ABC NewsMail - Morning Edition

NewsMail Morning Edition Mon 30 Dec, 2013 Top Stories More Top Stories » Olympics safety fears after deadly Russia suicide bombing By Europe correspondent Philip Williams, wires A female suicide bomber has blown herself up in a Russian train station, killing at least 16 people in the second deadly attack in the space of three days as the country prepares to host the Winter Olympics. More than 40 people were wounded in the blast that blew out the windows of the lower floors of the imposing columned building. The explosion has prompted president Vladimir Putin to order law enforcement agencies take all necessary measures to ensure security. Insurgent leader Doku Umarov, a Chechen warlord, has urged militants to use "maximum force" to prevent Mr Putin staging the Olympics. More » Tropical Cyclone Christine upgraded to category three Racing champion Michael Schumacher injured in ski accident Mohamad Chatah's funeral held in Beirut after car bombing 'Big cracks' appear in ice around stranded ship The Ashes: Australia crushes England, winning by eight wickets More Analysis » 2013 in politics: the power of three From three-word slogans to triple backflips, the number three dominated the year in politics, most notably in the power struggle between Julia Gillard, Kevin Rudd and Tony Abbott. While Rudd was successful in taking revenge on his deputy-turned-nemesis, his quest to become a thrice-anointed prime minister was undone by voter concern about Labor unity, competency and values. But while Tony Abbott won the election convincingly, his own days may well be numbered unless he delivers the competent government he promised. More » Summers of our content Australia's love affair with the jewel sea A time to be thankful for the market economy (really) Revisiting the Jesus meme Tony Abbott's blame game can't last forever The sticky residues of Christian faith Ben Pobjie's tips for maintaining Christmas harmony The Coalition is a victim of its own rhetoric The age of internet empires Just In More Just In » Bad weather holds off Antarctic rescue An Australian icebreaker has edged closer overnight to a Russian ship stuck in sea ice in Antarctica. A spokeswoman for the Australian Maritime Safety Authority says the Aurora Australis reached the edge of thick pack ice about 2:00am (AEDT) and is about 28 nautical miles east of the stricken ship. She says snow showers and poor visibility have prevented the icebreaker from getting any closer at this stage. The Akademik Shokalskiy had been retracing Sir Douglas Mawson's Antarctic expedition and conducting scientific research when sea ice closed in about 1,500 nautical miles south of Hobart. More » Palmer releases MOU between PUP and Motoring Party Reprieve for south-east Qld as sweltering conditions persist elsewhere Tropical Cyclone Christine upgraded to category three Mohamad Chatah's funeral held in Beirut after car bombing WA police seek car linked to double homicide Gale force winds ease for Sydney-Hobart sailors Last freed foreign Greenpeace activist leaves Russia Racing champion Michael Schumacher injured in ski accident Woman charged with deliberately lighting NSW bushfire World More World » Mohamad Chatah's funeral held in Beirut after car bombing By Middle East correspondent Hayden Cooper Thousands of mourners have attended the funeral of former Lebanese politician Mohamad Chatah who was killed in a car bombing in central Beirut on Friday. More » Last freed foreign Greenpeace activist leaves Russia Racing champion Michael Schumacher injured in ski accident Olympics safety fears after deadly Russia suicide bombing Syria 'unlikely' to meet weapons deadline: UN Syrian forces kill 25 in Aleppo barrel bomb attack, activists say Business More Business » Boxing Day sales beat retailers' expectations An estimated $2 billion went through the tills in yesterday's Boxing Day sales, beating retailers' predictions. More » Australian share market fizzles in quiet day of trade Business concerns over new bullying laws set to take effect IT sector laments continuing skills crisis Concern voiced about exploitation of young workers Politics More Politics » Palmer releases MOU between PUP and Motoring Party Federal MP Clive Palmer has released the Memorandum of Understanding between his Palmer United Party and the Australian Motoring Enthusiast Party. More » Last freed foreign Greenpeace activist leaves Russia Zimbabwe dismisses concerns of ambassador after asylum bid Olympics safety fears after deadly Russia suicide bombing AMA criticises proposal for upfront GP fee Sport More Sport » Arsenal, Chelsea and Everton win as Liverpool falters Arsenal and Everton record crucial wins as Chelsea see off Liverpool at Stamford Bridge More » Kallis says goodbye from Test cricket with a ton Australia cruises to victory for 4-0 lead Black Caviar's half brother loses battle with illness Stars assert Big Bash dominance Handicap still up for grabs in Sydney-Hobart Science and Technology More Science and Technology » Bad weather holds off Antarctic rescue An Australian icebreaker has edged closer overnight to a Russian ship stuck in sea ice in Antarctica. A spokeswoman for the Australian Maritime Safety Authority says the Aurora Australis reached the edge of thick pack ice about 2:00am (AEDT) and is about 28 nautical miles east of the stricken ship. She says snow showers and poor visibility have prevented the icebreaker from getting any closer at this stage. The Akademik Shokalskiy had been retracing Sir Douglas Mawson's Antarctic expedition and conducting scientific research when sea ice closed in about 1,500 nautical miles south of Hobart. More » 'Big cracks' appear in ice around stranded ship Icebreaker unable to reach ship stuck in Antarctica Icebreaking ships to reach trapped Antarctic ship today UK weather office set to offer space forecasts Environment More Environment » Tasmanian Greenpeace activist leaves Russia By Europe correspondent Barbara Miller Tasmanian Greenpeace activist Colin Russell has left on a flight out of Russia hours after being granted an exit visa. More » Greenpeace activist Colin Russell expected home before new year The year that was: Fact, fiction and everything in between Nyrstar given five years to upgrade smelter Fact File: Protecting people from shark attacks 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