AAP National News Wire Round-Up for Midday, Aug 19

AAP General News (Australia)
08-19-2007
AAP National News Wire Round-Up for Midday, Aug 19
Midday Round-Up: HIGHLIGHTS OF THE AAP RTV FILE AT 1130


Camel (BRISBANE)

Queensland police say a 60-year-old woman .. killed by her pet camel .. received the
animal as a birthday present only months ago.

The woman's husband found her body late yesterday on their sheep and cattle station
.. near Mitchell.

The 10-month-old camel had knocked the woman to the ground .. stomped on her and then
lay on top of her.

Police say the animal had previously tried to suffocate the family's pet goat on numerous
occasions.

Detective Senior Sergeant CRAIG GREGORY says the husband is devastated.



Rudd Scores (CANBERRA)

KEVIN RUDD says he made a foolish mistake by going to a strip club during a drunken
night .. on an official trip to New York in 2003.

He says he was too drunk to remember much of his visit to the Scores club .. with New
York Post editor COL ALLAN and Labor backbencher WARREN SNOWDON.

Mr RUDD has told the Nine network neither he nor Mr SNOWDON has a completely clear
recollection of the night.

Queensland Premier PETER BEATTIE says the Scores episode will endear Mr RUDD to voters
.. because it shows he has blood in his veins.



Moroney Letter (SYDNEY)

The New South Wales police chief has written an open letter to car hoons who drive
like there's no tomorrow.

In his letter .. Commissioner KEN MORONEY invites speeding drivers and illegal street
racers to stand and watch emergency service workers as they battle to rescue people injured
in collisions.

Accusing them of an act of sheer bastardry .. he says negligent drivers should be forced
to hear the screams of the dying .. to witness the carnage they cause .. and to stand
by police as they deliver messages to the victims' loved ones.



Election Costello (CANBERRA)

PETER COSTELLO is playing down suggestions another interest rate rise could kill the
coalition's re-election chances.

The treasurer says it's important to keep things in perspective .. and the home mortgage
variable rate of 8.3 per cent is lower than at any time under Labor .. including in the
worst recession in 60 years.

Mr COSTELLO has told Network Ten potential dates for holding the federal election are
narrowing .. to some time before Christmas.



Iraq UK (LONDON)

A military adviser to the United States says British troops face an ugly and embarrassing
withdrawal from the southern Iraqi city of Basra.

STEPHEN BIDDLE .. from the Council on Foreign Relations .. has told the Sunday Times
that coalition forces no longer control the city.

He says insurgents and militia groups will probably target soldiers with ambushes ..

roadside bombs and rocket-propelled grenades as they leave.

British Prime Minister GORDON BROWN has promised to make a statement in October on
the future of the five and a half thousand British troops in the region.



Quake Peru Baby (LIMA)

It's been revealed that a baby boy was pulled alive from the ruins of a collapsed church
.. seven hours after last week's massive earthquake in Peru.

The pews of San Clemente church in the port city of Pisco were packed for a special
Mass when the quake hit .. killing about 100 people in the church .. and more than 400
others.

The 10-month-old boy's being cared for by the family of the man who found him while
searching for his own parents.



China Products NZ (WELLINGTON)

New Zealand researchers have found dangerous levels of poison in children's clothing
imported from China.

The Sunday Star-Times reports formaldehyde has been found in wool and cotton garments
at levels 500 times that deemed safe by the World Health Organisation.

The newspaper reports children wearing the clothes could be at risk of eye .. skin
and nasal irritations .. respiratory problems .. and cancer.



BRIEFLY IN OTHER NEWS:


Hotel (MELBOURNE)

Fire has damaged an historic hotel at Collingwood .. in Melbourne's inner north.



Flu Qld (BRISBANE)

A deadly flu strain sweeping Australia has now claimed nine lives.



Litter (SYDNEY)

A survey has found smokers are responsible for more than half of all litter in New South Wales.



Beattie (CANBERRA)

Queensland Premier PETER BEATTIE says he'll make a decision about his future in the
next few months.



IN SPORT:


RWC07 Wrap (MARSEILLE)

Hosts France have underlined their World Cup title credentials with a 22-9 win over
England in Marseille.

With the start of the tournament less than three weeks away .. eight countries have
played international warm-up matches.

Wales scored a 27-20 victory over Argentina in Cardiff .. Italy beat Japan 36-12 in
Saint Vincent .. while Canada routed Portugal 42-12 in Ottawa.



Tennis Masters Hewitt (CINCINNATI)

LLEYTON HEWITT says he'll go into the US Open starting on Monday week full of confidence
.. after pushing world number one ROGER FEDERER to the limit in the Cincinnati Masters
semi-finals.

HEWITT lost 6-3 6-7 7-6 in a two-and-a-half-hour thriller.

HEWITT says it's the perfect preparation for the Open.



Golf LET (LLANELLI)

Australia's JOANNE MILLS has moved into a share of the lead .. heading into the final
round of the Wales Ladies Championship of Europe.

MILLS has carded a one-under 71 in the third round to join English duo REBECCA HUDSON
and GEORGINA SIMPSON in a three-way tie for the lead at seven under in Llanelli.

MILLS is looking to secure her second victory on the Ladies European Tour after winning
the German Open a decade ago.



ENDS MIDDAY ROUND-UP

Broadcast Desk inquiries 24 hours: 02 9322 8714

AAP RTV ibw

KEYWORD: MIDDAY ROUND-UP

2007 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.