Your morning Briefing

Welcome to your morning roundup of what’s making news and the must-reads for today.

Good morning readers. Your 7.30am and noon Briefings will be replaced by one 11am Briefing during the holiday period. Here is your two-minute digest of what’s making news on this Boxing Day.

Malcolm Turnbull on Christmas day at Wayside Chapel, Kings Cross. Picture: Dylan Robinson

PM’s battle fronts

The federal government has suffered a collapse in support in the critical state of NSW, lost ground across the five major capital cities and ceded further territory to One Nation, leaving Malcolm Turnbull facing an electoral ­battle on several key fronts in the new year. The people are cranky, suggests Simon Benson, and the government is being blamed for it.

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KING'S LYNN, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 25: Meghan Markle and Prince Harry attend Christmas Day Church service at Church of St Mary Magdalene on December 25, 2017 in King's Lynn, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images) ***BESTPIX***

Meghan Markle mania

Meghan mania descended on Sandringham on Christmas Day as sultry American actress Meghan Markle, grasping the arm of her fiancee Prince Harry, attended Christmas morning church service with her prospective Royal in-laws. The Queen arrived in her Royal car but all eyes were on Ms Markle who tucked into the crook of Prince Harry’s arm, walking next to the Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William.

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Sorry Christmas

Melbourne’s city foreshore was trashed by revellers and an out-of-control Sydney beach party was shut down by police as Australians had themselves a very Merry Christmas. Victoria Police say about 5000 people descended on St Kilda foreshore and the level of public intoxication prompted the closure of two lanes of traffic. In Sydney, two women have been charged after allegedly assaulting police with bottles at an out-of-control beach party on Monday. Christmas revellers who were pushed and pepper sprayed by police at the unauthorised party have questioned the tactics used by officers. Police were called to Little Bay, south of Maroubra, on Monday afternoon after reports of the large backpacker gathering and arrived to find approximately 3000 people drinking, singing and dancing.

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A surfer enjoy the continuing great swell on the Gold Coast with massive waves breakiing in front of the Tweed River mouth off Duranbah Beach. Pics Adam Head

Man drowns at Duranbah

Police are investigating the drowning death of a man at a beach on the NSW Far North Coast after a “mass rescue” of eight people believed to be tourists who got into trouble in the water. About 4.45pm yesterday, emergency services were called to Duranbah Beach at Tweed Heads, not far from the Queensland border, after reports several people were in trouble in the water. NSW Surf Life Saving said lifeguards raced to the scene and rescued one of the men.

“It was clear that a mass rescue was required with at least 5 more people clearly in distress.”

NSW Surf Life Saving statement.

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Sofia, Bulgaria - April 24, 2014: Studio shot of bitcoin in a row on black background . Bitcoin - bit coin BTC the new virtual money

Bitcoin’s wild ride

The price of bitcoin has recovered following Friday’s pre-Christmas rout when it lost 25 per cent of its market value in a day, prompting a wave of selling across the broader cryptocurrency market. Bitcoin jumped 21 per cent by Sunday to $US15,530 ($20,100), underscoring the volatility of the cryptocurrency. This marks a sharp turnaround from Friday where bitcoin traded as low as $US10,835, capping off its biggest four-day sell-off since 2015.

By Christmas day had dropped back again to $US14,070.

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4th Ashes test. Australia vs England at the MCG. David Warner drives Stuart Broad for 4 .Pic: Michael Klein

Aussies win toss

Play is underway at the MCG, with Steve Smith finally winning a toss this Ashes series and electing to bat on day one of the fourth Test. “It’s a nice wicket, it was probably ready about four days ago ... it looks like a pretty nice wicket. Hopefully we can post a big first-innings total,” Smith said following the toss.

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Black Jack, approaches the finish to win the Big Boat Challenge, a lead-up event to the Sydney Hobart open ocean yacht race, on Sydney Harbour in Sydney, Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017. The Sydney Hobart yacht race begins on Dec. 26. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

Supermaxis get set

Perfect summer conditions of a warm day with light easterly winds are expected to lure tens of thousands of Sydneysiders to the harbour foreshores today for the 1pm farewell to the 102 starters in the annual Rolex Sydney to Hobart race. The 5 to 10 knots easterly winds in the harbour should give the yachts a perfect reach to the heads and some are expected to attempt to fly colourful spinnakers to get a jump on the opposition. The four 100 foot supermaxis, LDV Comanche, Wild Oats XI, InfoTrack and Black Jack, are expected to lead the fleet out the heads and turn south for the 628-nautical mile trip to Hobart.

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Clement’s view

Rod Clement Letters Cartoon for 26-12-2017.Version: (650x366)COPYRIGHT: The Australian's artists each have different copyright agreements in place regarding re-use of their work in other publications.Please seek advice from the artists themselves or the Managing Editor of The Australian regarding re-use.