ABC NewsMail - Afternoon Edition

NewsMail Afternoon Edition Fri 08 Aug, 2014 Top Stories More Top Stories » Obama authorises US airstrikes against Islamic State 'terrorist convoys' US president Barack Obama has authorised targeted airstrikes in Iraq to protect US personnel and Iraqi civilians. Islamist militants are surging across the north of the country toward the capital of the Kurdish region, Erbil, sending tens of thousands of Christians and others fleeing for their lives. Mr Obama said American warplanes would attack Islamic State "terrorist convoys" if they tried to advance on Erbil. He also said warplanes could be sent into action to beat back Islamist fighters who have trapped thousands of members of the Yazidi religious minority on a mountain in northern Iraq. "We can act, carefully and responsibly to prevent a potential act of genocide," Mr Obama said. More » Abbott warns 'bully' Russia of more sanctions Girl swept away by 2004 Boxing Day tsunami reunited with parents Baby Gammy's heart condition ruled out Abetz denies linking abortions to breast cancer Phone call probably caused model's death: coroner Woman dies in 'suspicious' Gold Coast high-rise fall Hamas rocket fire resumes as Gaza truce expires: Israel ASIO chief says security plan not 'mass surveillance' Taxi driver jailed for sexual abuse of disabled passengers More Analysis » The Islamic State challenge to world order As the US prepares for targeted air strikes in Iraq to protect US personnel and minority groups, the ISIS fighting continues. The success of the Islamic State presents a challenge not just to the region but to world order. If ISIS can revive a Caliphate in a consolidated form it would be an earth-shaking event of the order of the end of the Cold War, or the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire. More » When it comes to metadata, numbers can mislead Some advice for Turnbull on the NBN: move on Maybe we should give up a bit of liberty Why must my friend be afraid to be Jewish? Shock, horror - a female sports coach! Coming up against hackers, costs and plots USA passes the unemployment baton to Australia Hatred can begin at home Remember, there is no privacy in Team Australia Just In More Just In » African lion cubs call Darwin home By Felicity James Two African white lion cubs should feel more at home in their new Northern Territory climate than their previous home in chilly Tasmania. Zouri and Aralie are 13-month-old brothers and travelled from the Zoodoo Wildlife Park in Tasmania. More » Abbott warns 'bully' Russia of more sanctions World's busiest croc-catching crew on patrol in Darwin ASIO chief says security plan not 'mass surveillance' Baby Gammy's heart condition ruled out Phone call probably caused model's death: coroner Taxi driver jailed for sexual abuse of disabled passengers Spectacular science photos nominated for 2014 Eureka Prize Anti-protest laws prompt rally outside Tas Parliament Parents accused of smuggling 2yo son from Australia World More World » Malaysia Airlines to be taken private ahead of revamp Troubled Malaysia Airlines will be de-listed and be privatised ahead of a major restructuring following the twin disasters of MH370 and MH17. More » WHO meets to decide on Ebola emergency response Obama authorises US airstrikes against Islamic State 'terrorist convoys' Prince William to become air ambulance pilot Indonesian girl swept away by 2004 tsunami reunited with parents NATO chief urges Russia to pull troops back from border Business More Business » RBA signals jobless rate could remain high The Reserve Bank has signalled that Australia's jobless rate could remain high for the next two years. In its quarterly update on the Australian economy, the central bank cautions that unemployment will be "elevated for some time yet" before gradually declining in 2016. The statement released this morning was published taking into account yesterday's surprise increase in the official jobless rate to 6.4 per cent. While the Reserve Bank was most likely surprised by the jobless spike for July, today's document reconfirms its broad expectations for a sluggish jobs market. More » Malaysia Airlines to be taken private ahead of revamp News Corp earnings drop on falling paper revenue Australians struggling with high cost of living: survey Truck safety checks underway after fatal crash Australian wheat prices rise after rain hits European crops Politics More Politics » Abbott warns 'bully' Russia of more sanctions By political reporter Karen Barlow A tit-for-tat trade ban between Australia and Russia is emerging, with Prime Minister Tony Abbott revealing Australia is working towards imposing stronger sanctions over the Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 disaster. Mr Abbott, who says Russia "has been a bully", has called on president Vladimir Putin to hold back his forces from crossing the border into Ukraine or risk becoming an international outcast. "If there is any movement by his forces across the border, it won't be a humanitarian mission, it will be an invasion," Mr Abbott told reporters in Sydney. Overnight, Russia slapped a year-long ban on most food imports from a range of Western nations, including Australia. More » ASIO chief says security plan not 'mass surveillance' Anti-protest laws prompt rally outside Tas Parliament Hamas rocket fire resumes as Gaza truce expires: Israel MP quits Liberals, won't seek re-election after 'mistake' Sport More Sport » Scott fumes at sluggish PGA opening round Adam Scott is lamenting a slow start to the US PGA Championship at the Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville. More » Tigers' Farah, Mayer agree to move on Robinson lied to Carlton about injury Bellamy hoping Knights fans show respect to McLean Westwood in tie for PGA Championship lead, Australia's Jones 11th Birighitti not fretting over Juventus Science and Technology More Science and Technology » Spectacular science photos nominated for 2014 Eureka Prize Scroll through the fascinating and intricate finalists in the 2014 Eureka Prize for science photography. More » WHO to consult ethics experts on using trial Ebola drugs Rosetta spacecraft on final approach to comet landing Driverless car may ease city parking demands: ex-GM exec CSIRO gets new research vessel 11 months overdue Environment More Environment » World's busiest croc-catching crew on patrol in Darwin By James Purtill The Northern Territory's crocodile management program hauls about 250 crocs from Darwin harbour each year. More » Palm oil-free ice cream loses out in Zoos SA deal Driverless car may ease city parking demands: ex-GM exec Queensland's Wild Rivers laws repealed Alan Jones and Greens co-founder reunite for coal seam gas fight 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. 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