ABC NewsMail - afternoon edition

NewsMail Afternoon Edition Thu 19 Jan, 2012 Top Stories More Top Stories » Odds shorten for pokies compromise deal By chief political correspondent Emma Griffiths The Federal Government has given the clearest signal yet that a compromise is on the cards for pokies reform. Community Services Minister Jenny Macklin has told ABC News 24 this afternoon that the Government wants to help problem gamblers "but we have to work with the Parliament that we have". The Government had signed an agreement with anti-pokies independent MP Andrew Wilkie to bring in mandatory pre-commitment technology and force club patrons to specify how much they were willing to lose on poker machines. More » Call to recognise 'first peoples' in Constitution Report names Australia's deadliest highways Famous 'kissing' giraffe becomes a mum again Unemployment steady as job seekers drop out Cruise captain claims he 'fell into lifeboat' Newcastle beaches reopen after shark attack Toothbrushes blamed for prison riot 'Deranged' yelling heard before balcony plunge death Repellent to stop mozzies bugging detainees More Analysis » Gay marriage: a step on the journey, not the destination Legalising same-sex marriage is an important thing for a decent society to do, but I doubt it is the most important aspect of gay acceptance that we have to come to terms with. For politicians, priests or anyone else to object to same-sex marriage on the basis of tradition or religion in a democratic state is of course their right. But you can't help but wonder, perhaps it's just a plain, old-fashioned sense of discomfort with the whole gay thing. More » A failed approach to the Arab Spring There's nothing voluntary about addiction Thatcher's tragic legacy Dumbing-down our political leaders Selling our core liberties for a vote SOPA is a bad idea Constitutional changes for an inclusive Australia Astrology: an odd mix of humility and arrogance The war against renewable energy Just In More Just In » Rise of unsafe abortions 'deeply disturbing' By Amy Simmons The number of unsafe abortions is on the rise and the global abortion rate has stalled after a lengthy period of decline, new research has found. More » Tandy loses appeal over betting scandal Famous 'kissing' giraffe becomes a mum again Odds shorten for pokies compromise deal Luxury items seized from alleged Qld fraudster Ultralight plane crashes in north Queensland Man found not guilty of missing wife's murder Red Centre revs up for its first red-light camera Baghdatis fined $770 for racquet tantrum 'Deranged' yelling heard before balcony plunge death World More World » Cruise captain claims he 'fell into lifeboat' The search of the stricken Costa Concordia was suspended because of bad weather, as the captain accused of abandoning his duties reportedly told investigators he "tripped and fell into a lifeboat". More » Japan 'betrayed citizens' over radiation danger Britain fires off Falklands 'colonialism' salvo Concrete balls to target train surfing Severed head, hand found below Hollywood sign Business More Business » Unemployment steady as job seekers drop out Australia's unemployment rate was unchanged in December at 5.2 per cent but the result was driven by a drop in the participation rate. More » IMF seeks funding boost Libs debate Holden future Union scheme collapse leaves workers in lurch Share market rises in early trade Hopeful consumers may not rescue retailers IMF funding call boosts world share markets Politics More Politics » Call to recognise 'first peoples' in Constitution By chief political correspondent Emma Griffiths The debate about formal recognition for Indigenous Australians in the Constitution is set to flare with the release of a report from the panel advising the Government on the issue. More » Jobs market tipped to shrink this year Report advises on Indigenous constitutional recognition Pakistan PM to face contempt charges Pokies backdown would be 'massive blow' to Gillard Sport More Sport » Sharapova, Zvonareva lead Russian charge Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams produced mesmerising displays of power tennis to advance to the third round of the Australian Open. More » Baghdatis fined $770 for racquet tantrum Tomic downs Querrey in four tough sets Scorchers take top spot despite loss Who dares wins Gallen tops voting in NRL All Stars team Science and Technology More Science and Technology » Darwin's fossils rediscovered in cabinet Hundreds of fossils, including some collected by scientist Charles Darwin, have been rediscovered in an old cabinet in the headquarters of the British Geological Survey. More » Mawson's landing marked in Antarctic ceremony Phobos-Grunt probe 'crashes in Pacific' Confusion over where Russian probe will land Hawking too ill to attend 70th birthday party Environment More Environment » Rare snow leopard cubs caught on camera By environment reporter Conor Duffy Researchers capture rare photos of the critically endangered snow leopard in a wild, mountainous area of Tajikistan. More » Scientists want 'manipulated' Basin plan scrapped Freed activists stand by costly whaling protest Seal death mystery could stay unsolved Gillard defends new forest deal 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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