ABC NewsMail - Afternoon Edition

NewsMail Afternoon Edition Sun 16 Feb, 2014 Top Stories More Top Stories » Rain interrupts PM's tour of drought-hit NSW, Qld By Anna Henderson and Peter Lewis Prime Minister Tony Abbott has told drought-affected farmers the Government is close to finalising an assistance package that addresses the economic and social needs of rural areas. Mr Abbott and Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce are touring parts of New South Wales and Queensland today, giving farmers the chance to talk directly to them about the drought and how it is affecting rural communities. But part of the tour has been cancelled because of rain - with heavy falls in Bourke, and some rain and strong winds in Longreach. Farmers have warned that isolated rains will not provide them with enough relief to renew their businesses. "This is a government that is determined to stand by the people of Australia in good times and in bad times," Mr Abbott told reporters in Bourke. More » Branson warns Government against helping Qantas Morrison says Navy intrusion report to be shared with Indonesia Scores of Victorians without electricity after power pole fires Missing Japanese divers said to be experienced Australia claims victory in first Test in Centurion More Analysis » Offshore, near shore and unsure When I took an offshored gig with Fairfax, I found myself playing an unwitting role in the rise of New Zealand as a low-wage economy. In the 1990s hundreds of jobs left New Zealand shores bound for Australia, but the tide has turned. While New Zealand's apparent stability may be great for investors, it isn't for staff. And now the gap between what's good for business and for the workers is set to widen. More » Proceeds of crime or free speech? Bibi's bind - politics or peace? The company, the cash and the split Liberal Party A captain-in-waiting's knock Protectionism no cure for our woes The human cost of drought can't be counted Advance Australia unfair Slogans stifled debate - and we let them What really killed the auto industry Just In More Just In » Miner killed in rockfall in WA Goldfields A 59-year old man has died in a rockfall at a gold mine near Norseman in the West Australian Goldfields. More » Shots fired at Sydney home, family refuse to name suspects Branson warns Government against helping Qantas Longreach grazier hopes PM will 'persevere' with agriculture industry Morrison says Navy intrusion report to be shared with Indonesia Scores of Victorians without electricity after power pole fires Turkish politicians brawl in parliament Bushwalker in critical condition after Sydney cliff fall 13yo rescued after crashing stolen car in Melbourne's east Rain interrupts PM's tour of drought-hit NSW, Qld World More World » Turkish politicians brawl in parliament Politicians have suffered a blood nose and a broken finger, in violent scuffles in Turkey's national parliament. The punch-up happened during a heated debate over a controversial bill, giving the government more control of the judiciary. Fighting erupted overnight with fists flying in the air between ruling party and opposition lawmakers as the bill was debated in a marathon 20-hour sitting. More » Lebanon forms government after 10-month deadlock Lassila not ruling out continuing beyond Sochi North Korean ship seized with arms returning to Cuba City find scoring touch to beat Chelsea in FA Cup Johnson runs riot as Australia wins first Test Business More Business » Branson warns Government against helping Qantas Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson has taken out a full-page advertisement in News Corp papers urging the Federal Government not to provide financial assistance for rival airline Qantas. More » Australian dollar could fall further on foreign ownership of resources Newcrest posts 88 per cent profit slump on falling gold prices Rio Tinto to cut costs to drive profit growth Farmers launch class action against ANZ bank Agribusiness takeover bids excite the market Politics More Politics » Branson warns Government against helping Qantas Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson has taken out a full-page advertisement in News Corp papers urging the Federal Government not to provide financial assistance for rival airline Qantas. More » Morrison says Navy intrusion report to be shared with Indonesia Turkish politicians brawl in parliament Rain interrupts PM's tour of drought-hit NSW, Qld North Korean ship seized with arms returning to Cuba Sport More Sport » Johnson runs riot as Australia wins first Test By James Maasdorp Michell Johnson's career-best match figures powered Australia to a 281-run win over South Africa in the first Test. More » Australia v South Africa: First Test, day four as it happened Lassila not ruling out continuing beyond Sochi Sydney FC claim win over Perth Glory Cowboy Coote set to miss season Victory scrapes past Muangthong United Science and Technology More Science and Technology » US scientists achieve 'turning point' in fusion energy quest Scientists in the United States say they have taken an important step on a decades-old quest to harness nuclear fusion to generate nearly inexhaustible energy. More » 'Inadvertent errors' force nutritionists to correct controversial sugar paper China's Jade Rabbit lunar rover comes 'back to life' WA coral reef decimated by marine heatwave: study 20 per cent of world's bird species found in cities Environment More Environment » US, China to share policy ideas to fight global warming The United States and China announce they are joining forces to share more information on efforts to combat climate change. More » Bushfire-hit farmer sees hope by de-stocking US scientists achieve 'turning point' in fusion energy quest WA coral reef decimated by marine heatwave: study Palmer's company not prosecuted over toxins in reef park 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