Copying, cheating rife at unis. Universities in NSW are facing an explosion in the number of students caught plagiarising assignments and cheating in exams, with law students the worst offenders at one big institution.

Private schools rake in $2b windfall. Private schools across Australia are receiving at least $2 billion more than their entitlements under the Federal Government's school funding scheme.

Six students trampled to death. Six students were trampled to death and 39 were injured when a sudden panic caused them to swarm into a staircase at a school in eastern China, state-run Xinhua news agency reported today.

Telstra gamble pays off for Howard. Telstra will become a privately owned company this morning when the federal Government unloads $15.5 billion in Telstra shares, almost twice the amount forecast when it announced the sell-off last month.

Christian pressure kills off bias ban. The South Australian Attorney-General has admitted dropping a planned ban on religious-based discrimination from a new law because of fears from Christians they would be prevented from converting non-Christians.

Schoolies let their T-shirts do the talking. The warning "Don't bother, I'm not drunk yet", printed on the tight, white T-shirts of two young girls celebrating Schoolies' Week on the Gold Coast this year seemed to have little effect on the drooling, eager boys around them.

Medical crisis as doctors quit panel. A group of the state's most senior emergency doctors has resigned en masse from a high-level government committee, signalling worsening relations between the Iemma Government and its frontline physicians.

US, Japan cut farm subsidies. The US and Japan have agreed on further steps to remove billions of dollars in farm subsidies, as part of a last-ditch push by regional leaders to force Europe to reopen stalled global trade talks.

Costello's energy coup at G20. Major oil-producing nations Saudi Arabia and Russia have joined a G20 endorsement of free markets in energy trade, as has the nominally socialist China.

Saudis in threat to cut ties to Britain. Saudi Arabia is threatening to suspend diplomatic ties with Britain unless Downing Street blocks an investigation into a £60 million ($148 million) "slush fund" allegedly set up for members of its royal family.

MySpace a 'willing partner' in music theft. Universal Music Group sues MySpace.com, claiming the online social-networking hub illegally encourages its users to share music without permission.

New software promises to unlock iPod, iTunes. Hacker has developed a system that allows iTunes music to play on other devices and gives iPod users access to other music stores...