ABC NewsMail - Afternoon Edition

NewsMail Afternoon Edition Thu 15 Jan, 2015 Top Stories More Top Stories » Government scraps proposed Medicare rebate changes By political reporters Susan McDonald, Julie Doyle, staff The Federal Government dumps plans to cut the rebate for short GP visits by $20, amid a fierce political backlash and stiff opposition from doctors. More » Australian housing near world's most expensive but forecast to rise further Satellite images show Nigerian town 'wiped off the map' after Boko Haram attack Fred Nile under fire for criticising Sydney siege hostages Yosemite climbers complete historic ascent up El Capitan Unemployment falls to 6.1pc as 37,400 jobs added Bookstores selling Charlie Hebdo sent warning letters; Muslim leaders condemn new issue Manus Island detainees 'pass out after sewing lips together' Husband of senior diplomat faces child sex abuse charges Synthetic drugs seized in Qld raids after deaths of two men More Analysis » Could Charlie Hebdo and 18C coexist here? Human Rights Commissioner Tim Wilson has reignited the 18C debate after the Charlie Hebdo attack, arguing the Racial Discrimination Act would censor the magazine and its ilk in Australia. But the Act looks at race and ethnicity, not religion, so Charlie Hebdo's most controversial cartoons of Mohammed could not be the subject of a complaint. Not only that but section 18D would provide some protection for its other artistic works. In reality, the Act is rarely invoked and plays no real part in the active suppression of free communication in this country. More » El Capitan, El Presidente and El Testosterone The old guard still controls the grand slam court Does transgender reality shine through Transparent? What will work look like after the revolution? Moving towards a two-tiered health system A cool change blows across housing markets Sam Stosur: crushed by our unrealistic hopes? Prison time can add to the terror threat Asian Cup: is this our Asian century moment? Just In More Just In » Hockey declares Sydney siege a 'terrorist incident' The Federal Government declares last month's Sydney siege a "terrorist incident" to ensure affected businesses can receive insurance payouts. More » Why the unpopular Medicare rebate changes had to be scrapped Prime ministers spruik benefits of Japan-Australia FTA Aussie Thompson beats Spanish veteran at Kooyong AMA says tackling obesity is Queensland's biggest health issue Deaths in custody, alcohol policy and uniform changes dominated John McRoberts' tenure Changes to NSW building laws a backwards step: Opposition Fred Nile under fire for criticising Sydney siege hostages Dellacqua knocked out of Hobart International Adelaide one-punch murder downgraded to manslaughter World More World » Satellite images show Nigerian town 'wiped off the map' after Boko Haram attack The International Committee of the Red Cross is warning of a growing humanitarian crisis in Nigeria, with tens of thousands of refugees fleeing to escape deadly Boko Haram attacks. More » Witchcraft killings in PNG to be condemned at meeting Yosemite climbers complete historic ascent up El Capitan Ohio man arrested for planning attack on US Capitol Spain court admits paternity suit against former king Polanski questioned in Poland over 1977 child sex crime: reports Business More Business » Unemployment falls to 6.1pc as 37,400 jobs added By business reporter Michael Janda Australia's unemployment rate has unexpectedly fallen to 6.1 per cent, with 37,400 jobs added, all full-time. More » Bruce Gordon frontrunner in Ten takeover battle Australian housing near world's most expensive but forecast to rise further Mixed industry views over Japanese economic partnership agreement beginning today Safety concerns on Gina Rinehart's Roy Hill mine 100-year-old Melbourne chocolate company goes into administration Politics More Politics » Uncertain future for Australia's eyesore embassy in Washington By Washington correspondent Lisa Millar The future of one of Australia's largest embassy buildings is under a cloud with scaffolding and cladding covering the base of the crumbling mission in Washington DC. More » Abbott urged to 'bow to common sense' over Medicare rebate cut Republican congressman apologises after comparing Barack Obama to Hitler Peter Greste could still get presidential pardon: foreign minister Police chief nominee named as corruption suspect Sport More Sport » Bailey at ease with prospect of making way for Clarke George Bailey says he is not concerned about losing his place in Australia's World Cup team if Michael Clarke gets fit. More » Socceroo Kruse labels Lang Park pitch 'a disgrace' Dellacqua knocked out of Hobart International Lee to retire from all forms of cricket Aussie Thompson beats Spanish veteran at Kooyong Stone thrilled to see McKinnon making progress Science and Technology More Science and Technology » Crew evacuates US section of space station after alarm raised Astronauts evacuate the US section of the International Space Station after an alarm indicates an apparent leak from a cooling system. More » Tonga volcano causes plane to return to Auckland World-first attempt to 'recycle' rocket fails Researchers begin trial of combination Ebola vaccine N Korea boosts 'cyber warfare' army ranks to 6,000: Seoul Environment More Environment » Clean energy sector 'uninvestable' due to RET uncertainty: analyst Uncertainty surrounding the renewable energy target has made the large-scale sector of the industry in Australia "uninvestable", a clean energy analyst says. More » Calls for detailed climate plan as sea level rises threaten Torres Strait Islands Proposed Abbot Point dredge spoil site 'worst possible' for environment Labor says climate report shows need for RET retention ERF unlikely to reach minimum emission reduction targets: review About this email You received this email because you are subscribed to ABC News email alerts. 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