Who was naughty and who was nice this year?

Did Qantas end up on the good list or bad list? Source: News Corp Australia

Qantas has made the biggest reshuffle of it's senior executive team since 2012.

THE year is almost over and Australia has been witness to a number of success stories, as well as challenges that threatened to engulf the best of them.

Here's how 2014 played out in the world of brands we love and love to hate.

IT'S BEEN A GOOD YEAR FOR:

● ALDI

In the land of the supermarket duopoly, consumer advocates have hailed the emergence of discount chain Aldi as a genuine threat to the established order.

The German retailer, which opened its first Australian store in 2001, has gradually been growing its market share. It now sits in fourth place behind Woolworths, Coles and Metcash.

Aldi has some very enthusiastic fans. Source: News Corp Australia

This year has seen the chain come of age. A report last month by Morgan Stanley found that, with 350 stores and $4 billion in sales, the German retailer had reached "critical mass". This means it is now a force to be reckoned with, and has the power to change the dynamics of the market.

With about 10 per cent of the market in the eastern states, upcoming expansion into South Australia and Western Australia is set to supercharge growth in coming years.

● DOMINO'S PIZZA

In a year defined by carb-cutting, I Quit Sugar-ing, and gourmet hipster everything, who would have thought Brisbane-based Domino's Pizza would be the standout business success story?

A look at its share price tells you all you need to know: Domino's shares have skyrocketed by nearly 60 per cent this year and 500 per cent over the past five years.

The fast-food chain has successfully ridden the technology wave with its mobile and online ordering platforms, as seen by the popularity of its Pizza Mogul app.

Some customers have made big money off the Pizza Mogul app. Source: Supplied

With a market share in Australia and New Zealand of about 7 per cent of the fast-food category, it's the fifth-ranked fast-food restaurant and the highest-ranked pizza chain — and pizza is a growing category.

● ATLASSIAN

Software company Atlassian has often been hailed as the poster-child of the Australian start-up scene, and 2014 was a particularly good year.

Since starting in a Sydney garage with just $10,000 on a credit card back in 2002, founders Mike Cannon-Brookes and Scott Farquhar have grown the company to a valuation of $3.5 billion.

Any office with a magic eight ball bean bag is pretty cool. Source: News Limited

The 12-year-old business took out the top honour in BRW magazine's annual Best Places to Work rankings this year, and scored third place in JobAdvisor's Coolest Tech Companies list.

Atlassian develops software for businesses, geared towards other software developers or project managers. Its customers include the likes of NASA, eBay and Deutsche Bank.

Despite an unconventional business model, which includes no sales staff, revenue grew by a massive 44 per cent in the 2013-14 financial year to $242 million.

The founders also topped the BRW Young Rich List.

● ARN

At a glitzy awards ceremony in Sydney last month replete with acrobats, a hip-hop violinist and Gina Rinehart, some guy called Ciaran Davis was named CEO of the Year — and with pretty good reason.

Moving Kyle and Jackie O to ARN was a risky move that paid off. Source: Supplied

He's the boss of Australian Radio Network and the man behind the successful migration of star breakfast duo Kyle and Jackie O from rival 2DayFM at the start of this year.

The move decimated 2DayFM's ratings and advertising revenue, and led to ARN's best year yet, taking out the number one and two FM stations and breakfast shows in Sydney and the number one FM stations around the country.

ARN's other star pair, Jonesy and Amanda, also took the number one spot later in the year.

Former Nova hosts Dave "Hughesy" Hughes and Kate Langbroek look set to spearhead the rebranding of Melbourne's Mix station to Kiis in the new year. A pretty good year, all in all.

● AIR NEW ZEALAND

The Kiwi carrier stands in stark contrast to Qantas, which — despite looking on track for a pretty stunning turnaround after a $2.8 billion loss — can't be said to have had a good year by many measures.

Air New Zealand's in-flight videos are something you'll actually pay attention to. Source: Supplied

Air New Zealand was again named Airline of the Year for the second consecutive year by AirlineRatings.com, with its in-flight innovations, record financial performance, operational safety and motivation of its staff coming in for praise.

"Quite simply, Air New Zealand is an airline of first choice," AirlineRatings.com editor-in-chief Geoffrey Thomas said. "And given the airline's location and the country's size its performance is even more remarkable."

That's not to mention its powerful social media appeal — its in-flight safety videos regularly attract millions of views online — and pop culture cut-through with its Hobbit/Lord of the Rings tie-in.

Pretty choice, eh brew?

IT'S BEEN A BAD YEAR FOR:

● QANTAS

They were the headlines no company CEO wants to see: "Qantas dives to record $2.8 billion loss" and "Qantas slashes 5000 jobs". So it's been a challenging year for Qantas.

When the Qantas dramarama was happening, more than a few people wanted to see Alan Joyce out the door. Source: News Corp Australia

Australia's iconic airline was plagued by one bad turn after another after it announced a record multi-billion loss as well as the axing of thousands of jobs. There were calls for parliamentary inquiries into the state of affairs and boss Alan Joyce's scalp.

It even rounded off the year with several midair turnarounds due to mechanical failures, all in the space of a few days.

