ABC NewsMail - Morning Edition

Good morning. Here's what's happening now: A ceasefire deal between rebels and the Syrian Government in Aleppo has effectively collapsed, hampering efforts to evacuate tens of thousands of civilians from the war-torn city The Federal Court will today decide whether it will order internet providers to block copyright-infringing websites like The Pirate Bay. What will this mean for you? The US Federal Reserve will raise its benchmark interest rate for only the second time in the decade. The rate will lift by 0.25 per cent to a range of 0.5 per cent to 0.75 per cent The lead investigator on the Peter Falconio murder case says she knew convicted killer Bradley John Murdoch "was the devil" the first time she came face to face with him. Colleen Gwynne worked the case day and night, but it was a small everyday item — an elastic hair band — that would ultimately convict Murdoch Here's what's coming up: 10:00am AEDT: Former NSW Labor powerbroker Eddie Obeid, 72, is scheduled to be sentenced after being found guilty of misconduct charges 12:00pm AEDT: The inquest into the death of Daniel Morcombe, reopened at the request of his parents, wraps up in Brisbane 12:30pm AEDT: A public service will be held at St Stephen's Uniting Church in Macquarie Street, Sydney, to mark the second anniversary of the Lindt Cafe siege in Martin Place 2:00pm AEDT: The Australian Cricket Team begins day one of the day-night Test against Pakistan at the Gabba in Brisbane Top Stories Aleppo ceasefire collapses as air strikes, clashes stall evacuations The Aleppo ceasefire collapses as renewed air strikes and clashes in the Syrian city scuttle plans to evacuate civilians and rebels, with buses meant to be used in the pull-out forced to return to their depots empty. Trump picks former campaign rival to lead US Department of Energy If the nomination is confirmed by the US Senate, the move will put former Texas governor Rick Perry in charge of a department he proposed eliminating during his bid for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination. US Federal Reserve raises interest rates for first time in a year Interest rates in the United States are increased for the first time in a year and only the second time in a decade, and the Federal Reserve foresees three rate hikes in 2017. The woman who nailed Bradley John Murdoch with a hair elastic The lead investigator on the Peter Falconio case describes the terror of coming face to face with a murderer after one of the biggest manhunts in Australian history, ending with the help of one single hair elastic. China 'installs weapons systems on artificial islands' in South China Sea China has installed weapons systems on all seven if the artificial islands it has built in the South China Sea, a US think tank claims. People at high risk of pancreatic cancer to be tested for deadly disease In an Australian first, doctors are screening people at high risk of developing pancreatic cancer to pick up early warning signs of the aggressive disease, something long thought to be ineffective and expensive. Are you about to be blocked from The Pirate Bay? If all goes according to plan the Federal Court will today decide if it will order internet companies to block copyright infringing websites like The Pirate Bay. It's also expected to decide how that will work. Appointment of new solicitor-general praised The appointment of experienced Melbourne barrister Stephen Donaghue as Australia's next solicitor-general is widely welcomed, but one legal expert says it is just the first step in restoring independence to the role. Your athlete and team of the year for 2016 Women's sport had another banner year in 2016 and that is reflected in how you voted in the Australian Sport Performance Awards. Morrison's household debt remarks 'inane and stupid' Finance experts criticise Treasurer Scott Morrison's comments on large amounts of household debt as "inane and stupid", saying assets are only increasing in value because debt is used to buy them. Japanese Australians to lodge 18C discrimination case over war memorial The Australia-Japan Community Network is set to lodge a Section 18C discrimination case against the Uniting Church over a Sydney memorial commemorating Korean sex slaves in World War II. Record numbers of Australians needing help for homelessness Australians are accessing homelessness services in record numbers, and the proportion of people seeking support due to domestic and family violence has risen sharply, a report finds. Anti-dowry summit sparks call for Australian law against ancient tradition Medical professionals and academics are calling for a national law against dowry, as part of Australia's first summit looking at the impacts of the practice. Water buffalo gores tourist in Kakadu A photographer visiting Kakadu National Park narrowly escapes the "death charge" of an injured water buffalo after it gores him, gouging out a piece of muscle in his arm. Analysis and Opinion: The Drum Dylan Voller evidence is a hurdle cleared but commission's task is still huge By Kate Wild The recession we're already in By business reporter David Taylor A man tried to fight me. He didn't land a punch but he still won By Emily Clark Five things to know about Bellamy's share price blow-up By business reporter Elysse Morgan Just In China 'installs weapons systems on artificial islands' in South China Sea December 15, 2016 - 7:08 am US Federal Reserve raises interest rates for first time in a year December 15, 2016 - 6:29 am Overseas same-sex unions to be automatically recognised in ACT December 15, 2016 - 6:25 am World • Clashes erupt as Aleppo evacuations delayed • Jakarta traffic cop receives award for 'patience' during road rage incident • Department of Health confirms 4,200 barrels of oil spilled near DAPL protest site Business • US Federal Reserve raises interest rates for first time in a year • Commodity price rise unlikely to stem budget deterioration • Morrison draws good and bad debt distinction Politics • China 'installs weapons systems on artificial islands' in South China Sea • US Federal Reserve raises interest rates for first time in a year • Stories of unpaid super highlight importance of regular checks Sport • Meet 'Mannequin Renners': Double the Renshaw at rookie's home Test • Australia could drop Lyon in favour of Sayers for Gabba Test • Your athlete and team of the year for 2016 Science and Tech • Are you about to be blocked from The Pirate Bay? • Top five science books of 2016 • Australia's law firms 'prime targets for cyber attacks' Environment • Water buffalo gores tourist in Kakadu • Scientists backing up climate data over fears it could be erased under Trump • Whitehaven Coal tries to block release of air pollution reports Follow ABC News About this email You received this email because you are subscribed to ABC News email alerts. 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