As the federal election sweeps closer, the pressure to sell the politicians and their parties is intensifying - and the strategists are turning to digital technologies like never before to give candidates an edge. 

Australian shares have recorded their worst weekly performance this year, with a second straight day of heavy falls. About $53 billion has been wiped off the value of the local market in the past two days, and the Australian dollar remains in the doldrums. After yesterday's 2 per cent dive, the All Ordinaries Index today fell 76 points to 4,964 and the ASX 200 closed down 1.5 per cent to 4,983. Analysts say investors are panicking about the possible withdrawal of stimulus measures in the United States and Japan, and the knock-on effect for the global economy.

A major review of deaths in custody has found a substantial increase in the number of Aboriginal people dying in custody over the past five years. The Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC) study found the overall rate of deaths in state and territory prisons has remained relatively steady over the past 20 years. But there has been a spike in the number Indigenous deaths in custody, in line with an almost doubling of the number of Aboriginal Australians being locked up.

A section of a highway bridge has collapsed in the US state of Washington, sending cars and people into the water below.

A man who strangled his elderly mother during an argument at their home in the NSW southern highlands will spend at least four years behind bars.

The NRL has unveiled new drug testing procedures designed to "level the playing field" and stamp drugs out of the game.

A United Nations human rights investigator has called on all countries to declare a moratorium to prevent so-called "killer robots" being deployed on the battlefield.

Former prime minister Bob Hawke has remembered his late former wife Hazel ''with deep affection and gratitude''.Hazel Hawke died yesterday at the age of 83 after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease.In a statement issued this morning, Mr Hawke said: ''She was more than a wife and mother, being father as well, during my frequent absences as I pursued an industrial then political career."''I think there is general agreement that Hazel did an outstanding job as Australia's First Lady from 1983 to 1991. She was a constant support, particularly through some very difficult times."

Foreign Minister Bob Carr has told a group of Syrian refugees that the United States military does not want to risk a drawn-out war with the Syrian army.

US president Barack Obama has defended the use of drones to kill suspected terrorists, but is imposing limits on how they are used in the future.

Ford's decision to stop making cars in Australia sparks calls for emergency talks on the future of the industry.

Cadel Evans admits Vincenzo Nibali 'more than deserves' a maiden Giro d'Italia crown after dominating the 18th stage.

A major arterial road in Sydney is closed this morning after a milk truck crashed into a shopfront in the city's inner west late last night, killing the driver.

The wife of Australian businessman Matthew Joyce says the 10-year jail sentence and $25 million fine handed down by a Dubai court is effectively a life term.

The British soldier butchered on the streets of London by two suspected Islamists was a 25-year-old father who had fought the Taliban in Afghanistan.The Ministry of Defence named the victim of the bloody attack near a military barracks in Woolwich as Lee Rigby, a machine-gunner with 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.Two more people - a 29-year-old man and a 29-year-old woman - have been arrested in connection with the murder.One of the attackers has been named as 28-year-old UK-born Michael Adebolajo and local reports said both he and his accomplice were known to security services.

Veteran ABC Grandstand commentator David Morrow has been reinstated after his suspension for making a racist joke on air earlier this month.

An 80-year-old Japanese climber who has had four heart surgeries has become the oldest person to reach the summit of Mount Everest.

The number of Australians who are obese has reached "staggering" numbers according to a key government report.

One of the men who brutally attacked and killed a soldier outside a London military base has been identified as a 28-year-old from the city's south-east.British media named him as UK-born Michael Adebolajo and said police had raided a home in Lincolnshire and a property in London.Local reports also said both suspects were known to security services.

The Bulls' Chris Lynn will face a disciplinary hearing after being reported for tweets he made about the assault allegations levelled Ben Te'o.

Penrith has re-signed full-back Matt Moylan who coach Ivan Cleary says has helped power the club to back-to-back wins.

A betting agency head has admitted a proposal by commercial TV networks on limiting gambling ads during sports broadcasts falls short of public expectations.

The Warriors' Ben Henry has succumbed to a season-ending knee injury after he was hurt in training.

A sport science expert has called on AFL clubs to change the way they train to stop the glut of ACL injuries.

The NRL has unveiled new drug testing procedures designed to "level the playing field" and stamp drugs out of the game.

James Hird has repeated his intent to keep coaching the Bombers following the resignation of chief executive Ian Robson.

The Reds have named number eight Radike Samo and full-back Jono Lance to take on the Stormers in Cape Town.

Despite form and fitness woes, Sam Stosur's belief in making another French Open title run is as strong as ever.

Daniel Vettori won't bolster New Zealand's line-up for the second and final Test against England at Headingley.

New Zealand's second highest-capped lock Ali Williams has announced his retirement from Test rugby.

Cricket NSW has appointed former Cricket Australia head of strategy Andrew Jones as its new chief executive.

The ICC has pulled umpire Asad Rauf from Champions Trophy duties amid media reports implicating him in spot-fixing.

China's eighth seed Peng Shuai upset fourth-seeded American Sloane Stephens in straight sets to reach the Brussels Open quarters.

Sergio Garcia shook off a feud with Tiger Woods to shoot an opening-round 72 at the PGA Championship at Wentworth.

UEFA has approved plans to impose 10-game European suspensions on players and officials found guilty of racism.

Australian Marc Leishman is four shots back in a tight field after one round at the US PGA Invitational in Texas.

Stars LeBron James and Kobe Bryan have been picked in the All-NBA first team for the seventh and 11th respective times.

Cadel Evans admits Vincenzo Nibali 'more than deserves' a maiden Giro d'Italia crown after dominating the 18th stage.

Veteran ABC Grandstand commentator David Morrow has been reinstated after making a racist joke on air earlier this month.