News for your Thursday

13 Dec 2012

Welcome to Twitter, Pope Benedict XVI and an unlike Senate candidate on the cards. Read today’s top stories here.

Pope enters the social media world

In his first official tweet, Pope Benedict XVI blessed his almost one million followers with the English version re-tweeted 15,600 times. The tweet was sent from a tablet after his weekly general audience. More on ABC. 

Follow the Pope on Twitter: @pontifex 

Farewelling Bryson

Following on from yesterday’s news, Detective Inspector Bryson Anderson was laid to rest yesterday in a service at St Patrick’s Cathedral Parramatta. A eulogy was read by NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione, who revealed that despite being injured, Bryson went to the aid of a fellow officer also under attack. Read the full story here.

Dollar boosted

The Australian dollar has risen to a three-month high after the US Federal Reserve announced a stimulation of the US economy. At 7am AEDT, the Australian dollar was trading at 105.61 US cents. Read more.

Collie battles flood

In news coming out of Western Australia, 127mm of rain has battered Collie with wild storms flooding homes and businesses overnight. Rain has eased this morning however warnings are in place for the region. Read more.

Are you in the area? Share your stories and pictures on our Facebook page.

Assange plans to contest a Senate election

From his room in Ecuador’s London embassy, Julian Assange has confirmed that he intends to run as a Senate candidate in the 2013 federal election, with plans to form a WikiLeaks political party. The WikiLeaks party will focus on promoting openness in politics and preventing intrusion of personal privacy. The Age has the story.

Hughes arrives back in Austalia

Despite media waiting at every exit of Sydney airport, Hey Dad! actor Robert Hughes slipped into the city largely undetected early this morning. He was driven straight to Sydney Police Centre and is expected to be charged with 11 offences. Hughes has categorically denied all allegations. More here.

Remember to check out Twitter feed for updates throughout the day: @ProbusSthPac