ABC NewsMail - afternoon edition

Afternoon Edition. Wed 20 Apr 2011
You are receiving this email because you are subscribed to ABC NewsMail. If you would like to change your preferences, please enter your email address and click 'Login' here.
Top Stories	More Top Stories >
Swan prepares public for 'unpopular' budget Treasurer Wayne Swan says he will be bringing down an "unpopular" budget next month, principally as a result of the natural disasters in Australia and Japan. Insulated homes did not meet building codes A quarter of buildings insulated under the Federal Government's home insulation scheme did not meet building codes, the Climate Change Minister has revealed. 'The Phantom' loses extradition bid An alleged conman, who used the name of former All Blacks star Jonah Lomu in a $2.25 million fraud, has lost an application to further delay his extradition to New Zealand. Arson charge over Queenstown inferno A man has been charged in relation to a fire that destroyed several businesses at Queenstown on Tasmania's west coast. Jetstar seeks damages for Sydney Airport chaos Jetstar has signalled it will seek compensation over yesterday's security hitch at Sydney Airport.
The Drum	More from The Drum >
Our false cost of living crisis Cost of living may not be the new black, but it certainly appears to have replaced rising interest rates as the bogeyman of Australian politics. It's a familiar refrain: prices are soaring and family budgets are being pushed to breaking point. Leaders of both major parties have been repeating this schtick ad nauseum in recent weeks ... and they could not be more wrong. Israel boycott needs targeted approach A targeted strategy against companies is likely to gain wider support than the current boycott movement against Israel. New England is not for you Barnaby. Think again My advice to Barnaby Joyce is this. Forget New England. If Tony Windsor runs again, you wonÂ't beat him. At what point does too big to fail become too big to save? To protect Australia from external shocks that are surely coming, we need to bring the budget back, not only to cash, but to structural balance and all new taxes must be avoided and tax laws reformed to deliver lower tax rates across the board. Is it a man's world, literally? For the second time in three years the Miles Franklin shortlist is all male. In the past 10 years the prize has been won by a man eight times. Are male writers 80 per cent more genius than women? While there are equal amounts of talent distributed between the sexes, the ability to be taken seriously, to have that talent recognised and nurtured, is still very much on the male side.
Just in	More Just In Stories >
Gunns faces shareholder class action Shareholders in the Tasmanian timber company Gunns have launched a class action in the Federal Court saying they lost millions of dollars due to the poor disclosure of the company's accounts. 'Million hits' not enough to keep ourbrisbane open Brisbane's community website ourbrisbane.com is to be shut down, despite still receiving more than 1 million hits a week, according to Brisbane City Council Opposition Leader Shayne Sutton. Gidley signs new Knights deal Newly cashed-up Newcastle has made its second major signing since multi-millionaire Nathan Tinkler's takeover, with skipper Kurt Gidley committing his future to the Knights for another four years.
World	More World Stories >
'The Phantom' loses extradition bid An alleged conman, who used the name of former All Blacks star Jonah Lomu in a $2.25 million fraud, has lost an application to further delay his extradition to New Zealand. WikiLeaks suspect transferred to Kansas jail The Obama administration, under criticism for its treatment of the US soldier accused of leaking secret documents that appeared on the WikiLeaks website, is transferring the detainee to a Kansas jail. Police union rejects Tucker deportation claim The South Australian Police Association has rejected a claim by former Adelaide man Clifford Tucker it was behind his deportation to England.
Business	More Business Stories >
Floods dampen BHP production results BHP Billiton's iron ore and coal output has dropped in the third quarter as a result of weather-related disruptions in Western Australia and Queensland. Alice calls for ceiling in fuel prices The Alice Springs Town Council is calling for fuel prices to be made equal across the country. Japan's trade surplus plunges after tsunami Japan's trade surplus plunged 78.9 per cent in March from a year earlier as exports fell after the March 11 earthquake and tsunami which triggered a nuclear crisis, the finance ministry said.
Politics	More Politics Stories >
Residents angry over parking sensors An inner-city residents group has slammed new sensor parking technology as a revenue raiser for the council. Alice calls for ceiling in fuel prices The Alice Springs Town Council is calling for fuel prices to be made equal across the country. Villawood detainees in roof protest Two men have scaled the roof of the Villawood Detention Centre, in Sydney's west, after their applications fro asylum were rejected for a second time.
Sport	More Sport Stories >
Mortlock back for Rebels Melbourne Rebels will welcome back inspirational skipper Stirling Mortlock from a hip injury for Friday's Super Rugby clash with the Blues in Auckland. Bye ideal for Eagles West Coast coach John Worsfold says the club's bye has come at a perfect time, leaving the Eagles in solid shape for upcoming AFL clashes with Melbourne and Essendon. Gallop fears for Carney's mental state NRL chief executive David Gallop says Todd Carney's blatant flouting of promises to get his life back on the straight and narrow proved just how troubled the wayward star's life had become.
Science & Technology	More Science & Technology Stories >
River survey reveals rare fish Researchers at the University of Tasmania have uncovered several rare fish in a recent underwater survey of Hobart's Derwent Estuary. Facebook beefs up anti-bullying measures An internet advocacy group has welcomed increased security measures announced by social networking site Facebook to help keep children safe from online bullying. Ratting out Sydney's cane toad menace A state of origin match is being played out in Sydney's drains, but unlike the real thing it is the Queenslanders being massacred.
Environment	More Environment Stories >
River survey reveals rare fish Researchers at the University of Tasmania have uncovered several rare fish in a recent underwater survey of Hobart's Derwent Estuary. Lake Cathie reopens to the ocean Lake Cathie has been reopened to the ocean, just in time for the Easter long weekend. Tweed Shire Councillors say no to gas mining Tweed Shire councillors have resolved to oppose gas exploration in the Tweed Valley.
To change your preferences, please enter your email address and click 'Login' here or to unsubscribe click here. © 2009 ABC | Privacy Policy This service may include material from Agence France-Presse (AFP), APTN, Reuters, CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be reproduced.