ABC NewsMail - Afternoon Edition

NewsMail Afternoon Edition Fri 07 Mar, 2014 Top Stories More Top Stories » Tests reveal toxic water used to fight mine fire Victoria's Fire Services Commissioner is ordering new tests on water used to fight the fire in the Hazelwood coal mine amid concerns for the safety of the firefighters working there. The United Firefighters Union paid $9,000 for independent testing of water used in the mine after 13 firefighters contacted the union with concerns about their safety. One firefighter had to have surgery and 22 stitches in his hand after a small cut became infected. The occupational hygienist who carried out the test was horrified because it revealed extreme levels of E-coli and other dangerous bacteria which could get into small cuts and cause septicaemia. More » Murdoch drops appeal against Falconio murder conviction Toddler killer gets 21 years in jail Queensland declares its largest drought ever Workplace law review to scrutinise pay, penalties and conditions: report Former public servant pleads guilty to chainsaw revenge attack Crimean port city Sevastopol votes to join Russia More Analysis » Hardly the wages blowout of an inflexible market Joe Hockey and Eric Abetz must be delighted with the current structure of the industrial relations system and the degree of flexibility in labour market conditions. If the labour market were rigid, inflexible or the industrial relations system were in need of a major overhaul, wages growth would not have slowed to a record low in the wake of the upward trend in the unemployment rate. This suggests the hidden agenda of reform to the labour market slowly but surely being unfurled by the Coalition government is not really about macroeconomic management. More » Long road to recovery for bruised politics Putin's show of power pays off Don't get even, ladies - get mad Why we don't need a reboot of the forest wars Advisers should ditch percentage fees Keeping the peace with a bat and ball ABC circumcision reports were culturally insensitive In defence of sober reporting on a sensitive topic Railing against a 'left' that no longer exists Just In More Just In » Lawyers withdraw Bradley Murdoch murder appeal Lawyers representing murderer Bradley John Murdoch have withdrawn an application to appeal. More » 'Half truths' used to obtain warrant for AFP Corby raids Convicted letter bomber to continue receiving compensation Murdoch drops appeal against Falconio murder conviction New research centre to remove space junk, save satellites Australia eyes top spot on ICC's Test rankings Women raise funds for anthology of 'cranky ladies' Partner appeals to Dutchman's killer to reflect North Queensland put on cyclone watch Former public servant pleads guilty to chainsaw revenge attack World More World » Crimean port city Sevastopol votes to join Russia The key Crimean port city of Sevastopol, which houses Russia's Black Sea Fleet, has voted to join Russia effective immediately and break all links with Ukraine. More » Sarkozy to take legal action over secret recordings Niger extradites Gaddafi's son to Libya Norwegian men most helpful with housework, OECD survey finds Russell Crowe film Noah 'should be banned': Egyptian Islamists Rebekah Brooks grilled on relationship with Andy Coulson Business More Business » Stevens says big step up in household debt would be 'asking for trouble' By business reporter Michael Janda The Reserve Bank governor has given his strongest commitment yet to a continuation of record low rates, but also warned property investors not to get carried away with cheap loans, saying a big run up in household debt would be "asking for trouble". Glenn Stevens says the bank has shifted its rates view from one where there was scope for another rate cut, to saying that is probably not necessary at this point in time. Mr Stevens says the residential construction sector is set to pick up this year in response to record low interest rates. However, he has warned that property investor activity is already about as high as the bank is comfortable with, and reminded home buyers that prices can fall as well as rise. More » Mining sector drags construction activity lower 'Half truths' used to obtain warrant for AFP Corby raids Boart Longyear at crisis point as income barely covers debt payments Workplace law review to scrutinise pay, penalties and conditions: report Newsweek identifies enigmatic bitcoin creator Politics More Politics » Sarkozy to take legal action over secret recordings France's former president Nicolas Sarkozy is set to file a legal complaint over secret audio recordings made of him during his failed campaign for re-election in 2012. More » Work to be done on Manus Island, Morrison says Workplace law review to scrutinise pay, penalties and conditions: report Runway changes could hamper regional aviation NSW Education Minister wants My School website scrapped Sport More Sport » Sonny Bill Williams charged for shoulder charge on Burgess Sonny Bill Williams faces up to four weeks on the sidelines for a shoulder charge on Rabbitohs' prop George Burgess. More » Lyon and Sandilands commit to Freo Eagle Newman jailed for 12 months over assault Australia eyes top spot on ICC's Test rankings Paralympians say talk of an athlete boycott in Sochi is unfounded Ricciardo ready to take the Bull by the horns Science and Technology More Science and Technology » Asteroid to make close pass by Earth An asteroid the size of a football field is about to make a close pass by Earth but is not expected to hit or cause any damage. More » Uncrackable phones stymie police efforts to prevent underworld crime Scientists revive 30,000-year-old virus From driving a bus to funding high-risk cancer research: Col's story AFP reveals use of drones to solve major crimes Environment More Environment » Fact file: How does the Renewable Energy Target affect your power bill? The Federal Government has announced a review into the Renewable Energy Target that aims for 20 per cent of power drawn from renewables - like wind and solar - by 2020. Just how much extra does the RET add to household bills? ABC Fact Check investigates. More » Doubt cast on Government's climate change plan Doubt cast on Government's climate change plan LNP backbencher 'deeply uncomfortable' with WA shark culls WA shark cull: Sea Shepherd's legal challenge fails About this email You received this email because you are subscribed to ABC News email alerts. 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