ABC NewsMail - Morning Edition

Good morning. Here's what's happening now: Charities have revealed the generosity of George Michael, saying he gave away millions of dollars to help children, cancer victims and AIDS sufferers. The official cause of singer's death on Christmas Day has not been announced Russia has expanded its search for the black box of a military plane that crashed into the Black Sea. The country says it's likely pilot error or a technical fault caused the tragedy that killed 92 people French sailor Thomas Coville has arrived home after smashing the world record for sailing around the world solo. His voyage took just 49 days, three hours, seven minutes and 38 seconds George Michael has been remembered for his influence in China. Wham! was the first major Western band to play in the country after the death of Mao Zedong and decades of cultural isolation Here's what's coming up: 10:30am AEDT: Australia play Pakistan on day two of the second Test 7:10pm AEDT: Sydney Sixers play Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash 7:50pm AEDT: Melbourne City play Perth Glory in the A-League Top Stories Tributes flow for George Michael as charities reveal generosity Grieving fans mourning the death of George Michael lay floral tributes at his homes in north London and in Goring, England, as charities reveal how the singer secretly donated his time and millions of dollars to their causes. George Michael's influence felt in China after historic 1985 concert George Michael's death brings back memories in China of the heady 1980s when Wham! was the first major Western band to play in the country after the death of Mao Zedong and decades of cultural isolation. Flash flooding in Central Australia forces mass evacuation Heavy rain that has sparked damaging flash floods and widespread evacuations in Central Australia is being described as a once-in-a-half-century weather event by the Bureau of Meteorology. Russia expands search for missing plane's black boxes Russia expands its search for the remains of a military plane that crashed into the Black Sea, killing all 92 on board, and says pilot error or a technical fault — not terrorism — is likely to have caused the tragedy. Wild Oats reclaims lead ahead of Perpetual LOYAL Wild Oats XI reclaims the first-day lead of the 72nd Sydney to Hobart yacht race after an eventful start in Sydney Harbour. Australia marginally ahead of Pakistan as rain interrupts Boxing Day Australia ends the first day of a rain-affected Boxing Day Test with its nose marginally in front of Pakistan at the MCG. Man drowns trying to save children in 'flash rip' A man drowns while trying to save two children at Wooli Beach near Coffs Harbour on the New South Wales north coast. Faysal Ahmed's family not told of his death, refugees 'treated with contempt' The Federal Government has not notified the family of a Sudanese refugee from Manus Island who died in a Brisbane hospital on Christmas Eve, a refugee advocate says. World-record-breaking sailor arrives home in France Sailor Thomas Coville arrives in the French port of Brest after smashing the world record for a single-handed non-stop sailing circumnavigation of the globe. Twin toddler dies a week after being found unconscious in pool A toddler dies in hospital nearly a week after she and her twin brother were found unconscious in a pool in Sydney's north-west. 4yo Sydney girl flies to US for controversial spinal surgery When a child walks for the first time it is a moment of great joy, but one Sydney family is yet to experience that with their four-year-old daughter Isabella, who has a form of cerebral palsy called spastic diplegia. Muslim group letterboxes Hobart to counter One Nation, Reclaim Australia A Muslim group delivers messages to homes in Hobart saying they stand for peace and loyalty to Australia, in a move sparked by the rise of One Nation and Reclaim Australia. Did you get a drone for Christmas? Know the law before you take to the skies Whether you're a beginner, a serious aviation enthusiast, or just a fan of gadgets, you may have received a drone for Christmas. Here's what you need to know. Virtual reality breathes new life into David Attenborough works Virtual reality technology gives visitors at the National Museum of Australia the chance to dive deeper into the works of nature filmmaker Sir David Attenborough, with some urged to take sick bags on their tour. Analysis and Opinion: The Drum Julia Baird: How to reclaim the true meaning of Christmas By Julia Baird Eight-year itch: Couples need nearly a decade to save for Sydney house By business reporter Michael Janda Scorsese's Silence a fitting test of faith at Christmas By Simon Smart Leigh Sales' top 10 interviews of 2016 By Leigh Sales Just In George Michael's influence felt in China after historic 1985 concert December 27, 2016 - 6:20 am Tributes flow for George Michael as charities reveal generosity December 27, 2016 - 5:50 am Russia expands search for missing plane's black boxes December 27, 2016 - 1:09 am World • Turkey detains 1,682 over alleged coup, militant links • Indonesian militants planned New Year's Eve machete attack: police • George Michael remembered as trailblazer for gay artists Business • Australians predicted to spend $2.8b at Boxing Day sales • Boxing Day sales restrictions in SA 'make no sense' • After 30-year bull run, global bond markets routed on Trump worries Politics • Time can't heal wounds of 95yo Japanese war veteran • Meet the man walking across Australia to protest Indigenous community closures • Nigerian army captures key Boko Haram stronghold Sport • Australia marginally ahead of Pakistan as rain interrupts Boxing Day • As it happened: Australia takes four before rain ends day one • Wild Oats reclaims lead ahead of Perpetual LOYAL Science and Tech • Did you get a drone for Christmas? Know the law before you take to the skies • Eight ways technology impacted your life in 2016 • Uber halts self-driving cars test in San Francisco Environment • VW reaches deal with 80,000 US 3L vehicle owners • Australia's greenhouse gas emissions rising • Who's paying the most for power? 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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