Southern Cross Cable, Esso, Dmitry Sklyarov, Genoa & Mars

A break in the Southern Cross cable, Australia's fastest overseas data network, off the coast of Sydney will take up to 12 days to repair and leave thousands of users in the lurch.

Esso Australia's record $2 million fine over the fatal Longford gas explosion has been likened to a corporate speeding ticket by unions.

Last week, Dmitry Sklyarov, a PhD computer science student from Russia, came to the United States to share knowledge and information regarding serious security flaws in Adobe software with fellow developers. He was promptly arrested.

Media complacency is helping to normalise the violent assaults carried out by Italian police on the G8 demonstrators in Genoa.

Several scientists have found compelling evidence that Viking Mars landers did indeed discover life on the red planet in 1976. A re-examination of findings relayed to Earth by the probes some 25 years ago, claim the experts, show the tell-tale signs of microbes lurking within the Martian soil.