ABC NewsMail - Afternoon Edition

NewsMail Afternoon Edition Sat 24 Aug, 2013 Top Stories More Top Stories » Rudd heads to Canberra for Syria briefings By Rosanna Ryan and wires Prime Minister Kevin Rudd will divert his campaign to Canberra to receive briefings on the situation in Syria, amid reports the United States is preparing for potential military action on Syria in response to an alleged chemical weapons attack. Mr Rudd had been scheduled to return to Brisbane but changed his plans following conversations this morning with the US ambassador to Australia and the secretary of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. He says he has requested the Prime Minister's Department make equal national security official briefings available to Opposition Leader Tony Abbott. Asked about whether Australia would participate in a military intervention if it was sanctioned by the UN or the US, Mr Rudd said the first step was to establish the facts. More » Greens launch campaign with focus on environment, refugees Fire threatens Yosemite National Park, thousands of homes Police search for owner of two pit bulls after Sydney attack Microsoft boss Ballmer to retire within 12 months Essendon chairman Paul Little denies club deserves penalties for drug cheating in supplements scandal More Analysis » A harbinger of conservative battles to come In an election campaign in which every other imaginable risk has been neutralised, Tony Abbott insists on retaining a signature policy which risks more critical scrutiny than all his other positions combined. The Opposition Leader's paid parental leave scheme adds to an emerging picture about the contradictions of his personal brand of conservatism. It appears that Tony Abbott is a 'big government' interventionist who is on course for an ongoing battle with his conservative base. More » PMs rarely begin and end with the people When nobody agrees with what everyone's thinking It's the cuts, stupid, not the costings The market for votes in Batemans Bay A masculinity contest of national proportions The slum landlord of the Pacific Rim The uncertain future of public broadcasting Last man standing: Demetriou versus Hird The cost of living furphy Just In More Just In » Record number of Irish migrants coming to Australia By Gillian Bennett As Ireland's economy struggles to recover from the global financial crisis, more Irish than ever before are coming to Australia. More » Greens launch campaign with focus on environment, refugees Broccoli recalled over fears of glass fragments Coalition seizes on Manus Island letter Police search for owner of two pit bulls after Sydney attack Police unable to find armed robber north of Adelaide Ashes 2013: Fifth Test, day three: The verdict Fire threatens Yosemite National Park, thousands of homes Rudd heads to Canberra for Syria briefings Windsor concerned over slow progress of CSG scrutiny World More World » Ashes 2013: Fifth Test, day three: The verdict ABC staff Grandstand brings you expert analysis, player reaction and everything you need to know about day three at The Oval. More » Fire threatens Yosemite National Park, thousands of homes Guardian shares Snowden documents with New York Times Microsoft boss Ballmer to retire within 12 months England dig in on day three as Aussies pray for clear skies US soldier Bales jailed for life without parole for Afghan massacre Business More Business » Microsoft boss Ballmer to retire within 12 months Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer has announced he will retire within 12 months, sparking a spike in shares and speculation over new boss. More » Former Gunns boss John Gay faces sentencing for insider trading Warnings problems in emerging economies could hurt Australia Rudd vows to cut red tape 'burden' of GST reporting for small businesses Crown profit falls by 22.9 per cent Politics More Politics » Record number of Irish migrants coming to Australia By Gillian Bennett As Ireland's economy struggles to recover from the global financial crisis, more Irish than ever before are coming to Australia. More » Greens launch campaign with focus on environment, refugees Coalition seizes on Manus Island letter Rudd heads to Canberra for Syria briefings As it happened: Day 20 of the election campaign Sport More Sport » Ashes 2013: Fifth Test, day three: The verdict ABC staff Grandstand brings you expert analysis, player reaction and everything you need to know about day three at The Oval. More » James Hird faces 12-month suspension: reports England dig in on day three as Aussies pray for clear skies Two Australians reach US Open Scott finds form in US PGA playoffs Magpies crush limp Eagles by 62 points Science and Technology More Science and Technology » Microsoft boss Ballmer to retire within 12 months Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer has announced he will retire within 12 months, sparking a spike in shares and speculation over new boss. More » North Korea unveils 'homemade' smartphone NZ jetpack given green light for take-off Suspended cancer trial prompts call for research integrity body Entrepreneur unveils plans for 1,200kph transport system Environment More Environment » Your say: Foreign ownership and CSG Curated by ABC staff A majority of Australians want greater restrictions on the foreign ownership of agricultural land and are against easing restrictions on coal seam gas. What do you think? More » Sea anemones bleaching on large scale Scientists 95pc certain humans cause global warming: draft report Toxic water leaks discovered at Fukushima nuclear plant Federal laws 'fail to protect' threatened species 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. 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