ABC NewsMail - Morning Edition

Good morning. Here's what's happening now: The World Health Organisation just declared the Zika virus a public health emergency. The move should help fast-track international action and research priorities in the fight against the virus which the WHO warned could infect 4 million people Round one of Federal Parliament 2016 begins today. We kick off this election year with a leak from within Goverment and as our political editor writes, it's a "sign of deep disquiet still lurking in the ranks" after last year's leadership spill. Keep an eye out for our election blog as it makes its return You've probably heard about Iowa over the last few weeks? Well, those all important caucuses are happening today. Republican front runner Donald Trump addressed a convention centre saying: "I've spent less money than anybody else and I have the best result, I'm number one, it's great right?" Here's some background on caucusing If politics is your thing and you want to be prepared for today's action in Canberra, here's a story from our reporter Anna Henderson: Five political stories you missed over the summer break Here's what's coming up: 12:00pm AEDT: Voting begins in Iowa. We're likely to see results within a few hours 12:00pm AEDT: The House of Representatives will sit 12:30pm AEDT: The Senate will sit 2:00pm AEDT: North America correspondent Zoe Daniel will hold a Facebook Q&A. Ask her about the Iowa caucuses 2:30pm AEDT: We'll hear from the RBA on interest rates Top Stories Coalition's talking points leaked ahead of Parliament's return A list of key talking points, sent to Coalition MPs and senators by the Prime Minister's office, is leaked to the media, a sign of the deep disquiet still lurking in the ranks after September's leadership coup. WHO declares Zika virus a global health emergency A World Health Organisation meeting in Geneva declares the mosquito-borne Zika virus, which has been linked to thousands of birth defects, to be a public health emergency of international concern. 'Legal rape' men's group plans Australia-wide 'tribal meetings' Supporters of a website led by a man who says rape should be legalised on private property are set to meet up in cities around Australia, sparking a backlash on social media. 'Homeless' Victorian man in court over custody dispute A Melbourne man whose daughter was taken from his car by authorities because they believed him to be homeless will go to the NSW Children's Court on Tuesday to fight for custody. Labor, Greens slam Government's handling of IR bill Federal Labor and the Greens say the Government has botched the handling of its centrepiece industrial relations bill, which will be introduced when Parliament returns today but is not guaranteed to pass. David Morrison fires up over domestic violence claim The new Australian of the Year was decidedly bubbly on Q&A on Monday night, until a question on domestic violence — the "greatest social challenge we face" — forced a change of tone. Putin ally posts video of Russian opposition leader in sniper's crosshairs One of Russian President Vladimir Putin's most loyal allies stirs fear among Kremlin critics by releasing a video showing opposition leader Mikhail Kasyanov in the crosshairs of a sniper's rifle. BHP credit rating takes a slide amid commodities price crunch Ratings agency Standard & Poor downgrades BHP's credit rating from A-plus to A in the midst of commodity price crunch and fears over China's economy. Exposure to vaginal fluids may help restore bacteria of C-section newborns Bacteria critical to early immunity development in infants may be partially restored in babies born by caesarean section by swabbing them with their mother's birth fluid, a new study suggests. Corpse flower draws late-night Adelaide interest A stench draws late-night visitors to Adelaide's Botanic Gardens as one of the world's biggest flowers, the titum arum or corpse flower, blooms in its Bicentennial Conservatory. Dozens of tennis matches flagged for fixing over three-month period More than 40 professional tennis matches were flagged for potential match-fixing by international bookmakers last year, with several players involved appearing on a blacklist of more than 350 names, a Four Corners investigation reveals. Britain gives scientist go-ahead to genetically modify human embryos Scientists in Britain are given the go-ahead to edit the genes of human embryos for research, using a technique that some say could eventually be used to create "designer babies". DPP argues to reinstate Baden-Clay murder conviction Gerard-Baden Clay's yearning to be with his mistress was enough motive to murder his wife, Queensland's Director of Public Prosecutions says in its attempt to reinstate the conviction. Hesitant Syria opposition begins talks with UN envoy Syria's main Opposition group formally meets for the first time with the UN special envoy, although it is unclear whether they will agree to indirect peace talks with the Assad regime. Analysis and Opinion: The Drum Is Abetz right about the same-sex marriage plebiscite? By Chris Berg The ploys are back in town as Parliament resumes By Paula Matthewson Dear central bankers, it's time to try something new By Ian Verrender Are we sacrificing power in pursuit of a free market? By Tim Dunlop Just In NT Treasury staffer sexually harassed colleague, commission finds February 2, 2016 - 7:52 am Corpse flower draws late-night Adelaide interest February 2, 2016 - 7:40 am Exposure to vaginal fluids may help restore bacteria of C-section newborns February 2, 2016 - 7:38 am World • Victims of Taiwan water park explosion demand new investigation • First official US visit to Syria in years • Deadly suicide bombing rocks police office in Kabul Business • BHP credit rating takes a slide amid commodities price crunch • Chinese manufacturing contracting at fastest pace since 2012 • Petrol prices hit one-year low Politics • Five political stories you missed over the summer break • Labor, Greens slam Government's handling of IR bill • Coalition's talking points leaked ahead of Parliament's return Sport • Emerging Maroons Holmes, Munster cop 12-month QRL ban • Dozens of tennis matches flagged for fixing over three-month period • Is Djokovic the greatest of all time? We compare him to the game's legendary names Science and Tech • Dr Karl explains how shooting a gun underwater works • ASIC investigating case involving world's largest 3D printer • NASA funds study on the effects of herpes in space Environment • Greenhouse gas emissions to grow by 2030: report • Chief scientist praises federal plan to tackle carbon emissions • Hill End nuclear waste dump ruled out due to local opposition 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 © 2016 ABC | Conditions of Use | Privacy Policy | Discover other ABC Email newsletters