ABC NewsMail - Morning Edition

Good morning. Here's what's happening now: A United Nations report has accused the Syrian Government of exterminating prisoners on a mass scale through execution, torture and squalid conditions. One witness described how an elderly man was severely beaten and hung from his wrists while guards pierced his body with hot, sharp metal objects Indigenous leaders have warned the Closing the Gap policy has slipped seriously off track and is doomed to fail without more input from Indigenous communities. The policy is now in its tenth year and the new report will be released tomorrow Missed Q&A last night? We've got the full wrap of what happened here, including Rural Affairs Minister Fiona Nash promising to ditch her private health cover while in office People in China are paying upwards of $160 for a jar of clean country air. The bizarre new industry is proving popular in heavily-polluted cities such as Beijing and Shanghai Here's what's coming up: 8:30am AEDT: Experts from around Australia will come together to discuss the public health effects of children and young people being exposed to pornography too early 9:00am AEDT: Head of the International Energy Agency, Fatih Birol, will speak to reporters in Canberra with Resources Minister Josh Frydenberg 9:00am AEDT: Defence Minister Marise Payne gives the keynote address to the Australian Defence Magazine Annual Congress. Defence Force Chief Mark Binskin and Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Tim Barrett will also speak at the event 10:00am AEDT: The Supreme Court trial continues for Roger Rogerson and Glen McNamara, who are accused of murdering Jamie Gao 11:30am AEDT: V/Line bosses will appear before the Victorian Parliament's infrastructure inquiry to explain the ongoing debacle with train wheel wear and boom gates Top Stories Syrians being 'exterminated' in prison on mass scale, UN says Detainees held by the Syrian government are dying on a massive scale amounting to a state policy of "extermination" of the civilian population, a United Nations investigation says. Closing the Gap 'doomed to fail' without more Indigenous input Aboriginal leaders are calling for a new compact with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull amid warnings that the Government's signature Closing the Gap has slipped seriously off track. Fresh air 'harvested' for polluted city dwellers — at a price Increased air pollution around the world is giving rise to a bizarre new industry known as air farming, where bottled fresh air is sold to consumers at a premium. Decorated Australian soldier faces questions about Yemen war Questions are raised over whether one of Australia's most decorated and respected military minds is linked to potential war crimes carried out by United Arab Emirates forces in Yemen. Funding to Sydney's Malek Fahd Islamic School axed The school has lost its funding due to a failure to address concerns about its financial management, Education Minister Simon Birmingham says. Should Marsh have been given out against New Zealand? The right decision was ultimately made, but the process in which Mitchell Marsh was given out in the deciding ODI against New Zealand has left Australia's captain seething. Sydney businessman Eddie Kang still operating despite fraud charges A Sydney businessman accused of running a dodgy visa program is continuing to operate despite being charged with 22 counts of fraud and misleading behaviour. 'Meteorite' kills man in southern India A man in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu is killed by a meteorite that reportedly shattered window panes and left a 1.5-metre crater in the ground. Cockroach-inspired robot could help save disaster victims The hard-to-kill cockroach inspires the development of a soft-bodied robot that can compress itself and crawl into confined spaces, and may help locate people trapped in buildings destroyed by disasters. Freed Australian hostage vows to carry on Burkina Faso work Jocelyn Elliott returns to Burkina Faso's capital after a kidnapping ordeal involving Al-Qaeda-linked jihadists, and says she hopes her husband is soon released so they can continue their medical work in the country. Maritime authority 'knew foreign workers would replace MV Portland crew' The Australian Maritime Safety Authority was aware an Australian crew would be removed from the cargo ship MV Portland three weeks before they were escorted off and replaced with foreign workers, a Senate committee hears. Leopard mauls six people at Indian school At least six people are injured trying to recapture a leopard spotted on CCTV wandering a school in southern India after it jumped over a wall. Egyptian President sparks outrage after driving on 4km red carpet Footage of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi driving along four kilometres of red carpet laid over public roads sparks outrage on social media in a country plagued by poverty. Analysis and Opinion: The Drum Is the Government chasing growth, or just revenue? By Chris Berg This could be Australia's next financial scandal By Sheryle Bagwell Malcolm Turnbull's post-GST tax options By Ian Verrender Could ditching a GST rise actually hurt Turnbull? By Paula Matthewson Just In Truck driver missing after fatal crash on Victorian highway February 9, 2016 - 8:27 am Gay conversion therapy, fake doctors to be banned in Victoria February 9, 2016 - 8:05 am Smith plays down Australia-New Zealand hostility ahead of Test series February 9, 2016 - 8:05 am World • Hugh Jackman urges sunscreen use after having fifth skin cancer removed • Germany criticises Russian air strikes in Syria • Canada to end IS bombing missions in Iraq and Syria Business • Job ads rebound in January but trend loses momentum • Mineral price volatility in January sets the tone for next few months, says ANZ • BHP Billiton expected to cut dividend payouts amid commodity rout Politics • Closing the Gap 'doomed to fail' without more Indigenous input • Q&A wrap: Fiona Nash agrees to drop private health cover • Stadium contract 'threatens future of community football' Sport • Smith plays down Australia-New Zealand hostility ahead of Test series • Should Marsh have been given out against New Zealand? • Black Caps clinch series over Australia as McCullum farewells ODI cricket Science and Tech • BoM given one day's notice on CSIRO restructure • UN condemns North Korea rocket launch, vows 'serious consequences' • Global outrage over North Korea rocket launch Environment • Perth heatwave putting city's water supplies under pressure • BoM given one day's notice on CSIRO restructure • Shark nets at NSW beaches 'do nothing' to reduce attacks Follow ABC News About this email You received this email because you are subscribed to ABC News email alerts. 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