ABC NewsMail - Afternoon Edition

NewsMail Afternoon Edition Thu 22 Aug, 2013 Top Stories More Top Stories » Abbott ends tobacco donations to Liberals By Katie Cassidy Tony Abbott has announced the Liberal Party will no longer accept donations from tobacco companies as he unveiled the Coalition's health policy today. It comes after Kevin Rudd said a future Labor government would ban all political parties from receiving donations from the tobacco industry. According to Australian Electoral Commission figures, Philip Morris and British American Tobacco donated a combined total of $8,000 to the Liberal Party during 2011-12, significantly less than the year before. Mr Abbott said the Liberal Party is not swayed by donations, but said tobacco industry funds were no longer welcome. More » Rudd demands answers as hundreds killed in alleged Syrian gas attack Election live: Leaders back on the road after Brisbane debate NSW MPs defiant over Turkey threat of Gallipoli ban Three dead after violent domestic dispute on Sunshine Coast One dead in building collapse on worksite in Melbourne's south-east More Analysis » The uncertain future of public broadcasting Within a year of the Howard taking office in 1996, the ABC Board ordered the industrial 'execution' of 1,000 staff as a result of funding cuts. Before then, the Hawke and Keating governments screwed the ABC into the ground. Since then, with the modest enhancement of funding through the latter part of the Howard and then the Rudd and Gillard years, the ABC has remade itself into a digital revolutionary. But once again the future of public broadcasting is uncertain. The Coalition must reveal if it has any plans for the ABC before voters go to the polls. More » Last man standing: Demetriou versus Hird The cost of living furphy Coalition preferences against political extremism Debate Round 2 breathes life into leaders' dialogue Rudd's 2010 animus is still hurting Labor Censorship or sensibility: Can the vagina go public? Hiding unpopular decisions behind inquiries Can social change stop climate change? A campaign sadly lacking in poetry and vision Just In More Just In » New measures aim to make competition safer for young lifesavers By Frances Adcock Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) has outlined new safety rules for junior competitors. More » Mother spared jail over malnutrition manslaughter NSW MPs defiant over Turkey threat of Gallipoli ban Labor to streamline parental leave admin for small business Abbott ends tobacco donations to Liberals NSW Government divided over fluoride intervention Size matters: voters grapple with mammoth ballot papers Fairfax narrows loss to $16.4 million FMG reports 12 per cent increase in full-year profit Fears over nuclear leak at Fukushima World More World » Fears over nuclear leak at Fukushima Fukushima workers are scrambling to check 300 tanks for leaks over fears radioactive water may have flowed into the Pacific. More » Sharapova pulls out of US Open because of injury Trial opens for China's Bo Xilai British and Irish women remanded in Peru for trafficking cocaine Fiji releases final version of new constitution Jewel thief nabbed in France Business More Business » FMG reports 12 per cent increase in full-year profit Fortescue Metals Group has boosted its net profit by 12 per cent in the past financial year on the back of increased production and cost cuts. More » Fairfax narrows loss to $16.4 million Australia urged to cap low-deposit mortgages Profit rises for operator of the Australian share market Global markets fall after release of US Fed minutes Politics More Politics » Labor to streamline parental leave admin for small business Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has promised to streamline the administration of Labor's paid parental leave scheme for small businesses if he wins the election. More » Abbott ends tobacco donations to Liberals Assange blames party 'teething problems' after candidate quits Labor candidate won't deny writing Swan's blistering criticism of Rudd Asylum seekers arrested while preparing to board boat for Australia Sport More Sport » Ashes 2013: Fifth Test, day one: The verdict Grandstand brings you expert analysis, player reaction and everything you need to know about day one at The Oval. More » Hird begins legal action against AFL McKenzie keeps faith in rookies Toomua and Mogg All Blacks select rookie fly half Taylor to take on Wallabies Watson's breakthrough century gives Aussies ascendancy Cronulla invites NRL integrity unit to investigate account Science and Technology More Science and Technology » North Korea unveils 'homemade' smartphone North Korea has unveiled what it says is its first domestically produced smartphone, although industry analysts say the "Arirang" is likely made in China. More » 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 Trials of cancer drug suspended over data concerns Environment More Environment » Sea anemones bleaching on large scale By Stephanie Smail An international research team warns that sea anemones are bleaching on a large scale and the fish that live in them could be at risk too. More » Scientists 95pc certain humans cause global warming: draft report Toxic water leaks discovered at Fukushima nuclear plant Federal laws 'fail to protect' threatened species CSG mining generates political heat in Gunnedah 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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