AAP National News Wire Round-Up for Midday, Feb 12

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AAP National News Wire Round-Up for Midday, Feb 12Midday Round-Up: HIGHLIGHTS OF THE AAP RTV FILE AT 1130

Iraq binLaden Howard (CANBERRA)

Prime Minister JOHN HOWARD says Australia is unlikely to be at greater risk of a terroristattack after new threats in a taped message attributed to OSAMA BIN LADEN.

And Mr HOWARD says the western world can't afford to be influenced by the threats.

The Qatar-based al-Jazeera satellite television channel has broadcast the message whichurges Muslims to fight the US and any attack on Iraq.

The speaker also says suicide attacks are important in fighting America and Israel.

The United States says the tape proves that BIN LADEN and his al-Qaeda terrorist networkback Iraqi leader SADDAM HUSSEIN.

Howard US (NEW YORK)

Prime Minister JOHN HOWARD has told the head of the United Nations that the SecurityCouncil must force Iraq to disarm or the world body risks being sidelined.

Mr HOWARD has held separate talks with UN Secretary-General KOFI ANNAN and chief UNweapons inspector HANS BLIX during an 18-hour stopover in New York.

He emerged from the talks to say he heard nothing to change his mind that the worldneeds to be firm in its dealings with Iraq.

Mr HOWARD says the issue will come to a head soon, within weeks rather than months.

Meanwhile, Mr HOWARD says he's comfortable with US President GEORGE W BUSH's inclusionof Australia in his coalition of the willing.

But he says Mr BUSH knows Australia isn't committed to a war with Iraq, despite thedeployment of Australian troops to the Persian Gulf.

Iraq Aust Labor (CANBERRA)

US ambassador TOM SCHIEFFER says he is hopeful Washington can continue good relationswith Australia's Labor Party, despite some signs of widening rift.

Opposition Leader SIMON CREAN has demanded another meeting with Mr SCHIEFFER to discussthe ambassador's criticism of Labor comments concerning a possible war with Iraq.

Mr CREAN says the ambassador is guilty of unprecedented interference in Australiandomestic politics.

Mr SCHIEFFER has issued a statement saying he is keen to meet Mr CREAN as soon as possible.

Iraq Aust Vaccine (CANBERRA)

Opposition leader SIMON CREAN says Labor will raise the issue of vaccinations for troopsbeing deployed to the Gulf region in parliament this week.

Three crew of HMAS Kanimbla headed to the Middle East for a possible war with Iraqhave left the ship after refusing to take an anthrax vaccination.

In other developments on Iraq...........

ADF Chief PETER COSGROVE has told a Senate estimates committee that joint planningbetween Australia and the US for deployment of Australian troops to the Middle East startedlast year -- but officers negotiating with their US counterparts were instructed againstmaking any commitment.

France has proposed expanding United Nations security units in Iraq as part of an effortto bolster inspections as an alternative to war.

Russian President VLADIMIR PUTIN says unilateral action against Iraq would be a graveerror, hinting that Russia might be prepared to veto any unreasonable use of force.

IN OTHER NEWS............

Oscars (LOS ANGELES)

NICOLE KIDMAN will lead a cast of six Australians to next month's 75th Academy Awards,but the musical Chicago has stolen the show at today's Oscar nomination ceremony in BeverlyHills.

KIDMAN's firmed as the favourite to win the best actress Oscar for her stunning performanceas author Virginia Woolf in the drama, The Hours.

The Hours scored nine nominations overall, just behind Gangs of New York's 10, butthe big winner was Chicago with 13 nominations.

The other five Australians nominated are spread across four categories - cinematography,sound, visual effects and short film.

WCup Warne Howard (CANBERRA)

Prime Minister JOHN HOWARD says he hopes the Australian Cricket Board deals fairlywith star bowler SHANE WARNE's positive drug test.

Mr HOWARD says he is very sorry to learn WARNE has been sent home from the cricketWorld Cup after testing positive to a banned substance.

WARNE has denied taking performance enhancing drugs and says he unknowingly took abanned diuretic earlier this year.

He could face a ban of up to two years from international cricket unless he can convincethe International Cricket Council of mitigating circumstances.

