Billionaire mining boss Clive Palmer says the majority of Australians want another federal election and resent being "held hostage" by the independent MPs who returned Labor to power yesterday.

A 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck the Fiji region early today, the United States Geological Survey said, but no tsunami warning was issued and there were no reports of any major damage.

The Cancer Council says a new stress management program for cancer sufferers is proving successful.

Independent New England MP Tony Windsor says he is confident he made the right call in backing a minority Labor government.

Treasurer Kevin Foley has returned from meeting Moody's ratings agency overseas confirming the need for budget cuts to keep South Australia's triple-A credit rating.

Former pilots, nurses and emergency workers have gathered at St Paul's Cathedral in London to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the start of the German Blitz on the city.

A 67-year-old man has pushed his lawnmower up the Queensland coast from the Gold Coast to Cairns to raise money for charity.

Hundreds of tourists have decided to remain in Birdsville in the Queensland's far south-west despite an exodus of visitors.

Police have charged a 52-year-old man over the death of a woman at Palm Beach on Queensland's Gold Coast.

Brett Holman reinforced his status as one of the Socceroos' big guns with a decisive half hour display in Australia's 2-1 friendly win over Poland in Krakow.

Militants have carried out a second huge bomb attack in as many days against police in north-western Pakistan.

A number of powerful aftershocks have rocked the city of Christchurch this morning, days after a devastating earthquake hit the city.

Students at Cairns State High School in far north Queensland will be offered counselling today after a German tourist was bashed and raped on the grounds.

Students at a far north Queensland school will be offered counselling today after a German tourist was bashed and sexually assaulted on the city's Cairns State High School grounds.

Australia's national servicemen will be recognised for the first time today with the unveiling of a memorial in Canberra.

John Lennon's killer has been denied parole for the sixth time since he was locked up for murdering the Beatles superstar in New York three decades ago.

A team of Australian and US firefighters running across America is on schedule to arrive in New York on the anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks.

World number one Tiger Woods has been chosen by Corey Pavin as one of the four captain's picks for the US Ryder Cup team.

More than 1 million French workers have taken to the streets to challenge president Nicolas Sarkozy's plan to raise the retirement age to 62, the centrepiece of his reform agenda.

A Florida evangelical church has vowed to go ahead with plans to burn the Koran on the 9/11 anniversary despite fears it may fuel an angry backlash and endanger US and allied troops in Afghanistan.