Wiffens owner Jack Irvine says business is going well at his store at Fyshwick Fresh Food Markets. Photo: Jeffrey Chan
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Despite retail trade in the ACT making a surprising recovery, the territory's economy will receive a mixed report card when two high-profile assessments are released on Monday.
The ACT retains its lowly sixth rank on national economic performance but has the fastest annual growth in monthly retail trade, according to Commsec's quarterly State of the States report.
Meanwhile, the Business Outlook from Deloitte Access Economics suggests questions marks remain over Canberra's economy, despite federal government assurances to Chief Minister Andrew Barr that the worst of the public service cutbacks are "behind us".
- The Abbott government should strike a quarter of a trillion dollar "grand deal" to increase the GST to 15 per cent and remove all exemptions, in return for personal income tax cuts and greater spending on pensions, health and education, the peak accountancy body says.
- Under-fire Speaker Bronwyn Bishop did not even check her expenses before she signed off on the six-monthly Finance Department report which revealed the notorious $5227 helicopter charter flight.
- The Greens' Shane Rattenbury is moving to outlaw protests near Canberra's abortion clinic, releasing draft legislation today aimed at putting an end to the regular vigils held outside the Moore Street building.
- A Hitler Youth knife with the words "Blood and Honour!" engraved on the blade has prompted a magistrate to warn a young Canberran that the war is still very real to many.
- Protesters clashed amid a heavy police presence as dozens converged on Parliament House as part of Reclaim Australia rallies and counter-demonstrations across the country on Sunday.
- An armed man who kicked down doors in a spate of late-night home invasions in Canberra has been arrested.
- The ACT government has defended pitching the city to Gungahlin tram line to international financiers at a cost of $900 million at the same time as telling the community the project would cost between $600 and $800 million.
The moment a huge shark launches at Australian surfer Mick Fanning, who escaped without injury after he "punched him in the back". Photo: World Surf League
Australian surfer Mick Fanning says he would be happy to never compete again after surviving a shark attack during a surfing event at Jeffreys Bay in South Africa.
The unprecedented attack was broadcast live on television with Fanning remarkably coming out unscathed after he "punched him in the back".
The shark approached ominously from behind as Fanning sat on his board, before launching at him.
- Mitchell Johnson lead the way overnight as Australia thrashed England by 405 runs in the second Ashes test at Lords.
- The Honey Badger's translator one minute, a chance to book a ticket to the World Cup the next, as France-bound scrumhalf Nic White says au revoir to the US and hooks up with the Wallabies in Argentina.
- Former Canberra skipper Alan Tongue says he was surprised the club overlooked specialist halves Mitch Cornish and Josh McCrone for Saturday's 21-20 loss to Cronulla, but insisted it's unfair to make Jack Wighton a scapegoat.
- Jason Day is in the box seat to become the first Australian to win The Open since Greg Norman in 1993 after gaining a share of the overnight lead in St Andrews.
- Lleyton Hewitt has extended his record-breaking Davis Cup career by at least one more tie, combining with Sam Groth to rescue Australia's 2015 campaign and vindicate captain Wally Masur's brave but contentious selection decisions in a stirring 3-2 quarter-final defeat of Kazakhstan.
9am: The Banks crash was minor and has been cleared.
8.24am: Emergency services are on their way to a crash at Banks.
8:20am: No-one was injured in the two-car crash at Collector. Minimal delays heading towards Goulburn.
7.20am: Reports of a collision northbound on the Federal Highway at Collector.
Point Hut Crossing is now open. The crossing was previously closed due to flooding.
Maintenance works on the Murrumbidgee River bridge on the Cotter Road mean the bridge will be closed from 7am to 4pm each day this week.
If you are stuck in traffic or have any info on the Monday morning commute, let us know whenever it is safe to do so: morningblog@canberratimes.com.au or tweet us @canberratimes
Motorists have been warned school zones will be in place across the ACT as students return to school for the start of Term 3.
Chief Minister Andrew Barr will join Governor General Sir Peter Cosgrove and Lady Cosgrove to plant a tree at the National Arboretum to mark the start of Canberra Tree Week.
Get your skates on and head to Skate in the City's open air ice skating rink in Garema Place. The month-long event features cultural events, DJ dance parties, professional ice skating performances and dress up nights. It's on until the end of July.
Nigerian Red Cross board member Bashir Salih in Canberra on Sunday. Photo: Melissa Adams.
Bashir Salihu tries to block out the horrors he's witnessed living in the centre of Nigeria's Boko Haram crisis.
He has watched as his homeland in the country's north-east descended into chaos, the notorious insurgency running rampant and launching senseless attacks on the civilian population.
"I've seen a lot first-hand," Mr Salihu said.
Now, he has arrived in Canberra to help find ways to better protect civilians and uphold the rule of law in complex armed conflicts across the globe.
TODAY'S CARTOON
Ophelia Rubinich, left, Orson Rowell, 3, and Simon Rowell, of Hackett, enjoy the sunny weather at Lake Burley Griffin.Photo: Jeffrey Chan
Clear, sunny skies helped bring Canberrans out into the cold on the weekend.
Two beautiful, crisp days saw many flock to Lake Burley Griffin and the city, where the World Curry Festival and Skate in the City were drawcards.
The fine weather is expected to stick around until Wednesday, when rain and possible showers are forecast for four days straight.
Monday: Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower. Light winds. Min -2, max 13.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny morning. Medium chance of showers, most likely later in the day. Light winds. Min -2, max 15.
Wednesday: Cloudy. High chance of rain. Winds northwesterly 15 to 25 km/h. Min 3, max 14.
Thursday: Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower. Light winds. Min 0, max 15.
Friday: Shower or two. Min -3, max 13.