But there are green shoots. After the year it's had, Qantas is well set up for next year as the airline announced it has returned to profits after the massive cost-cutting exercise that was 2014.

● COLES

Yes, people are still buying groceries. Lots and lots of groceries. But Coles has been beset by a PR cloud that didn't dog its chief rival, Woolworths, to the same degree.

Where "fresh" isn't always fresh. Source: Supplied

Central to this bad year was the fact that Coles was caught out for its "fresh-baked" claims on bread that wasn't, well, freshly baked. A lawsuit by the ACCC, and initiated by former Victorian premier Jeff Kennett, found that Coles' freshly baked in store bread was actually partially baked thousands of kilometres away months in advance. Oops.

Coles was banned from using the "fresh" claims for three years and copped a $3 million fine. Which is nothing compared to the fines the supermarket giant is facing over how it's been treating its suppliers. That dirty laundry has also been aired in public which, along with 600 jobs being cut in its Toorak office, all spells a tough year for Coles.

● COMMONWEALTH BANK

OK, so CBA has actually had a good year in terms of its balance sheet. The bank made a record cash profit of $8.68 billion in its full-year earnings.

CBA chief executive officer Ian Narev faced a barrage of angry customers after the bank was exposed as having engaged in fraudulent practices. Source: News Corp Australia

But it was also embroiled in a PR storm when the financial planning scandal hit its full force in July. The bank apologised to customers after it was revealed that its employees were found to have given fraudulent advice to thousands of customers. One of the more brazen acts CBA's advisers undertook was forging signatures.

It's paid back $52 million to affected customers and set up an "open advice program" to investigate customers' claims but critics have said it's not enough, especially as the compensation scheme is being overseen by the bank itself.

● TOYOTA

The year started with a death knell for the car manufacturing industry in Australia. Following Holden's announcement at the end of last year that it would exit, Toyota followed suit in February. The Japanese brand will become solely an importer of its cars from 2017 — the first since 1968 when Corollas originally rolled off local production lines.

Toyota Australia president Max Yasada confirmed the manufacturer would no longer make cars in Australia. Source: News Limited

More than 2500 thousands jobs at Toyota's Altona factory will be lost within a few years, while an industry of 50,000 car manufacturing support positions is under threat.

Just like Holden and Ford before it, Toyota blamed the closures on new free trade agreements, the Australian dollar, the relatively high cost of local labour and low tariffs. Toyota has lost an estimated $1.75 billion over the past 10 years, despite taxpayer bailouts of about $1.2 billion.

Then in April, Toyota issued a recall of more than 300,000 cars.

● PIE FACE

It seemed like it was the little Aussie success story conquering the glittering lights of New York City. But underneath it, Pie Face was crumbling.

A less than happy face for Pie Face. Source: News Corp Australia

The eatery chain, which had more than 70 stores, was placed into administration in November after it emerged that a number of company-owned stores were losing money as well as growing pains in its US operations.

The Australian Financial Review predicted as many as 70 per cent of its stores faced closure.

Earlier this year, a franchisee in Brisbane sued the company alleging that he was "misled" over how lucrative the business would be.

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Is this the end of the Big Mac?

McDonald's fans were outraged at false claims the fast food chain was scrapping its famous Big Mac burger. Source: News Limited

THOUSANDS of McDonald's customers have their knickers in a knot over rumours about changes to the fast food chain's menu.

But don't freak out. The Big Mac is here to stay.

Following the announcement that McDonalds plans to "streamline" its menu in the US, a hoax tweet and a fake news story reporting that Big Macs, Apple Pies and large size options would be scrapped, sent some burger lovers into a frenzy. They even started a hashtag, #savethebigmac,

The tweet that started the whole thing was from a fake McDonald's Twitter account.

The fake tweet from McDonald's. Source: Twitter

Adding fuel to the fire was this article from Daily Buzz Live, which claimed that McDonald's was removing Big Macs, Apple Pies and large sized portions from the menu.

McDonald's was forced to clarify the issue for thousands of devastated Big Mac fans.

Changes to the menu only apply to American McDonald's restaurants. There will "one Quarter Pounder with Cheese burger versus four; one Premium Chicken sandwich versus three; one Snack Wrap versus three," spokeswoman Lisa McComb told The Huffington Post.

The changes come after reports this week that McDonald's global sales fell 2.2 per cent in November, and US sales tumbled 4.6 per cent.

McDonald's chief executive officer Don Thompson said after speaking to investors recently, the company was going back to basics.

"We are streamlining our merchandising menu board and product offerings and in addition to making it easier for customer to order their favourite products, this will reduce complexity in our restaurants which in turn should enhance accuracy and speed of service," he said.

But a spokesman for McDonald's Australia told news.com.au the menu will stay the same in Australia.

"We've never gone to that level of detail [with our menu] that the States have. We don't have four variations of the Quarter Pounder, for instance," spokesman Chris Grant said. "I want to reaffirm here that there won't be any changes to our menu."

And thanks goodness for that.

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‘It’s a win for common sense’

Homeopathy is a system of alternate medicine that has limited scientific backing. Source: Supplied

SCIENCE: 1, anti-vaccination movement: 0.

