James Murdoch has resigned as executive chairman of News International,the British arm of his father's British media empire.The announcement follows more damning evidence of the phone hacking inquiry.Mr.Murdoch is taking up a new post with News Corporation in New York.

 

The defense force is embroiled in another scandal.The ABC 730 Program has revealed one thousand current in severing members have been posting sexist and racist comments on a closed Facebook page.The Chief of Army has ordered an investigation and says those responsible will be reprimanded.

 

Speculation is continuing about who will replace Mark Arbib in the Senate after his sudden resignation.Former Advertiser to Paul Keating and foreign policy expert, Michael Fullilove,looks likely to throw his hat in the ring.The former ALP president,Warren Mundine says he will nominate, if selected he be Labor's first indigenous representative in Federal Parliament.

 

There are reports,the Syria army is advancing on rebel-held areas in Homs.The city has been under sustained attack for nearly a month.Security officials say they plan to retake the district of Baba Amr  within hours.