ABC NewsMail - Morning Edition

Good morning. Here's what's happening now: Australians Nicole Kidman, Mel Gibson and Joel Edgerton are in the running for Golden Globe awards. Musical La La Land leads the field with seven nominations Donald Trump has named retired Marine Corps General John Kelly as his choice to lead the US Department of Homeland Security. The President-elect is yet to name his Secretary of State The Syrian army says it is in the final stages of recapturing Aleppo. Lieutenant General Zaid al-Saleh told reporters rebels "don't have much time" and have to "surrender or die" Almost 30 years ago, American Scott Johnson was found dead at the base of the cliffs at North Head in Manly. Was it suicide, or a gay hate crime? His older brother Steve has spent millions of dollars trying to find out Here's what's coming up: 10:00am AEDT: A third inquest will begin into the 1988 death of Scott Johnson 11:30am AEDT: The royal commission into youth detention continues in the Northern Territory. Dylan Voller's support worker is expected to give evidence 12:45pm AEDT: Trent Cotchin and Sam Mitchell will receive the 2012 Brownlow Medal, after Jobe Watson handed back his award over the Essendon supplements scandal 14:00pm AEDT: Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, better known as Ahok, is scheduled appear in court on charges of blasphemy Top Stories Stalling NAPLAN results spark calls to crack the whip in schools Education heavyweights turn up the heat on teachers and students after a new report reveals pupils' performances in Australian schools have flat-lined. Australia risks losing its share of Antarctica, experts warn The Federal Government is being warned Australia is in danger of losing its position as an Antarctic leader, as well as its claim over the frozen continent, unless it maintains funding for its scientific research program. Syrian army claims it is on brink of winning Aleppo offensive The Syrian military and it allies make major advances in Aleppo with a general describing the operation as "Doomsday" for the rebels. Trump picks retired general to 'secure US borders' Donald Trump names a veteran retired general as his choice to carry out an election promise to secure US borders and stop illegal immigration. Musical romance La La Land leads Golden Globe nominations La La Land, a musical about two dreamers falling in love in Hollywood, leads the Golden Globe nominations, as actors of colour get recognised after the 'White Oscars' furore. Teen says he feared death when being tear-gassed at Don Dale Dylan Voller speaks publicly for the first time about his experience in youth detention, telling a royal commission being hooded in a restraint chair and tear-gassed are the scariest things to have ever happened to him. Cristiano Ronaldo wins fourth Ballon d'Or award Portugal and Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo wins the Ballon d'Or award for the fourth time after claiming the European Championship and Champions League titles in 2016. Police red-faced after seven-hour standoff at empty house Police are embarrassed after embarking on a seven-hour standoff outside a Melton house west of Melbourne, only to discover no-one was home. Weather observed for first time on Jupiter-like alien planet A weather system — including strong winds and changing cloud cover — is observed in the atmosphere of a giant planet outside our solar system for the first time. Turnbull risks Liberal backlash over republican movement speech Another Liberal party backbench revolt against the Prime Minister is brewing over his plans to address the Australian Republican Movement this weekend. Syrian refugee tops Year 12 class with 96.65 ATAR A Syrian refugee, who began learning English in 2014 by watching Question Time in Parliament, achieves the highest scores of his class and becomes dux of one of Australia's biggest Catholic schools. Drug and alcohol use common in drownings There have been almost 500 watercraft-related deaths over the past decade and failure to wear a life jacket and the use of drugs and alcohol during has been a regular theme, the Royal Life Saving Society says. Human remains identified as man last seen 30 years ago Human remains found inside a septic tank at a Brisbane property a fortnight ago are identified as belonging to Wayne Youngkin, who disappeared from the area in 1986. Analysis and Opinion: The Drum New Zealand shows Australia how political stability is done By chief foreign correspondent Philip Williams 'We are about to die': Pleas for help in Syria go unheeded By Middle East correspondent Sophie McNeill Michelle Grattan: Has Turnbull's credibility deficit reached a point of no return? By Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra Why 'living within our means' is a great con By Claire Connelly Just In Explained: How memory works, and how to improve yours December 13, 2016 - 7:02 am Clinton campaign requests information on Russian election 'interference' December 13, 2016 - 6:51 am Cristiano Ronaldo wins fourth Ballon d'Or award December 13, 2016 - 6:46 am World • Clinton campaign requests information on Russian election 'interference' • Cyclone Vardah batters south India • Trump's stance on Taiwan 'a threat to bilateral ties', China says Business • ACCC seeks to sink flushable wipe claims • Bellamy's Organic, once hugely popular in China, announces trading halt • Security guards increasingly being treated poorly by employers: union Politics • Clinton campaign requests information on Russian election 'interference' • Stalling NAPLAN results spark calls to crack the whip in schools • Australia risks losing its share of Antarctica, experts warn Sport • Cristiano Ronaldo wins fourth Ballon d'Or award • Mickey Arthur not expecting a warm welcome from Aussies • What were the best sporting hissy fits of 2016? Science and Tech • Explained: How memory works, and how to improve yours • Clinton campaign requests information on Russian election 'interference' • Australia risks losing its share of Antarctica, experts warn Environment • What is the Million-Year Ice Core — and why should we care? • Scientists step up search for 'holy grail of climate change' • Wedge-tailed eagle, brolga parts seized in $500k haul 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. 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