ABC NewsMail - Afternoon Edition

Good afternoon. Here's what's happening now: Movie giant Village Roadshow is heading to the Federal Court to have piracy website SolarMovie.ph blocked in Australia. Village has described the website as a "particularly vicious bunch of thieves" who are allegedly using sexual and gambling ads to make money Sydney's Auburn council turned nasty last night after a decision was made to scrap two developments that suspended deputy mayor Salim Mehajer stood to profit from. In a text message to two of his colleagues who supported the motion, he called them "dole bludgers" who were jealous of his success The unemployment rate rose unexpectedly today, to 6 per cent, with an estimated 7,900 jobs lost in January. Full-time employment dropped significantly and was only partially offset by a rise in part-time jobs Taronga Zoo is appealing for help to find a red-tailed black cockatoo that was chased out of the complex by a peregrine falcon during a flight presentation. The zoo has described it as a "freak accident" Here's what's coming up: 7:10pm AEDT: AFL is back. The pre-season challenge starts when Hawthorn plays Carlton in Launceston 9:30pm AEDT: Winners of the prestigious World Press Photo Awards will be announced in Amsterdam 10:30pm: John Cleese and Eric Idle will be on Lateline 12:00am AEDT Friday: Voting closes in Uganda, where veteran leader Yoweri Museveni is widely expected to maintain power into a fourth decade 1:00am AEDT Friday: European Union leaders arrive for a crunch two-day summit. They want to secure a reform deal for Britain ahead of a referendum over whether the country will leave the EU Top Stories Pell 'prepared to meet with victims' after abuse inquiry testimony Cardinal George Pell hits back at criticism of his inability to return to Australia to appear in person before the child sex abuse royal commission, following a high-profile song by comedian Tim Minchin. Unemployment rises to 6pc, nearly 8,000 jobs lost A rise in the unemployment rate comes as a surprise to analysts, who were expecting recent positive trends in jobs growth to continue. Mehajer rebukes 'dole bludger' council colleagues Suspended Auburn deputy mayor Salim Mehajer lashes out at two of his colleagues, claiming they are jealous of his success, after two of his development decisions are rescinded. Village Roadshow launches legal action to block piracy website The movie giant files a case against a piracy website in the Federal Court, the first time Australia's website blocking laws have been used since they were signed into law in June last year. Brandis joins calls for Apple to comply with FBI request to unlock shooter's phone Attorney-General George Brandis joins calls for Apple to comply with an FBI request to unlock an iPhone used by one of the shooters in December's San Bernadino massacre. Ex-Liberal director who embezzled $1.5m expected to be caught Former Victorian Liberal Party state director Damien Mantach, who amassed more than $1.5 million in kickbacks from fake invoices, told police he did nothing to keep the activity covert, court documents reveal. New faces in PM's ministry sworn in Members of Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's new ministry, including new Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce and Steve Ciobo as Trade Minister, are officially sworn in at Government House. Indigenous minister denied request to speak language in Parliament A Northern Territory Aboriginal Minister has her request to speak her first language, Warlpiri, in Parliament denied after the NT Speaker declared the "language of the assembly is English". Ian Thorpe reveals mental health issues a problem since his teens Swimming great Ian Thorpe reveals in a blog post that he has struggled with mental health issues since he was a teenager. Missile base on South China Sea island a 'serious concern': Kerry US Secretary of State John Kerry says it is "a serious concern" that China has installed surface-to-air missiles on a disputed island, although China says media reports are hype. A league of their own: How will an elite women's AFL competition work? With a planned women's AFL competition due next year, potential teams and players are saying they need details about how it will work. Hawk-eyed locals needed to find cockatoo missing from Taronga Zoo Taronga Zoo is appealing to the public to help find a red-tailed black cockatoo that was chased out of the complex by a peregrine falcon. Vet eats breakfast in cage alongside neglected dog A vet in the United States climbs into a cage and eats his breakfast, from a dog bowl no less, with neglected pitbull Graycie. Analysis and Opinion: The Drum Canny criminals can communicate securely, so why shouldn't we? By Dominic Knight Labor should make gains in WA (but will likely lose the election) By Peter Brent Marriage debate: Losing the argument doesn't mean you're being silenced By David Glasgow Is Morrison dreaming when it comes to tax reform? By Miranda Stewart Just In Man arrested after shots fired in northern Tasmania February 18, 2016 - 4:12 pm Brisbane man dies while bodyboarding on Gold Coast February 18, 2016 - 4:09 pm No alternative to Western Power sale, WA Premier says February 18, 2016 - 4:09 pm World • Venezuela increases petrol prices 6,000 per cent • New turtle species in PNG provides insight into Australia's ecological past • Tyga offers olive branch to Paul McCartney after party snub Business • Unemployment rises to 6pc, nearly 8,000 jobs lost • Reserve Bank sanguine about financial threats • Profits rise strongly at AMP, Treasury; Origin earnings sink further Politics • Big names sign petition to halt Sydney Powerhouse Museum's relocation • Minor parties' alliance threatens loss of six Lower House seats • Morrison flags 'difficulties' in cutting taxes for May budget Sport • We're not responsible for Victory's flare throwers: North Terrace • Australian team culture more democratic under Smith: Hastings • Ian Thorpe reveals mental health issues a problem since his teens Science and Tech • Rickshaws go high-tech with 'sexy' redesign, smartphone booking • 3D printing breakthrough produces functioning human bone, tissue • Modern humans shared 'Planet of the Apes' with Neanderthals, hobbits Environment • Industry interests hampering efforts on microplastics, inquiry hears • Stolen nuclear material raises fears of Islamic State dirty bomb • Kiribati looks to artificial islands to save nation from rising sea levels Follow ABC News About this email You received this email because you are subscribed to ABC News email alerts. 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