ABC NewsMail - Afternoon Edition

NewsMail Afternoon Edition Wed 31 Jul, 2013 Top Stories More Top Stories » ICAC recommends charges against Obeid, Macdonald By court reporter Jamelle Wells and state political reporter Sarah Gerathy The ICAC recommends criminal charges over two former NSW ministers over a coal mine deal. The corruption watchdog investigated if former Labor ministers Eddie Obeid and Ian Macdonald conspired to defraud the state over a multi million dollar mining licence. He also investigated if Ian Macdonald was bribed with the services of an escort and if former roads minister and treasurer Eric Roozendaal was bribed with a discount on a car. Mr Roozendaal has been found not corrupt by the commission, but it found Eddie Obeid's son Moses Obeid acted corruptly by arranging a cheap car for him. More » US Air Force plans to spread its fighting wings Mine in Tasmania's Tarkine approved by Environment Minister Sydney man pleads not guilty to kidnapping his baby Rudd flags tobacco tax increase Gambling addict remains in denial, court told More Analysis » Privatisation of schools is not a 'real solution' The Coalition's Real Solutions plan pushes for 'autonomy' and 'independence' of the education system. But these terms are merely codes for privatisation that will further entrench difference; promoting privilege, hierarchy and social disadvantage and halting any upward social mobility within our education system which is already struggling to delivery equity as Gonski found. Schools that might benefit from more autonomy are the very ones that need the least help. More » Why Kimberley gas might burn Barnett again Blasphemy or zealotry: Reza Aslan vs Fox News Manning verdict keeps US power in check Executive performance pay ready for a shake-up Australia's absurd interest rates debate Federal control creeping into our councils Politicians are powerless over Australia's economy Risking it all to expose gang violence Federal government has no place in the classroom Just In More Just In » Microbeads used in beauty products found in Great Lakes Tiny plastic beads commonly found in beauty products are showing up in North America's Great Lakes, sparking concerns for the health of the world's largest surface freshwater system. More » Man charged with wilful murder of emaciated wife Sentence for policeman's gun death 'inadequate' Cop impersonator charged with attack on prostitute US Air Force plans to spread its fighting wings Sydney man pleads not guilty over baby kidnap Gambling addict remains in denial, court told Australia's largest super computer unveiled in Canberra Rudd flags tobacco tax increase Teenager gives glimpse of life inside Pontville detention centre World More World » Microbeads used in beauty products found in Great Lakes Tiny plastic beads commonly found in beauty products are showing up in North America's Great Lakes, sparking concerns for the health of the world's largest surface freshwater system. More » NY mayoral candidate Weiner vows he won't quit Third British soldier dies after SAS training session Mugabe vows to 'surrender' if he loses Zimbabwe vote Spain train driver speeding and on the phone: black boxes New DRS to be trialled in third Ashes Test Business More Business » Business Council wants audit on how taxpayer money is spent By business editor Peter Ryan, staff The Business Council of Australia has released an economic action plan urging government to comprehensively audit how taxpayer money is prioritised and spent. The 93 recommendations include reforms to taxation, workplace relations, regulation and federal-state relations. "We believe that it is time to review the whole of government in terms of its expenditure, the value we get out of it and, more importantly, what we can afford," BCA president Tony Shepherd told the ABC's AM program. More » RBA governor signals room for rate cut Home construction figures fall for second month Woolworths rebuffs fuel concerns Politics More Politics » Rudd flags tobacco tax increase By political reporter Latika Bourke Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has flagged raising the tobacco excise to help pay for new policy initiatives. More » Butler to check emails over abuse case Business Council wants audit on how taxpayer money is spent Mugabe vows to 'surrender' if he loses Zimbabwe vote SA to extend synthetic drugs ban Sport More Sport » Texts reveal Hird played a central role in supplements regime By Caro Meldurm-Hanna A series of text messages add to claims Essendon coach James Hird played a key role in the club's supplement program. More » Rathbone says Brumbies ready to defy the odds again Seebohm takes silver in 100m backstroke Rabbitohs re-sign Burgess twins Rogers happy with Warner's return to Australia squad Dockers set radar on Sydney's White Science and Technology More Science and Technology » Australia's largest super computer unveiled in Canberra The nation's most powerful computer has been unveiled at the Australian National University in Canberra. More » Chattanooga steams ahead as America's first Gig City DNA breakthrough might crack illegal drugs fight Sex research pioneer Virginia Johnson dies Scientists demand research to pursue food bowl plan Environment More Environment » Microbeads used in beauty products found in Great Lakes Tiny plastic beads commonly found in beauty products are showing up in North America's Great Lakes, sparking concerns for the health of the world's largest surface freshwater system. More » Mine in Tasmania's Tarkine approved by Environment Minister Sailors, workers fight to clean up 'massive' Thai oil spill Halliburton to plead guilty to Gulf spill charges China will spend $300 billion tackling pollution 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. Manage your preferences | Unsubscribe | Contact Us   This service may include material from Agence France-Presse (AFP), APTN, Reuters, AAP, CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be reproduced. Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 700 Harris Street, Ultimo NSW 2007 © 2013 ABC | Conditions of Use | Privacy Policy | Discover other ABC Email newsletters