ABC NewsMail - Morning Edition

Good morning. Here's what's happening now: Outgoing US President Barack Obama has used his last news conference to defend his decision to commute the jail sentence of Chelsea Manning, the former US soldier convicted of leaking classified files to WikiLeaks 2016 was officially the hottest year on record, according to NASA. It's the third year in a row world temperatures have hit a record high An Indonesian zoo already in the sights of animal rights activists is under scrutiny again after a video emerged which appears to show malnourished bears begging tourists for food Two married clowns, who met while performing and teaching children in an Afghanistan circus, are capturing the imagination of families in Melbourne with their latest project about growing up Here's what's coming up: 9:00am AEDT: The Federal Court will rule on whether metadata constitutes personal information and should be provided to customers under the Privacy Act 9:30am AEDT: A man charged with publishing threats about Sydney's NYE festivities will appear in court 11:30am AEDT: The Tour Down Under continues with the third stage of the men's race in Adelaide 3:00pm AEDT: Novak Djokovic will meet Denis Istomin in round two of the Australian Open Top Stories Obama defends slashing Manning sentence for leaking secrets Barack Obama uses his final press conference as US President to defend his decision to commute the prison sentence of Chelsea Manning, the former US army intelligence analyst jailed for leaking classified files to WikiLeaks. World temperatures hit new high in 2016: NASA World temperatures hit a record high for the third year in a row in 2016, creeping closer to a ceiling set for global warming with extremes including unprecedented heat in India and ice melt in the Arctic, US government agencies say. Hunter Valley bushfires treated as 'very suspicious' Several out-of-control bushfires that threatened communities in NSW and left firefighters battling to protect homes could have been deliberately lit, the Rural Fire Service says. Nick Kyrgios admits it's time for a coach after Open loss Nick Kyrgios takes responsibility for "poor management" in the lead-up to his second-round Australian Open loss, admitting a coach could help. Ken Wyatt's supporters say he could be next Indigenous affairs minister West Australian Indigenous MP Ken Wyatt's supporters are welcoming his new ministry but say he would be well qualified to become the federal Indigenous affairs minister, replacing Senator Nigel Scullion. Bushfire threatening lives and homes in southern WA downgraded An emergency warning is downgraded to watch and act for a bushfire burning in parts of Marbelup near Albany in Western Australia's Great Southern. One Nation's Roberts sent 'multiple requests' for Trump inauguration tickets One Nation senator Malcolm Roberts lobbied Australian diplomats in Washington for tickets to US President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade says. Former president George HW Bush, wife Barbara hospitalised Former US president George HW Bush is moved to intensive care after being admitted to hospital with breathing problems at the weekend, and his wife, Barbara, has been hospitalised as a precaution. Three large earthquakes hit Italy's devastated Amatrice region Three earthquakes hit central Italy in the space of an hour, shaking the same region that suffered a series of deadly quakes last year. Police probing Claremont serial killings search accused's old home Police search a suburban Perth home owned at the time of the Claremont serial killings in the 1990s by Bradley Robert Edwards, the man accused of two of the murders. Palmer's plans for new mine outrages Queensland Nickel workers Clive Palmer is looking to build a new open-cut coal mine on his central Queensland cattle station, despite his collapsed Queensland Nickel refinery still owing more than $300 million. Hairy snail among 150 new species of slimy mollusc found on remote islands They may be slow-moving and somewhat sluggish, but 150 new species of snail have been discovered by scientists in Australia's far north — proving they are surprisingly well-travelled. Manning sentence cut sparks fresh questions over Assange future Barack Obama's decision to commute Chelsea Manning's sentence raises new questions about the future of Julian Assange, whose WikiLeaks site has indicated he would return to the US if the army leaker was freed. Activists release new video of begging sun bears at 'horrific' Indonesian zoo A video released by Indonesian animal activists shows sun bears begging for food at the notorious Bandung Zoo. Elderly man overmedicated, restrained at mental health facility, family says An elderly man was given 10 times the amount of his prescribed medication and left with unexplained bruises while staying at a government-run mental health facility in Adelaide, his family says. Centrelink staff warned over 'criminal' leaks amid debt recovery row A leaked email reveals Centrelink management has warned staff they may be committing a criminal offence by leaking internal information, as the welfare agency struggles to manage a backlash from staff angered by the debt claw-back project. Clowns say world needs more laughter in Trump era A clown couple visiting Australia with their colourful act, which features giant balloons and "air sculpting", believe people need laughter now, more than ever. Analysis and Opinion: The Drum Why I'm marching against Donald Trump this weekend By Lucia Osborne-Crowley 'Fire all the idiots': Monopoly is allowing the internet to vote on new tokens By Ben Pobjie Ley goes, and Turnbull's reforms pave way for fewer expenses scandals By Yee-Fui Ng, RMIT How a potential Senate vacancy left by Rod Culleton could be filled By Antony Green Just In Retiring London police chief warns against 'stop and search' tactics January 19, 2017 - 7:07 am Obama defends slashing Manning sentence for leaking secrets January 19, 2017 - 6:50 am Women's cricket great Heyhoe-Flint dies at 77 January 19, 2017 - 6:44 am World • Retiring London police chief warns against 'stop and search' tactics • Russia extends Snowden's residency permit: lawyer • Gun attack in Mexican tourist mecca Cancun leaves four dead Business • Bellamy's exposes Cameron's links to Black Prince • Energy bills may be set to jump, economist warns • Wool back in fashion, pushing prices towards record highs Politics • World temperatures hit new high in 2016: NASA • Ken Wyatt's supporters say he could be next Indigenous affairs minister • One Nation's Roberts sent 'multiple requests' for Trump inauguration tickets Sport • Nick Kyrgios admits it's time for a coach after Open loss • Andy Murray trots into third round in Melbourne • Aussie Ash Barty reaches third round of major for first time Science and Tech • World temperatures hit new high in 2016: NASA • Over 55s hardest hit by 'invasive' identity theft: Scamwatch • Flying car prototype to be ready by end of 2017: Airbus Environment • World temperatures hit new high in 2016: NASA • Mountains of discarded smartphones, electronics raise health and environmental concerns • Ancient coral samples show Great Barrier Reef could recover Follow ABC News About this email You received this email because you are subscribed to ABC News email alerts. 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