ABC NewsMail - Afternoon Edition

NewsMail Afternoon Edition Thu 21 Nov, 2013 Top Stories More Top Stories » Liberal strategist sorry for Twitter rant against Indonesian politician By chief political correspondent Emma Griffiths Liberal Party strategist and pollster Mark Textor has apologised for racially-loaded statements he posted on Twitter yesterday, criticising Indonesia's response to the phone-tapping revelations. In one of a series of comments - that has since been deleted - Mr Textor said: "Apology demanded from Australia by a bloke who looks like a 1970's Pilipino [sic] porn star and has ethics to match". He has denied speculation that he was referring to Indonesian foreign minister Marty Natalegawa. But just after dismissing the matter as a "bubble in a bubble" in the ABC interview, he posted an apology on the social media site. Prime Minister Tony Abbott, who today received a letter from the Indonesian president, has described Mr Textor's statements as "tacky". More » Ashes live: Australia lose Clarke, Warner after lunch Hacker says RBA, AFP attacks were retaliation for spying scandal Canberra failed murder plot victim tells of fear, mistrust Court reinstates 24 charges against maverick independent MP Geoff Shaw Tasmanian MPs remove abortion from criminal code Former Bundaberg-based doctor Jayant Patel sentenced over fraud charges More Analysis » 'Budget emergency' requires action Talking about a 'budget emergency' was easy for the Coalition while in opposition, but balancing insatiable demands for more spending with limited revenue raising capability is not. For decades, governments all over the world have been trying to ignore two simple truths: there is only so much money they can tax, borrow and spend; and every dollar of tax taken or debt incurred has economic and social costs that should not be ignored. The Abbott Government's rhetoric about the state of the Australian economy means nothing if they don't cut low-priority spending. More » Abbott's failure to listen escalates spying row A rivalry older than federation Where self-interest meets self-effacement A make-or-break Ashes for many Spy scandal repercussions could get worse Was Paul Keating a great treasurer? Negotiating our health at TPP talks The high price of the gas boom The spy scandal face-off Just In More Just In » Fact file: 10 unusual facts about JFK's assassination The assassination of John Fitzgerald Kennedy, the 35th president of the United States, on November 22, 1963, remains one of the defining events of the 20th century. In the minds of many, much about what happened that day remains shrouded in mystery. Fact Check reveals 10 unusual facts about the death of JFK. More » Canberra failed murder plot victim tells of fear, mistrust Warning issued over chemical in seized Sydney drugs Abbott receives letter from Indonesian president over spying stoush Scott cards a quintuple-bogey nine at World Cup of Golf Hacker says RBA, AFP attacks were retaliation for spying scandal Palmer asks court to uphold original Senate count Driscoll appears before Bar of Parliament over contempt charges Cattle shipped to Indonesia as farm trade continues French police arrest suspect in Paris shootings World More World » Fact file: 10 unusual facts about JFK's assassination The assassination of John Fitzgerald Kennedy, the 35th president of the United States, on November 22, 1963, remains one of the defining events of the 20th century. In the minds of many, much about what happened that day remains shrouded in mystery. Fact Check reveals 10 unusual facts about the death of JFK. More » French police arrest suspect in Paris shootings Iran won't compromise as nuclear talks begin Indian schoolboy hits 546 off 330 balls Pakistani teenager Malala receives human rights prize White supremacist serial killer executed in US Business More Business » BHP Billiton defends climate record ahead of board vote at AGM By Sue Lannin and Pat McGrath BHP Billiton has defended its environmental credentials ahead of shareholder vote on a climate change activist's bid for a spot on the global miner's board. Coal industry executive turned climate change activist Ian Dunlop will attempt to win a seat on the board at the company's annual general meeting in Perth today. More » Consumer groups worried banking inquiry will focus on regulation costs IMF warns Australia's property market could 'overshoot' Anonymous Indonesia hacker claims RBA, AFP shutdown Rupert Murdoch finalises divorce with Wendi Deng Politics More Politics » Abbott receives letter from Indonesian president over spying stoush By chief political correspondent Emma Griffiths Prime Minister Tony Abbott has told Parliament he has received a letter from the Indonesian president in the latest development in the stoush between the two countries over phone tapping. More » Hacker says RBA, AFP attacks were retaliation for spying scandal SAS anti-hijack exercise cancelled as Indonesia stops cooperation with Australia Liberal strategist sorry for Twitter rant against Indonesian politician Anonymous Indonesia hacker claims RBA, AFP shutdown Sport More Sport » First Ashes Test, Day One: live blog Australia was struggling at tea after Stuart Broad picked up four wickets on day one of the first Ashes Test. More » Scott cards a quintuple-bogey nine at World Cup of Golf Boyd then the rest in AFL draft Berisha returns from injury for Roar Toomua ruled out of Wallabies' Spring Tour Tate recalled for RLWC semi-final Science and Technology More Science and Technology » Car park sensors nab more drivers than inspectors By Kim Robertson Plans are being considered to extend an automated parking fines system in Adelaide after a trial found it to be far more effective than parking inspectors. More » Robot seals comfort dementia patients in nursing homes Common plastics chemical linked to pre-term births Cry Of The Tiger: Endangered animals dying in Indonesian zoo NASA launches MAVEN mission to Mars Environment More Environment » Fukushima water to be dumped in ocean: clean-up boss By North Asia correspondent Mark Willacy The man in charge of the clean-up at Japan's Fukushima nuclear plant says growing stores of contaminated water from the site will eventually have to be dumped into the sea. More » Russia grants bail to 9 foreign Greenpeace activists Foreign Minister's stance on detained Greenpeace activist disappoints family Australian Greenpeace activist to remain in prison for further three months Ecologist fears fresh water harming Coorong About this email You received this email because you are subscribed to ABC News email alerts. 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