ABC NewsMail - Afternoon Edition

NewsMail Afternoon Edition Fri 05 Jul, 2013 Top Stories More Top Stories » Iraq 'on the cusp' as sectarian violence threatens civil war By Lincoln Archer Iraq is "on the cusp" of collapsing into civil war, the United Nations' chief of human rights in the country has said, after months of brutal sectarian attacks which are more viciously divisive than the violence seen five years ago that left tens of thousands dead. The death toll in Iraq has spiked since April, with more than 2,200 people killed. Latest figures show militant attacks ramping up in markets, cafes, soccer stadiums and other civilian targets, as well as Shia mosques and religious centres. Francesco Motta, the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq's chief of human rights, has told ABC News Online the sectarian viciousness of the attacks is worse than the bloody 2006/2007 conflict which prompted the so-called "surge" of US troop levels. More » Abbott says insulation apology not enough Teenage murderer of Pirjo Kemppainen joked and confessed when arrested, court told Award-winning artist Dennis Nona found guilty of rape, assault Overwhelmed postie admits stashing Christmas presents at home Seal sings along with saxophone at Taronga Zoo More Analysis » Labor is sinking and the captains are to blame On the shoreline of Norfolk Island there is a plaque that recalls the day the flagship of the First Fleet, HMS Sirius, ran aground at noon on March 19, 1790. It is almost impossible to overstate how deeply that disaster rocked the two fledgling colonies of Norfolk and Sydney. Abandoning both was seriously considered. Over two centuries later, the once-mighty ship of the Australian Labor Party faces its own Sirius moment; holed below the waterline by a load of accumulated evils. More » A lesson in mobile phone etiquette Egypt tourism can hardly afford another revolution Credit where credit is due: in praise of Julia Gillard Egypt's 2011 revolutionaries had no shared vision A Labor election win is no longer preposterous Tough talk doesn't match Labor's record on people smuggling Wallabies supporters need to learn to sing Rudd's pre-emptive strike to distance NSW Labor What if the Muslim Brotherhood is elected again? Just In More Just In » Top cop warns of guns made with 3D technology By Lauren Day The New South Wales Police Commissioner says he is worried about the increasing ease with which Australians can make handguns quickly and cheaply using 3D printers. At a national law enforcement conference in Darwin, Andrew Scipione warned his interstate counterparts that the technology allowed the weapons to be made in hours for as little as $30. More » HP lashed for misleading warranty claims Holden workers getting redundancy details Rare coin collection stolen from Adelaide home Seal sings along with saxophone at Taronga Zoo Iraq 'on the cusp' as sectarian violence threatens civil war Brothel madam jailed for detaining staff UK surveillance firm denies bugging Ecuador's embassy Teenage killer 'joked and confessed' when arrested Artist Nona found guilty of rape, assault World More World » Iraq 'on the cusp' as sectarian violence threatens civil war By Lincoln Archer Iraq is "on the cusp" of collapsing into civil war, the United Nations' chief of human rights in the country has said, after months of brutal sectarian attacks which are more viciously divisive than the violence seen five years ago that left tens of thousands dead. The death toll in Iraq has spiked since April, with more than 2,200 people killed. Latest figures show militant attacks ramping up in markets, cafes, soccer stadiums and other civilian targets, as well as Shia mosques and religious centres. Francesco Motta, the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq's chief of human rights, has told ABC News Online the sectarian viciousness of the attacks is worse than the bloody 2006/2007 conflict which prompted the so-called "surge" of US troop levels. More » UK surveillance firm denies bugging Ecuador's embassy European markets push higher as ECB calms rate fears Pike River Coal ordered to pay $3m over mine disaster Mexican volcano Popocatepetl grounds US airlines James Bulger killer Jon Venables to be released Business More Business » HP lashed for misleading warranty claims By consumer affairs reporter Amy Bainbridge Computer company Hewlett-Packard Australia is ordered to pay a $3 million fine for misleading customers and retailers. More » Crown Barangaroo will not become full-blown casino: O'Farrell ACCC eyes online deal site over misleading conduct Australian stocks surge on Europe stimulus relief Construction slump wanes as home building lifts Luv-a-Duck stoush returns to court European markets push higher as ECB calms rate fears Politics More Politics » Holden workers getting redundancy details A union said many Holden workers were finding out today whether they would be offered voluntary redundancy. More » Ex-premier says federal takeover of NSW Labor a 'seismic shift' Women's group accuses Kevin Rudd of treachery Coalition relaunches Green Army but with less funding Russia increasingly impatient over Snowden's airport stay Sport More Sport » Wallabies in awe of 'freak' Smith Will Genia says the Wallabies will be inspired by the return of George Smith for the series decider against the Lions. More » Hird unfazed about threat of losing premiership points Clarke puts Australia on top Seven clubs punished for salary cap breaches Lisicki and Bartoli set up Wimbledon final Greipel sprints to stage win Science and Technology More Science and Technology » NBN rollout targets are being met, says Albanese Communications Minister Anthony Albanese says National Broadband Network (NBN) targets are being met, with more than 207,000 properties ready for connection. More » Father of the mouse dies aged 88 Scientists monitor killer whales after beaching Antibiotic to fight drug-resistant bacteria shows promise Albanese should give the NBN a PR makeover Environment More Environment » Coalition relaunches Green Army but with less funding By chief political correspondent Emma Griffiths The Coalition has relaunched its policy to establish an environmental workforce - a Green Army - but has slashed its funding by a quarter. More » Scientists monitor killer whales after beaching Bird enthusiast presents photos of elusive night parrot Rare sight: blue marlin washes up in SA Conservationists say 21,000 species face extinction 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. Manage your preferences | Unsubscribe | Contact Us   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. Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 700 Harris Street, Ultimo NSW 2007 © 2013 ABC | Conditions of Use | Privacy Policy | Discover other ABC Email newsletters