ABC NewsMail - Afternoon Edition

NewsMail Afternoon Edition Sat 11 Jan, 2014 Top Stories More Top Stories » Punch victim Daniel Christie dies in hospital A Sydney teenager who was seriously assaulted on New Year’s Eve has died in hospital after his family chose to turn off his life support. Daniel Christie, 18, was in a critical condition for 11 days after he was punched during a night out at Potts Point, Sydney, around 9:00pm (AEDT) on December 31. In an emotional statement, Christie's family paid tribute to his life. "Daniel was exceptional; he was a beacon of morality with a heart of gold," the statement said. "We are so proud of Daniel and will strive to live with the core values he possessed: respect, dignity, pride and integrity." The family this month called for people to avoid the term king hit to describe such attacks, a move backed by the NSW Government. More » National curriculum needs more religion, says education reviewer Asylum seeker boat push-backs may breach international laws, UN warns Parks, recreational areas closed as heatwave hits WA 'Miracle' escape after car lands in path of freight train Tonga braced as Cyclone Ian lashes islands with destructive winds Bodies of Noelene and Yvana Bischoff flown to Brisbane More Analysis » Our 2015 World Cup campaign starts here One Day cricket has gone from being derided for being too superficial and slap-dash, to now being tarred as too slow relative to its flashier white-ball cousin. However, the greatest enemy of the format is its own early success. The critique is simple: so many games, so many series, yet more often than not, so little at stake. The good news is that the imminent World Cup being co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand at the back end of next summer means that we now have a major reason to pay attention the series against England. More » The real reason behind the whaling backflip The environment would pay for 'free trade' Learning to read is learning how to live The light on the sand dune Post offices are the lifeblood of rural Australia We must recognise racism in order to end it 'My heritage is more important than yours' A lot more is at stake than just whaling The real danger in Cory Bernardi's comments Just In More Just In » Punch victim Daniel Christie dies in hospital A Sydney teenager who was seriously assaulted on New Year’s Eve has died in hospital after his family chose to turn off his life support. Daniel Christie, 18, was in a critical condition for 11 days after he was punched during a night out at Potts Point, Sydney, around 9:00pm (AEDT) on December 31. In an emotional statement, Christie's family paid tribute to his life. "Daniel was exceptional; he was a beacon of morality with a heart of gold," the statement said. "We are so proud of Daniel and will strive to live with the core values he possessed: respect, dignity, pride and integrity." The family this month called for people to avoid the term king hit to describe such attacks, a move backed by the NSW Government. More » Parks, recreational areas closed as heatwave hits WA Thousands gather for Lorne's Pier to Pub swim National curriculum needs more religion, says education reviewer Malala praises teen who tackled suicide bomber outside school India demands US withdraw diplomat as dispute continues NT pair rescued from sinking boat in croc-infested waters Then and now: 50 years since cigarettes linked to cancer 'Miracle' escape after car lands in path of freight train Man charged over indecent assault of 5yo boy in public toilet World More World » Malala praises teen who tackled suicide bomber outside school Pakistani schoolgirl activist Malala Yousafzai, who survived being shot in the head by the Taliban, has paid tribute to a teenager who died stopping a suicide bomber from attacking a school. More » India demands US withdraw diplomat as dispute continues Tonga braced as Cyclone Ian lashes islands with destructive winds South Sudan claims recapture of oil-producing state Central African Republic president quits amid sectarian strife French president considers legal action over alleged affair with actress Business More Business » Construction sector urges infrastructure reforms to lower cost to taxpayers By Melissa Clarke The construction sector thinks it has an answer to what it says is one of the nation's pressing problems - the high cost of infrastructure development. It is urging both the Commonwealth and state governments to radically rethink the way big projects are managed. The market domination of a few heavyweight contractors as well as a lack of public sector expertise are being highlighted as key areas for reform. More » New home sales surge on unit developments Saputo extends Warrnambool offer Telstra cops ACMA fine for service standard breaches Market closes down as investors await US jobs figures Politics More Politics » National curriculum needs more religion, says education reviewer By Andrew Greene, staff There should be more religious education in Australian schools, says one of the men tasked with reviewing the national curriculum. Former teacher and ex-Liberal Party staffer Kevin Donnelly says Australian education has become too secular, and the federation's Judeo-Christian heritage should be better reflected in the curriculum. The review was announced yesterday by Federal Education Minister Christopher Pyne, after concerns the curriculum had become too left-leaning and was failing students. "When you look at Parliaments around Australia - they all begin with the Lord's prayer. If you look at our constitution, the preamble is about God," Mr Donnelly said. "You can't airbrush that from history - it has to be recognised." More » India demands US withdraw diplomat as dispute continues Asylum seeker boat push-backs may breach international laws, UN warns Food industry likened to big tobacco in war on sugar Tradies could lose work licences under anti-bikie laws Sport More Sport » Aussies leave out Pattinson for ODI opener Australia left out James Pattinson from its final XI for Sunday's opening one-day international with England at the MCG. More » Spain's Muguruza wins Hobart International Scott makes ominous move in Hawaii Heart's winless run stretches to 19 games Tomic into Sydney International final Scorchers win Big Bash thriller Science and Technology More Science and Technology » CSIRO makes Brisbane girl a titanium dragon A seven-year-old girl who wrote to the CSIRO asking them to make her a dragon has had her dream come true. More » Decline of top predators a threat to ecosystems Tequila plant could produce cheap biofuel Keyless entry concerns after woman trapped in car Great white sharks can live into their 70s, study shows Environment More Environment » Decline of top predators a threat to ecosystems By Kate Brownlie-Smith Lions and wolves may spark fear in the hearts of many, but ecologists are warning their decline is a more terrifying prospect for ecosystems worldwide. More » Tequila plant could produce cheap biofuel Great white sharks can live into their 70s, study shows Australian on a mission to stamp out 'barbaric' bear bile trade Sea Shepherd drives Japanese whalers from hunting grounds 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. 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