A classy striker lit up Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday night - but unfortunately for North Queensland Fury fans, it wasn't Robbie Fowler.

Spain will finish 2009 on top of the FIFA world rankings for the second straight year, while Australia have maintained their ranking of 21.

English Championship side Watford feared for their future after the club's loss-making parent company asked for their shares to be suspended following the resignation of board members.

Ricky Ponting was left bruised and battered and Simon Katich heartbroken but Australia took the honours on the opening day of the third Test against West Indies.

Shane Watson felt strangely content despite again missing out on his maiden Test ton, but the Australia all-rounder knows all too well the devastation team-mate Simon Katich is feeling right now.

Renault have confirmed they are to remain in Formula One after selling off a large part of the team to Luxembourg company Genii Capital.

THE Australian dollar closed lower today after comments by Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) convinced traders the current cycle of interest rate hikes may be nearing its peak.

AN intellectually disabled man restrained in 23-hour prison lockdown has avoided spending any more time behind bars.

THE Country Fire Authority website was not accessible this afternoon on the first day of extreme warnings this bushfire season.

CATASTROPHIC fire danger ratings have been declared in two areas of South Australia as a blast of hot weather sweeps the state.

WEIRD, wild and decidedly offbeat research findings have emerged in 2009.

RESIDENTS told to seek shelter immediately as cyclone with 285km/h winds heads their way.

PHOTOS have emerged of wild dogs in Russia that are reported to have turned bright green.

A MELBOURNE man who fatally stabbed his housemate after a fight over missing shirts has been jailed for 10 years.

RESIDENTS of the coastal communities of Koolan and Cockatoo islands in Western Australia's Kimberley region have been told to seek shelter immediately as Tropical Cyclone Laurence heads their way.

AUTHORITIES have intercepted another asylum seeker boat, taking the tally for the year to 55.

FACED with plummeting revenues and print subscriptions, The Miami Herald is trying a new tact to wring some money out of readers - asking nicely.