Tony Abbott has hit back the prime minister's claims that he's sexist. The Opposition leader says Julia Gillard should not dismiss criticism of her on the grounds of gender, but Ms.Gillard is standing by her comments.

 

In Pakistan, doctors have removed a bullet from a 14-year-old girl, who was shot in the head and neck by the Taliban. She is in a stable condition after being attacked as she boarded her school bus in the northwestern Swatch region. The Taliban says she was targeted for campaigning to educated girls. The attack has caused an outcry in Pakistan and across the world.

 

And lawyers for the man accused of murdering Melbourne woman Jill Meagher have called on the courts to suppress material on the internet. They say prejudicial material will damage the case of their client. 41-year-old Adrian Bayley who was accused of raping and murdering Mrs.Meagher.