AAP National News Wire Round-Up for Evening, Aug 23EVENING ROUND-UP: HIGHLIGHTS OF THE AAP RTV FILE AT 1630
WMD HOWARD (ADELAIDE)
Prime Minister JOHN HOWARD says a former intelligence analyst has offered no evidenceto support his claims the government distorted information about Iraq.
Mr HOWARD has repeated his rejection of allegations made by former Office of NationalAssessment analyst ANDREW WILKIE.
Mr WILKIE has told a parliamentary inquiry that the government distorted and exaggeratedthe threat by Iraq's weapons of mass destruction program.
He resigned from the Office of National Assessments in March and has accused the HOWARDgovernment of exaggerating information about Iraq's weapons.
In the meantime, Mr WILKIE has said US President GEORGE W BUSH is a stupid and dangerousman and the Australian government has lost credibility for supporting him.
And, speaking at a conference in Sydney, Mr WILKIE said the government's personal attackon him highlights its inability to justify the Iraq invasion.
ASPINALL (BRISBANE)
Political and religious leaders have rallied behind Brisbane Anglican Archbishop PHILLIPASPINALL who has denied abuse allegations.
Dr ASPINALL yesterday held a media conference to firmly reject a claim he had arrangedfor a priest to share the bed of a young man, who the priest then sexually abused.
He also denied a claim that he was involved in a sexual relationship with the samepriest, saying he has independent witnesses to support his innocence.
Dr ASPINALL says the allegations relate to events 20 years ago when he was a churchyouth group leader in Tasmania.
He says the distressing, damaging and false allegations have been referred to the Tasmanianpolice.
BULKBILL (CANBERRA)
Labor says federal Health Minister KAY PATTERSON is sitting on the latest bulk-billingfigures until after next week's meeting of state premiers.
Opposition health spokeswoman JULIA GILLARD says Senator PATTERSON is wasting timeand taxpayers' money prosecuting a war with the states on urgently needed health reform.
Ms PATTERSON says it's been eight weeks since the end of the June quarter and thereis no sign of the latest bulk billing figures from the Health Insurance Commission.
She says the bulk billing figures will put the HOWARD government in a bad light, revealinga continuing decline in bulk billing.
HANSON (BRISBANE)
Queensland Premier PETER BEATTIE says a resurgence in support for One Nation afterPAULINE HANSON'S jailing could cost Labor government.
Mr BEATTIE says his office has been flooded with emails, faxes, calls and letters criticisingthe One Nation founder's three-year sentence on fraud charges.
Mr BEATTIE says the questioning of the integrity of Queensland's political and judicialsystems could lead to a resurgence in One Nation's popularity.
MACDONALD (MELBOURNE)
Australia's oldest World War I veteran, FRANK MACDONALD, has died in Tasmania aged 107.
Mr MACDONALD died of pneumonia just before 5am today after being admitted to the NorthwestRegional hospital in Burnie a fortnight ago, when he fell and injured himself.
Tasmanian Premier JIM BACON says a state funeral will be held late next week.
Despite taking part in some of the fiercest battles in France and Belgium, Mr MACDONALDwas never wounded, which was remarkable for an infantryman.
BRAZIL ROCKET (BRASILIA)
A rocket has exploded on its launch pad in Brazil, killing at least 21 people and injuring20 others.
Defence Minister JOSE VEIGAS FILHO says the blast in northeastern Brazil killed mostlycivilian technicians and destroyed two research satellites.
IRAQ (BAGHDAD)
UN officials have vowed to continue their work in Iraq, as they pay their last respectsto the head of the UN mission, one of 24 people killed in this week's bombing.
A colleague of SERGIO VIEIRA DE MELLO has revealed that one of his dying wishes hadbeen that the United Nations continue to operate in Iraq.
The New York Times has reported that investigators are focusing on the possibilitythat Iraqi security guards at the UN compound had assisted the bombers.
Meanwhile, Britain's Foreign Office says diplomats and staff at Britain's embassy inBaghdad have evacuated the building after a credible threat of attack.
IRAN NUCLEAR (WASHINGTON)
The United States, convinced Iran is deceiving the world about its nuclear ambitions,has launched a campaign to bring the issue before the UN Security Council.
