ABC NewsMail - Morning Edition

Good morning. Here's what's happening now: There will be some more detail about future defence spending and strategy later today when the Defence White Paper is released. We already know there will be funding for 12 new submarines but defence sources say cyber security will also be a big focus Emergency workers say they have "absolutely no idea" how three women survived a car crash that saw them plummet 30 metres into a construction pit and land on their roof in Melbourne early this morning A six-year-old boy is recovering after being bitten by a three-metre long carpet python while he slept in a New South Wales home. He was bitten several times on his hands and face by the non-venomous snake Swinburne University scientists have tracked a rare burst of energy that lasted less than a millisecond back to its source. It happened around six billion light-years ago and now opens the door to measuring the weight of the universe Here's what's coming up: 9:30am AEDT: The former Bishop of Ballarat Ronald Mulkearns will give evidence to the royal commission into child sexual abuse 10:00am AEDT: A group of 78ers - who organised Sydney's first Mardi Gras - will receive a formal apology in the NSW Parliament for the discrimination and mistreatment they suffered in 1978. 11:00am AEDT The Prime Minister and Defence Minister will outline the Government's spending and strategic plans for defence over the next decade and beyond after the release of the Defence White Paper Top Stories 'Extreme' right-winger not fit to chair intel committee: Labor Labor accuses Andrew Nikolic, the incoming chair of a powerful committee of Federal Parliament, of "extreme right wing" views that should disqualify him for the job. Girls home abuse victims confront nuns caring for dying bishop In the lead up to former Ballarat Bishop Ronald Mulkearns' anticipated appearance by video link at the royal commission into child sexual abuse, some of the victims of the region's most infamous paedophile priest, Gerald Ridsdale, take their complaints to his door. Military to receive $30 billion boost in Defence White Paper Today's long awaited Defence White Paper will outline $30 billion of additional spending over the next 10 years, and also focus on strategic concerns linked to China's rapid military expansion. Astronomers trace source of a massive energy explosion to a distant galaxy A rare burst of energy lasting less than a millisecond that happened around six billion light-years ago in a galaxy far, far away is tracked to its source by scientists for the first time. Three women survive car plunging into Melbourne construction pit Rescue workers have "no idea" how three women survived when their car plummeted 30 metres into a construction pit in Melbourne and landed on its roof. Mark Dreyfus' attempt to bring forward FOI court date 'unusual': Brandis Attorney-General George Brandis' office describes an attempt by Labor's Mark Dreyfus to bring forward a court date over a disputed Freedom of Information application between the pair as "unusual". Russia sends 10,000 automatic rifles to Afghanistan as a gift Afghan officials receive 10,000 automatic rifles and millions of rounds of ammunition as a gift from Russia in a sign of deepening involvement by Moscow in the war-torn country. Aurora Australis icebreaker runs aground near Mawson Station Australia's icebreaker runs aground near Mawson Station after breaking free of mooring lines during a blizzard while on a mission to resupply the Antarctic outpost. Carpet snake attacks sleeping boy in New South Wales A six-year-old boy is attacked by a three-metre long carpet snake while he sleeps in the mid-NSW town of Macksville. Domestic violence perpetrators sent to rehabilitation program It is usually the victims who are forced to leave their homes and seek refuge in domestic violence relationships but a first-of-its-kind residential program in Perth is removing the perpetrators. Ex-Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson settles lawsuit with producer he attacked Ex-Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson apologises and settles a lawsuit with the member of the production team he physically attacked in an incident that cost him his job. 'I love the poorly educated': Trump celebrates Nevada win Donald Trump claims his third straight win in the Republican presidential race and lauds the poorly educated in his victory speech. Cyclone death toll reaches 42, food supplies running out The death toll from Cyclone Winston climbs to 42, with reports entire villages have been wiped out on some remote Fiji islands. David Pocock wins ABC Sports Personality of the Year Wallabies and Brumbies star David Pocock wins the ABC Sports Personality of the Year at the AIS Sport Performance Awards in Sydney. Analysis and Opinion: The Drum The reason Turnbull has come back down to Earth By Peter Lewis #FreeKesha: How the law failed to protect victims of sexual abuse By Lucia Osborne-Crowley Baby Asha and the political grandstanding of #LetThemStay By Terry Barnes Baby Asha and the shadow of 'children overboard' By Jeff Sparrow Just In Steve Smith fined for dissent for umpire row against New Zealand February 25, 2016 - 7:27 am Sydney headed for 40C and above, with fire bans across state February 25, 2016 - 7:17 am Fact Check: Has the number of children in detention dropped from 2,000 to about 75 under the Coalition? February 25, 2016 - 7:01 am World • Egypt's Sisi says Russian plane downed by terrorists • Barack Obama pledges to push ahead with Supreme Court nominee • Syrian regime 'ready' to respect US-Russia ceasefire, doubts linger Business • Wage growth falls to fresh record low, construction work weakens • Share market slides on mining losses • Assistant Treasurer appears to contradict PM on negative gearing Politics • Barack Obama pledges to push ahead with Supreme Court nominee • 'Extreme' right-winger not fit to chair intel committee: Labor • Ex-military chiefs say Britain is 'stronger' in EU Sport • Blatter, Platini have FIFA bans reduced by two years on appeal • Steve Smith fined for dissent for umpire row against New Zealand • Australians top of the league after Christchurch victory Science and Tech • Aurora Australis icebreaker runs aground near Mawson Station • Meet Atlas: The next generation two-legged robot • Why can't the FBI unlock an iPhone? Environment • 'It's like brewing beer': Innovative methods being used to slash farm run-off • NSW oyster farmers slowly recovering from POMS outbreak • Koala activists fail in court bid against coal mine 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