Melbourne, November 19 (ANI): A New South Wales police officer and a West Australian truck driver have put their names in the run for next year's Miss Universe Australia.

Melbourne, Nov 19 (ANI): The north-western US state of Montana is home to an annual testicle festival where bulls' testicles are deep-fried and eaten.

Melbourne, November 18 (ANI): A coffee shop with topless female staff is set to reopen its doors in the US.

Melbourne, Nov 18 (ANI): Three Australian men who beat Indian origin doctor Mukesh Haikerwal during an armed robbery in September last year were sentenced to a combined term of 44 years in prison.

Melbourne, Nov 18 (ANI): Former Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin has indicated that she might run for the White House in 2012 to champion the cause of America's Republican right.

Melbourne, November 17 (ANI): Fast-food giant McDonald's was named the most irresponsible creator of food promotions in three out of four categories at Australia's annual children's food marketing Fame and Shame Awards.

Melbourne, Nov 13 (ANI): A Sydney couple has withdrawn their two children from a public primary school because Muslim students bullied their 11-year-old son for eating a salami sandwich during Ramadan.

Melbourne, October 30 (ANI): Most people would prefer being stranded on a desert island with their dog than a human, a new study has found.

Wellington (New Zealand), Oct 30 (IANS) A new Immigration Act, which includes the use of biometrics and a single independent appeals tribunal, became a law in New Zealand Friday, a minister said.

Sydney, Oct 30 (IANS) Insoluble dietary fibre or roughage plays a vital role in the immune system, keeping certain diseases at bay, according to researchers.

Melbourne, October 30 (ANI): Toy doll Barbie's longtime boyfriend Ken has undergone a makeover, and will hit stores next year with a new name and higher style quotient.

Sydney, Oct 29 (IANS) Scientists have developed a method called ecological risk assessment (ERA) which can identify the dangers of different fishing practices.

Sydney, Oct 29 (IANS) Those who suffer from an overactive bladder have reason to be hopeful. Medical researchers have developed an effective treatment for the embarrassing condition.

Melbourne, Oct 29 (IANS) Cricket Australia (CA) announced Thursday that injured wicket-keeper Tim Paine will be replaced by South Australian captain Graham Manou for rest of the one-day series in India.

Wellington, Oct 29 (DPA) New Zealand coach Ricki Herbert has made no changes in the 18-man squad for the critical World Cup qualifying play-off against Bahrain here slated for Nov 14.

Sydney, Oct 29 (DPA) Member of Parliament Kevin Andrews Thursday called for a national debate on whether Muslim immigration to Australia should be curbed.

Melbourne, Oct. 29 (ANI): An Australian MP and former Immigration Minister, Kevin Andrews, has sparked off a row after suggesting that Australia needs to have a serious discussion about the growth of its Muslim population.

Sydney, Oct 28 (IANS) Bollywood filmmaker Karan Johar's Hindi remake of 'Stepmom' will be shot in Sydney and will create 200 jobs for people in the Australian city, said Virginia Judge, minister assisting the Premier on the Arts.

Sydney, October 28 (ANI): A man in Sydney is seeking up to 600,000 dollars in damages from British Airways, alleging he was forced to endure a long-haul flight in a broken seat.

Sydney, Oct 28 (IANS) A road trial of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) is underway. Over the next three months, staff from an energy distribution company will use the PHEVs for commuting to work and for leisure as part of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) project.