The Australian Federal Police (AFP) and their Irish counterparts are investigating the source of illegal drugs smuggled inside an Action Man figure and a smiling Mr Potato Head toy after the Australian Customs officers say they found banned ecstasy tablets and cocaine inside the figurines placed in a package that arrived at the Sydney International Mail Centre from Ireland, in late July. The Australian Customs officers say they found the MDMA tablets intended for a home in western Sydney, in a small taped bag inside the toy after an X-ray examination revealed suspicious substances.

After more than 70 years of separation, an 88-year-old British woman is looking forward to a reunion with her younger brother. Olive Winstone of Penarth last saw her brother Sydney Adler when she left home Worcestershire at age 16 in pursuit of a job in an ammunition factory near Haverford west.

Attending the key Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Sydney, U. S. President George Bush has confused the name of the meeting with OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries). The president made the slip in a speech to a group of business leaders. President Bush was on stage at the Sydney Opera House when he thanked Australian Prime Minister John Howard for his kind introduction and also for being such a good host for the "OPEC" summit.

Police arrested a 45-year-old man after a 90-minute rampage through Sydney's western suburbs in an Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) on Saturday. Police cars followed the APC as it destroyed six mobile phone towers and damaged an electricity sub-station. Police were finally able to arrest the man after the APC stalled, as it was heading towards another electricity sub-station.

Every criminal file in the New South Wales Supreme Court is being reviewed after an administrative blunder has resulted in a fresh appeal for murderers. Two of the murderers of Sydney woman, Ms Janine Balding have been granted special leave to take their case to the High Court due to a missing staple from their file. This effectively quashes the pair's unsuccessful appeal in 1992.