Undersecretary of State JOHN BOLTON will urge Russia and other countries to lay theIranian nuclear issues at the feet of the international community's premier body.
APEC TERROR (BANGKOK)
Thailand will reportedly ban large vehicles from high-rise buildings, department storesand hotels fearing that terrorists may attack a coming Asia-Pacific leaders' summit inBangkok.
The Bangkok Post says Thai intelligence officials believe some Jemaah Islamiah membersare still in the country and might strike during the summit on October 20-21.
At least 20 world leaders, including Australian Prime Minister JOHN HOWARD and US PresidentGEORGE W BUSH, are expected to attend.
TUCKEY (CANBERRA)
Federal Territories Minister WILSON TUCKEY, carpeted for his letters to the South Australiagovernment, has reportedly also written an intemperate letter to ACT Chief Minister JONSTANHOPE.
This week Mr TUCKEY was accused of using his political position to fight his son'straffic fine, and reprimanded by the prime minister.
The Canberra Times says the Minister accused Mr STANHOPE on June 30 of selectivelyapplying the law in ignoring drug abuse, assaults and threats at the Aboriginal Tent Embassyin Canberra.
The paper says Mr TUCKEY also attacked the ACT police.
CABOOLTURE (BRISBANE)
Flags are flying at half-mast across Caboolture following the murder of a police officerjust north of Brisbane.
Senior Sergeant PERRY JAMES IRWIN died when he and two other officers were called toinvestigate gun shots in bushland near Caboolture yesterday.
The 42-year-old married father of four was appointed the officer in charge of the CaboolturePolice Station in May.
Meanwhile, police say the alleged gunman, who shot himself, was 21-year-old DAMIENLAWRENCE COATES of Caboolture.
FACE (SYDNEY)
The New South Wales opposition says the state's corruption watchdog has failed to properlyinvestigate a former government minister.
An Independent Commission Against Corruption inquiry was reopened yesterday into formergaming minister RICHARD FACE amid fresh allegations he used ministerial resources to setup a private consultancy.
Mr FACE stood down as minister after criticisms of his decision to take up consultancywork in his portfolio areas for when he left politics after the state election.
CANADA FIRES (KELOWNA)
Canadian emergency officials have ordered an additional 20,000 people to evacuate theirhomes in Kelowna, British Columbia, as a wildfire moves closer.
Meanwhile, The US state of Oregon has declared a state of emergency to allow NationalGuard troops to help fight two wildfires burning in the western United States.
AND BRIEFLY . . .
Seven Victorian ski resort operators have been issued with safety improvement noticesafter a review prompted by the Arthurs Seat chairlift collapse in January.
Around 20 people have been hurt after a barrier collapsed at the Leeds music festival,in central England.
A total of 27 people have been killed in north China when their bus plunged down a30-metre deep ravine.
AND IN SPORTS . . .
GOLF PGA (AKRON, Ohio)
DAVID TOMS and CHRIS RILEY lead after the second round at the NEC Invitational in Akron, Ohio.
TOMS and RILEY are at seven-under-par 133, one stroke ahead of fellow American FREDFUNK and Fiji's VIJAY SINGH at Firestone.
GOLF US (RENO)
American TIM HERRON has shot a 7-under 65 to move to 10-under and have the clubhouselead in the rain-delayed second round of the Reno-Tahoe golf open in Reno.
Australian ROD PAMPLING slipped from tied for third to be six shots back after a 73,while PAUL GOW is tied in 14th but hasn't completed his second round.
TENNIS OPEN VENUS (NEW YORK)
Former champion VENUS WILLIAMS has withdrawn from the US Open tennis tournament witha lingering stomach muscle injury.
TENNIS MEN (COMMACK)
Top-seed and defending champion PARADORN SRICHAPHAN has defeated American JEFF MORRISON6-4 6-3 to move into the semi-finals of the ATP tennis tournament in New York.
LEAGUE BRONCOS SWAIN (BRISBANE)
Brisbane has suffered a blow on the eve of its National Rugby League showdown withthe Warriors losing Kiwi Test hooker RICHARD SWAIN to illness.
ENDS EVENING ROUND-UP
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