An online homeopathy business who told consumers the whooping cough vaccine was "unreliable at best" and "largely ineffective" has breached Australian consumer law, the federal court has ruled.

On Tuesday, the court found that Homeopathy Plus! engaged in misleading and deceptive conduct in relation to statements and articles on its website about the whooping cough vaccine. Homeopathy Plus! claimed that the vaccine for whooping cough is ineffective and unreliable and that homeopathic treatments were an effective alternative.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission first examined the matter in 2012 and says the court's ruling is a significant victory "for common sense".

"We were worried if people were reading these kind of statement they would choose not to have the vaccine and rely on one of these homeopathic treatments," the ACCC Commissioner Sarah Court told news.com.au. "There are real public safety risks that come from that kind of statement."

A child receives an injection. Source: Supplied

Ms Courts said the court heard a significant amount of medical evidence.

"They heard from three medical experts and Homeopathic Plus also called some medical evidence. But the court found that there was no credible scientific basis for the claims that Homeopathy Plus! was making and that there is ample evidence that the whooping cough vaccine does a good job in protecting the majority of people."

Homeopathy Plus is an online business that sells homeopathy products and advocates for homeopathy treatment. A spokesman was unable to provide comment to news.com.au.

On the business' Facebook page — which was more than 27,000 fans — the organisation thanked its supporters "who wished for a different outcome".

The matter will return to court in February to when it will hear submissions on penalty notices. The maximum penalty for breaching consumer law is $1.1 million for a business and $220,000 for an individual.

Whooping cough is a highly infectious respiratory disease which is most serious in young children.

Medical professionals have expressed concern at the anti-vaccination movement, which has gained momentum in some wealthy Australian suburbs.

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PM warns of increased ‘terror chat’

Speaking on the eve of the Christmas break, Tony Abbott said that Australian's should go about their business as usual over the festive season even though there is a heightened terror chatter according to security agencies.

Christmas warning ... Prime Minister Tony Abbott has spoken of a 'heightened level of terror chatter' in the wake of the Martin Place siege. Picture: Gary Ramage Source: News Corp Australia

PRIME Minister Tony Abbott has warned of a "heightened level of terror chatter" in the wake of last week's Sydney siege.

Although the government's assessment of the terror threat has not changed, Mr Abbott told reporters that the level remained on "high" — meaning an attack is considered likely.

The National Security Committee, which now includes Defence Minister Kevin Andrews and Immigration Minister Peter Dutton, met today after the swearing-in ceremony at Government House and were briefed by the heads of ASIO and the Australian Federal Police.

The committee was told of a "heightened level of chatter among people we normally think of as terrorist sympathisers," Mr Abbott said.

Asked whether the chatter was related to last week's siege in Sydney's Lindt cafe, Mr Abbott said he would not "speculate" but conceded that the incident had prompted action among Australia's security services.

Aftermath of the siege ... Sydneysiders are still reeling from the impact of the December 15 tragedy, but Mr Abbott has warned that security agencies were detecting increased chatter among 'terrorist sympathisers' since the incident. Picture: Don Arnold/Getty Images Source: Getty Images

"In the aftermath of the incident ... one of the things we are doing is asking ourselves do we need to go back and have a look at people who have come to our attention previously and see what is best done to ensure that the community is safe as it humanly can be," Mr Abbott said.

"This is the assurance I give the Australia people — the first duty of government is the safety of the community.

"This government; this Prime Minister will do everything it possibly can to keep you safe. We know there are people out there with evil intentions and we will do everything we can to keep you from them.

"There are people who would do us harm and can do us harm," he said.

"Our law enforcement agencies and police forces and security agencies will be working around the clock to keep you as safe as possible around the holiday season, as they do at all times."

Mr Abbott encouraged Australians to "celebrate the festival season as normal" but urged anybody who saw anything "untoward" to call the government's terrorism hotline, 1800 123 400.

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Secrets of world’s fastest plane

The Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird. Picture: John Rossino, USAF Source: Supplied

BACK in 1976 this aircraft landed in the record books as the fastest plane on Earth, soaring through the skies at a dizzying speed of 3530km/h.

In the process, it forced the rules of flight navigation to be rewritten. That's because at that speed, visuals of mountains, highways or other landmarks were impossible, and even the best air defence systems had no hope of catching the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird.

The feat was made even more remarkable due to the fact that 38 years later, the record still stands. Nobody has been able to do better since then.

A Lockheed SR-71 takes off. Picture: Dan Davison Source: Flickr

Pilots who flew the jet decades ago told of the incredible experience: "At 85,000 feet to Mach 3, it was almost a religious experience," US air force Colonel Jim Wadkins said. "Nothing had prepared me to fly that fast … My God, even now, I get goose bumps remembering. "

Most commercial planes usually fly at an altitude of approximately 37,000 feet (11,000 metres).

The tail end of the incredible SR-71 Blackbird. Picture: Thomas Ormston Source: Flickr

So what makes the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird so special? Gizmodo has unearthed this fascinating video, which unlocks its secrets.

