ABC NewsMail - Afternoon Edition

NewsMail Afternoon Edition Mon 12 May, 2014 Top Stories More Top Stories » Gillard's ex-boyfriend attacks photographer outside union inquiry By Nick Grimm and staff Former AWU official Bruce Wilson has attacked a photographer outside the royal commission into union corruption in Sydney, where a fellow former union official has been giving evidence. Day one of the commission is probing the slush fund scandal that dogged former prime minister Julia Gillard. It is investigating one fund in particular set up more than 20 years ago by self-confessed union bagman Ralph Blewitt and fellow AWU official at the time Mr Wilson, who was also Ms Gillard's boyfriend. More » Budget 2014: what we know and what to expect Dozens of agencies to fall under federal budget axe Police investigate 3,000 rego numbers in sex worker murder case Girl who escaped Nigeria abduction tells of fear ABC's Catalyst program 'breached impartiality standards' Former Labor senator 'not aware' of NZ electrocutions Ex-Liberal staffer admits collecting from banned donors Scientists develop new explanation for drying Australia Revenge led dad to grab baby, bash grandmother: court More Analysis » Scott Morrison and the Australian Border Farce It is time, past time, to confront the obvious: Operation Sovereign Borders is out of control and running amok. What is Scott Morrison's reward for orchestrating the paranoia about asylum seekers that is so hurting Australia's foreign policy? The answer: a new border security force. Immigration is taking over Customs, and will be home to the new Australian Border Force. More » Don't follow the Fairfax model on job cuts Faith and politics and ... economics? Abbott's guide to how (not) to sell your budget Abbott has nowhere left to hide on education We were blinded by bounty, now we must act This is a Budget for the true believers Budget 2014: Abbott Government makes its mark Hands off our hard-fought abortion rights Dangers for women aren't confined to Nigeria Just In More Just In » Lin family 'murdered with hammer bought from $2 shop' By court reporter Jamelle Wells A man accused of murdering five of his relatives told a fellow prisoner he bought the hammer used in the attack from a $2 shop because it had dummy CCTV cameras, a court has heard. More » ABC's Catalyst program 'breached impartiality standards' Ancient method used to move tree into zoo's lion enclosure Port Hedland tugboat workers' strike could cost millions: BHP Business confidence improves despite budget pressures Mother to face trial over starving son Mental health groups worried budget cuts loom Revenge prompted dad to grab baby, court told Girl who escaped Nigeria abduction tells of fear Ex-Liberal staffer admits collecting from banned donors World More World » Girl who escaped Nigeria abduction tells of fear A teenage girl who managed to escape kidnapping by Islamist group Boko Haram during a night raid in Nigeria last month has spoken publicly about the ordeal, as international assistance to locate more than 200 girls still missing ramps up. More » How the Premier League title race unfolded Nervy Kaymer triumphs by one shot at the Players Ukraine's Donetsk region votes for independence: rebels Hamilton wins Spanish GP, Ricciardo third Manchester City clinches Premier League title Business More Business » Dozens of agencies to fall under federal budget axe By political reporter James Glenday The Abbott Government says it will save nearly $500 million in tomorrow's budget by taking an axe to Commonwealth agencies. A further 36 government bodies will be abolished on top of the 40 already slated for closure. Parts of seven national, cultural institutions will be merged while the Royal Australian Mint and Defence Housing Australia could be privatised, as the Coalition moves to reduce the size of government. Combined with cuts and closures, thousands of public servants will lose their jobs. More » We were blinded by bounty, now we must act China signs mega east Africa rail deal Business confidence improves despite budget pressures Reserve Bank foresees short-term gain, longer lasting pain Politics More Politics » Mental health groups worried budget cuts loom By Caroline Winter Those with mental illness, their carers and support organisations say they fear what the federal budget holds. More » Ex-Liberal staffer admits collecting from banned donors Budget 2014: what we know and what to expect Ukraine's Donetsk region votes for independence: rebels Dozens of agencies to fall under federal budget axe Sport More Sport » ASADA tight-lipped on doping investigation ASADA is remaining tight-lipped amid reports it is about to take action against 57 top-line footballers from two major codes. More » Four AFL players charged for high bumps Rugby league great Reg Gasnier dies Hamilton wins Spanish GP, Ricciardo third Injury cloud over Jedinak ahead of World Cup after Palace injury Police to look at CCTV footage of Pearce's Kings Cross altercation Science and Technology More Science and Technology » Seaweed extracts used to help reproduce human bone, repair tissue By Sean Murphy Australian researchers have successfully used seaweed to help regenerate bone and damaged human tissue in medical trials which could lead to new treatments for serious diseases such as cancer and schizophrenia. More » 'Star Wars' robotic arm for amputees approved for sale Researchers develop three-dimensional body parts for implant Commission of Audit proposal may restrict business innovation Nutrition levels will drop as carbon dioxide rises: study Environment More Environment » Floating solar power plant aims to cut evaporation By Matthew Doran A solar power plant which is planned for South Australia would float on a wastewater treatment basin, preventing evaporation. "We're at about 90 per cent water evaporation prevention for the surface area that we cover," project executive Felicia Whiting said. "In a dry climate like South Australia that's about 2.5 metres of water evaporation depth annually that you're saving." More » Scientists develop new explanation for drying Australia Japan continues whaling in north-west Pacific 10 countries with the world's dirtiest air White House calls for action on climate change 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