Expelled Muslim boy's father blames school. The father of a Muslim boy expelled for urinating on the Bible, burning pages from it then spitting on it has lashed out at the school, saying it failed to protect and control his son.

No action against accused minister. Embattled West Australian Education Minister Ljiljanna Ravlich misled parliament over her knowledge of a corruption probe involving her department.

Small uni teaches the big campuses a lesson. Teaching at the small regional Wollongong University has been rated among the best in thenation for the second year running.

We spurn US on new Iraq role. Australia has turned down a request from the Bush administration to "embed" Australian army troops with Iraqi units as the US-led coalition moves to recast its military presence in the war-torn country.

Childcare tax break works for women. Australia has one of the lowest rates of female workforce participation in the developed world - and the expensive, frustrating, unworkable system of childcare is to blame.

Students spell for East Timor. An East Timor village is about to get a permanent reminder of a Brisbane's school dedication to spelling.

Top marks again, but class is over for high-achieving principal. The principal of James Ruse Agricultural High says he will retire after his selective school tops the HSC achievement list for the 11th year in a row.

Twister wreaks havoc on London street. Hundreds of residents in north-west London are displaced after a tornado ripped through the area destroying homes and cars

Apparent splashdown on Mars has scientists in a lather. For the first time there is evidence that water still flows on Mars, boosting hopes life may lurk below its red dust.

Corruption scandals dog Beijing Olympics. Another senior official has become embroiled in a Beijing Olympics corruption scandal which has already cost a deputy mayor his job, but Games organisers said they had stepped up vigilance against graft.

Apple may be cool but it comes last on green list. Apple Computer may be cool and hip with consumers, but it is anything but a trend-setter when it comes to good environmental policies, Greenpeace says.

Major labels to offer unrestricted MP3s. After years of selling online music digitally wrapped with copy and playback restrictions designed to hinder piracy, major music labels are beginning to make some songs available in the unrestricted MP3 file format....