Rescuers are still searching for up to 30 people missing after an asylum-seeker boat smashed into cliffs on Christmas Island. At least 30 people, including eight children, died in Wednesday's accident. The Prime Minister Julia Gillard has defended the time it took for Australian authorities to reach the wreck. 

 

US President Barack Obama says the US is on track to defeat al-Qaeda in Afghanistan. Mr Obama has released an annual strategy review of the war, showing the terror group as is at its weakest since 2001. The report also endorsed reducing NATO forces from July next year. 

 

Ireland may be forced to change its strict ban on abortion after a European court ruled the country's laws violated a woman’s rights. The Human Rights Court heard the cases of three women living in Ireland who had to go to Britain to have abortions. It found one woman who feared her pregnancy might reverse her cancer remission should have been allowed an abortion in Ireland. 

 

Super storm cells are continuing to slam pockets of south-east Queensland. Three people were killed yesterday as storms caused widespread damage and blackouts across the state. And in New South Wales, one man died and two others are being treated in hospital after they were struck by lightning in Newcastle.