The video explains just how the engine is capable of pushing the plane from 0 to Mach 3.2 without breaking a sweat.

There is also an inlet spike which, at supersonic speeds, takes the pressure of the leading supersonic shock wave off the engine so it has the best airflow.

It's an impressive plane. Picture: Luke Heidelberger Source: Flickr

This little fact but things into perspective. On its retirement flight from Los Angeles to Washington in 1990, to its final resting place in the Smithsonian Air & Space collection, the plane flew coast to coast in 67 minutes. Today, that trip would take nearly five hours in a commercial plane.

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First cougar in Kentucky since 1861

Cougar ... First animal (not pictured) of its type seen in Kentucky since before the American Civil War. Picture: US Fish and Wildlife Service Source: Supplied

THE first cougar seen in the "Bluegrass State" state Kentucky since before the 1861-1865 American Civil War has had his fate promptly decided.

The cougar — known as a mountain lion in America — was once native to Kentucky.

A young male was spotted up a tree on a farm in Bourbon County. The farmer promptly called Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, who arrived and shot the cougar dead.

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Mark Marraccini, a spokesman for the department, said the animal had been in a tree by a barking dog and an officer decided it was best to "dispatch it", The Courier-Journal reported.

He said the officer shot the cat because it was getting dark and the animal might slip away and threaten people in the nearby city of Paris, population 8553 in a 2010 census.

"If that cat had left that tree, it would have disappeared into the brush and it was a fairly populated area," said Marraccini, who said it would have taken several hours and it would have been dark before a state veterinarian could retrieve the tranquilliser from her safe and get it to the scene, had officials taken that route.

"It sounds good but it's pretty impractical," said Marraccini, who said the officer who shot the cat made the right call.

"That's the way the officers deemed to handle it and I don't see any reason why it shouldn't be handled that way," he said.

Cougar ... also known as a mountain lion in the USA. Picture: AP / National Park Service Source: AP

The cougar weighed 60kg and was healthy, an examination found.

It is not known if the animal escaped from captivity or was wild.

The Cougar Network states that the cat is mostly confined to the western US but is advancing east. For years, the Mississippi River was thought to be a barrier to the mountain lion's eastern expansion, but it is becoming clear they have been getting close to Kentucky.

Mountain Lion Foundation's Amy Rodrigues told The Courier-Journal that cougars have colonised in South Dakota, Nebraska and Missouri with sightings in recent years in Indiana and even downtown Chicago.

Rodrigues said that the cougar should not have been killed and the sight of a cougar should not cause fear.

"If you're a deer, they're a little dangerous. If you're a human, not so much," she said.

"Attacks on people are not that common. There have only been 22 deaths in the last 120 years."

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Burns replaces Marsh for third Test

Darren Lehmann is confident David Warner will be fit for the boxing day Test, while Queenslander Joe Burns has replaced the injured Mitchell Marsh.

Joe Burns has been added to Australia's Test squad of 13 for the Melbourne Boxing Day Test against India. Picture: Jono Searle Source: News Corp Australia

QUEENSLAND batsman Joe Burns has been added to Australia's Test squad of 13 in place of injured all-rounder Mitch Marsh for the Melbourne Boxing Day Test against India.

Burns, 25, has scored 439 runs at an average of 54.87 in five Sheffield Shield matches for Queensland this summer.

SIX THINGS YOU DON'T KNOW ABOUT JOE BURNS

Australia coach and selector Darren Lehmann said top-order player Burns was capable of batting anywhere in the top six.

Joe Burns produced the third-highest score on debut by Queenslander when he scored 140 against South Australia in 2010-11. Source: News Corp Australia

"We think Shane Watson did a really good job for us with the ball," Lehmann said.

"We'd like him to make more runs but he did a good job with the ball and he can do that all-rounder job for us so that's why we went with a batter.

"(Burns) is a very good player against fast bowling. He's had a good couple of summers of Shield cricket.

"His performances this year have been very good."

Coach Darren Lehmann says Australia needs Brad Haddin to make more runs. Shane Watson is also out of form, but the 33-year-old's spot in the side is safe thanks to Mitch Marsh's injury.

Burns, who will play for the Brisbane Heat in their opening BBL04 at ANZ Stadium tonight,

was told by Chairman of Selectors Rod Marsh of his selection and admitted his normal pre-game routine would need to be carefully observed tonight.

"It took a fair while to sink in,'' he said. "I'm over the moon at the news as it is the best Christmas present I could ever hope for.

"I'll get sorted before the game tonight and then see what I have to do tomorrow but I'm just so happy."

Mitchell Marsh will miss the third Test due to a hamstring injury. Source: Getty Images

Lehmann said Mitch Marsh, who has a hamstring concern, will travel with the squad to Melbourne as part of his preparations for next month's fourth Test in Sydney.

Opening batsman David Warner has been named in the squad despite a thumb injury.

Pace bowlers Ryan Harris and Peter Siddle remain in the squad for the Melbourne Test, with Harris likely to return to the side after missing the Brisbane Test with a sore quad muscle.

