ABC NewsMail - Morning Edition

Good morning. Here's what's happening now: There has been a car bomb attack in Turkey's capital Ankara. Here's the situation: the death toll is at 28 with 61 injured, the area of the attack is near the country's military headquarters and parliament, authorities say the attack was targeting the Turkish government but they don't yet know who is responsible The tale of tax reform and Treasurer Scott Morrison's first budget - here's today's installment. Mr Morrison has flagged "difficulties" in cutting company tax and says any cuts to income tax would be "modest". The budget is in May ... stay tuned Plants in the Australian outback "don't care" if it rains. Researchers say plants' memories mean they often don't respond to periods of rain and know "it is not worth investing in growing more" because drought will soon follow. Yes, they've "given up". A study out today has mapped "vegetation sensitivity" across the world This story of one family's decision to adopt a baby boy with Down syndrome is popular now. Mother Emma says: "I loved this little child before I even set eyes on him" Here's what's coming up: 9:00am AEDT: We're expecting to hear from Federal Attorney-General George Brandis who is in Washington. Peter Dutton and Michael Keenan are also there 11:30am AEDT: The Australian Bureau of Statistics is expected to release its jobs figures for January 9:30am AEDT: There'll be a swearing-in ceremony at Government House in Canberra. This follows the weekend's ministerial reshuffle 4:45pm AEDT: John Key will arrive in Sydney today. He'll meet with the PM tomorrow for the annual Australia-New Zealand Leaders' Meeting Top Stories Car bomb targeting military in Ankara leaves 28 dead At least 28 people are killed and 61 injured in a "well planned" car bomb explosion targeting the Turkish military in the capital Ankara, the country's Deputy Prime Minister says. Morrison flags 'difficulties' in cutting taxes for May budget Treasurer Scott Morrison flags potential "difficulties" in cutting company tax, as small businesses warn they should not be ignored in the federal budget. Tim Minchin's Cardinal Pell song hurting abuse victims, priest says A Jesuit priest says a song calling for Cardinal George Pell to come home by comedian Tim Minchin risks turning the royal commission into a laughing stock, and that abuse victims will suffer. Chinese missile base ratchets up tension in South China Sea China deploys an advanced surface-to-air missile system to one of the disputed islands it controls in the South China Sea, ratcheting up tensions in the region and prompting renewed warnings against militarisation. Grisly discovery at rubbish tip prompts calls for probe The New South Wales Opposition is calling on the Government to launch an immediate investigation into the disposal of two severed legs found at a Newcastle tip. Poor Indonesians targeted in organ trade In the Indonesian island village of Majalaya, an organ trafficking trade sees residents selling their kidneys in the hope of escaping immense poverty. 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". Pope hot under the collar over encounter with parishioner Pope Francis loses his temper with a parishioner who pulled him off-balance onto a young girl in a wheelchair in the Mexican city of Morelia. Plants in drought-ravaged areas may have 'given up' The plant life of Australia's outback does not respond to sudden increases in rainfall because it has "learned" that drought will soon follow, according to satellite-based maps tracking the impact of changing climatic conditions. Stolen nuclear material raises fears of Islamic State dirty bomb Iraq is searching for "highly dangerous" radioactive material that was stolen in November 2015, raising fears it could be used as a weapons if acquired by Islamic State militants, officials say. Peter Siddle out of second trans-Tasman Test Paceman Peter Siddle, the most experienced member of Australia's Test squad, is ruled out of the trans-Tasman clash in Christchurch. Apple rejects court order to help FBI unlock shooter's phone Apple's chief executive Tim Cook says the company will contest a court order to help the FBI break into a phone recovered from one of the San Bernardino shooters. Analysis and Opinion: The Drum Don't underestimate Labor's property tax plans By Greg Jericho Giving 16-year-olds the vote would be an insult to democracy By Terry Barnes How to make people angry: write about science By Mika McKinnon Rebel Wilson and the sensationalism that calls everything offensive By Terri Psiakis Just In Ecotourism doesn't always help orangutans February 18, 2016 - 7:21 am Poor Indonesians targeted in organ trade February 18, 2016 - 7:17 am Grisly discovery at rubbish tip prompts calls for probe February 18, 2016 - 7:13 am World • 3D printing breakthrough produces functioning human bone, tissue • Turkey wants secure strip across Syrian border, vows to continue Kurdish strikes • US flies fighter jets over South Korea after North's rocket launch Business • Lies, damned lies, and jobs statistics • Woodside profit plunges 99 per cent on oil price slump • Whyalla wipeout on the cards as Arrium posts large losses Politics • Morrison flags 'difficulties' in cutting taxes for May budget • Queensland LNP MP Ann Leahy may be publicly admonished by Speaker • Brisbane musicians fear Kings Cross-style wipe-out under lockout laws Sport • Peter Siddle out of second trans-Tasman Test • Super Rugby draw will be critical under new format: Gibson • Victory accepts $50,000 fine and suspended points deduction Science and Tech • Modern humans shared 'Planet of the Apes' with Neanderthals, hobbits • CSIRO staff launch challenge to controversial shake-up • Space telescope to displace 10,000 humans in search for aliens Environment • Stolen nuclear material raises fears of Islamic State dirty bomb • Kiribati looks to artificial islands to save nation from rising sea levels • Mine expansion could cause 'unacceptable' loss of water from catchment Follow ABC News About this email You received this email because you are subscribed to ABC News email alerts. 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