ABC NewsMail - Morning Edition

Good morning. Here's what's happening now: Mining magnate and politician Clive Palmer is under fire, with a self-imposed deadline to save his Townsville nickel refinery expiring last night, putting 776 jobs on the line. There is no confirmation yet as to whether the refinery will be put into administration but we can expect to hear more as the morning unfolds Dumped treasurer Joe Hockey is expected to be formally announced as Australia's next US ambassador today. The Federal Opposition has questioned whether Mr Hockey will be able to maintain a close working relationship with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull in the important diplomatic post, given his recent sacking In breaking news, police are investigating the suspicious death of an 11-year-old girl in Brisbane's inner west, and the death of her mother in a neighbouring suburb In case you missed it, watch Leigh Sales's interview with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull from last night's 7.30 program. It's quite spirited Here's what's coming up: 8.05am AEDT: Innovation Minister Christopher Pyne is due to speak to ABC News Breakfast 9.30am AEDT: Victorian union boss John Setka and deputy Shaun Reardon are due in court, charged with blackmail 9.30am AEDT: A decision is due on Gerard Baden-Clay's appeal against his murder sentence 11.30am AEDT: The bureau of statistics will release the results of its national health survey 12.30pm AEDT: Christopher Pyne will make a speech at the National Press Club 1.00pm AEDT: The report into deaths linked to the Hazelwood mine fire is set to be released 2.00pm AEDT: A judge is due to rule on a bail application for Robert Xie, whose murder trial ended with a hung jury Top Stories Palmer's business position 'worse than perilous' after judge throws out $48m cash appeal A lawyer for Clive Palmer's former Chinese business partners says the federal MP only has himself — and his "robotic dinosaurs" —to blame after a court decision leaves the future of his empire in doubt. 11yo girl found dead in Brisbane unit, mother's body discovered nearby Police investigate the suspicious death of an 11-year-old girl in Brisbane's inner west, and the death of her mother in a neighbouring suburb. Dumped treasurer Hockey to be named ambassador to Washington The Federal Opposition questions the expected appointment of former federal treasurer Joe Hockey as Australia's next ambassador to the United States, ahead of a formal announcement. Greenhouse emissions may have dropped as world economy grew in 2015 For the first time, scientists say carbon emissions have stalled, while economic growth has continued. The findings have been released on the sidelines of the ongoing climate change talks in Paris. Pell overheard discussing priest's abuse with colleague, inquiry hears Cardinal George Pell is under more pressure ahead of his appearance in front of the royal commission into child sexual abuse, with claims he knew priests were abusing boys in Ballarat before he became Archbishop of Melbourne. Dinosaurs took evolutionary fast track to planetary dominance The first dinosaur relatives may have emerged up to 10 million years later than previously thought, then evolved rapidly into the animals that would take over the world, dating of fossils in Argentina suggests. Man charged over London Underground attack 'had IS images on phone' A man is remanded in custody over a stabbing at London Underground train station as prosecutors allege he had pictures associated with the Islamic State militant group on his phone. Warner questions motives behind pink ball Tests Australia's exciting opening batsman publicly wonders why cricket's powerbrokers are changing the game. Beijing declares first-ever red alert for pollution China's capital orders cars off the road and bans fireworks and barbecues, issuing its first-ever red alert for pollution as a new blanket of choking smog descends on the city. US points finger at Russia over Syrian army camp strike Syria accuses the American-led coalition of killing three of its soldiers in an attack, but an envoy to US president Barack Obama says a Russian bombing raid was responsible. Courtney Barnett, Tame Impala among Australian Grammy nominees Courtney Barnett and Tame Impala are among the few Australian artists who scored nominations for this year's Grammy awards, with US pop royalty Taylor Swift and rapper Kendrick Lamar dominating the list. Embassy hosts traditional Dutch Sinterklaas event with characters in black face The Dutch Embassy hosts traditional Sinterklaas celebrations in Canberra, including three white men with blackened faces dressed as the controversial character Zwarte Piet. Analysis and Opinion: The Drum Special series: The Turnbull ascendancy Part I By Paddy Manning Innovate or perish: What Turnbull's statement means for Australian research By Alan Duffy Turnbull must whip his self-indulgent MPs into line By Paula Matthewson Dodgy research is the real scourge, not inspirational quotes By Deirdre Fidge Just In Australian bikie to face Thai military court over gun charges December 8, 2015 - 7:42 am Dinosaurs took evolutionary fast track to planetary dominance December 8, 2015 - 7:07 am Warner questions motives behind pink ball Tests December 8, 2015 - 7:03 am World • Ted Cruz surges to front of Republican pack in new poll • US Justice Department to investigate Chicago police after black teen's death • Turkey to keep troops in Iraq despite Baghdad's protests Business • Palmer's business position 'worse than perilous' after judge throws out $48m cash appeal • Turnbull calls for 'ideas boom' as he unveils $1b innovation vision • Oil price plunge not likely to end any time soon Politics • Macfarlane switch an internal matter, Turnbull says • Venezuela's opposition wins parliamentary majority, ending 16-year socialist reign • Queensland Cabinet reshuffle: Who's going where? Sport • Warner questions motives behind pink ball Tests • Roberts rejects Titans after forged signature saga • Fyfe says he would back Pavlich if he stays on as captain Science and Tech • Uhlmann: Turnbull sets out his stall as innovation PM • Digging for dinosaurs 'like eating an elephant' • Turnbull to unveil $1b innovation package Environment • Greenhouse emissions may have dropped as world economy grew in 2015 • Climate activists march on Belgium beach ahead of UN talks crunch phase • India seeks balance in tackling poverty, climate change 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. 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