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NewsMail Morning Edition Tue 04 Mar, 2014 Top Stories More Top Stories » 'We saw them go in with machetes': Manus Island guard contradicts report By national security correspondent Michael Brissenden An Australian employee of the G4S security firm on Manus Island says PNG police stood back and allowed locals to break into the compound last month, did nothing to stop them beating detainees, and in some cases participated in the violence and intimidation. His claim, made on condition of anonymity, contradicted a leaked PNG police internal incident report into unrest at the detention centre on February 17 that describes the deadly violence as a confrontation solely between G4S security guards and asylum seekers. "We saw them going in with machetes. They had anything they could pick up - rocks, sticks, the poles from the exercise weights," the guard said.  "Once they knocked people to the ground, they were stomping on their heads with their boots." A spokesperson for Immigration Minister Scott Morrison says there are three investigations underway into the Manus Island incident. More » Abbott vows to repeal foreign ownership restrictions on Qantas Russia denies report ultimatum issued to Ukrainian forces in Crimea Australia lead by South Africa by 234 runs after dominating day three in Cape Town Pistorius trial: witness tells of hearing 'bloodcurdling screams' Climate extremes increasing as carbon dioxide levels rise: report Australian flight attendant placed on Interpol's most-wanted list over murder More Analysis » Preserving the last remnants of Russian empire Russia's current invasion of Crimea is aimed not at expanding and creating a new Russian Empire, but rather at preserving the remnants of the last one. For the first time since the Wehrmacht was turned around at Stalingrad, Russia faces real frontier friction with the borderlands of an expanding EU and NATO. What protesters in Kiev see as a movement for freedom and prosperity looks to Moscow like a hybrid US/German empire reaching into the Russian sphere of influence. More » On climate, these guys know their stuff The battle for legal legitimacy in Crimea Russia will get Crimea (but the West still wins) Hockey's unexpected success at the G20 Parties prepare arsenal for jobs war Qantas tactics led to current tailspin Our shameful silence on police suicide It's WWI that has the lessons for our time Want to send a message? Why not sink the boats? Just In More Just In » Russia denies report ultimatum issued to Ukrainian forces in Crimea By correspondents Barbara Miller, Lisa Millar and wires Russia's Black Sea fleet has denied that it issued Ukrainian naval forces in Crimea with an ultimatum to surrender or face full-scale military assault. More » Protesters off Bangkok streets, but crisis continues Oscars TV audience rises to 43 million, best showing in a decade Graeme Smith to retire from international cricket Australians pay more for health care than France, UK: report Myanmar couple in 'first public gay wedding ceremony' Sultan Kosen, world's tallest man, visits Sydney school 'We saw them go in with machetes': Manus Island guard contradicts report Liberal MP suggests halving Sunday penalty rates China arrests three suspects in Kunming station attack World More World » Russia denies report ultimatum issued to Ukrainian forces in Crimea By correspondents Barbara Miller, Lisa Millar and wires Russia's Black Sea fleet has denied that it issued Ukrainian naval forces in Crimea with an ultimatum to surrender or face full-scale military assault. More » Protesters off Bangkok streets, but crisis continues Oscars TV audience rises to 43 million, best showing in a decade Graeme Smith to retire from international cricket Myanmar couple in 'first public gay wedding ceremony' China arrests three suspects in Kunming station attack Business More Business » Abbott vows to repeal foreign ownership restrictions on Qantas The Government will look to repeal the part of the Qantas Sale Act which restricts foreign ownership. The Qantas Sale Act currently restricts overall foreign investment to 49 per cent, ensuring the airline remains majority Australian-owned. Prime Minister Tony Abbott says Federal Cabinet discussed Qantas for almost two hours and agreed to repeal Part 3 of the Act, removing the foreign ownership restrictions. However, Mr Abbott says he is not proposing to offer a debt guarantee or line of credit to the struggling airline. And asked if he was concerned that Qantas would shift jobs overseas, Mr Abbott said that was a matter for Qantas management. "The best way to maximise Australian jobs is to maximise Qantas's ability to compete," he said. More » Company profits defy media's economic 'doom and gloom' Job ad jump points to possible bottom in labour market Home prices stagnate in February: Sydney rises, Melbourne falls Share market recovers despite Ukraine fears TD inflation gauge shows prices put more pressure on Reserve Bank Politics More Politics » Liberal MP suggests halving Sunday penalty rates By political reporter Eliza Borrello Citing the "draconian effect" of penalty rates on local communities, a Federal Government backbencher has suggested halving Sunday pay. More » Ukraine crisis: Russia begins build-up of armoured vehicles near Crimea Australia raises concerns over Ukraine with Russian ambassador Abbott to visit north Asia on trip to secure free trade Hells Angels ride to raise funds for bikie law challenge Sport More Sport » Graeme Smith to retire from international cricket South Africa captain Graeme Smith will retire from international cricket at the end of the current Test in Cape Town. More » Harris, Johnson strike for Australia on day three 2014 NRL season preview Bushrangers, Bulls, Blues on top in day-night Shield Demetriou to step down as AFL CEO Abbott slams 'over-dramatic' announcement Science and Technology More Science and Technology » From driving a bus to funding high-risk cancer research: Col's story Col Reynolds reckons he has covered more than five million kilometres criss-crossing the country as a long-distance tour coach driver. More » AFP reveals use of drones to solve major crimes Archaeologists recreate Roman gladiator school Qld scientists hope to turn China's red bayberry into Aussie favourite Researchers use sensors to develop new car crash avoidance systems Environment More Environment » Climate extremes increasing as carbon dioxide levels rise: report By environment and science reporter Jake Sturmer and Alex McDonald The CSIRO's latest State of the Climate report says the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is like to have reached its highest level in two million years. More » Sea Shepherd claim whaler threw spear at activists during clash Barrier Reef Authority was against dredge spoil dumping, documents show Contentious oil project to be considered under new system Green Army to be paid less than minimum wage About this email You received this email because you are subscribed to ABC News email alerts. 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