Sydney  - A train carrying iron ore derailed in the remote Pilbara region on Australia's east coast, spilling 80 freight cars and millions of dollars worth of ore onto the tracks, news reports said Friday.

The freight train, owned by giant miner Rio Tinto Ltd, was bound for Dampier Port, tore up 800 metres of track when it came off the rails.

Laurissa Smith, a reporter for national broadcaster ABC, described the scene.

Sydney  - A Hong Kong high-roller who walked out of Sydney's Star City casino millions of dollars richer didn't pad his wallet with winnings from the baccarat tables.

Luck had nothing to do with it, Tabcorp chief executive Elmer Funke Kupper admitted Friday.

The casino cashed a dud cheque written out for 11.5 million Australian dollars (7.5 million US dollars) and let the unnamed gambler leave after he cashed in his chips.

Sydney  - Retired Australian swimmer Ian Thorpe has denied he is in a sexual relationship with Brazilian housemate Daniel Mendes.

"Over the last few days there have been a series of press articles published, speculating about my friendship with Daniel Mendes," the five-time Olympic gold medallist said in a statement published Friday.

"In the past, on several separate occasions, I have answered questions about my sexuality openly and honestly with the media ... my situation in this regard has not changed."

Sydney, Jan. 29 : Australian fast bowler Stuart Clark has been ruled out of next month''s cricket tour of South Africa following a setback with his troublesome elbow.

National selectors'' chairman Andrew Hilditch said his panel wasn''t prepared to risk Clark''s fitness following recent surgery with such a heavy playing schedule for the national team over the coming 12 months.

Sydney  - Alex Bellini fell just 65 kilometres short of his bid to row the 18,000 kilometres of Pacific Ocean between Lima and Sydney.

After nine months at sea, and almost in sight of Australia's east coast, the Italian activated his EPIRB, or emergency beacon, in December and the rescue cavalry was called out.

It wasn't a difficult, dangerous or costly rescue, but it fed into a debate in Australia and New Zealand about curbing the limits of solo seafaring.

Sydney  - Adelaide and Melbourne on Wednesday sweltered through one of their hottest days on record.

Adelaide chalked up its warmest day in 70 years, with temperatures reaching 45.5 degrees.

Melbourne, Australia's second-biggest city, reached 42 degrees.

The women's singles quarter-final of the Australian Open in Melbourne was halted for 45 minutes and the roof on the arena closed to shade the tennis players.

Train and tram services were cancelled across the roasting southern states.