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NewsMail Afternoon Edition Fri 16 Sep, 2011 Top Stories More Top Stories » Health Services Union severs ties with ALP The Health Services Union has withdrawn its affiliation from the Australian Labor Party in light of allegations of misuse of union funds by two ALP members. Federal Labor MP Craig Thomson and the union's national president and ALP vice-president Michael Williamson have been accused of abusing union funds. Mr Thomson has been fighting allegations he used a HSU credit card to pay for escort services while he was secretary of the union in 2005, and Mr Williamson is alleged to have used funds for personal purchases. Both Mr Thomson and Mr Williamson have denied the allegations. More » Blasts from massive chemical fire rock Canberra Williams claims shine light on informer's murder Tomic draws first blood for Aussies Gillard backs Labor reform push Former navy cadet jailed for rape Man trapped in freezer for two hours Cocaine worth $200m stashed inside lawnmowers I'm no backstabber: Lyon Man in court over remote Aboriginal community death More Analysis » Wiggling out of agreement, one policy at a time Why is politics so nasty and crappy at the moment? Why does it feel so rootless and shallow? Perhaps it's got something to do with our politicians' inability to reach agreement, even where agreement essentially exists. Despite its other failings, this has to be the one of the great weaknesses of the Australian political system. More » Kevin O'Turnbull: the tea party ticket Chumming the water Change attitudes, not the constitution Powerful relationships: media and leaders Without society change, law change is useless Women make pastry not policy Forget Gallop and Demetriou, what about Nine's Rugby disaster? Hotel California: the euro zone monetary crisis Inquiry must expand not limit our media choices Just In More Just In » Williams claims shine light on informer's murder Alison Caldwell Explosive evidence revealed in the trial of the man accused of murdering gangland boss Carl Williams shines a light on a separate case that has frustrated Victoria Police for close to a decade. More » Residents go to water over Top End arsenic scare Asylum-seeker boat explosion case moved from NT Jail for killer who walked away in victim's shoes Man trapped in freezer for two hours Mother ruled fit for trial over baby left in driveway Former navy cadet jailed for rape Health Services Union severs ties with ALP Mexican sailors find body of missing Australian I'm no backstabber: Lyon World More World » US troops grapple with Afghan dilemma US forces battling insurgents in Afghanistan are torn between fighting the enemy and building closer ties with the local people. More » Sarkozy, Cameron arrive in Libya UBS rogue trader loses $2b Palestinians set date for UN bid World's annual child mortality rate falling Business More Business » UBS rogue trader loses $2b Rachael Brown, Emma Alberici and staff Swiss bank UBS says this man blew around $2b on unauthorised deals before being arrested at his London desk in the middle of the night. More » IMF boss slams politicians as banks step in US stocks rise on central bank action Bernie Fraser defends RBA governor's salary Politics More Politics » Health Services Union severs ties with ALP The Health Services Union has withdrawn its affiliation from the Australian Labor Party in light of allegations of misuse of union funds by two ALP members. Federal Labor MP Craig Thomson and the union's national president and ALP vice-president Michael Williamson have been accused of abusing union funds. Mr Thomson has been fighting allegations he used a HSU credit card to pay for escort services while he was secretary of the union in 2005, and Mr Williamson is alleged to have used funds for personal purchases. Both Mr Thomson and Mr Williamson have denied the allegations. More » Gillard backs Labor reform push 'First Bloke' speaks out about political bullies Katter's son to make bid for Qld politics Flood inquiry response worries victims Sport More Sport » Dockers confirm Lyon as coach Ross Lyon insists he did not stab Mark Harvey in the back and says he can hold his head high over his shock departure from St Kilda to join the Dockers. More » NRL Preview: Finals Week Two Aussies batting first in Colombo Tomic draws first blood for Aussies Pocock in doubt for Ireland encounter Science and Technology More Science and Technology » On the Seventh Day, he logged off Our constant connectivity is a unique feature of the modern age - internet and mobiles have removed much of the time and distance that was once a part of our lives. More » Record number of child porn sites investigated NASA unveils plans for deep space rocket Virtual cosmonauts break isolation record New dads have lower testosterone: study Environment More Environment » BP set to start Bight oil exploration BP says it has final approval to start seismic surveys in its oil search in the Great Australian Bight. More » BP spill report spreads blame Commission urges coherent approach to water management PM introduces carbon price legislation Leaked cables reveal watered down reef protection About this email You received this email because you are subscribed to ABC News email alerts. This message was sent to you at starnewsposting@gmail.com Please add newslists@your.abc.net.au to your email address book to see images by default and stop the email being treated as spam. This email address is not monitored - Please don't reply to this email. 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