ABC NewsMail - Morning Edition

NewsMail Morning Edition Wed 26 Feb, 2014 Top Stories More Top Stories » $300 million drought package to be unveiled By James Glenday and staff A drought package worth more than $300 million will be unveiled by the Federal Government today. Cabinet met last night to finalise and sign off on the package, which the ABC has been told is worth between $320 million and $330 million. Much of that amount is aimed at increasing access to government-backed concessional loans, which can help farmers restructure their debt, deal with low cash flows and survive the drought. Prime Minister Tony Abbott has already announced he will bring forward new welfare payments for struggling farmers from July. But the package is also likely to include help for people battling mental health issues and depression. More » Scores dead in attack at Nigerian boarding school 'Fat' MP says food star rating system will not work Beijing smog prompts WHO to declare crisis ADHD linked to use of paracetamol during pregnancy Conroy accuses commander of border protection cover-up Immigration review finds asylum baby not kept from mother More Analysis » Reality may disrupt this G20 growth target The big outcome of the G20 finance ministers meeting this past weekend was a commitment to improve economic growth over the next five years and to come up with a specific growth target. But while aiming for growth is a good thing, let us not forget that sometimes reality gets in the way of all predictions. The past five years suggest that there's a great deal of time for a slip betwixt the cup and the lip. More » 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 Busting out of a three-lane life with the Boss The morality of Manus can no longer be avoided Don't fall for the Qantas ruse Just In More Just In » Two police officers injured in Gold Coast attack By Andree Withey and Russell Varley Two police officers have been treated in hospital for cuts, after being stabbed during a struggle with a man on Queensland's Gold Coast last night. More » 'Fat' MP says food star rating system will not work Japan to restart nuclear reactors $300 million drought package to be unveiled Pitch helped us beat Mitch, says Amla Royal commission to put spotlight on abuse in NSW girls homes Scores dead in attack at Nigerian boarding school ABC to review New Year's Eve coverage Immigration review finds asylum baby not kept from mother Ukraine's Yanukovych may face International Criminal Court World More World » Japan to restart nuclear reactors North Asia correspondent Matt Carney The Japanese government has announced its intention to restart the country's 48 nuclear reactors, after two years of inactivity. More » Scores dead in attack at Nigerian boarding school Ukraine's Yanukovych may face International Criminal Court Pacific tuna fishing industry close to collapse Kashmir clashes over killing of suspected rebels Hunt for Swedish PM killer takes Stieg Larsson twist Business More Business » Qantas still keeping job loss numbers below the radar By business editor Peter Ryan, staff Qantas is refusing to comment on speculation that it will announce 5,000 job cuts when its half-year results are released on Thursday. The struggling carrier is under pressure to restructure its finances as it seeks a debt guarantee from the Federal Government. However Qantas says it will not comment on the latest job cut figure reported by News Limited tabloid newspapers, which quote an unnamed Qantas source. "There is lots of speculation about what things we will or won't announce on Thursday, but we're not in a position to comment on that speculation," a Qantas spokesman told the ABC. More » Coles and Woolworths taken to court over fuel discounts Miners drag local share market down Singleton slams Fairfax bosses over failed radio deal QBE confirms $281m loss on back of US insurance sales GrainCorp forecasts profit fall because of drought Politics More Politics » 'Fat' MP says food star rating system will not work By political reporter Latika Bourke A Government MP who describes himself as fat says the Coalition should discontinue any plans to restore a food star ratings website it withdrew in controversial circumstances. More » $300 million drought package to be unveiled Ukraine's Yanukovych may face International Criminal Court Conroy accuses commander of border protection cover-up Will the Cambodia refugee proposal work? Sport More Sport » Pitch helped us beat Mitch, says Amla Hashim Amla has said the second Test pitch helped his Proteas side handle Mitchell Johnson at Port Elizabeth. More » Mariners lose ACL opener in Seoul Westhoff boots five in Power's win over Bombers Del Potro threatened again by wrist injury Broncos refusing to pin revival hopes on Barba Postecoglou to go for 'new look' against Ecuador 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