ABC NewsMail - Morning Edition

Good morning. Here's what's happening now: Australia's population has ticked over to 24 million. There's no official 24th million person but the Australian Bureau of Statistics says it could be a newborn or a migrant. We're expected to rack up another million by 2018 Do you use glyphosate to kill your weeds? You might know it as "Roundup". Well the World Health Organisation says it is "probably carcinogenic to humans". Australian local councils are now facing pressure from residents, insurers and lawyers to stop using the pesticide Bronwyn Bishop's Liberal pre-selection rival just got the support of Tony Abbott and Mike Baird. The written references for Walter Villatora are a blow to the former speaker's campaign. Meanwhile, former foreign minister Alexander Downer's daughter is expected to nominate for the seat retiring Andrew Robb will vacate Our interactive storytelling team has taken a closer look at gravitational waves to give us an idea of just how small they are. Spoiler: A gravitational wave is "1 billion times smaller than an atom" Here's what's coming up: 10:00am AEDT: Check back for the ABC's live blog of the Grammy Awards. Australian Courtney Barnett is nominated for Best New Artist 12:30pm AEDT: Minister for Resources, Energy and Northern Australia Josh Frydenberg will address the National Press Club 11:00pm AEDT: We're expecting to hear from Foreign Minister Julie Bishop in Tokyo Top Stories Abbott, Baird endorse Bronwyn Bishop preselection rival Former speaker Bronwyn Bishop's preselection chances are dealt a blow, with Tony Abbott and NSW Premier Mike Baird writing references in support of a Liberal Party official expected to run against her. Local councils still using pesticide that 'probably causes cancer' Councils across Australia are using the pesticide glyphosate to kill weeds in sensitive areas like playgrounds, despite a World Health Organisation warning the chemical probably causes cancer. Family conflict, mental illness risk factors for teen homelessness: study A Mission Australia survey identifies a series of risk factors pushing Australia's teenagers onto the street, including family conflict and concerns over stress. 23 killed after air strikes hit hospitals, school in Syria At least 23 people are killed and eight are missing after air strikes in Syria's Azaz and Idlib that hit a school and hospitals, including one run by Médecins Sans Frontières, witnesses say. Most tax concessions end up in hands of those over 30: think-tank A progressive think-tank releases modelling showing the vast bulk of tax concessions go to Australians aged over 30 years of age. Explosion rips through Melbourne strip club Kittens A crime scene is established at Kittens Strip Club in Melbourne's south after an explosion and fire at the adult entertainment venue. Ancient flower trapped in amber found in Dominican Republic The discovery of a new species of ancient flower beautifully preserved in amber indicates that ancestors of today's daisies, mints and tomatoes flourished in Caribbean jungles up to 45 million years ago. Sailors sue Navy saying they were 'tricked' into joining More than 200 sailors, some of them still serving, join a class action against the Navy alleging they were tricked into signing up for four years under false promises they would leave with a trade. Stephen Fry deletes Twitter after BAFTA 'bag lady' backlash Actor and comedian Stephen Fry deletes his Twitter account after a joke he made calling his friend and BAFTA-winning costume designer Jenny Beavan a "bag lady" fails to impress. AFP admits 'upper range' figures used to inflate ice bust claims The Australian Federal Police's claim to have seized more than $1 billion worth of ice in push-up bras and craft supplies imported from Hong Kong is under scrutiny, with officers admitting they used an "upper range" figure to make the valuation. Australia's population hits 24 million The number of people in Australia surpasses 24 million for the first time, according to the Bureau of Statistics' population clock. New probe uncovers seven more baby deaths at Victorian hospital A new review of a stillborn crisis at a Victorian hospital reveals a further seven babies have died — bringing the total number at the maternity unit to 18. Star Wars: Episode VIII production begins, cast announced Academy Award winner Benicio Del Toro will feature in the cast of the next Star Wars movie, scheduled for release in December 2017. Analysis and Opinion: The Drum The canned tomatoes war and the conspiracy against consumers By Chris Berg When Tim Wilson became 'Freedom Commissioner', there was no money left for disability advocacy By Graeme Innes Relax, we have nothing to fear from negative gearing reform By Michael Janda Stalking, actually: These films are really quite creepy when you look closer By Deirdre Fidge Just In Pair arrested after van crashes into western Sydney dam February 16, 2016 - 7:27 am Star Wars: Episode VIII production begins, cast announced February 16, 2016 - 7:27 am 'Silk Road' trade route revived as first train arrives in Iran from China February 16, 2016 - 7:11 am World • 'Silk Road' trade route revived as first train arrives in Iran from China • Pope John Paul II had intense friendship with married woman: BBC • UN asked to notify Kim Jong-un of probe for crimes against humanity Business • Energy, mining stocks lead the way in share market push • Turnbull not ruling out changes to negative gearing • Share market rallies following global rebound Politics • Abbott, Baird endorse Bronwyn Bishop preselection rival • Local councils still using pesticide that 'probably causes cancer' • Q&A: Panel addresses lock-out laws, negative gearing, free speech Sport • Three out of three as Kiwis fail another big test against Australia • Australia polishes off dominant opening trans-Tasman Test win • FFA announces appeals process, new procedures for banned fans 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 • Mine expansion could cause 'unacceptable' loss of water from catchment • Call for answers as mysterious river bubbling 'intensifies' • Two activists take 'grand tour' of shortlisted nuclear waste dump sites Follow ABC News About this email You received this email because you are subscribed to ABC News email alerts. 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