Sydney  - The Australian Navy intercepted a boat suspected of carrying 54 asylum-seekers off the coast of the Northern Territory, officials said Sunday.

The passengers and crew were taken to the immigration detention centre on Christmas Island, a Australian territory in the Pacific Ocean.

"The Australian government is committed to strong border security arrangements and is determined to deal effectively and appropriately with people smugglers," Home Affairs Minister Bob Debus.

Sydney, Mar 14: Matilda, Heath Ledger''s three-year-old daughter, has been officially named the sole beneficiary of his life insurance policy.

Following a Los Angeles court hearing, her custodian John Laviolette and lawyer William Shernoff emerged from Superior Court Judge Luis Lavin''s chambers wearing smiles.

"It is finalised and everybody is mutually happy," The Sydney Morning Herald quoted Laviolette, as saying.

Sydney, Mar 14 : The Indian women's cricket team beat Australia by 16 runs in a Super Six game with the help of a fine knock of 76 by Anjum Chopra, seriously denting the Australian defence of the World Cup at North Sydney Oval.

Australia is left with two points with a couple of Super Six matches to go, and they must win both and hope that two of England (6) New Zealand (4) and India (4) falter. There are no semi-finals and Australia will be out of the competition if eight points are needed to reach next Sunday''s decider.

Sydney  - Oil from a damaged ship that soiled 60 kilometres of beaches on Australia's east coast will take weeks to remove, officials said Saturday.

There were also fears that 400 tons of ammonium nitrate lost overboard from the Hong Kong-registered Pacific Adventurer could create massive algal blooms in the ocean as the 31 lost containers leak over time.

Planes have been searching in vain for the lost containers from the air. Ammonium nitrate is used to manufacture fertilizer.

Sydney - Australian police charged an Austrian with drug offences Friday after she allegedly attempted to smuggle methamphetamines through Melbourne airport.

Sydney, Mar. 13 : A brilliant spell by England spinner Laura Marsh against Pakistan ensured the top position for the team in Group B of ICC Women''s World Cup.

Off-break bowler Marsh took 5-15, in her ten overs, as England coasted to an eight-wicket victory over Pakistan here at the North Sydney Oval, The News reports.

The Pakistan's women team also qualified for the Super Six stage with a third position in Group B.