Australia's Test squad: Steve Smith (c), David Warner, Chris Rogers, Shane Watson, Shaun Marsh, Joe Burns, Brad Haddin, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon, Peter Siddle, Ryan Harris

Originally published as Burns replaces Marsh for third Test

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WATCH: Why Sussan Ley has fight

Sussan Ley was an early standout performer during Question Time. Source: News Limited

SHE'S just doubled the female headcount in Cabinet, but most Australians wouldn't know her from a bar of soap. So just who is Sussan Ley?

As Assistant Minister for Education under Christopher Pyne, the junior minister was a surprise performer in the first few weeks of the Abbott Government.

The country member from the NSW seat of Farrer, who was elected back in 2001, soon became known for stealing the show with her fiery and assured delivery, both in Question Time and in media appearances such as the ABC's Q&A.

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"The best feeling in the world is not going from one staff member and Google to half a dozen and a department, but walking into the chamber for the first time and sitting down on the government benches," she told the Herald Sun in 2013.

"That has given me a tremendous lift."

Arguably her most high-profile stoush was the scrapping of Labor's $300 million Early Years Quality Fund, ostensibly set up to increase wages for low-paid childcare workers but which Ley slammed as a "slush fund" aimed at boosting union membership.

"We know that every member of the Labor Party in this place owes their existence to a union, but never before has $300 million of taxpayers' money been used in the pursuit of this disgraceful aim," she told Parliament in December 2013.

"This was never about early years, this was never about quality, this was never about educators, this was never about the children. This was only ever about the union."

An independent report by PwC bolstered the case for ditching the Early Years Quality Fund, which would have given pay rises of $3 an hour to some of the lowest paid workers, but crucially not all of them.

Even the ABC's Fact Check came down on Ley's side, finding her claim to be "in the ballpark".

"The $300 million was earmarked for low-paid workers and linked to raising the quality of care they provide to children," Fact Check wrote.

"However, there are reasonable criticisms of the amount allocated to the fund, the uneven way it was distributed and the adoption of a first-come-first-served policy. This process favoured the union."

Before being elected to office, Ley held a variety of colourful "real-life" jobs — from an air traffic controller, to a pilot, to a shearers' shed cook.

A Bachelor of Economics, Master of Taxation Law and Master of Accounting, Ley rose through the ranks of that Taxation Office prior to seeking preselection in 2001.

She migrated to Australia at the age of 13 after spending her early childhood living in the United Arab Emirates with her British parents.

She'll now have to turn her attention to the vexed issue of GP co-payments.

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Unlikely hero emerges at Gabba

After losing two early wickets, Australia are closing in on a second Test win against India at the Gabba.

No one is more popular now than Steve Smith. Source: Getty Images

FOLLOW the live coverage of day four of the second Test at the Gabba.

Scroll to the bottom of the page for blow-by-blow coverage.

LIVE SCOREBOARD: AUSTRALIA vs INDIA SECOND TEST

5.30pm — ROGERS' INNINGS PROVES VITAL

Chris Rogers took the pressure off Australia's batting lineup Source: Getty Images

A QUICKFIRE half century from Chris Rogers was decisive as Australia fell over the line in the second Test at the Gabba.

Chasing 128 for victory the home side was in control at 2/85 before Rogers's knock of 55 runs from 57 balls came to an end.

Steve Smith (29) and Shaun Marsh (17) then took Australia within 14 runs of the win before they both fell within five balls of each other.

Brad Haddin also fell cheaply to leave the score at 6/122 but there was never any real danger as Mitch Marsh (six not out) and Mitch Johnson (two not out) finished the job.

It completed a fantastic recovery in the second half of the game after the Indians looked on track for an upset win.

Fantastic lower order hitting from the Australian tail in the first innings and a fine day four bowling performance were critical.

Smith was named man of the match in his first game as captain after scoring 133 in the first innings to hold the Australian batting order together.

"It was nice to get home there in the end. The way the boys came back after that first day was remarkable," Smith told Channel 9.

"I enjoyed the whole thing. The first day was one of the toughest I've seen in any day of cricket ...

"But we came out and bowled well in the second innings and created the chances we needed."

Scroll down to catch up on all the action from day four, including a controversial statement issued by the Indian team.

5.20pm — MESSY FINISH FOR AUSTRALIA

Steve Smith was run out for 28. Source: Getty Images

AUSTRALIA is making hard work of this run chase but is still in control despite the departures of Shaun Marsh, Steve Smith and Brad Haddin.

Marsh was caught down the leg side by wicketkeeper MS Dhoni for 17 after attempting to nudge a Umesh Yadav delivery.

Smith (28) followed five balls later when a direct hit saw him short of his crease before Brad Haddin (1) hit the ball straight to Virat Kohli at fine leg.

Australia is 6/122, needing only six runs to win.

4.45pm — ROGERS DEPARTS WITH GAME IN CONTROL

Chris Rogers matched his first innings score of 55. Source: News Corp Australia

CHRIS Rogers has put Australia in the boxseat to win the second Test, scoring a run-a-ball 55 to take the game away from India.

The opener has just been caught in the slips off Ishant Sharma (3/33) but leaves with Australia just 43 runs from victory at 3/85.

