ABC NewsMail - Afternoon Edition

NewsMail Afternoon Edition Mon 15 Dec, 2014 Top Stories More Top Stories » Live: People emerge from Lindt cafe during siege in Sydney's Martin Place At least three people have emerged from the Lindt Chocolat Cafe in Sydney's Martin Place, where an armed offender is holding a number of hostages. Two came out through the front door and one through the fire escape. Hostages were earlier seen pressing a black flag with Arabic text against the cafe's windows. Read the full story and follow our live blog for updates. More » Tony Abbott says it is unclear if Sydney siege is politically motivated Shark kills teenager off Port Douglas in far north Queensland Budget deficit for 2014-15 forecast to reach $40.4 billion Craig Thomson found not guilty of 49 fraud charges, guilty of theft Father who took baby boy from home is found safe in Canberra Steve Smith named Australia's Test captain, replacing injured Michael Clarke Firefighters remain at Perth blaze, 120 hectares destroyed Wandering mud crab sparks intruder alarm in Brisbane home Bill Cosby urges 'neutral' media coverage after sex assault claims More Analysis » Does the ministry 'stability' border on stagnation? In an effort to display stability Tony Abbott has resisted calls to reshuffle his cabinet, but that has meant keeping some deadwood from the Howard years and stifling ambitious backbenchers. This desire to maintain the status quo also suggests Abbott is concerned that his hold on the party room could be fragile and at risk of being fractured by the dissatisfaction that a reshuffle would inevitably produce. Ultimately though, it will be a different concern - that over the Government's poor electoral standing - that leads to the most destructive type of party room unrest. More » MYEFO: time to face up to some realities The GP backflip that became a blitzkrieg The real achievement of the Peru climate talks Has the Government learnt its budget lesson? Defence of Credlin a career-limiting move? Farewell Faulkner: long may you live to annoy Manus Is: a foreseeable death that shames Australia This GP price signal will work - that's frightening Studios take copyright hypocrisy to the mad max Just In More Just In » Missing man having affair with landowner's wife, court hears A man who disappeared from the Tasman Peninsula more than 30 years ago was having an affair with the woman who owned the property he was staying on, a court hears. More » Sydney siege poses 'no specific threat to Victorians' Titans to sack Carter after second dring-driving charge NZ students to hold Anzac service at Fraser Island shipwreck Toddler twice sent home by hospital before death: inquest Shark kills teenager off Port Douglas in far north Queensland Christmas is far from luxury for many across Canberra FFA wants Cup winner to earn spot in Asian Champions League MYEFO explained: the budget bottom line in 4 charts Canberra Year 12 students learn their ATAR results World More World » Bill Cosby urges 'neutral' media coverage after sex assault claims Comedian Bill Cosby urges US media to remain "neutral" in cryptic comments referencing allegations that he has drugged and sexually assaulted numerous women. More » Archaeologists unveil ancient statue of pharaoh Amenhotep III Israel scrambles warplanes over Hamas parade drone Turkey arrests media in raids against 'terrorists network' US citizen enters North Korea, slams US government Death toll in Indonesian landslide rises to at least 32 Business More Business » Budget deficit for 2014-15 forecast to reach $40.4 billion By political correspondent Emma Griffiths The budget deficit for this financial year will be $40.4 billion, more than $10 billion larger than forecast in May, in a blowout that is set to continue for at least four years. More » MYEFO: Opportunities with China beyond raw material sales could be key to long-term prosperity ACCC Coles reach settlement on supplier conduct Choice consumer survey points to economic 'pessimism' Inpex shedding 1,400 jobs in Darwin, with many gone just before Christmas Federal Government strikes new deal with Telstra to deliver NBN Politics More Politics » Budget deficit for 2014-15 forecast to reach $40.4 billion By political correspondent Emma Griffiths The budget deficit for this financial year will be $40.4 billion, more than $10 billion larger than forecast in May, in a blowout that is set to continue for at least four years. More » Craig Thomson found not guilty of 49 fraud charges, guilty of theft Israel scrambles warplanes over Hamas parade drone Turkey arrests media in raids against 'terrorists network' US citizen enters North Korea, slams US government Sport More Sport » Steve Smith named Australia's next Test captain Cricket Australia has named Steve Smith Australia's next Test captain in the wake of Michael Clarke's hamstring injury. More » NRL lightens player workload during 2015 Origin period Adam Scott denies putting problems after failing to seal PGA win De Gea stars in United's sixth successive win Greg Chalmers wins Australian PGA title on seventh playoff hole Phillip Hughes's brother scores symbolic 63 in Sydney club game Science and Technology More Science and Technology » Geminids asteroidal meteor shower to peak tonight By Rachael Brown Australians should keep their eyes peeled for an impressive light show on Sunday night, astronomers say. More » Aussie babies find it easier to understand Canadians, study finds CSIRO has 'cut into the bone', chairman says Artificial skin gives people with prosthetic limbs sense of touch Hour of Code: Australian students explore computer science Environment More Environment » Lima talks agree on paths to 2015 climate deal UN members meeting in Lima reach an agreement to tackle climate change after negotiations run into a second day of extra sessions. More » Hopes of climate commitments fade as Peru talks extended Major oil spill threatens world's largest mangrove forest Australia's damage bill for extreme natural disasters could top $1 trillion Seeney orders removal of climate change references from council plan About this email You received this email because you are subscribed to ABC News email alerts. 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