South Australia's Premier Jay Weatherill will hold meetings with car industry representatives in Melbourne today to discuss the Federal Government's planned changes to the fringe benefits tax. The coalition of car manufacturers, car leasing companies and the salary packaging industry is calling for a moratorium among the changes.

 

A military judge is refusing to dismiss the most serious charge against Bradley Manning, the US soldier accussed of leaking thousands of secret documents to Wikileaks. The charge of aiding the enemy carries a mandatory life sentence. Manning has already pleaded guilty to ten lesser charges.

 

Ine of the country's biggest coal mining project is under the threat. A federal court challenge is being lodged against Whitehaven Coal's new multi-million dollar mining in New South Wales. A local environment group says it will seriously damage the environment if it goes ahead.

 

And South Africans are continuing to celebrate the 95th birthday of their former president Nelson Mandela. President Jacob Zuma has visited Mr Mandela in hospital, while large crowds gathered outside to wish him a happy birthday.