Shaun Marsh has joined Steve Smith (12 not out) at the crease to finish the job.

4.35pm — KOHLI GIVES STEVE SMITH A LIFE

India's Virat Kohli just dropped the second Test. Source: AFP

INDIA just missed a golden opportunity to send tremors through the Australian dressing room.

Virat Kohli put down an easy catch at second slip off Steve Smith, getting two hands to the ball but letting it spill.

It leaves Australia 2/75 — just 53 runs from victory.

"He really shouldn't be in the slips Kohli," veteran commentator Ian Chappell said. "I've seen him drop so many catches."

Lucky for us, cricket-obsessed India keeps stats on things like this.

This tweet was posted yesterday.

4.20pm — ROGERS PLAYING POSITIVELY

Was this the left-handed opener you expected to guide Australia home? Source: AFP

THE victory margin is down to 81 runs as Chris Rogers and Steve Smith look to settle Australia after a rocky opening.

Rogers is 30 not out and looks to determine to save his country — and perhaps his Test career.

Smith is four not out as Australia reaches 2/48.

India is continuing to ride the hot hand of Ishant Sharma (2/15).

3.40pm — WATSON GOES CHEAPLY TO INCREASE PRESSURE

Quack, quack. Source: News Corp Australia

AUSTRALIA is off to a nightmare start in its attempt to chase 128 for victory at the Gabba.

Shane Watson has joined David Warner in the sheds, caught off Ishant Sharma after skying an attempted pull shot for a duck.

The home side is 2/23 at the tea break and will again rely on Steve Smith to lead it home.

3.25pm — WARNER GONE AFTER INJURING THUMB

David Warner didn't last long after injuring his thumb. Source: Getty Images

INDIA has removed the man who could have taken this Test away from them quickly.

David Warner is out caught behind off Ishant Sharma, falling to a fine delivery which squared him up.

The opener didn't settle after potentially breaking his thumb in the second over of the innings.

He was assessed by a physio on the pitch and decided to keep batting but never looked comfortable.

Australia is 1/22 requiring another 110 runs to win. Chris Rogers is 15 not out.

2.55pm — AUSTRALIA NEEDS 128 FOR 2-0 SERIES LEAD

Mitchell Johnson led the Aussie attack on day four. Source: Getty Images

MITCHELL Johnson's fourth wicket closed the Indian innings at 224 — leaving Australia 128 runs to get for victory.

Johnson (4/61) had Umesh Yadav caught behind for a well-made 30 after Nathan Lyon (2/33) earlier claimed the wicket of Varun Aaron.

The home side will be hoping David Warner can play his normal quickfire innings at the top of the order to reduce the target this evening.

2.30pm — LYON GETS DHAWAN ... JUST IN TIME

Nathan Lyon is continuing his fine series. Source: AFP

AUSTRALIA has ended a dangerous partnership between Shikhar Dhawan and Umesh Yadav which threatened to take the game away from the home side.

Importantly, Nathan Lyon has claimed the wicket of Dhawan — who had moved to 81 after resuming his innings today.

Dhawan attempted to play a straight Lyon delivery down leg side but missed it and was trapped LBW.

The 60-run partnership has stretched India's lead to 106 runs.

Australia won't want it to get much higher than that given the difficulty in chasing fourth innings totals at the Gabba.

India is 8/203. Lyon has figures of 1/18.

1.55pm — DHAWAN STANDING BETWEEN AUSTRALIA AND VICTORY

Dhawan has recovered well from his injured wrist. Source: News Corp Australia

SHIKHAR Dhawan threatens to make Australia's eventual fourth innings chase a difficult one as he passes the half century mark at the Gabba.

The Indian opener — who sparked controversy by injuring his wrist in the nets this morning — is now 56 not out.

Dhawan has combined with Umesh Yadav (seven not out) for an unbeaten 29-run eighth-wicket partnership.

India is 7/172, now leading by 75 runs.

And how about this for a worrying stat ...

1pm — LUNCH BREAK OFFERS CHANCE FOR A BREATHER

Australia dominated the opening session. Source: AP

IT'S been a chaotic opening to day four of the second Test at the Gabba as Australia enters the lunch break with a stranglehold on the contest.

India has a 60 run lead but just has three wickets in hand as Shikhar Dhawan (41 not out) and Umesh Yadav (7 not out) look to launch a fightback.

Australia — led by Mitchell Johnson (3/54) and Josh Hazlewood (2/51) — bowled superbly in the opening session to reduce India to 7/157.

It was a morning filled with controversy after India issued an angry statement about the state of the Gabba practice pitches.

Read on for all the action as it happened.

Mitchell Johnson continues to punish India for sledging with an incredible spell during the first session on day four of the second Test

12.50pm — HAZLEWOOD ENDS PUJARA'S RESISTANCE

That's a cheeky celebration. Source: News Corp Australia

JOSH Hazlewood's dream debut Test has continued with the wicket of Cheteshwar Pujara for 43.

The Indian first drop had managed to survive where so many others fell around him this morning but he received an almost unplayable delivery from the young Aussie quick.

Hazlewood got the ball to jump off a decent length, surprising Pujara who pushed the ball high to Nathan Lyon in the gully.

