Melbourne, April 24 : At 83, a yoga instructor is still bending over backwards to spread the benefits of the ancient Indian system.

Bette Calman, who has 40 years of teaching under her belt, is living proof that a lifetime''s dedication to yoga will keep you flexible.

While others her age complain about aches and pains, Calman, from Williamstown, southeast Australia, focuses on getting tough manoeuvres right.

Sydney  - A record-breaking heat wave in February buckled Melbourne's brand-new 120-metre observation wheel so badly that it will be out action for over a year, owners of the big-budget tourist attraction said Friday.

The giant ferris wheel, costing 100 million Australia dollars (65 million US dollars), was shut down six weeks after opening after Australia's second-biggest city recorded a temperature of 45.5 degrees - the highest in 70 years.

The wheel, which has 21 cabins and provides 360-degree views, will be disassembled and repaired off site.

Sydney - Austral

Sydney - Austra

Sydney - Armed bandits have stolen about 100 kilograms of gold worth over 3 million US dollars from Australia-based Resolute Mining limited's gold mine in Tanzania, company officials said Thursday.

Resolute's Golden Pride goldmine is 750 kilometres from Dar es Salaam.

"Resolute Mining Limited advises that there was an armed robbery last night at its Golden Pride goldmine in Tanzania," a statement from the company posted on its website said. "There were no fatalities and the intruders stole approximately

Sydney - Chinese firm Minmetals on Thursday received approval from Canberra to buy mining assets from cash-strapped Australian copper and gold producer OZ Minerals Ltd. Treasurer Wayne Swan said that Minmetals (China Minmetals Non-ferrous Metals Company Ltd) would be required to operate the mines as a "separate business with commercial objectives and using companies incorporated, headquartered and managed in Australia under a predominantly Australian management team."