ABC NewsMail - Morning Edition

Good morning. Here's what's happening now: Today marks one year since the Sydney siege. Events honouring the victims and survivors are planned throughout the day, including a light show inspired by the floral tributes left in Martin Place in the siege's aftermath. Treasurer Scott Morrison is preparing to release updated Budget figures. Economists predict this year's deficit will be more than $40 billion - $5 billion worse than forecast in May. The Geminids meteor shower has treated astronomy fans to a "magical" display overnight. See some of the best images shared around the world. Would you like new topics in NewsMail?: We're asking how we can improve this newsletter. Take our survey and let us know. Here's what's coming up today: 8.00am AEDT: A UN-brokered ceasefire is due to begin in Yemen 8.00am AEDT: Finance Minister Mathias Cormann is due to discuss MYEFO on ABC News Breakfast 8.30am AEDT: NSW Premier Mike Baird and Police commissioner Andrew Scipione will speak at the Lindt cafe in Sydney 8.30am AEDT: Joan London, the winner of the PM's literary fiction prize, is due on ABC News Breakfast 9.30am AEDT: The Federal Court will rule on penalties against former MP Craig Thomson 12.30pm AEDT: The new Star Wars movie premieres at three theatres in Hollywood 1.00pm AEDT: Scott Morrison and Mathias Cormann release the MYEFO figures Top Stories Macfarlane hints Nationals party swap could signal end of career Queensland Liberal National MP Ewen Jones says he hopes Ian Macfarlane can recover from the "brain explosion" that was his plan to swap parties, as the Member for Groom hints the move may mean the end of his political career. Four people remain in house with armed man in Frankston Four people remain in a house where an armed man is keeping police at bay in Frankston in Melbourne's south. Australia expected to fall deeper into red as Government releases MYEFO Economists warn the Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook will show a sea of red today, thanks to a slowdown in the Chinese economy and the need for savings to pay for innovation goals and an extra 12,000 refugees. Sydney siege survivor 'never thinks about Man Monis' Louisa Hope says a year on from the Sydney siege, she still vividly remembers that fateful day but refuses to hate the killer Man Haron Monis. Salvos chase 'lost' donations after charities miss out on $500k Around $500,000 in unclaimed charity donations has now been transferred to government accounts after being unclaimed for several years, with the Salvation Army alone losing $100,000. One man dead, another critical after crane falls at Brisbane construction site One man is dead and another critically injured after a crane falls over at a construction site in Brisbane's inner-city. Stargazers capture 'magical' Geminids meteor shower worldwide Stargazers around the world share photos of the Geminids meteor shower on social media, describing the display as "magical". Working holiday company accused of rip-offs to pay back $25k to customers Young travellers will be paid back thousands of dollars after a Queensland Government investigation into a working holiday company uncovers what it calls "unethical" and "unfair" conduct. Sandy Hook anniversary sparks calls for more US gun control US gun control activists have used the third anniversary of one of America's worst mass shootings to call for politicians to pass legislation they hope will reduce the number of gun deaths. Water mystery on hot Jupiter planets solved Astronomers confirm water is a key ingredient for making planets, after discovering water exists on a range of exoplanets called hot Jupiters. Argentinian police bus plunges off bridge, killing at least 41 people At least 41 people are killed as a bus carrying border patrol officers careens off a bridge in Argentina, plunging 15 metres onto its roof. Sandy Hook anniversary sparks calls for more US gun control US gun control activists have used the third anniversary of one of America's worst mass shootings to call for politicians to pass legislation they hope will reduce the number of gun deaths. Amazing photos capture carpet python consuming king parrot A Queensland snake catcher says photos showing a huge carpet python constricting and swallowing a king parrot as it hangs from the roof of a house are the "coolest" he has seen this year. Joan London takes out PM's Literary Award for best fiction Author Joan London wins the Prime Minister's Literary Award for best fiction for her powerful novel The Golden Age, about a Hungarian refugee who finds forbidden love in Australia while being treated for polio. Australian bee's head-banging pollination technique captured on video The humble Australian native blue-banded bee gets pollen by banging its head on flowers a staggering 350 times a second, slow motion video reveals. Analysis and Opinion: The Drum How we're getting the whole GST debate so wrong By Chris Berg Paris climate accord: The real work has just begun By Sara Phillips Abbott gets it half right and half wrong on Islam By Daryl McCann Cultural superiority is a recipe for a doomed society By Ian Verrender Just In Twitter users warned over 'state-sponsored hackers' December 15, 2015 - 7:26 am Merkel rallies party with pledge to stem Germany's refugee influx December 15, 2015 - 7:22 am Sandy Hook anniversary sparks calls for more US gun control December 15, 2015 - 7:05 am World • Merkel rallies party with pledge to stem Germany's refugee influx • US hitting Islamic State 'harder than ever': Obama • Palestinian shot dead by Israeli police after ramming pedestrians at bus stop Business • Mining stocks hit hard as market sheds $28 billion • Morrison expected to 'take out the trash' in MYEFO • Nurofen made misleading pain relief claims: Federal Court Politics • Sandy Hook anniversary sparks calls for more US gun control • Kiribati's President appreciative of Australia's 'very active' role at Paris climate talks • Saudi women still face inequality after historic elections Sport • Essendon Football Club chairman Paul Little resigns • Barcelona faces Arsenal, Chelsea faces PSG again in UCL last 16 • Generous Lomu was 'broke' at time of death Science and Tech • Female scientists consider their career prospects bleak, survey finds • Restoring Star Wars: One fan's epic quest to undo George Lucas's changes • Geminids meteor shower to light up dark December sky Environment • Kiribati's President appreciative of Australia's 'very active' role at Paris climate talks • What will the Paris climate deal mean for Australia? • Green groups welcome landmark Paris deal Follow ABC News 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. 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. Add or remove topics | Unsubscribe | Contact Us   Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 700 Harris Street, Ultimo NSW 2007 © 2015 ABC | Conditions of Use | Privacy Policy | Discover other ABC Email newsletters