ABC NewsMail - afternoon edition

Afternoon Edition. Wed 19 Jan 2011
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Top Stories	More Top Stories >
Volunteers rally to help ease flood heartache It was the harrowing television images of people losing their livelihoods that motivated Sarita Fruk to don her gumboots and head out to the flood-ravaged suburb of Goodna, west of Brisbane. Waiting game as Kerang flood levee cleared The SES says engineers have given the flood levee protecting the northern Victorian town of Kerang the all-clear. Cahill's flood auction hit by fake bids Bogus bidders have targeted auctions set up by Australian sport stars to raise money for flood relief, causing the price of the packages to plummet. Rockhampton hit by flash flooding Police closed city streets in Rockhampton after heavy rain caused flash flooding this afternoon. Flood rebate rorters put on notice Fraudsters have been warned to think twice before dishonestly claiming special one-off payments of $1,000 designed to help flood victims.
The Drum	More from The Drum >
After disaster: psychological first aid Our recent experiences with natural disasters has seen both an increase in the provision of psychological care in the community, and in poorly-informed opinion about its efficacy. An article challenging the efficacy of psychological debriefing recently suggested that calling in the psychologists too quickly was without scientific basis and could be harmful With a little support, most trauma survivors recover without psychotherapy, but those struggling with symptoms of anxiety or depression may benefit from more specific psychological care. Being prepared is key to success Every business is planning ahead, but the art is to have a plan for the unexpected, a plan for emergencies. Welcoming Hu to Washington The governments of China and the United States spent much of 2010 at odds, over issues ranging from trade and currency to North Korea and Taiwan to human rights. One measure of the relationship's current sensitivity is the lengths to which president Barack Obama is going to make his Chinese counterpart - Hu Jintao, who arrived in Washington on Tuesday - feel welcome. With anti-Chinese sentiment used strongly by both sides during the mid-term elections, Barack Obama is working hard to make Hu Jintao's US visit a success. Arsenic and old civilisation Given the short time interval between discovering hydrocarbons and overheating the planet, I predict that we will never find intelligent life. Living off our resources: Why it's not about the bottom line In the second of a series on public policy in Australia, Ian McAuley considers why the government's 'triple bottom line' approach to the Murray Darling Basin does not tackle the urgent challenge of adjusting our economic structure to recognise we are living beyond the capacity of our resources. Sound policy is about a single focus - on society. It's a focus that sees economic activity as a means to social wellbeing, and that properly values all resources, natural and human. That's the single bottom line.
World	More World Stories >
Passer-by killed by horse cart bomb One person has been killed as a bomb planted in a horse cart exploded near a school in north-western Pakistan. UK royal succession challenge passes first test A bid to abolish a 300-year-old law asserting the primacy of male heirs to the British throne passed its first parliamentary hurdle on Tuesday, but the government played down hopes any resolution would come soon. Kerr shows off 'beautiful little son' Supermodel Miranda Kerr has gone online to show off her baby son Flynn.
Science & Technology	More Science & Technology Stories >
Sharks may be colour blind A new study suggests sharks may be colour blind, challenging the long-held belief they were mainly attracted to yellow. Space museum part of ANU-Smithsonian deal The Australian National University in Canberra could soon house artefacts from Washington's Smithsonian Air and Space Museum after a landmark agreement between the two institutions. Facebook gossip site sends shock waves through Singleton Community leaders in Singleton are urging the people behind a nasty Facebook gossip site to consider their actions.
Environment	More Environment Stories >
Katter rubbishes Greens' call for flood tax The Member for Kennedy, Bob Katter, says the Greens' link between the floods and coal mining is ridiculous. Turtles, lungfish survive Mary River floods Gympie and District Landcare says the Mary River turtle and lungfish have coped well with the flooded river in south-east Queensland. MP calls for Magellan to recommence operations The Independent Member for Kalgoorlie, John Bowler, says Magellan Metals must be allowed to recommence shipments to Fremantle, after tests proved there was no lead contamination at the port.
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