US retail sales up a strong 1.1 per cent

US retail sales in March rose by the largest amount in 18 months, led by strong gains in sales of cars, furniture and a number of other products.

The Commerce Department said on Monday that retail sales rose 1.1 per cent in March, the best showing since September 2012. The government also revised February to a 0.7 per cent gain, more than double its previous estimate. Sales had fallen in January and December.

Sales of cars climbed 3.1 per cent while sales at general merchandise stores, a category that covers retailers such as Wal-Mart and Target and department stores, increased 1.9 per cent, the strongest one-month gain since March 2007, before the country went through the recession.

The strong March gain was evidence that the economy is emerging from a harsh winter with some momentum.

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Youth jobs in national service: Lambie

COMBAT youth unemployment with national service.

That's what Palmer United Party senator-elect Jacqui Lambie suggests.

The former Australian Army soldier who joins the upper house in July wants to see a greater utilisation of military national service.

"You can put them in for 12 months, I'm not saying they sign on for war," she told ABC TV on Monday night.

Such a stint would arm young people with valuable experience for the workforce, Ms Lambie said.

"It's got to be better than being on the dole."

Ms Lambie said she hasn't discussed her plan with party leader Clive Palmer or other PUP colleagues, but wanted to throw the idea into the public arena.

She said volunteer and charity sectors are also crying out for manpower.

"We need to do a bit of tough love," Ms Lambie said.

"If you're not going to go out and volunteer yourself for charity services ... then you know what, it's time to cut your dole back."

The idea does not stretch to conscription, but Ms Lambie said young people should stand for their country.

"If war shows up on our shores then we're in trouble," she added, citing a shortage of military personnel.

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Woolies breached shopper docket agreement

Retailer Woolworths has breached an agreement it had with the ACCC over its fuel shopper dockets. Source: AAP

MOTORISTS will still be able to get big fuel discounts by combining supermarket and petrol fuel discounts offered by retail giants Coles and Woolworths, a court has found.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) had argued that a Coles petrol discount of 14 cents breached undertakings the company had agreed with the consumer watchdog.

The undertaking prevented Coles from offering a discount of more than four cents, when it was contingent on a supermarket purchase.

But Justice Alan Robertson on Monday found that Coles' 14 cent discount was not in breach of that agreement.

He said that although the total discount that customers were able to get at the fuel pump was well above the four cents, the full offer was not linked to supermarket purchases.

"In my opinion, four cents per litre of the offer only was contingent on supermarket purchases and 10 cents per litre of the offer only was contingent on an acquisition of goods or services from Coles Express," he said.

ACCC Chairman Rod Sims said he was disappointed by the decision.

"We will carefully consider the judgment and its implications for competition in fuel markets and any detrimental price impact on fuel consumers," he said.

Justice Robertson did, however, find that Woolworths had breached the ACCC undertakings in its eight cents discount.

Customers were able to obtain an eight cent per litre discount on fuel if they spent at least $30 in a Woolworths supermarket as well as $5 or more at a petrol station.

The consumer watchdog had argued this was in breach of its undertaking with the retailer because the discount was only available to customers who made a supermarket purchase.

A Woolworths spokeswoman welcomed the decision, saying it provided it with clarity.

"We said at the time when we sought a declaration from the Federal Court that we accepted we needed to make our discounts independent of each other, and this change was implemented some time ago," she said in a statement.

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Citigroup's earnings edge higher

CITIGROUP says its first-quarter earnings rose, beating the expectations of Wall Street analysts.

The bank made $US4.1 billion ($A4.38 billion) in the first quarter, after stripping out the effects of an accounting change and a tax item. That was up 2.5 per cent from the same period a year earlier, when it made $US4 billion.

On a per-share basis, that amounted to $US1.30 compared with $US1.29 a year ago. That was better than estimates of analysts polled by FactSet, who had been expecting $US1.14.

Revenue was $US20.1 billion. That was down 2 per cent from the same period last year when the bank generated revenue of $US20.6 billion.

Analysts had forecast revenue of $US19.5 billion.

Citi's stock rose $US1.27, or 2.8 per cent, to $US46.97 in pre-market trading.

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French tourist missing in western SA

A FRENCH woman has disappeared in a remote part of South Australia.

Aurelie Lhorme, 30, was last seen in her parked car near the Head of the Bight Whale Watching Centre, near the Nullabor Plain, on Saturday night.

Her car was found in the same site the following morning, however Ms Lhorme has not been seen since.

Police say they are concerned for her welfare as her mobile phone, wallet and passport were left in the car.

The search will resume on Monday morning.

