Obesity increase prompts warning to govts (AAP)
Adult obesity rates are on the rise and require urgent action from state and federal governments, the COAG Reform Council has warned.

Dubai jail term like a 'life sentence' (AAP)
Angela Higgins, wife of businessman Matthew Joyce who has been sentenced to jail in Dubai, says the court's decision was devastating.

RG Dance Studio closes after founder charged with child sex offences (ABC)
The RG Dance Studio in Sydney's inner-west has made the decision to close down after its founder was charged with multiple child sexual assault offences.

Abbott avoids more GST questions (ABC)
The Federal Opposition Leader has refused to detail a conversation he had with Western Australia's Premier about possible changes to Tasmania's GST.

'Not an election budget', state goes further into debt (ABC)
Tasmania's Premier and Treasurer has handed down a pre-election budget without the usual election sweeteners.

Senate Committee releases damning report into Australia's aviation authorities (ABC)
A Senate Committee inquiry has cast serious doubt on the standard of Australia's air safety regulators, warning of systemic failures.

UEFA approves 10-game racism ban, blood tests (AFP)
LONDON (AFP) - European football governing body UEFA on Thursday formally ratified plans to impose 10-game European suspensions on players and officials found guilty of racism.

David Morrow returns to ABC Grandstand after racist joke, won't commentate Origin series (ABC)
Veteran ABC Grandstand commentator Dave Morrow has been reinstated after making a racist joke on air earlier this month.

ICC cuts Pakistani umpire from tournament (AAP)
The allegations of spot-fixing in Indian Premier League cricket has cost Pakistani umpire Asad Rauf his place in the coming Champions Trophy tournament.

UAE to ban anabolic steriod use in horse sports (AFP)
DUBAI (AFP) - Godolphin's founder, Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, issued a decree Thursday banning anabolic steroids in all horse-related sports in the United Arab Emirates.

Rosberg puts Mercedes on top in Monaco (Reuters)
By Alan Baldwin MONACO (Reuters) - Nico Rosberg gave Mercedes a dream start to their Monaco Grand Prix weekend with the fastest time in both practice sessions for the glamour race on Th...

NZ's Vettori out of second Test against England (AFP)
LEEDS, United Kingdom (AFP) - Daniel Vettori was on Thursday ruled out of playing in the second and final Test against England starting in Leeds on Friday after doubts over his ability to last a five-day match.