8 Monday news bites (August 22)

It’s Monday! Here’s your daily fix of news bites to make your day that little bit easier. Today they’re brought to you by Nat.

1. Human bones have been found at Daniel Morcombe’s search site

Three bones were discovered on Sunday, close to where a second shoe was found on Saturday at the Sunshine Coast search site for Daniel Morcombe’s remains.  A preliminary forensic analysis has confirmed that the bones are human.

Further DNA tests over the next few days will find if they are from the body of the Queensland teenager who has been missing since 2003. His parents have been informed.

2. Libyan rebels capture Gaddafi’s sons as Libyan regime falls

Rebels who have been fighting against the 42-year strong dictatorship of Muammar Gaddafi made the final push for freedom as they entered the nation’s capital with a fighting force. The rebels have captured Gaddafi’s son Saif Al-Islam and two other relatives, directing them to be treated fairly so they can face trial. The death toll among the fighting still sits at an approximate 370 from the capital alone.

3. Craig Thomson scandal deepens as new allegations arise

Labor MP Craig Thomson is facing allegations he breached electoral laws after spending nearly $40,000 on his 2007 campaign using his union credit card. Court documents allege the spending was “not for work purposes” and that he embarked on a $30,000 personal spending spree using his union credit card on Qantas flights for his ex-wife, swanky hotels and expensive restaurant meals. It also included $2050 on sporting memorabilia, $1893 on whitegoods from Bing Lee and The Good Guys, $175 on Margaret River wine and $354 at Strandbags.

Mr Thomson is already facing an investigation by Fair Work Australia over his authorisation of the use of a union credit card to pay for prostitutes while he was in charge of the Health Services Union. His resignation would trigger the likely demise of the Gillard Government.

4. The High Court case full bench hearing of the asylum seeker deportation ban is today.

Lawyer David Manne from the Refugee and Immigration Legal Centre sought an injunction stopping the removal of the group, arguing that Australia did not have the right to deport asylum seekers. The case will be heard before the full bench of the High Court at 2:15pm today.

5. Hackers crack NSW police radio system

The system cost $22 million and was meant to keep police business secret from unwanted eavesdroppers. But hi-tech hackers cracked it within 12 months, selling off the technology to tow-truck drivers for up to $25,000 a time. In the past weeks police have changed the code after discovering the radios were also in the hands of criminals, particularly bikies.

It is believed more than a dozen tow truck drivers have been listening to the police network throughout Sydney for at least two years and in some cases longer. NSW police are refusing to even acknowledge there has been any security breakdown with its radio network.

6. Death of Amy Winehouse sparks surge in rehabilitation clinic check-ins

Since the death of the 27-year-old, well known for her heavy drug and alcohol abuse, on July 23, doctors have seen an increase in people seeking help for substance abuse, London’s Sunday Mirror reported.

The 60-bed Capio Nightingale hospital, where Winehouse was treated, is full and has faced unprecedented demand in the past month, doctors told the Mirror.