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Bombings kill at least 16 people in Iraq

A CAR bomb has gone off in a commercial area of a restive northern Iraqi city, killing at least 10 people, while a separate bombing killed 6 people, officials say.

The explosives-laden parked car targeted a joint Iraqi army and police patrol while it passed through a busy commercial area in Mosul on Sunday, killing five civilians and five security personnel, a police officer said. He added that at least 12 other people were wounded in that blast.

A medical official confirmed the figures. Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorised to release information.

Mosul is located about 360km northwest of Baghdad.

Hours earlier, a suicide car bomber drove his vehicle into a security checkpoint in the northern town of Dibis, killing six people and wounding 15 others, police chief Colonel Bestoon Rasheed said. He added that 15 other people were wounded in the attack.

Civilians were among the victims, but a breakdown of the casualties was not immediately available. The town is located near the city of Kirkuk, 290km north of Baghdad.

Violence has escalated in Iraq over the past year, with 2013 seeing the highest death toll since the worst sectarian bloodletting in 2007, according to the United Nations figures. More than 8800 people were killed in violence last year.

No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, but suicide bombings and well-coordinated attacks are a hallmark of an al-Qaeda's breakaway branch that operates in Iraq, known as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. Sunni Insurgent groups have escalated attacks across the country since last year in bid to undermine the Shi'ite-led government.

The attacks happened just weeks before parliamentary elections are scheduled to be held on April 30. There will be no voting in parts of the western Anbar province, where security forces are clashing with Islamic militants and fighters who control the provincial capital, Ramadi, and nearly all of the nearby city of Fallujah.

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Warning over illegal used tyres

Experts have warned that motorists could be at risk after buying substandard tyres to save money. Source: AAP

EXPERTS have warned that more than a million motorists could be at risk of serious accidents and prosecution after buying substandard used tyres to save money.

New figures show 1.5 million drivers have purchased tyres illegal to use on the road in the UK in the past five years.

Police have responded by waging a campaign against drivers caught with defective tyres. The number of drivers pulled over for using illegal tyres has soared 9 per cent since 2009.

Officers can impose roadside penalties of up to STG100 ($A179) and three penalty points for each substandard tyre.

Despite the law saying used tyres must be stamped "part-worn" to prove that quality control and safety checks have been undertaken, only two out of five people who bought second-hand tyres found them to be appropriately marked.

Inadequate tread can cause skids and significantly increase a vehicle's stopping distance and fuel consumption, according to a report commissioned by insurers LV.

Of the 23 million used tyres sold since 2009, a quarter did not meet safety requirements. The number of trading standards investigations into part-worn tyre dealers has almost doubled in the past five years.

John O'Roarke, managing director of LV car insurance, said: "In the current economic climate, motorists are understandably looking to cut costs wherever they can and buying quality used tyres is one way to do this.

"Unfortunately some second-hand tyres sold do not meet the legal safety requirements and are not fit for the road, putting motorists at risk of a criminal conviction or worse."

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Second strong earthquake hits Solomons

ANOTHER powerful earthquake has struck the Solomon Islands, the second strong temblor of the day to hit the South Pacific country.

The magnitude 7.7 quake struck at 11.36pm local time on Sunday, with an epicentre 328km southeast of the capital Honiara and a depth of 20km, according to the US Geological Survey.

On Sunday morning, a magnitude 7.6 quake in the same area triggered large waves in the Solomon Islands.

There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage from either quake.

Following the first earthquake, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre cancelled a tsunami warning after issuing an alert for some Pacific islands.

The Solomon Islands is still reeling from flash floods that struck on April 3, killing 23 people and leaving 9000 homeless.

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Missing three-year-old found alive

Chloe Campbell's mother says she's overjoyed after the three-year-oldturned up out of the blue in Childers overnight

CHLOE Campbell's mother has expressed joy at hugging her daughter for the first time this morning after the three-year-old was found alive and well overnight.

The Courier-Mail reported the Childers toddler was found by police when she "appeared" at the showgrounds, opposite the family home, just after midnight, calling out "mummy" as she crouched in the dark.

Abduction? ... Chloe was sleeping near an open window when she went missing. Source: Supplied

Tammy O'Donnell has visited her girl, who is undergoing checks at the Bundaberg Base Hospital and afterward addressed the media, saying she was "overjoyed".

"(I'm) over the world; there is no other word to really describe how I'm feeling, just overjoyed," said Ms O'Donnell as she grinned from ear to ear.

"Thank you to everyone, and everyone that called in to help bring Chloe home safe and happy."

