IT'S probably too late to save the Great Barrier Reef and other coral reefs from destruction by global warming, a group of leading marine scientists say.

A BUS driver has escaped being crushed by his bus when it rolled forward at a Melbourne railway crossing, pushing him up against a sign, police and witnesses said.

A FUEL drum exploded in a teenager's face when he tried to open it with an electric grinder.

A WOMAN has died following a head-on crash on Brisbane's Story Bridge last night.

Around 12,000 New South Wales security guards stand to be suspended at the end of today, when the deadline for new licences hits.

New transport arrangements will take effect next month for disabled people attending the Adult Day Support Service at Rocherlea in Launceston.

Sex workers are calling on the New South Wales Government to overturn laws that give local councils the power to shut down brothels on the basis of a single complaint.

Lehman Brothers Holdings said Q4 earnings fell 12% as the credit market crisis triggered write-downs, and the company said further write-downs were possible.

VICTORIA'S water say a sunken ferry in the mouth of Melbourne's Yarra River may end up obstructing the shipping channel.

FEWER than five per cent of Aboriginal preschoolers brush their teeth regularly, according to a report showing rates of dental decay are rising.

THE Rudd Government is preparing to send the navy and air force to monitor Japanese whalers about to enter Australian waters.

VICTORIA'S water say a sunken ferry in the mouth of Melbourne's Yarra River may end up obstructing the shipping channel.

Shareholders from the US media group Dow Jones have agreed to sell their company to Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation.

SYDNEY, Dec 14 (Reuters) - Origin Energy Ltd ORG.AX, Australia's second-largest power retailer, has held talks about buying the TRUenergy power utility of Hong Kong's CLP Holdings Ltd 0002.HK for around A & #36;5 billion ( & #36;4.4 billion), the

SYDNEY, Dec 14 (Reuters) - Australian shares are seen steady to marginally down on Friday, but commodity stocks are expected to fall due to lower base metals and oil prices.

China and the United States, two of the world's largest oil consumers, have agreed to cooperate on the use of their strategic petroleum reserves.

US Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson came away from two days of talks with China with a promise that Beijing will open its financial markets a little wider.

This year more than 200 Australians died in accidents involving trucks, and one of the main causes was fatigue.

Tasmania's Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TCCI) wants the new owners of the Hobart airport to push for international flights to the state.

Financial markets continue to mull over the coordinated action by five of the world's central banks to address the global credit market crisis.