Melbourne Victoria

Somali community leaders have attacked the Australian Federal Police, while otherwise strongly supporting law enforcement agencies.

Three inquiries are under way into how details of a secret investigation into an alleged Melbourne-based terrorist group were leaked to the media.

They stood among dozens of other supporters who had come to see the accused terrorists. With them in line outside Court 11 stood men dressed in suits, teenage boys with iPod earplugs glued to their ears, teenage girls furiously texting on their mobile phones and older women with headscarves.

A magistrate has warned five accused terrorists and their supporters to behave themselves in court, after a second day of fiery hearings.

Kevin Rudd yesterday baulked at calling for rebellion against Fiji’s military Government after another Pacific leader suggested Fijians should ‘‘rise up’’ to restore democracy.

As Pacific nations plead for help dealing with rising sea levels and savage storms brought by climate change, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has offered to help build sea walls and assist in rehousing those driven from their homes.

Two MPs who have emerged as kingmakers in the Northern Territory have indicated they will vote to topple the embattled Labor Government next week.

Les Hill isn't sure he believes in second chances. But perhaps he should.

It may surprise about 0.3 per cent of Backchat's reading audience to hear this but I'll just go on and admit it anyway: I was an absolutely dreadful teenager.

Australia faces slipping to its lowest place in the history of ICC Test rankings if it cannot conjure an Ashes win.

Melbourne Victory coach Ernie Merrick and captain Kevin Muscat do not want to label the side as they gear up for the defence of their A-League championship.

The world's fastest man could light up Melbourne in October if an ambitious plan to bring Usain Bolt to Australia comes to fruition.

Former world No. 8 Alicia Molik has earmarked a small $US25,000 Pro Circuit event in Darwin next month to launch her return from almost a year in retirement.

Whatever! The Science of Teens, Australia's Heritage: National Treasures and The Solomon Treasures .

A world Test championship aimed at protecting the future of the five-day game will be discussed at a meeting of cricket's law-makers in November, according to a report in England on Wednesday.

Pauline Hanson and former governor-general Peter Hollingworth were treated harshly and unfairly by the Australian media, former prime minister John Howard says.

English Premier League champions Manchester United will start the new season without Dutch goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar, who faces an eight-week layoff with a broken finger.

West Coast midfielder Daniel Kerr will not play again in 2009 after failing to overcome an abdominal problem.

Brisbane defender Daniel Merrett says it is vital the Lions bounce back to form against Essendon at the MCG on Saturday night after last weekend's loss to Collingwood.

The Australian Rugby Union has confirmed it is releasing former league star Timana Tahu from his contract immediately.