MORE:
FULL COVERAGE OF CHLOE'S 'MIRACULOUS' RETURN
Father believes Chloe taken by someone who knows the family
Rubbish tip scoured for missing child
Heartbroken mum makes tearful plea

Missing three-year-old found alive

Ms O'Donnell said she raced from Childers to Bundaberg hospital as soon as she heard the news and then ran into her daughter's room to cuddle and hold her for the first time since Wednesday night.

"I was just in tears... I ran in the room basically. I didn't care if she woke up or not and then I just laid on the bed with her and gave her cuddles for a while and then we just came home to let everyone know," said the mum of four.

Search is over ... SES and police gather at the local showgrounds, where Chloe was reportedly found. Source: News Corp Australia

She said Chloe was aware of Tammy's presence in the hospital but too tired to remain awake.

"She opened her eyes a little bit and (said) 'mummy want to go home now' and passed out," said Ms O'Donnell.

READ THE FULL STORY FROM THE COURIER-MAIL

Rick O'Donnell cuddles daughter Tammy, mother of Chloe Campbell, 3, who was found near the Childers show ground overnight. Picture: Paul Beutel

"She's physically fine but really tired at the moment."

Chloe's older sisters Brittney, 6, and Janae, 7, were also ecstatic at the news.

"My eldest one broke into tears, burst into tears and the littlest one has the biggest smile on her face in the world," Ms O'Donnell said.

"They're both laying in bed awake just really happy knowing their sister's okay."

Ms O'Donnell said her daughter's return was an Easter gift that was much better than chocolate.

Distraught ... Chloe's mother, Tammy O'Donnell, phoned police when the three-year-old went missing on Thursday. Source: Supplied

Chloe Campbell: found safe this morning.

At around 2am, The Courier-Mail reported that Chloe Campbell, who was abducted from her Childers home on Thursday had been found alive.

Police confirmed the three-year-old "wandered home" near the Childers Showground about 1am and was taken to Bundaberg Base Hospital for a check-up.

Inspector Kev Guteridge this morning confirmed Chloe simply "appeared" at the showgrounds opposite the family home - where police have established their base - shortly after midnight.

"It's really amazing news. Shortly after midnight Chloe was located at the Childers showgrounds by police that were in attendance," he said.

"Chloe was examined by ambulance before being taken to the Bundaberg Base Hospital where she's been reunited with her mother.

"I'm very very happy to report Chloe is safe and well and in very good health."

The mother of Chloe Campbell, Tammy O 'Donnell, rushed to her daughter's side at the Bundaberg Base Hospital.

Inspector Guteridge said the dog squad immediately undertook a search of the area - which is ongoing - as friends suspected she was dropped there by her abductor.

He could not confirm if she was wearing the same clothes or carrying her favourite blue plush puppy or blanket.

Police State Crime Command officers are with Chloe and her parents Tammy O'Donnell and Garth Campbell at the hospital and will be hoping to interview the girl today.

"Obviously how she came to be at the showgrounds will be part of the investigation," Insp Guteridge said.

"The last couple of days our focus has been locating her and locating her safe and well.

"Now we will transition to the investigation phase and focus more on that, as to the circumstance of her disappearance."

Garth Campbell, father of Chloe Campbell, speaks to media at the Bundaberg Base Hospital shortly after his daughter was found by police. Photo Paul Beutel

"We're sincerely hoping to speak to Chloe and anyone that might have any information that can help us.

"As you can appreciate at the moment our whole focus is Chloe's well being.

"While we are happy to get her back we also have to make sure she's okay before we progress too much with her."

Inspector Guteridge said police were interested in any information that may assist in the investigation following rumours that the person or persons of interest may be close to the family.

"We are searching for any information. People out there will know things and we are encouraging them to come forward.

"There's a lot of rumour at the moment and certainly anyone that may have (information) should bring that to us so we can examine that thoroughly."

Chloe Campbell's mum Tammy O' Donnell and grandmother Heather Robertson before Chloe was found.

'Taken by a friend' ... Chloe's father Garth Campbell first suspected she had been taken by someone who knows the family. Source: Supplied

While he had not spoken to the mother Tammy, he said she would be thrilled.

"We obviously saw her yesterday she had been traumatised by this experience so to have her reunited with her baby is really a remarkable thing," he said.

Earlier, Chloe's mother Tammy O'Donnell drove to Bundaberg to see her daughter.

A close family friend Melissa Small this morning said Tammy and the family were overjoyed at the news.

"We had the call from the detectives and they said 'We've got Chloe and we're taking her to the Bundaberg Hospital, meet us there," said Ms Small.

Chloe Campbell, and parents Garth Campbell and Tammy O'Donnell.

