WORLD BREAKING NEWS TODAY LATEST

Gene modification research 'essential'

2:20PM A GROUP of eminent scientists says genetic engineering of human embryos could greatly enhance human health.

Pope to plead refugee crisis in UN speech

11:28AM POPE Francis will likely nominate poverty and bad government as drivers of conflict and migration in his UN speech.

Bertie the tortoise speeds into records

11:05AM IT'S a record! Bertie, a South African leopard tortoise, is now officially twice as fast as the average tortoise.

Alzheimer's 'seeds' might be transferred

10:49AM ALZHEIMER'S disease might, in rare circumstances, be "acquired" during certain medical procedures, controversial new research suggests.

Sao Paulo city council votes to ban Uber

10:49AM A DEMONSTRATION by thousands of taxi drivers against Uber in Sao Paulo has led to the city council banning the service.

Social gap 'hits UK middle-class health'

10:48AM A BRITISH doctor argues injustices in the country are affecting the health of the middle classes.

Cancer blood test could be game changer

9:43AM A BLOOD test has been able to identify cancer-specific gene mutations in the DNA of sufferers, raising hope of faster diagnosis and earlier treatment.

Trolltunga photos removed after fatal fall

9:41AM NORWEGIAN tourism officials are removing photos of tourists posing dangerously at Trolltunga after an Australian student died from falling off the cliff.

PM's climate clash with Pacific leaders

9:28AM PRIME Minister Tony Abbott has touched down in Port Moresby for a whirlwind chat to Pacific island leaders on the frontline of global warming.

Ros Kelly says Aussies have UK work edge

8:21AM AUSTRALIANS' egalitarian attitude gives them a work edge in the UK where the class system still discriminates against women, Ros Kelly says.

Figures show London commuter chaos scale

1:31AM CROWDING on trains in London is on the increase, according to new data, with 26 per cent of morning peak-hour trains operating at over capacity.

Ex CIA leaders defend actions in new book

1:28AM FORMER CIA officials have taken aim at the Senate report into practises used for extracting information from al-Qaeda prisoners in a new book.

Wednesday, 9 September

Abbott arrives in PNG for Pacific talks

10:29PM PRIME Minister Tony Abbott has arrived in Port Moresby for contentious talks with Pacific island leaders on climate change.

NZ fills void left by ABC cuts in Pacific

10:29PM NEW Zealand is filling the void in Pacific island broadcasting following the axing of the ABC's international arm the Australia Network.

Celebrations over Queen's long reign

10:06PM QUEEN Elizabeth II has opened a railway line in Scotland as part of celebrations as she becomes the longest-serving monarch in British history.

Abbott to face frosty crowd at PIF talks

7:33PM PRIME Minister Tony Abbott is likely to face a hostile room of Pacific island leaders at official talks in Port Moresby.

Aust, NZ blamed for escaped fishing boat

4:22PM A FISHING boat carrying 182 tonnes of illegal catch has escaped from a Thai port, with Sea Shepherd blaming Australian and NZ authorities.

Authors raise $1 million for refugees

2:00PM WRITER Patrick ness started a small campaign to help Syrian refugees and now he's been overwhelmed by the support of other authors.