ABC News: Top Stories
A constantly updated selection of the leading Australian and international news from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

Rudd, Abbott 'running scared on Scientology'
Independent Senator Nick Xenophon has slammed the major parties for blocking his moves for an inquiry into the Church of Scientology.
'Undervalued' women take equal pay test case
A test case on equal pay is being launched today as the first step in a campaign by unions to close the 17 per cent pay gap between women and men.
Jobs growth slows, unemployment ticks up
The unemployment rate crept higher to 5.3 per cent in February, after January's figure was revised down to 5.2 per cent.
Teen denied bail over wheelchair bashing
A second teenager has been denied bail over the bashing of a Canadian man in Sydney on Tuesday night.
Mothers accused of attacking alleged paedophile
Two women will be charged on summons over an alleged assault on an accused paedophile and his lawyer outside the Melbourne Magistrates Court today.
US schools in lockdown after Australian threat
A vague threat apparently posted from Australia on two social networking sites has led to the lockdown of all schools in the busy midwestern US city of Minneapolis.
MP's son facing sexual assault charges
The son of the New South Wales Labor MP John Aquilina has been charged with five counts of sexual assault.
Australian missing off Chilean coast
An Australian sailor is missing off the coast of Chile, two weeks after the nation's massive earthquake triggered a tsunami.
Chronic pain: Australia's 'shameful' situation
Healthcare professionals and industry groups are calling for chronic pain to be recognised as a disease, saying the condition is misunderstood, much like depression was 20 years ago.
School criticised for putting autistic kids in pen
The New South Wales Opposition has described a Sydney school's decision to place children with autism into a pen during play periods as inhumane and cruel.

BBC News | News Front Page | World Edition
Get the latest BBC World news: international news, features and analysis from Africa, Americas, South Asia, Asia-Pacific, Europe and the Middle East.

Abbas 'refuses talks with Israel'
Palestinian head Mahmoud Abbas refuses to restart talks with Israel amid a settlements row, the Arab League says.
Greeks stage fresh general strike
Public and transport services grind to a halt in Greece as workers stage a third strike in protest at austerity measures.
Mexican shakes up world rich list
Mexican Carlos Slim overtakes Bill Gates as the world's richest man, according to the Forbes "rich list", with a fortune of $53.5bn.
DR Congo mines 'hit by extortion'
Former rebels in DR Congo, now in the army, are running mafia-style extortion rackets in mines, campaigners say.
Contractors 'divert Somalia aid'
Up to half the food aid in Somalia is routinely diverted to corrupt contractors and militants, a leaked UN report says.
Chile's new leader to be sworn in
Chilean tycoon Sebastian Pinera will be sworn in as president, with a major post-earthquake rebuilding effort ahead of him.
Haiti situation 'dire', Obama says
Barack Obama warns that the crisis in quake-hit Haiti is not over, as he meets the country's President, Rene Preval.
Pakistan drone raid 'kills 12'
Two missile strikes by US drone aircraft kill at least 12 suspected militants in north-west Pakistan, security officials say.
Google to scan old Italian books
Italy signs a deal with Google to put online the contents of its two national libraries, including works by Dante and Galileo.
Israel supermarket uses parody film of Dubai assassins in advert
An Israeli supermarket chain uses spoof surveillance footage, parodying that of the alleged assassins of a Hamas commander in Dubai, in a TV advert.

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