ABC NewsMail - Afternoon Edition

NewsMail Afternoon Edition Fri 06 Dec, 2013 Top Stories More Top Stories » Nelson Mandela dead at 95 Former South African president Nelson Mandela, one of the greatest freedom fighters and political leaders of the 20th century, has died aged 95 surrounded by family at his Johannesburg home. "Our nation has lost its greatest son. Our people have lost a father," South African president Jacob Zuma said in a live TV address to the nation. "Although we knew this day would come, nothing can diminish our sense of a profound and enduring loss. This is the moment of our deepest sorrow." Hundreds of South Africans gathered outside the house in the middle of the night for an impromptu vigil, dancing the "Madiba jive", singing anti-apartheid songs and shouting "Viva Mandela!". Some were draped in flags, others still wore their pyjamas. South Africa's archbishop emeritus Desmond Tutu said Mr Mandela had healed a divided nation. "We are relieved that his suffering is over, but our relief is drowned by our grief. May he rest in peace and rise in glory," he said. Mr Zuma said there would be a state funeral and ordered flags be flown at half-mast. More » Nelson Mandela dies: Live coverage as the world reacts Nelson Mandela dead: World pays tribute Ashes Live: Second Test Macfarlane wants Holden closure source revealed Qantas credit rating downgraded to 'junk' status Authorities to probe how asylum group avoided detection Coles, Woolworths agree to stop heavy fuel discounting Police lose diamond ring swallowed by alleged thief More Analysis » Mandela, Madiba, father of a nation The shame of apartheid confronted me soon after my arrival. The tension in the air was palpable. It felt as if South Africa was on the edge of a revolution - it was. All the while, despite being locked away in prison, Nelson Mandela was everywhere; a living presence; a constant in the conversations of black South Africans and white activists. Defined by his commitment to end the evil of apartheid, he became a symbol of good. He was a leader, along with the Dalai Lama, for whom rightful adulation was his natural companion. More » Vale Nelson Mandela: a man of heroic compromise Sharing South Africa's hero with the world Money for nothing in Gonski backflip Free Mandela: the song that danced its way into history Australian entitlement is in for a great shock Canberra's key party relationships: it's complicated Playing God on asylum seekers is unacceptable Would a 'spy code' with Indonesia really work? A maiden speech for our times Just In More Just In » Keelty says lax standards to blame for missing votes An inquiry into Western Australia's missing Senate votes has found significant failures in the handling, movement and storage of ballot papers. More » Mandela: global colossus, moral giant, policy wonk WA Labor MP to marry same-sex partner in ACT tonight Qld police chief weighs in on anti-bikie appointment Coles, Woolworths agree to stop heavy fuel discounting Accused killer put murdered wife's phone in previous spouse's ashes Authorities to probe how asylum group avoided detection Police lose diamond ring swallowed by alleged thief Ringleader of match-fixing syndicate pleads guilty Touched by the Mandela magic World More World » Mandela: global colossus, moral giant, policy wonk By former ABC Africa correspondent Ben Wilson Former ABC Africa correspondent Ben Wilson recalls a Nelson Mandela speech which drove home the breadth of the man's influence on his fellow South Africans. More » Touched by the Mandela magic World pays tribute to Nelson Mandela Nelson Mandela dies: Live coverage as the world reacts Timeline: Life and times of Nelson Mandela Nelson Mandela: Africa's Lincoln Business More Business » Macfarlane wants Holden closure source revealed By Eliza Borrello and Chris Uhlmann, staff Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane has challenged the ABC to reveal which of his colleagues have claimed Holden is quitting Australia. Last night the ABC reported claims from senior government ministers that Holden has decided to pull out of Australia as early as 2016. Mr Macfarlane says he spoke to Holden after the news broke and the company reassured him no decision had been made. He is now asking the ABC to reveal which of his colleagues spoke out. The comments came after Prime Minister Tony Abbott declared Holden would not get any more government assistance. More » Qantas credit rating downgraded to 'junk' status Markets on Wall Street and in Europe fall Beef and sugar big winners from Korean trade deal Politics More Politics » Keelty says lax standards to blame for missing votes An inquiry into Western Australia's missing Senate votes has found significant failures in the handling, movement and storage of ballot papers. More » Authorities to probe how asylum group avoided detection Attorney-General loses appeal to keep serial rapist Fardon in jail Macfarlane wants Holden closure source revealed Australia setting up hotline with Indonesia in wake of spying row Sport More Sport » Second Ashes Test, Day Two: live blog Michael Clarke and Brad Haddin have scored tons to put Australia in control of the second Test at the Adelaide Oval. More » Sporting community mourns Mandela England made right call picking Panesar: Swann Kangaroos trio nominated for Golden Boot No Wallabies in rugby's World XV Ross to appeal two-year ASADA ban Science and Technology More Science and Technology » Amazon's drone delivery plan sparks privacy debate in US By North America correspondent Ben Knight Amazon's proposal to use drone vehicles to make deliveries has caused significant debate in the United States. Some citizens see potential for drones to expand business capabilities and emergency services, whilst others are concerned about threats to privacy that an increased number of 'eyes in the sky' might pose. More » Chinese students 'driven by competition' SpaceX puts satellite into orbit Australian students slipping behind in maths, reading: OECD report ACCC rejects complaints over nano-free sunscreen Environment More Environment » Abbott hits YouTube to ramp up pressure on Labor over carbon tax By chief political correspondent Emma Griffiths, staff Prime Minister Tony Abbott has taken to YouTube in a bid to up the ante on Labor to axe the carbon tax. Legislation to repeal the scheme is set for debate in the Senate this week but the bills are headed for defeat at the hands of the Opposition and the Greens. Mr Abbott continues to push his assertion that abolishing the carbon price will save householders hundreds of dollars. "You could do a lot with $550. That's what every Australian household on average will get from the abolition of the carbon tax," he said in the video. "It would be the best possible Christmas present for the Australian people." Labor insists it will only agree to abolish the tax if it is replaced with an emissions trading scheme and not the Coalition's Direct Action policy. More » Somerset koalas give scientists hope Clean Energy Finance Corp warns shutdown will hit budget Kiribati man fails to become first climate change refugee Captive-bred Tasmanian devils thriving on island haven 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