India is 7/143 with a lead of 46 runs.

12pm — STARC REMOVES ASHWIN

Mitchell Starc now has two second innings wickets. Source: News Corp Australia

THE Indian collapse has continued after Mitchell Starc had Ravi Ashwin caught behind.

Replays of the dismissal aren't going to improve the mood of an angry Indian camp because it certainly looked like the ball missed Ashwin's bat and brushed his pad.

It gave Brad Haddin his eighth catch for the game and left India 6/117 — just 20 runs ahead.

Injured opener Shikhar Dhawan has resumed his innings.

It looks like West Indian opener Chris Gayle is enjoying the action.

11.55am — INDIANS UPSET ABOUT NET CONDITIONS

Virat Kohli was out for one today after being one of two Indian batsmen hit in the nets. Source: News Corp Australia

INDIA has blamed poor net conditions for injuries to batsmen Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli this morning.

The explosive claims came after Dhawan was forced to retire hurt before the start of today's play after being struck on the wrist.

The Indians released a statement saying they have been asking for new nets to practice on for several days but have been denied and forced to bat on wickets with uneven bounce.

"Indian team has been asking for the fresh net practice wickets several times for last two days which has not been provided," the statement read.

"Instead of that, they have had to practice on worn out wickets which has uneven bounce. "Because of that two of our batsmen got injured (this) morning, one of the two batsmen Shikhar Dhawan had a right wrist injury because of that he was unable to bat in the morning. He is being examined by our physio and will assess his fitness in sometime."

There has been no explanation of how Kohli was injured. He batted this morning but was dismissed by Mitchell Johnson for one. India is 5/113 and has a 16 run lead.

Gabba curator Kevin Mitchell offered the following response to News Corp Australia's Ben Dorries: ''The practice wickets are fine. They wear just like a match pitch does and reflect what is happening in the middle. We have never had a complaint from another touring team. The Indian team saw fresh practice wickets which I had prepared for the Brisbane Heat next week. They wanted to use them but were not allowed and weren't real happy about it.''

11.35am — HAZLEWOOD JOINS THE PARTY

It's been a happy morning for the Aussies. Hugs all round. Source: AP

INDIA is in disarray after Josh Hazlewood removed MS Dhoni LBW for a duck to leave the visitors 5/87.

Dhoni walked right across in front of his stumps and tried to play through the leg side but missed the ball and was on his way.

That's three wickets in six balls for the Aussies — who received a boost when Shikhar Dhawan retired hurt before the start of play.

Indian No. 8 Ravi Ashwin has joined Cheteshwar Pujara at the crease. India still trails by 10 runs.

11.30am — MITCH ON FIRE, INDIA IN TROUBLE

Mitchell Johnson is back to his intimidating best. Source: News Corp Australia

MITCHELL Johnson is breathing fire at the Gabba, running through the Indian top order to put Australia right on top of the second Test.

Johnson has three scalps already — having added the wickets of Ajinkya Rahane and Rohit Sharma in the same over.

He removed Rahane with a rising delivery which the Indian batsman popped up to backward point, then had Sharma caught behind.

India is 4/86 and also had Shikhar Dhawan retired hurt.

11.15am — JOHNSON STRIKES

Mitchell Johnson has given Australia a dream start on day four. Source: Getty Images

MITCHELL Johnson has claimed the key wicket of Virat Kohli to drastically improve Australia's chances of knocking India over cheaply today.

Kohli sent an inside edge onto his stumps to fall for 1 and leave India 2/76.

Australia may only have to take nine wickets after Shikhar Dhawan was injured in the nets before play started and retired hurt. He is being assessed.

Ajinkya Rahane has joined Cheteshwar Pujara in the middle.

11am — DHAWAN RETIRES HURT BEFORE START OF PLAY

Shikhar Dhawan was absent when play resumed this morning. Source: AFP

AUSTRALIA'S hopes of bowling India out today have received an early boost.

Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan was reportedly struck on the wrist while warming up in the nets this morning and has retired hurt on his overnight score of 26.

There has been no indication whether he will be available to continue batting later in the innings.

Virat Kohli accompanied Cheteshwar Pujara (15 not out) to the crease this morning — surprising everyone at the ground.

Shane Watson has opened the bowling for Australia.

10am — NO MIDDLE GROUND FOR AUSSIE 11

Everyone in Australia has a man crush on Steve Smith right now. Source: Getty Images

IT'S hard to remember an Australian side that is split so evenly between the haves and have nots as the current 11.

Test cricket is a tough game and the court of public opinion is ruthless.

Right now we have a bunch of players whose brands couldn't be hotter — and another group who are massively under the pump.

HOT

Steve Smith — Has only been dismissed once in the series while scoring 347 runs including a century in his debut innings as skipper.

David Warner — Twin tons in the first Test continued a sensational 2014 with the willow. Hugely popular personality.

Nathan Lyon — Bowled Australia to victory in the Adelaide Test with a career-best 12 wicket haul and grabbed three handy scalps in the first innings in Brisbane.

