Australian PM Kevin Rudd has conceded defeat for the ruling Labor party as Conservative challenger Tony Abbott has rolled to a landslide win. Washington State has officially published rules and regulations for the growing, distribution, and sale of marijuana in the state. Citing concerns with a possible US attack on Syria, the State Department is pulling non-essential personnel from embassy staffs in neighboring Lebanon, Iraq, and Turkey. Regulators have signed off on Chinese firm Shuanghui International's planned $4.7 billion buyout of US pork giant Smithfield, pending shareholder approval. With Gov. Jerry Brown's signature, California will become the first state to pilot test electronic, digital license plates.