ABC NewsMail - Morning Edition

Good morning. Here's what's happening now: Treasurer Scott Morrison will deliver the mid-year budget update today. An economist predicts that the deficit for this financial year will blow out by almost $3 billion, but that the Federal Government will keep the same timeline for returning to surplus Senator Rod Culleton says he's resigned from One Nation and intends to sit as an independent. He says Pauline Hanson's party has not remained committed to its pre-election promises Australia needs two more wickets to defeat Pakistan in the first Test at the Gabba. The visitors, meanwhile, are within 108 runs of their mammoth target of 490, with Asad Shafiq unbeaten on 100 Is Australia's AAA credit rating doomed? Business editor Ian Verrender thinks so. He says a downgrade might not happen immediately after today's budget update, but it's only a matter of time. Here's what's coming up: 12:00pm AEDT: The Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO) will be released 1:30pm AEDT: Australia play Pakistan on day five of their first Test 7:30pm in your timezone: Treasurer Scott Morrison will discuss MYEFO with ABC's 7.30 7:30pm AEDT: Brisbane Bullets play Illawarra Hawks in the NBL Top Stories Deficit expected to deepen in MYEFO report Federal Treasurer Scott Morrison is today expected to unveil a mid-year budget update with a deeper deficit than forecast in the May budget, with one economist predicting a blow out to $40 billion. Culleton resigns from One Nation One Nation senator Rod Culleton announces his resignation from the party, saying his colleagues have not remained committed to pre-election promises and displayed "un-Australian behaviour" towards him and his team. Aussies not thrilled with extra overs on day four: bowling coach Australia's bowling coach curses an extended final session on day four at the Gabba and rues the lack of an all-rounder in the line-up. Parents' heartbreaking search for children lost in Japan tsunami Naomi Hiratsuka is just one of the indomitable parents left behind when their children were swept away in the 2011 Fukushima tsunami. But her long search for her daughter's remains finally brought some closure after her unthinkable loss. Foreign tourist among nine killed in Jordan castle shooting spree Nine people, including a Canadian tourist, are killed after gunmen go on a shooting spree in and around a medieval castle in the southern Jordanian town of Karak. Aleppo evacuation uncertain as buses burned en route to pro-government villages Evacuation buses are attacked and burned en route to two government-held villages in Syria, state media and the Syrian Observatory are reporting. Amphetamine abuse jumps 53pc on last year: report A record number of Australians are addicted to amphetamines like ice, with half of those seeking help for addiction using the drug, according to a report by one of Australia's largest drug rehabilitation organisations. ACT Government overturns complete ban on gun silencers The Government relaxes the rules around the use of gun silencers after some of its contractors were using them illegally during a kangaroo cull. North Pole Christmas wonderland restored after little boy's plea A Sydney woman grants a little boy his Christmas wish by turning her family home into the North Pole using more than 100,000 lights, having announced the end to the spectacular annual display two years ago. Trump thanks his 'vicious, violent' supporters in Orlando President-elect Donald Trump thanks his "violent" and "vicious" supporters at a victory rally in Orlando, but also urges them to "be cool" after his presidential election victory. One Nation announces at least 36 candidates for next Queensland election One Nation leader Pauline Hanson announces 36 candidates who will stand at the next Queensland election, saying there are plans to announce more soon. Farmers test drones for mustering Central Queensland farmers are experimenting with drones to muster their stock, in the hope they will one day reduce costs — as well as their workload. Analysis and Opinion: The Drum With the fall of Aleppo, Idlib province becomes rebels' final stronghold By Middle East correspondent Matt Brown 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 Just In Foreign tourist among nine killed in Jordan castle shooting spree December 19, 2016 - 6:52 am ACT Government overturns complete ban on gun silencers December 19, 2016 - 6:26 am North Pole Christmas wonderland restored after little boy's plea December 19, 2016 - 6:21 am World • Suicide bomber kills at least 30 soldiers in Yemen's Aden: officials • Indonesian air force plane crashes in Papua killing 13: official • Michelle Obama tells Oprah the White House needs a 'grown-up' Business • No recommendations from two-year inquiry into housing prices • Treasury has not modelled potential impact of credit rating hit • Crown, Bellamy's and ANZ prove China ain't no Silk Road for Australian businesses Politics • Verrender: Why Australia's AAA credit rating is doomed • Deficit expected to deepen in MYEFO report • Culleton resigns from One Nation Sport • Ton-up Shafiq gives Pakistan hope as Aussies look to day five • Aussies not thrilled with extra overs on day four: bowling coach • Roar go third with win over Mariners Science and Tech • Fukushima nuclear clean-up, compensation costs nearly double • Self-driving Uber runs red light as company launches SF pilot program • Why there's nothing you can do about the Yahoo hack Environment • Beijing factories ordered to shut or cut output after pollution red alert • China wants 23 northern cities put on red alert for smog • Oldest water on Earth could provide clues to hidden life on Mars 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