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NewsMail Morning Edition Fri 20 Dec, 2013 Top Stories More Top Stories » Pair guilty of murdering British soldier Lee Rigby By Europe correspondent Barbara Miller, wires Two British Islamists have been convicted of murdering soldier Lee Rigby in a gruesome daylight attack in London which shocked the world. Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale ran over the 25-year-old soldier near an army barracks in May then attacked his unconscious body with knives and a meat cleaver, trying to behead him. They then dragged his corpse into the middle of the road where Adebolajo asked a bystander to video him, with his hands covered in blood, as he calmly explained what he had done. The jury at London's Old Bailey criminal court took just over an hour to decide unanimously that Adebolajo and Adebowale were guilty of murder. "This has been the toughest time of our lives and no one should have to go through what we have been through as a family," a Rigby family spokesman said. More » People injured after balcony collapses in London theatre Prince William, Kate and baby George to visit Australia in April Korean man charged with Brisbane murder of fellow national Min Tae Kim 400 truancy officers to improve Indigenous school attendance rates India wants US charges dropped against strip-searched diplomat Actor Morgan Freeman mistaken for Mandela on Indian billboard More Analysis » These falls may be just the beginning for the AUD Instead of cutting rates, the Reserve Bank has been trying to talk down the Australian dollar in order to provide a boost to the international competitiveness of local businesses. This mission has just been given a boost by the US Federal Reserve's decision to start winding back its so-called quantitative easing program. As the US economy improves, and the Fed pumps less greenbacks into the global financial system, the US dollar is likely to keep appreciating, therefore pushing the Australian dollar down against it. More » The opportunistic embrace of free speech Tim Wilson and the balancing act of human rights Fear of missing out drove our Ashes success Hockey is saving the good news for May All Hockey wants for Christmas is a lower dollar Ashes: the urn is home for Christmas Those income tax cuts aren't looking so good now Prepare for a cheaper, slimmer NDIS Is time up for Australia's uranium industry? Just In More Just In » People injured after balcony collapses in London theatre Emergency services are called to a London theatre after a balcony collapsed. More » Brisbane detectives charge Korean man with murder of Min Tae Kim Prince William, Kate and baby George to visit Australia in April 400 truancy officers to improve Indigenous school attendance rates China crackdown on lavish funerals Putin backs US spying, says Arctic 30 arrests a 'lesson' India wants US charges dropped against strip-searched diplomat Residents urged to be alert for bushfire at Uleybury, in South Australia Pair guilty of murdering British soldier Lee Rigby Actor Morgan Freeman mistaken for Mandela on Indian billboard World More World » People injured after balcony collapses in London theatre Emergency services are called to a London theatre after a balcony collapsed. More » China crackdown on lavish funerals Putin backs US spying, says Arctic 30 arrests a 'lesson' India wants US charges dropped against strip-searched diplomat Pair guilty of murdering British soldier Lee Rigby Actor Morgan Freeman mistaken for Mandela on Indian billboard Business More Business » Australian dollar drops as US Fed decides to scale back economic stimulus By business editor Peter Ryan and Pat McGrath The Australian dollar has touched a three-year low against the greenback after the US Federal Reserve said it would begin scaling back its massive stimulus program next month. It then rebounded, jumping to as high as 89.45 cents as investors began to digest the details of the announcement. The Fed will reduce its monthly asset purchases by $US10 billion from January, bringing them down to $US75 billion. It is the central bank's first step towards winding back the stimulus that has helped the US recover from its worst recession since the 1930s. More » NAB warns against financial new regulation No deep pockets as Ksubi jeans enters administration Concern over SPC assistance grant Facebook and Zuckerberg must face lawsuit for misleading investors, judge rules Politics More Politics » Putin backs US spying, says Arctic 30 arrests a 'lesson' Russian president Vladimir Putin has described US surveillance programs as a necessity to fight terrorism but also expressed admiration for fugitive Edward Snowden over his leaking of the schemes. Meanwhile, Mr Putin has warned activists that the treatment of a Greenpeace group who protested on a Russian oil rig should serve as a lesson. More » Australia's Foreign Minister says Nauru asylum centre 'better than mining camps' Rio Tinto to close Gove alumina refinery by July Leaked McTernan emails reveal chaos surrounding 'men in blue ties' speech Baby steps as Greens, Coalition discuss parental leave Sport More Sport » SBW to return to rugby in 2015 Sonny Bill Williams will leave the Sydney Roosters after the 2014 NRL season and return to rugby union. More » Mariners get hard-fought win over Phoenix Sharp named interim coach as Sharks fight punishments Clarke praises Watson's team-first mentality Meares frustrated speaking for tarnished competitors Swann causes storm comparing Ashes loss to rape Science and Technology More Science and Technology » Experts warn against experimental stem cell treatments By medical reporter Sophie Scott and Alison Branley Patients who undergo experimental stem cell treatments run the risk of serious injury, experts have warned. More » 3D printed horseshoe breakthrough Study shows how parents lose perspective on child size Wotif.com share plunge after profit downgrade Diamonds found in volcanic rock in Antarctica Environment More Environment » 'Good neighbour' payments on offer near wind turbines Residents close to a proposed 120-turbine wind farm east of Adelaide can apply for 'good neighbour' payments if they back the project. More » Outrage as environmental lawyers lose funding Victorian cattlemen push to reopen high country grazing Kerry returns to Vietnam's Mekong Delta to address climate change issues Bailed Greenpeace activists not able to leave Russia 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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