Figures from the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research released today, show that generally the incidence of crime has not increased. Apart from an increase in stealing from motor vehicles, much of the recorded crime has remained the same as results from previous years. Commenting on the trends, Dr Weatherburn, director of NSW bureau says the major incidence of crime in NSW is still burglary. Featured in story: Dr Don Weatherburn, director of the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research.

An indigenous sporting competition is struggling due to lack of funds, and has now discovered it can’t even access fields in their local area to host the competition. The Aboriginal National Super League (ANSL) stepped in to fill a void for indigenous communities in North Western NSW with a professionally run sporting competition for Aboriginal teams. When the ANSL came into being last year, it was without any assistance from the government. Michael Anderson, chief executive of the ANSL, says it’s just one more obstacle to an already embattled competition. Featured in story: Michael Anderson, chief executive of the Aboriginal National Super League.

The world is now looking at a massive food crisis. There have been riots in Haiti, Egypt and the Philippines over food costs. The price of rice is now at an all time high, increasing its value by 10% in a single day. For those on the poverty line, the increased value of basic crops such as wheat, corn, maize and rice means starvation. Featured in story: Julian Cribb, Adjunct Professor of Science Communication at the University of Technology, Sydney and Mark Green, Country Director of Caritas Australia in East Timor

The quest for a more beautiful, youthful appearance has seen Australians spend three hundred million dollars on cosmetic procedures last year. The procedures which include botox, ‘facial fillers’ and other non-surgical procedures mean that Australians spend more per capita on cosmetic enhancement than their American counterparts. Featured in story: Dr Mary Dingley, President of the Cosmetic Physicians Society of Australasia, Merrilyn Walton, Associate Professor of Medical Education at the University of Sydney and former Health Care Complaints Commissioner NSW and Dr. Meredith Jones, author of ‘Makeover Culture’ and ‘Skintight: An Anatomy of Cosmetic Surgery’

They appeared on the fashion scene in New York roughly two years ago, and have been seen around Australia in the last couple of months, swaddling fashionable necks all around town. A checkered scarf, mostly black & white, but available in many colours- known as the “Arafat” or the “Desert Scarf” depending on what store you go to. But the scarf has a history, and is known as something much more significant than just a trendy accessory. Featured in story: Rayan Natour, Palestinian Australian student and May Al Hassen, contributor to Kabobfest.com