ABC NewsMail - Morning Edition

Good morning. Here's what's happening now: Crossbench senator David Leyonhjelm says taking the aged pension is "nothing to be proud of" because it shows "you're poor or you know, close to poor". Senator Leyonhjelm made the comments while arguing for further restrictions to the pension Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the New Year's attack on an Istanbul nightclub which killed 39 people. Eight people have been taken into custody by anti-terrorism squads but the gunman is still at large A man bitten by a snake has spent the night stranded in the Blue Mountains National Park after rescue efforts were delayed by bad weather. Two paramedics stayed with him overnight, after they were transported to the site by helicopter Rocket launchers, Arabian robes and human hair are now cheaper to export to China from Australia. They're just some of the items that had export tariffs reduced from January 1 under the Chinese-Australia Free Trade Agreement. Here's what's coming up: 10:00am AEDT: The jury resumes its deliberations in the retrial of Robert Xie 10:30am AEDT: The third Test between Australia and Pakistan begins at the SCG 1:00pm AEDT: The USA face Spain in the Hopman Cup 7:10pm AEDT: The Brisbane Heat take on the Sydney Sixers in the BBL Top Stories Turkish police 'close to identifying Istanbul nightclub gunman' The Turkish Government detains eight people in connection with the deadly weekend attack on an Istanbul nightclub that killed 39 people as investigators edge closer to identifying the gunman. Taking the pension 'nothing to be proud of', Leyonhjelm says Crossbench senator David Leyonhjelm says people who receive pension payments should not be proud because it shows they are poor, a day after the Government tightened the assets test for 300,000 older Australians. 'Demonically possessed': DJ says festivalgoers behaved erratically A DJ at a rave where a man died on New Year's Day after taking an unknown drug says he noticed unusual behaviour from dozens of people at the event, with four in particular looking "out of control". Gastro fear as storms spread faeces on Melbourne beaches Authorities warn of high levels of faecal pollution at some of Melbourne's most popular beaches, sparking concerns about gastroenteritis. Man stranded in Blue Mountains after snake bite A man bitten by a snake has spent the night stranded in a National Park with paramedics after rescue efforts were delayed. IS kills 24 in Baghdad blast, cuts road to Mosul An Islamic State car bomb kills 24 people in a busy square in Baghdad's sprawling Sadr City district, with the militants also cutting a key road north from the capital to Mosul. Besart Berisha notches A-League record as Jets crash A fourth straight win returns Melbourne Victory to within seven points of A-League leaders Sydney FC. Myanmar to take action after Rakhine assault video goes viral Myanmar's Government vows to take action against police officers who assaulted villagers in Rakhine State, after a video of the incident circulates on the internet. Human hair, rocket launchers now cheaper to export to China Export tariffs to China for many Australian products, including human hair and some military weapons, are decreased for the new year. PNG soldiers, police clash in Port Moresby Papua New Guinean police investigate a violent clash between the country's two armed forces, which saw gun shots fired in the early hours of New Year's Day in the capital Port Moresby. Python makes meal of wallaby in horse paddock near Cairns A 3-metre scrub python makes a meal out of a wallaby in far north Queensland on New Year's Day, just weeks after another python did likewise on a golf course a short distance away. Dan Christian shines in Hurricanes' win over Strikers Hobart Hurricanes post an eight-wicket Big Bash League win over Adelaide Strikers thanks partly to a five-wicket haul by Dan Christian. Mariah Carey's bungled New Year's performance not sabotage, production company says The production company behind Mariah Carey's botched New Year's Eve performance rubbishes media reports it deliberately sabotaged her act to boost its television ratings. NASA releases 'ice home' concept for living on Mars NASA unveils its concept for houses on Mars, a structure designed to both feel like home and provide protection from the harsh environment — and made of ice. Analysis and Opinion: The Drum Media still failing challenge of women's sport coverage By Tracey Holmes 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 Just In Gang fight in Brazilian prison leaves 60 dead January 3, 2017 - 7:19 am Millionaire Wotif founder behind Facebook ads attacking salmon farm January 3, 2017 - 7:13 am Burglar with knife found under doona in Melbourne living room January 3, 2017 - 7:09 am World • Will Donald Trump be the most pro Israel president ever? • Islamic State claims responsibility for Istanbul nightclub attack • Daughter of woman tied to South Korea political scandal arrested in Denmark Business • Australian shares gain 7pc over 2016 on resources rebound • Fifth straight year of superannuation growth • Farmers urged to register for backpacker tax rate or risk having to withhold higher rate Politics • Abbott's embassy stance welcome news in Israel • Turkish police 'close to identifying Istanbul nightclub gunman' • Taking the pension 'nothing to be proud of', Leyonhjelm says Sport • Tomic loses to Ferrer, blames fitness issues on height • Besart Berisha notches A-League record as Jets crash • Dan Christian shines in Hurricanes' win over Strikers Science and Tech • NASA releases 'ice home' concept for living on Mars • China to ban domestic ivory trade by end of 2017 • Australian Manuka honey 'as powerful against superbugs as NZ variety' Environment • Fly ash plume leaves Port Augusta residents fuming • What can we expect from Australian climate politics in 2017? • Gastro fear as storms spread faeces on Melbourne beaches 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 © 2017 ABC | Conditions of Use | Privacy Policy | Discover other ABC Email newsletters