has smashed the book sales record set by Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code.
Myer sales 'better than expected'
1:05pm DEPARTMENT store Myer has reported sales for the first half down 3.7 per cent, and says market conditions will remain difficult in the second half year.
Expats gained from stimulus package
1:01pm AROUND $75 million of the Rudd Government's first $10.4 billion economic stimulus package went to Australians living overseas, a Senate inquiry has heard.
Clinton snubs Oz on Asia trip
12:53pm HILLARY Clinton won't make a detour to Australia when she travels to south-east Asia on her first overseas visit as US secretary of state.
Expect more rate cuts - economists
12:44pm THE Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has sharply lowered its forecasts for both economic growth and inflation which points to another rate cut by April, economists say.
Dollar up at noon
12:40pm THE Australian dollar was firmer at noon, as increased risk appetite gave a lift to the local currency.
Cling wrap death bid 'no concoction'
12:28pm A WOMAN has denied concocting a story about seeing her mother trying to suffocate her grandfather after he was bound to his bed with cling wrap.
Market higher at noon
12:21pm THE share market was over half of one per cent higher at noon, led by gains in the resources and banking sectors.
Mum who smothered baby loses appeal
12:15pm A WOMAN sentenced to life in jail for murdering her baby has lost an appeal against her conviction.
RBA sees stimulus spending boost
12:01pm THE Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) says the recent boost to disposable incomes through lower interest rates and the Federal Government's fiscal stimulus package has resulted in a pick up in household consumption.
Protesters ram whalers in intense clash
11:45am A PROTEST ship rams Japanese whalers and accuses the fleet of using acoustic weapons.
RBA lowers growth forecast
11:44am THE Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has sharply lowered its forecasts for both growth and inflation in response to the weaker outlook for the global economy.