"Within two seconds she was down in the driveway and taking off."

"We're just so happy. Thank you to everyone, the police, the SES the volunteers, absolutely everyone.

"This is such great news."

Ms Small said privately friends and family had been starting to fear the worst but Tammy had refused to give up hope.

"We didn't say anything but we were talking amongst ourselves and considering the worst possibilities because time was getting by."

Chloe's parents Tammy O'Donnell and Garth Campbell returned to the house they are staying at at 4.20am without their daughter, who will remain in hospital for a few more hours.

Chloe was discovered missing in her Childers home about 7am Thursday.

Earlier, The Courier-Mail reported that security footage has emerged of two men and a young child walking about 200m from where Chloe Campbell disappeared in Childers.

A residential security camera captured the vision very early on Thursday, the morning the three-year-old is believed to have been abducted from her house.

As fears for Chloe's safety intensified yesterday, her inconsolable mother Tammy O'Donnell described her anguish at not properly locking the lounge room sliding window the night before.

The glass window was found open and Chloe missing about 7am on Thursday after she and two siblings fell asleep on a lounge room mattress.

Father believes Chloe taken by someone who knows the family

Rubbish tip scoured for missing child

Heartbroken mum makes tearful plea

Ms O'Donnell said she usually checked that all windows of the medium set house were clicked shut before retiring to bed.

"I shut the house up that night but I don't think, when I've closed it, I don't think it's clicked," Ms O'Donnell said.

"I think I just shut it and I usually check it before bed and I don't know why I didn't that night.

"I just think if I had have checked, she'd still be here."

The extensive search for any sign of the blonde toddler has expanded further around Childers as Ms O'Donnell said she did not believe her daughter was in the town but "further out".

Police will sift through the local tip where the family's and town's waste was dumped after collection on the morning of the little girl's disappearance.

Inspector Kev Guteridge said yesterday the team of police, SES and volunteers had not located anything by air or on land.

Investigators are reviewing CCTV footage from town and following leads from the public.

Childers resident Les Fennell handed his own personal security footage to police after they requested he scan it for anything unusual.

Mr Fennell said he uncovered two men and a young child walking south by the railway line behind Pioneer Park, a travellers' resting park on the Bruce Highway.

The location on the northern end of town intersects Ridgway Street where Chloe went missing.

Mr Fennell said the child was walking about 15m ahead of the men as they passed behind a toilet block as dawn approached.

About twenty minutes later the men returned north in the direction they had come but without the child.

"What I saw was the council worker doing his work, and left. Then came two men and a child. It could have been for any reason and anyone's child," he said.

"The sun had just started coming up yesterday morning and it was about the same time the child was missing."

Mr Fennell said the child seemed to know the men as he or she appeared to be leading they way.

"She or he was very small," he said. "The child looked like it knew where it was going and the two men followed."

Mr Fennell said he compared that morning's discovery with footage from the previous four days but did not see the trio on any other day.

The footage, which was wavering between night vision and regular, was not clear enough to determine if the child was a girl or boy, whether it was carrying a toy or the ages of the men.

The discovery comes as Ms O'Donnell is convinced someone knows where Chloe is, pleading for made an emotional plea for them to be "honest enough" to return her.

"I'm hoping she comes home safe, it's all I've got at the moment is hope and hoping someone will be honest enough to bring her home," she sobbed.

"Have the guts to bring her home. They were gutsy enough to take her, now have the decency and the guts to being her home."

Overcome by grief and tears, Ms O'Donnell said she hadn't been able to eat or sleep as she lived out this nightmare.

She said the family usually lived a quiet life, revolving around school and home and did not have enemies.

Ms O'Donnell affirmed her husband's belief that whoever took the child was known to Chloe, and she was unlikely to have wandered.

"They carried her out while she's been asleep, she's obviously known them to not scream or yell out," she said.

"I'd just like to say if anyone out there had any info please come forward and can you please just please bring her home ... or just drop her somewhere and ring up ... she needs to be home with her family."

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Rider critical, man charged after SA crash

A MOTORCYCLIST has been critically injured in a collision with an alleged drink-driver in Adelaide.

Police say the driver performed a burnout in his Holden sedan in a service station at Seaview Downs on Saturday afternoon before colliding with the motorcycle on the road.

The rider was taken to the Flinders Medical Centre in a critical but stable condition.

The driver, a Dover Gardens man, 62, was breath-tested at the scene.

Police allege he returned a reading of .178, more than three-and-a-half times the legal limit.

He has been charged with aggravated driving without due care, drink driving and causing injury by dangerous driving.

It's expected he will be bailed to appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court at a later date.

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