ABC NewsMail - Afternoon Edition

NewsMail Afternoon Edition Wed 26 Feb, 2014 Top Stories More Top Stories » $320 million package for drought-hit farmers By political correspondent Emma Griffiths Prime Minister Tony Abbott has left the way open to give drought-hit farmers more assistance, on top of the $320 million package just announced by the Government, if the drought worsens. Farmers, particularly in Queensland and western New South Wales, have been hit by a two-year dry. The Government has moved to give struggling farmers easier access to income support and bigger concessional loans but some are worried the new plan does not go far enough. There is also an extra $10.7 million in funding for programs to help people in "personal crisis", $10 million to eradicate feral animals and $12 million to add to existing emergency water infrastructure schemes. Mr Abbott announced the package saying: "There are no magic wands but we will do what we can to help in difficult times." More » Royal commission told girls were drugged and raped at NSW state-run homes Defence chief surprised by Conroy's claim of 'cover-up' Girl killed by 12yo boy playing with loaded gun Murdered teenager's mother tells court of her emotional battle Australia's biggest crocodile sale underway in WA Hackett heads to US for Stilnox treatment: manager More Analysis » Internet piracy talks must include us - the consumers As everyone with any knowledge of online piracy will admit, the real problem isn't piracy or even getting money to starving artists: it's middlemen distributors and the availability of content. Australians wouldn't need to hit up BitTorrent every week in record numbers for the latest episode of Game of Thrones if Foxtel hadn't locked it up so completely. Attorney-General George Brandis and his roundtable of corporate representatives should not be able to decide the future of Australians' access to content without the ordinary punter having their say too. More » Forget tradition, we need transparency Britain's EU battle to impact Australia Reality may disrupt this G20 growth target Playing the 'wimp' card a tactical move Life in the crosshairs of online bullies Another G20 deal for everyone to ignore Getting the balance right on medical patents The momentum of events Racism hides true culprit of housing discrimination Just In More Just In » PNG police report finds officers not responsible for Manus death By Karen Barlow The Papua New Guinea police force says the asylum seeker killed during last week's violence at Manus Island died of multiple head injuries, but denies their officers or locals are responsible. More » Former Rugby player Mulvihill gives account of ex-girlfriend's last moments Girl killed by 12yo boy playing with loaded gun Quiet tide of underemployed wait longer to get more work Asylum seeker attempts suicide after deportation notice Dozens of crocodiles from WA's north on the market Evacuation plan ready if Morwell mine situation worsens Analysis: Qantas has softened up taxpayers to be the bait on a sharp hook Sea Shepherd seeks shark cull injunction Comancheros boss to be released after guilty plea World More World » US could pull all troops out of Afghanistan: Obama By North America correspondent Ben Knight and wires US president Barack Obama says he will withdraw all US troops from Afghanistan by the end of the year, if the Afghan president continues to delay signing a post-war security deal. More » Canadian doctor jailed for sexually assaulting sedated patients Another bad night for Man Utd, Dortmund rout Zenit Poll finds little support for changing NZ flag Brooks 'did not know phone hacking was illegal' Japan to restart nuclear reactors Business More Business » Analysis: Qantas has softened up taxpayers to be the bait on a sharp hook Analysis by Ian Verrender Qantas has softened up the Federal Government, which is getting ready to put taxpayers on the hook for the airline's junk debt. More » Struggling Rex says Qantas is the cause of its own problems AWA appoints administrators after 105 years Quiet tide of underemployed wait longer to get more work Flight Centre and Wotif return with two different travel tales Westfield Group posts profit fall Politics More Politics » PNG police report finds officers not responsible for Manus death By Karen Barlow The Papua New Guinea police force says the asylum seeker killed during last week's violence at Manus Island died of multiple head injuries, but denies their officers or locals are responsible. More » Nash refuses to say if she offered to quit over adviser's lobbying links Defence chief surprised by Conroy's claim of 'cover-up' $320 million package for drought-hit farmers Nationals to take on South Coast Liberals Sport More Sport » No room for Neill in Socceroos squad Ange Postecoglou has left Lucas Neill out of his Socceroos squad to face Ecuador in London on March 6. More » Hackett heads to US for Stilnox treatment Warner stirs things up with ball-handling comments Sheens reappointed Kangaroos coach for 2014 Meares set for record tilt at track world titles Fresh face Luongo eager to impress Postecoglou Science and Technology More Science and Technology » Qld scientists hope to turn China's red bayberry into Aussie favourite By Courtney Wilson Queensland scientists are hoping to turn a traditional Chinese fruit into a new Australian favourite. More » Researchers use sensors to develop new car crash avoidance systems NBN Co to launch trial of alternative broadband network Canberra is nation's hot spot for broadband access Facebook acquires WhatsApp in $19 billion deal Environment More Environment » Beijing smog prompts WHO to declare crisis By China correspondent Stephen McDonell A thick blanket of smog covering much of northern China has led the World Health Organisation to declare a crisis. More » No reliable link between wind farms and health problems, NHMRC says Barrier Reef board members cleared of conflict of interest Landslides in Indonesia's Papua kill 11, two missing Nun, 84, jailed for breaking into US nuclear facility 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