ABC NewsMail - Afternoon Edition

NewsMail Afternoon Edition Tue 04 Feb, 2014 Top Stories More Top Stories » SPC Ardmona denies it's too generous to workers By Warwick Long and Emma Griffiths SPC Ardmona has hit back at claims by the Prime Minister that its business troubles are due to "extraordinary" workplace conditions, saying the statements are "mistaken and need to be refuted by the facts". More » Christine Fyffe elected Victorian Speaker after Ken Smith resigns Reserve Bank flags period of interest rate stability at 2.5 per cent Rudd and Gillard may appear before pink batts inquiry Push for no meat behind bars Car crashes onto Bondi Beach in Sydney Facebook resists calls to ban promotion of 'neknomination' More Analysis » PM’s ABC critique masks deeper security debate The ethics of whistleblowing and the media form a small part of a wider debate about intelligence agencies in the modern world. Details on spying and covert operations were once known to the privileged politicians who were allowed into the war room, and what happened behind closed doors stayed that way. But technology has made it easier to gather - and leak - secretive material, meaning embarrassing disclosures on national security will be the new norm. More » The $51 billion question: what is in it for Putin? It's all relative: The poverty wars are back Anything more than a trim could hurt the economy Preparing for the post-boom economy A true artist's candle flickers out Abuse of power does nothing to protect us A predictable GG - but not exactly traditional The story is the boats, not the ABC Obama's rallying cry for gender equality Just In More Just In » Crown rejects pleas in trial over lawyer's death A Crown Prosecutor has rejected two guilty pleas in the trial of three people accused of murdering Wollongong lawyer Katie Foreman. More » Australian who died in Bali 'had heart condition' Reserve Bank flags period of interest rate stability at 2.5 per cent Ken Smith resigns as Speaker, Christine Fyffe elected as replacement Women slaves in Australia silent and isolated: study Car crashes onto Bondi Beach in Sydney Peter Costello appointed Future Fund chairman Salvation Army officers allegedly moved interstate if accused of child sex abuse SPC Ardmona denies it's too generous to workers Name suppressed for Louise Bell murder accused World More World » Thailand's opposition Democrat Party to challenge disputed weekend ballot Thailand's opposition Democrat Party to launch court challenge of disputed weekend ballot. More » Ukraine president rules out force, eyes early elections: ally Texas mattress merchant loses $8m in Super Bowl bet Facebook turns 10: the social network in numbers 'Breathtaking' corruption costs EU $185 billion a year German Catholics reject sex rules, bishops tell Vatican Business More Business » Reserve Bank flags period of interest rate stability at 2.5 per cent By business reporter Michael Janda The Reserve Bank has left interest rates on hold, and says that is where they are likely to stay for some time. The bank's decision to leave the cash rate at a record low 2.5 per cent surprised no one, with even economists forecasting a further rate cut expecting the bank to leave rates steady this month, and potentially move later in the year. The last cut in official interest rates came six months ago, in August last year, when the bank lowered the cash rate target by 25 basis points to its current level. More » Share market slides steeply on Wall Street rout SPC Ardmona denies it's too generous to workers Business sales expectations the best in a decade Rio Tinto reveals refinery closure rescue package Politics More Politics » Peter Costello appointed Future Fund chairman By political reporter Latika Bourke Former treasurer Peter Costello has been appointed to chair the Future Fund, following months of speculation the Coalition would award him the job. More » Ukraine president rules out force, eyes early elections: ally Rio Tinto reveals refinery closure rescue package Rudd and Gillard may appear before pink batts inquiry Korean prosecutors seek 20 years in MP sedition trial Sport More Sport » Sky Blues sign Socceroo Ognenovski Sydney FC has signed Socceroos defender Sasa Ognenovski until the end of the season. More » Smith dismisses pre-Test sledging as 'bull....' Thorpe taken to hospital Schatz putting his hand up for Wallabies selection Boomers draw Lithuania in 2014 World Cup Klitschko to defend belt against Australian Leapai Science and Technology More Science and Technology » Qld scientists to develop system to track disease outbreaks online Queensland scientists are developing technology to use flu-stricken Australians' internet search queries to quickly alert authorities to outbreaks of disease. More » Researchers probe monsoonal storms for ice crystal clues Cells 'shocked' back to embryonic state using acid Sunscreen containing nanoparticles is safe to use, research shows Google buys AI company after big robotics, home devices acquisitions Environment More Environment » Two in three Australians drive to work, study of commuting habits finds Nearly two in three Australians drive to work in a private car while only one in 10 commuters relies on public transport, a study of census data has found. More » Volcano eruption in Indonesia Tour operators say Abbot Point decision will affect reef, tourism Thousands rally nationwide against WA shark-cull policy Reef authority imposes conditions on Abbot Point dredge spoil dumping plans 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