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KEYWORDS: far eastern curlew, migratory shorebird, Darwin, Singapore, satellite tracking, Larrakia Nations, threatened species

BYLINE: Felicity James

CAPTION: Australia is leading a push to protect a critically endangered shorebird, the far eastern curlew, from extinction. A new agreement to protect the curlew was negotiated by several countries along its migration path in Singapore last week. The plan will involve satellite tracking and further research into the sites the far eastern curlew uses for breeding and resting.

A landmark case in the UK Supreme Court has raised questions about the Government's negotiating strategy to leave the European Union. The Court ruled that the British parliament has the right to trigger the Brexit process rather than the government alone.

It's taken almost two decades, but today a Japanese man has been crowned a Grand Champion in the sport of sumo.

In recent years, competitors to have achieved this highest rank have most often hailed from Mongolia. The 30-year-old man, Yutaka Kisenosato accepted the honour in a formal ceremony today.

Economists are warning lower income earners will face a further financial squeeze in 2017. Official figures show inflation or the general rise in the level of prices remains subdued, rising just 1.5 per cent over the year to December. While wages growth remains sluggish, the cost of basic household items, like fruit and vegetables, and petrol, are rising. Borrowers are also expected to face higher borrowing costs this year.

It claims hundreds of lives each year, but new research could hold the key to predicting and preventing the spread of prostate cancer. An international research team has found a new pathway which can potentially regulate the spread of the disease around the body. The discovery could lead to the a blood test which could predict patients with aggressive prostate cancer

Australia's slide down a key global corruption index appears to have ended, with Transparency International ranking Australia 13th in its Corruption Perceptions Index, but the group's local arm warns that the pause may be temporary. The report measures perceptions of corruption in the public services of 176 countries, with Denmark and New Zealand performing the best. Somalia has performed the worst.

The New South Wales Government is being warned not to delay reforms aimed at combating abuse and exploitation of the elderly. The Government has handed down its response to a parliamentary inquiry on elder abuse. It says it's committed to protecting older people, but there's no firm commitment on two of the inquiry's key recommendations.

A senior lawyer who alleges a cover up of intentional environmental non-compliance at gas giant, Origin Energy has launched a case that will test whistle-blower protections under the Corporations Act for the first time. Sally McDow alleges her life was shattered after a cover up at the highest level including by former Chief Executive, Grant King who now heads the Business Council of Australia. The whistle-blower has launched a broadened statement of claim in the Federal Court and Origin Energy has vowed to strongly defend itself.

Victoria Police is facing fresh questions about its pursuit policy following the leaking of an email advising officers that 'time is on your side' when intercepting vehicles. The force has already been criticised for not intercepting the stolen car before Friday's deadly Bourke Street crash. Meanwhile, 10-year-old victim of the crash Thalia Hakin has been farewelled at a funeral, while authorities begin planning a permanent city memorial.

Hundreds of electrical workers in Darwin have lost their jobs today at the Japanese-owned Inpex Ichthys gas project. Construction of the project's power plant has been held back by cost-blow outs and lengthy delays. Unions say the way today's redundancies have been handled is a disgrace.