ABC NewsMail - Afternoon Edition

NewsMail Afternoon Edition Fri 21 Mar, 2014 Top Stories More Top Stories » Abbott says he didn't 'jump the gun' over possible MH370 debris Prime Minister Tony Abbott says he did not "jump the gun" by announcing that satellite footage showed what could be debris from missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370. Authorities have identified two objects on satellite images almost 2,500 kilometres off the coast of Western Australia, but bad weather hampered initial searches by an RAAF Orion aircraft yesterday. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), which is coordinating the search efforts, says five aircraft are scouring the area today while a merchant ship is already in the zone and another will arrive tonight. AMSA says the two objects on the satellite imaging have been assessed as "credible", but cautioned they could be unrelated to flight MH370. Speaking today during an official visit to Papua New Guinea, Mr Abbott says he has a duty to keep the families of those missing informed on every development in the search for the jet. More » Asylum seekers may be resettled within three months: Abbott Essendon to discuss James Hird's future after Andrew Demetriou tip-off allegations Hockey denies receiving money from AWH Teens plead not guilty to drive-by murder of Chris Lane Bernard Tomic ousted in shortest-ever ATP match Obama announces new sanctions against Russia over Crimea seizure More Analysis » What changed? Questions for Abbott about Sinodinos Clive Palmer's new demands over the mining tax repeal come at an already difficult time for Tony Abbott, who has questions to answer over his embattled Assistant Treasurer, Arthur Sinodinos, stepping down. Why was it OK for Sinodinos to stay in his job on Tuesday and yet by Wednesday it was "in the best and most honourable Westminster tradition" that he stand aside? What changed? And going back even further, why was Sinodinos made Assistant Treasurer in the first place when details of the emerging scandal were known to everybody? More » Changing of the seasons Our government and the monopoly of force Sex and politics: a return to business as usual Beyonce's sexual empowerment isn't feminism Why we should save the orange-bellied parrot Complaints about housing affordability are warranted The abortion debate isn't over yet Banks get green light instead of red tape Better bike lanes are the issue - not 'dooring' Just In More Just In » Mitchell Johnson's toe infection spreads to leg The toe infection that ruled Australian paceman Mitchell Johnson out of the World Twenty20 has spread to his leg. More » West Australians to have a say on politicians' pay Asylum seekers may be resettled within three months: Abbott Customs chief rejects claims Australian personnel abused asylum seekers Union claims big job cuts imminent at AMP Twitter launches tool to help users find first tweet Electrical industry member tells home insulation inquiry he raised safety concerns Fire warning downgraded for Healesville Geoff Brock says no SA election outcome until next week Bikies arrested in joint NSW-Queensland police operation World More World » Teens plead not guilty to drive-by murder of Chris Lane By North America correspondent Michael Vincent, staff Two teenagers in the United States accused of killing Australian baseballer Chris Lane in a drive-by shooting have pleaded not guilty. More » News of World hacking was 'on an industrial scale', court hears Tomic ousted by Nieminen in shortest-ever ATP match Teen arrested after climbing World Trade Centre in New York Scott leads Arnold Palmer Invitational after 10-under-par round Obama announces new sanctions against Russia over Crimea seizure Business More Business » Rinehart secures $US7.2b funding deal for Roy Hill mine Exclusive by resources reporter Sue Lannin Gina Rinehart's Roy Hill iron ore project has secured a $US7.2 billion finance deal with a consortium of lenders including Australian banks. The iron ore mine in the Pilbara region of Western Australia is the biggest mining construction project in Australia and will employ thousands of people at its peak. The finance deal is made up of loans and guarantees from five export credit agencies and a consortium of 19 commercial banks from Australia, Japan, Europe, China, Korea and Singapore. More » Australia too soft on white-collar crime: ASIC Union claims big job cuts imminent at AMP Wall Street reverses earlier losses to close higher iiNet founder Michael Malone quits after 20 years Leighton could face fresh ASIC inquiry into write-downs Politics More Politics » West Australians to have a say on politicians' pay West Australians will be asked their views on state politicians' pay packets as part of an independent review. The Salaries and Allowances Tribunal is paying a market research company more than $13,000 to survey 400 community members on politicians' pay and entitlements. It is also calling for the public to make submissions on whether salaries properly reflect the roles, responsibilities and standing of elected representatives. Premier Colin Barnett, who earns nearly $345,000 a year, says any changes politicians' salaries should reflect those in the wider community. More » Customs chief rejects claims Australian personnel abused asylum seekers Geoff Brock says no SA election outcome until next week Media invited to tour Manus Island detention centre Abbott wants PNG to speed up processing of asylum seekers Sport More Sport » Essendon meeting to discuss Hird's future The future of suspended Essendon coach James Hird has been called into question after his wife's interview with 7.30. More » Tania Hird reveals details of 'tip-off' call to Essendon over supplements saga Mitchell Johnson's toe infection spreads to leg Worsfold says Eagles can make top four Abuse accusations no distraction, says Popovic Tomic ousted by Nieminen in shortest-ever ATP match Science and Technology More Science and Technology » Study examines theory that eating less makes animals live longer By Ashley Hall A team of evolutionary biologists from the University of New South Wales has developed a new theory which might eventually unlock the fountain of youth. More » Big Bang echoes detected by US scientists Warming melts last stable edge of Greenland ice sheet DNA test a possible solution to cattle dehorning procedures 3D printed parts used in facial reconstruction surgery Environment More Environment » Senate blocks carbon tax repeal legislation By political correspondent Emma Griffiths The Senate has voted down legislation to axe the carbon tax - a core election promise of Prime Minister Tony Abbott. Labor and the Greens combined to vote against the repeal laws 33 votes to 29 today. Greens leader Christine Milne has issued a statement saying the current law, maintaining a price on carbon, must stand. But earlier the Government had moved to reintroduce carbon tax-related legislation that could set the stage for a double dissolution election. "Axing the tax" was Mr Abbott's catch-cry during last year's election campaign, and the Government says the Senate's move will cost jobs and hurt the economy. More » Scientists resign 'zombie' species to extinction Electric car devotees push for supercharged highway in WA No evidence to link wind farm noise to health: AMA Greenpeace sues Russia over Arctic 30 detention 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