Josh Hazlewood — Took five wickets in his debut innings then smacked 32 not out with the bat. Everyone's on board.

Mitchell Johnson — Might not be bowling like he has in recent times but when you smash 88 from 93 balls to turn a Test you're firmly in the good books.

Mitchell Johnson turned the game with the bat yesterday. Source: AFP

COLD

Chris Rogers — Made 55 in the first innings but it was his first half century in eight innings. In a dogfight for his career.

Shane Watson — Another one who is struggling with the bat. Mitch Marsh's injury will help him survive but many want him dropped down the order.

Shaun Marsh — Most seem pretty comfortable with his recall but he needs to make an immediate impact. Dropped catches aren't helping.

Brad Haddin — Keeping well but has lost all confidence with the bat — and that's important. His last 12 scores read: 0, 9, 1, 13, 3*, 22, ), 10, 13, 0, 14* and 6. Wow.

Mitchell Starc — Answered his critics somewhat with a nice half century yesterday but he's in this team to take wickets and so far he only has one. That's one less than Peter Siddle took in Adelaide before he was axed.

The situation increases the pressure on Rogers, Watson, Marsh, Haddin and Starc to fire in the second innings of this Test.

India begins the day at 1/71, trailing by 26 runs with Shikhar Dhawan (26 not out) and Cheteshway Pujara (15 not out) at the crease.

India's bowlers had a day to forget after being belted around the Gabba by Australias tailenders, helping the hosts take charge on day three.

9.45am — HARRIS INJURY UPDATE

Neroli Meadows chats to injured Australian Test cricketer Ryan Harris ahead of day four of the second Test with India

GOOD news ahead of today's play with fast bowler Ryan Harris indicating he's right to go for the Boxing Day Test.

Harris described his injury as only a slight strain of his quad and said he was now pain-free.

For more, watch the video above.

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Mother arrested after deaths

Eight children dead after mass stabbing in Cairns suburb of Manoora.

Flowers and stuffed toys are laid opposite the scene where eight children died. AFP PHOTO/Peter PARKS Source: AFP

THE bodies of eight children stabbed to death have been removed from the Manoora house where they were found on Friday.

Autopsies will be carried out today as the investigation into their murders continue.

The mother of seven of the eight children was arrested overnight.

The eight children - four girls aged 14, 12, 11 and two, and four boys aged nine, eight, six and five, were found dead yesterday morning by their 20-year-old brother who raised the alarm with police.

The suspect is 37-year-old Mersane Warria — the mother of seven of the eight children and the aunt of the eighth victim.

In a press conference held this morning at the crime scene Murray St, Manoora, Detective Inspector Bruno Asnicar said forensics officers had spent the night trying to piece together the scene.

"Overnight we've had our forensic people still in the house, the deceased have been removed from the residence, today we will have our coroner and pathologist conduct their investigations, with the assistance of the family," Det Inp Asnicar said.

"The 37-year-old mother of several of the children involved in this incident has been arrested for murder overnight and is currently under police guard at the Cairns Base Hospital.

"The bodies have been removed from the residence, autopsies will occur today and it will be after that, we can comment on those sorts of things (causes of death).

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Mersane Warria has been arrested over the children's deaths. Source: Supplied

"The (forensic officers) are looking for DNA, they're looking for mapping of the scene to establish what occurred, we're looking time chronology, they're looking for the order of the actions that occurred, they're looking for any trace evidence in the residents itself, they're looking for blood spatter patterns.

"All of these things our experts are trained to look for, to establish 100 per cent exactly what happened in that house when these offences were committed."

Police have found a number of weapons in the home.

"We've located a number of weapons, once again our very good scientists will be looking at those weapons at some stage we will be able to determine if we have the weapon that was used.

"We are talking about edged weapons, knives."

Det Insp Asnicar said the house would remain a crime scene "for at least another couple of days."

If you, or someone you know needs help, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14

Police work at the scene overnight. AFP PHOTO/Peter PARKS Source: AFP

"It's not a thing I set a time limit on, our forensic people are experts in this field and they will keep it, just as long as they need to keep it."

At this time police are not looking for any other suspects.

"At this stage, we're not looking for anybody else, we are comfortable that the community at large is safe and have no need for concern."

The street where the horrific murders occurred was not especially known to police as an area that gets a lot of calls.

"This area does get calls for service, this particular house, hasn't been flagged for particular calls of service, it's not a problem house, it's just an ordinary neighbourhood, a lot of good people, a lot of kids in the area, this is just something that has caught everybody by surprise, it's an absolute tragic event."

A candlelight vigil is held for the victims overnight. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

The 20-year-old brother who was seen at the scene yesterday has been spoken to by police.

"We've spoken to everybody, that 20-year-old man, there's been some speculation there too, he is not of particular interest to us."

The mother was in a stable condition in hospital recovering from stab wounds.

"At the current time she is awake and lucid and able to speak."

The officers who faced the horrendous scene yesterday have undergone counselling and are doing well.

"My officers are coping very well, they're all professional people, they're very skilled in what they do and we unfortunately get exposed to this type of thing more than anybody would like to, but all the support mechanisms are there in place for us and my staff and they'll be fine."

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