CBA (SYDNEY)

The Commonwealth Bank has unveiled a 48 per slide in first half net profit.

But it's reassured shareholders it's on track to achieve modest cash earnings growthgoing forward.

CBA's net profit slumped to $622 million in the six months to December 31, from $1.20billion in the previous corresponding period.

Despite the expected slump, CBA's shares rose six cents to $25.92 by 10.12am (AEDT).

The bank has also revealed it's delayed its much anticipated $500 million share buyback,originally announced last August.

US Howard Timor (NEW YORK)

Prime Minister JOHN HOWARD has urged the United Nations to avoid a premature withdrawalfrom East Timor.

Mr HOWARD has discussed developments with UN Secretary-General KOFI ANNAN during talksin New York.

He says they agreed more needs to be done to boost East Timor's domestic police capacity,and to relieve peacekeepers of policing duties.

Mr HOWARD says Australia will consider expanding its help in policing in East Timorif it could help.

But he says there's no change at the moment on the timetable for peacekeepers to bewithdrawn from East Timor.

Bulkbill Labor (CANBERRA)

A Labor analysis claims the national bulk-billing rate for doctor visits falls as lowas 61 per cent with the Sydney figures taken out.

Opposition health spokesman STEPHEN SMITH says it's further evidence that bulk-billing'sin freefall.

Mr SMITH says September quarter 2002 figures show the national bulk-billing rate was71 per cent but in the June quarter the rate was over 73 per cent, while the rate in Sydneywas over 85 per cent.

He says his party will pursue the government tomorrow to see whether it's done a similaranalysis on the September quarter figures.

Face (SYDNEY)

NSW Gaming and Racing Minister RICHARD FACE says he will stand down from his portfoliobecause of speculation about what he might do after leaving politics.

He's come under fire in the last week after saying he plans to start a consultancyin the gaming and liquor industries -- two areas of his portfolio.

The state opposition has called for Premier BOB CARR to sack the minister in lightof the revelations.

BRIEFLY............

Federal Police have arrested two men after more than 130 kilograms of the drug ecstacyworth $20 million was found in heavy equipment brought into Brisbane by ship from overseas.

The New South Wales Director of Public Prosecutions has backed Premier BOB CARR'S controversialmove to overturn the centuries-old double jeopardy rule.

Firefighters battling Victoria's million-hectare blaze are preparing for an exhaustingfew days ahead of hot and windy weather forecast for the weekend.

Two people are in hospital with gunshot wounds following an overnight shooting in Tasmania'snorth-west.

AND IN SPORT...........

WCup Aust (JOHANNESBURG)

Australia has opened its World Cup cricket campaign with an 82-run win over Pakistanin Johannesburg.

Chasing Australia's eight for 310, Pakistan was dismissed for 228 off 44.3 overs.

ANDREW SYMONDS carried Australia with 143 not out while IAN HARVEY took 4-58.

WCup Warne (JOHANNESBURG)

A source close to SHANE WARNE's family says his mother innocently gave him the pillwhich caused the positive drug test ending his World Cup.

WARNE tested positive to a diuretic and faces a two-year ban, unless there's proofof mitigating circumstances.

The World Cup technical committee will consider an Australian request for a replacementplayer as no offence took place at the tournament.

WCup Aust Apology (JOHANNESBURG)

Pakistan skipper WAQAR YOUNIS has issued a public apology to ANDREW SYMONDS after hebowled two beamers at the Australian batsman as his side slipped to an 82-run defeat intheir World Cup opener in Johannesburg.

WAQAR was ordered out of the attack by umpire DAVID SHEPHERD after the incident whichhappened in the final over of the Australian innings in which SYMONDS smashed a match-winningunbeaten 143 in his side's massive 310-8.

WAQAR says he bowled both head-high full tosses accidentally and he apologies for it.

SOCCER AUST (LONDON)

England football coach SVEN-GORAN ERIKSSON says 17-year-old Everton striker WAYNE ROONEYwill play in the second half of Wednesday's friendly against Australia.

ERIKSSON has defended his decision to field a side aged 25 and under in the secondhalf at Upton Park, saying many of his first-choice players need to be rested while theyoungsters should be given an opportunity at the top level.

ENDS MIDDAY ROUND-UP

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