ABC NewsMail - Morning Edition

Good morning. Here's what's happening now: The scandal over former human services minister Stuart Robert's trip to China continues today. He resigned from the ministry last week but now shadow attorney-general Mark Dreyfus has referred the saga to the Australian Federal Police Turkey has shelled parts of northern Syria, held by Kurdish-backed militia, for a second day. Turkey is demanding the YPG militia withdraw from areas in Aleppo but the US has relied on the YPG as one of its few effective allies in the fight against IS Victoria Police have seen a marked increase in the purity of ecstasy pills, with the active ingredient MDMA ranging from 5 per cent to 60 per cent. The drug was linked to four music festival deaths across the country late last year and tonight Four Corners takes a look at the mounting pressure on the NSW Government to rethink its tough stance on party drugs Fact Check looked at the Opposition's claims about poverty in Australia and found the statement checked out. There are 2.5 million Australians living below the poverty line and one quarter of them are children Here's what's coming up: 9:30am AEDT: Lawyers and union representatives will speak to the media in Brisbane about the extent of underpayment to 7-Eleven workers and to discuss the first back payments 9:30am AEDT: Two men are scheduled to face court after a brawl that left one man dead in Sydney's south-west on Friday night 10:00am AEDT: An anti-corruption hearing will be held in Melbourne to examine allegations of serious corruption in the Victorian Education Department 11:30am AEDT: South Australia's Royal Commission into the Nuclear Fuel Cycle will hand down its initial findings into whether the state should expand its role in the nuclear industry Top Stories Labor refers Robert's China trip to AFP for 'abuse of public office' Shadow attorney-general Mark Dreyfus asks the AFP to investigate Stuart Robert's China trip to determine whether the former Turnbull Government minister intended to benefit from the visit. Pill testing urged as ecstasy hospital presentations double The number of ecstasy users appearing at NSW hospitals has almost doubled in the past six years, as recent deaths linked to the party drug put pressure on the Government to rethink its stance on pill testing. Calls for better health supplement labelling after man's near-death experience Health and consumer advocates call for better labelling in Australia's health supplement sector, following reports of a WA man who had to have an emergency transplant after taking a weight loss supplement. Australian cricketing greats want stadium honour for their 'Nugget of Gold' Some of the biggest names in Australian cricket are calling for a stand to be named after Barry "Nugget" Rees, an inspiring man who has been integral to the team for more than five decades. Call for answers as mysterious river bubbling 'intensifies' Landholders in Queensland call on the State Government to find the cause of methane gas bubbling in a major river, which they say has intensified in recent months. Bishop to discuss North Korea on Japan, China tour North Korea's "provocative and dangerous conduct" is on the agenda for Foreign Minister Julie Bishop as begins her four-day tour of Japan and China. UK-Australia visa restrictions 'could impact relations' Tighter and more expensive visa regulations for Australians travelling to the UK could have a long-term impact on the close relationship between the two countries, officials and members of the British Prime Minister's own party say. British indie band killed after car plummets 25m off bridge in Sweden British indie band Viola Beach and their manager are killed after their car plummets off a bridge in Sweden, where they had played their first international gig, police say. Huge fire scorches cultural event in Mumbai A huge fire scorches a stage at a cultural event in Mumbai, which was part of the Indian government's much-trailed "Make in India" week. Syria urges UN intervention as Turkey shells Kurds for second day Turkey shells positions held by Kurdish-backed militia in northern Syria for a second day. 'No body, no parole' laws proposed by WA Opposition Killers who refuse to help police find the remains of their victims could be denied parole in WA, under legislation sparked by a petition from the parents of Hayley Dodd, who disappeared almost two decades ago. Civilian casualties in Afghanistan hit record levels in 2015: UN Civilian casualties of the war in Afghanistan rose to record levels in 2015, the United Nations reports, as violence spread across the country in the wake of the withdrawal of most international troops. Dozens of Australian building sites contaminated with asbestos So-called "asbestos free" building materials that actually contain the deadly compound are slipping into Australia from overseas, fuelling concerns the problem will worsen under the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement. Australia grinds NZ into the ground The Australians take their time on day three as spinner Nathan Lyon leads the effort to grind the Black Caps into the ground. Analysis and Opinion: The Drum Joyce to the world: Nats cap off a week of change By Annabel Crabb Don't ask for our approval on major reform, Prime Minister By Peter Brent Our politics have changed - and not for the better By Mike Steketee Doing right by East Timor should be bipartisan policy By Damien Kingsbury Just In Tasmanian fire crews prepare for worsening conditions as reinforcements arrive February 15, 2016 - 7:27 am Animated short film Shiny takes out Tropfest February 15, 2016 - 7:25 am Pope wades into crime-ridden Mexico city for mass addressing corruption February 15, 2016 - 7:25 am World • Pope wades into crime-ridden Mexico city for mass addressing corruption • Aussie film Mad Max winning big at BAFTAs • Jong-un's luxuries 'bought with wages of N Korean workers' Business • NSW Labor Party votes to adopt bullying "code of conduct" • 'Markets are dropping their bundle' over China: RBA governor • Finance stocks drop as trading week ends Politics • Bishop to discuss North Korea on Japan, China tour • Huge fire scorches cultural event in Mumbai • Jong-un's luxuries 'bought with wages of N Korean workers' Sport • Nathan Lyon and Australia grind NZ into the ground • Welbeck, Eriksen give Arsenal, Spurs title edge • Unstoppable Powell stuns Wanderers with four goals in Phoenix win Science and Tech • Doctors trial technology designed to keep hearts healthy before transplant • Rarest members of 'Earth's mineral kingdom' catalogued by scientists • 3D printers 'for the home hobbyist' reach consumers Environment • Call for answers as mysterious river bubbling 'intensifies' • Two activists take 'grand tour' of shortlisted nuclear waste dump sites • Sniffer dogs could help 'win the battle against extinction' Follow ABC News About this email You received this email because you are subscribed to ABC News email alerts. 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