ABC NewsMail - Afternoon Edition

NewsMail Afternoon Edition Mon 26 Aug, 2013 Top Stories More Top Stories » Assad warns US against military action in Syria Syrian president Bashar al-Assad has warned the US it faces failure if it attacks his country and dismissed claims his regime used chemical weapons as an "insult to common sense". Syrian opposition groups have put the death toll from last week's suspected chemical attack on the outskirts of Damascus as high as 1,300. United Nations experts are preparing to inspect the site - the move the US has said is too little, too late, prompting speculation that a military response is more likely. In an interview with a Russian paper, Assad warned any US military action in his country is doomed to fail "just like all the previous wars they waged". More » Election live: Labor gains ground in Newspoll but Coalition still leading Police find body of Darwin croc attack victim Fresh confusion over Coalition's surplus pledge Pitch Drop professor John Mainstone dies Clarke takes positive out of lost Ashes series More Analysis » Safety first: the mantra for the modern campaigner In the old days, if there wasn't a lot of movement, colour and noise and even the occasional punch-up at an election campaign launch, the occasion was adjudged a failure. These days the campaign launch is just another painfully staged event on the way to the polls - something of an inconvenience, actually, as it keeps the leaders away from more telegenic venues. The whole thing takes place in a hermetically sealed bubble, under the kind of security you would expect at a high-tech weapons laboratory. More » Climate change looms as challenge for all parties The politics of low expectations    Abbott and co can't ignore climate change forever Zombie issues: Labor's baggage that just won't die Coalition launch steps up attack in the trust wars Syrian crisis interrupts election campaign A harbinger of conservative battles to come PMs rarely begin and end with the people When nobody agrees with what everyone's thinking Just In More Just In » Bundaberg court told woman unaware of boyfriend's drug smuggling By Alyse Edwards A Supreme Court jury in southern Queensland has heard a Spanish national had "no idea" her boyfriend was smuggling cocaine into Australia. More » Government unleashes police dog protection laws Abbott dodges questions on Joyce preferencing One Nation Date set for Muckaty nuclear dump court fight Studies highlight dangers of rising ocean acidity Clive Palmer wrong on infant mortality rates Man had 22 drinks before crane fall, inquest hears Assad warns US against military action in Syria Ashes 2013: Fifth Test, Day five: The Verdict Rudd pledges funds for high-speed rail link World More World » Assad warns US against military action in Syria Syrian president Bashar al-Assad has warned the US it faces failure if it attacks his country and dismissed claims his regime used chemical weapons as an "insult to common sense". Syrian opposition groups have put the death toll from last week's suspected chemical attack on the outskirts of Damascus as high as 1,300. United Nations experts are preparing to inspect the site - the move the US has said is too little, too late, prompting speculation that a military response is more likely. In an interview with a Russian paper, Assad warned any US military action in his country is doomed to fail "just like all the previous wars they waged". More » Bushfire sees state of emergency declared in San Francisco One million cockroaches reportedly flee farm in China Almost 50 people killed in Iraq violence England denied momentous Ashes win by controversial bad light rule UN inspection in Syria too late to be credible: US Business More Business » Extended interview with Andrew Mackenzie Michael Rowland Watch the extended interview with Andrew Mackenzie from BHP Billiton. More » House price push Caltex profit rises despite falling fuel sales Boart Longyear says falling demand behind big loss The week ahead Politics More Politics » Abbott dodges questions on Joyce preferencing One Nation By Rosanna Ryan Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has avoided questions about National Party frontbencher Barnaby Joyce's decision to preference One Nation. More » Assad warns US against military action in Syria Rudd pledges funds for high-speed rail link Fresh confusion over Coalition's surplus pledge Election live: Labor gains ground in Newspoll but Coalition still leading Sport More Sport » Essendon and AFL Commission to negotiate sanctions Essendon and the AFL are expected to negotiate sanctions over its 2012 supplements program at the League's commission meeting today. More » Clarke takes positive out of lost Ashes series Ashes 2013: Fifth Test, Day five: The Verdict Jude Bolton announces retirement Snowden faces up to nine weeks suspension for shoulder charge Adam Scott surges to victory in PGA play-off 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. We asked what 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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