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NewsMail Morning Edition Sat 11 Jan, 2014 Top Stories More Top Stories » Asylum seeker boat push-backs may breach international laws, UN warns The UN refugee agency says it is awaiting an explanation from the Australian Government over reports asylum seeker boats have been forcibly returned to Indonesia. There were revelations earlier this week that two asylum seeker boats have been pushed back to Indonesia by the Australian Navy. The UN says its staff have been interviewing people who were onboard the two boats in question. The agency is also investigating reports of Government plans to provide lifeboats for asylum seekers for future push-backs. "For the UNHCR it's a very concerning policy or practice if it involves pushing asylum seeker boats back out to sea without proper consideration of individuals who need international protection," a UN spokesman said. More » Tonga braced as Cyclone Ian lashes islands with destructive winds Heatwave conditions tipped to move from WA to eastern states Bodies of Noelene and Yvana Bischoff flown to Brisbane Tradies could lose work licences under anti-bikie laws CSIRO makes Brisbane girl a titanium dragon 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 » Bodies of Noelene and Yvana Bischoff flown to Brisbane The bodies of a Sunshine Coast mother and daughter, Noelene and Yvana Bischoff, who died in Bali have arrived in Brisbane. The pair had been on holidays when they fell ill and died after eating at a restaurant last weekend. More » Tonga braced as Cyclone Ian lashes islands with destructive winds Asylum seeker boat push-backs may breach international laws, UN warns 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 Food industry likened to big tobacco in war on sugar Tradies could lose work licences under anti-bikie laws Magic camp makes rehab fun for children with paralysis condition Tropical Cyclone Ian intensifies to Category 5 World More World » Tonga braced as Cyclone Ian lashes islands with destructive winds Disaster agencies are on standby as one of the most power cyclones to hit Tonga in the past 50 years lashes the Pacific nation's northern islands. Severe Tropical Cyclone Ian, which has been bearing down on the northern island groups of Vava'u and Ha'apai, made landfall around 7:00am (AEDT). Many people living on the Vava'u island group are still living in small shelters set up after the last major cyclone tore through the region and it is feared Ian's powerful winds will tear those homes apart. "This is certainly capable of doing enormous levels of destruction and we hope that people there are secure because this is the sort of cyclone that could also lead to loss of life," said Fiji-based climate analyst Neville Koo. More » 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 Tropical Cyclone Ian intensifies to Category 5 Indian diplomat indicted, leaving US 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 » Asylum seeker boat push-backs may breach international laws, UN warns The UN refugee agency says it is awaiting an explanation from the Australian Government over reports asylum seeker boats have been forcibly returned to Indonesia. There were revelations earlier this week that two asylum seeker boats have been pushed back to Indonesia by the Australian Navy. The UN says its staff have been interviewing people who were onboard the two boats in question. The agency is also investigating reports of Government plans to provide lifeboats for asylum seekers for future push-backs. "For the UNHCR it's a very concerning policy or practice if it involves pushing asylum seeker boats back out to sea without proper consideration of individuals who need international protection," a UN spokesman said. More » Food industry likened to big tobacco in war on sugar Tradies could lose work licences under anti-bikie laws Palmer hopes to visit asylum children on Christmas Island Indian diplomat indicted, leaving US Sport More Sport » Tomic into Sydney International final Bernard Tomic advanced to the Sydney International final after beating Ukraine's Sergiy Stakhovsky in three sets. More » Stosur bows out in Hobart semis Heart's winless run stretches to 19 games Scorchers win Big Bash thriller Jets hold Victory in Newcastle Hewitt beats Murray in Kooyong exhibition 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. 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 © 2014 ABC | Conditions of Use | Privacy Policy | Discover other ABC Email newsletters