AAP National News Wire Round-Up for Evening, Dec 17

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AAP National News Wire Round-Up for Evening, Dec 17Evening Round-Up: HIGHLIGHTS OF THE AAP RTV FILE AT 1630

Terror Marshalls (NUSA DUA, Indonesia)

Armed air marshals will soon patrol Qantas flights to and from Singapore and a similardeal with Indonesia is under negotiation.

Justice Minister CHRIS ELLISON says Australia has reached agreement with Singaporeon the arrangements in talks today.

He says marshals will operate on Qantas flights and Singaporean security officerswill be on Singapore Airlines flights into Australia.

Senator ELLISON says it's a significant step forward for regional air security.

Negotiations with Indonesia are continuing and Australia has also been negotiatingwith the United States to allow undercover air marshals to fly internationally.

Solomons Downer (AUCKLAND)

Australian Foreign Minister ALEXANDER DOWNER is expected to arrive in the Solomon Islandstoday as the Pacific nation sinks deeper into turmoil.

Solomons state radio reports that Opposition Leader PATTERSON OTI will mount a parliamentarybid tomorrow to unseat Prime Minister Sir ALLAN KEMAKEZA.

Last Friday, police special constables fired shots at KEMAKEZA's home.

And it's been revealed yesterday that two key government financial advisers fled thecountry over the weekend aboard a chartered flight.

DOWNER's due in later today for a day-long visit as part of a tour that will includeVanuatu, Samoa and New Zealand.

The Solomons has been brought to bankruptcy by a civil war that began when militants-- currently known as the Isatambu Freedom Movement on the main island of Guadalcanal-- tried to drive out migrants from the neighbouring island of Malaita.

Terror Carr (SYDNEY)

New South Wales Premier BOB CARR says a simulated terrorist incident will be carriedout in Sydney this week to test government and police responses to a real-life attack.

Mr CARR says the simulation -- codenamed Operation Apollo -- is top-secret, with thedetails being kept even from him.

The simulation will be held in Sydney on Thursday.

Iraq US (WASHINGTON)

The United States says it has problems with Iraq's declaration on its weapons of massdestruction, warning that President SADDAM HUSSEIN has used his last chance to come clean.

Secretary of State COLIN POWELL is the first BUSH administration official to publiclycast doubt on the probity of the document.

He says a full US evaluation is expected later in the week.

POWELL says the US has approached Iraq's weapons declaration with scepticism and thereare problems with that declaration.

The White House has signalled Iraq won't get the chance to correct any omissions orfalse statements in the 12,000-page declaration filed with the UN.

Spokesman ARI FLEISCHER says the report is Iraq's last chance to inform the world whatweapons of mass destruction it has.

Eggs (PERTH)

Three Australian women are talking to a United States company about selling their eggcells for up to $44,000.

It's illegal for Australians to sell their eggs through local fertility clinics for money.

But US-based Egg Donors Inc, which is touting for overseas customers on its website,says it is in discussions with three Australian women.

Egg Donors director KAREN SYNESIOU says the three women have found her on the internetbecause they want to help infertile women.

She's told Perth radio 6PR she's looking for donors who are intelligent, attractiveand have a clean medical history.

Ms SYNESIOU says exceptional Australian women can earn fees of up to $44,000 for donatingtheir eggs.

Drought (CANBERRA)

Southern parts of Australia may finally get a break from the hot weather, with a forecastfor cooler than average temperatures in the next three months.

The National Climate Centre says there's a 60 per cent chance that Victoria, Tasmaniaand southern South Australia will enjoy a reprieve from hot temperatures.

But in a blow for northern areas, the centre says there's between a 60 per cent and80 per cent chance for hotter than average temperatures in the next three months.

The centre has also maintained its forecast that the current El Nino weather patternis likely to break down between January and March.

However, even if it does break down, there's no guarantee the drought will break.

Trams Connex (MELBOURNE)

Train operator Connex says it would require a substantial increase in fare subsidiesfor it to take over Melbourne's suburban rail network in 12 months time.

Both Connex and Yarra Trams must re-tender for their franchises after that period,under an interim plan announced by the state government.

The plan follows the withdrawal of train and tram operator National Express.

Connex director BOB ANNELLS says that while ticketing systems and timetabling havebeen dramatically improved since privatisation in 1999, a subsidy increase is still needed.

Transport Minister PETER BATCHELOR says the government's preference would be to re-tenderentirely both the tram and train networks.

Ethanol Kemp (SYDNEY)

The federal government says the states should ensure that levels of ethanol in petrolare labelled at the pump.

Federal Environment Minister DAVID KEMP says a two-day cabinet meeting in Sydney hasdetermined that evidence about ethanol blends in petrol is inconclusive.

But he says state governments must ensure that consumers are informed about what they're buying.

Doctor KEMP says the states can use their fair trading laws to do this -- but if theydon't, the Commonwealth will legislate to make the labelling happen next year.

Mining (CANBERRA)

The nation's chief commodity forecaster says native title costs should be made taxdeductible to arrest a sharp fall in Australian mining exploration.

In a report on mineral exploration activity, the Australian Bureau of Agriculturaland Resource Economics says spending on exploration has fallen almost 50 per cent since1996/97.

The spending is down to $623 million from $1.2 billion.

Coles Myer (MELBOURNE)

Retailer Coles Myer says it's paid a fair price for the New South Wales business ofTheo's Liquor chain.

But chief executive JOHN FLETCHER says it's nowhere near the $300 million reported in the media.

Coles Myer has announced it's acquired Theo's Liquor's 49 stores and four hotels inNew South Wales.

Theo's, the fourth largest liquor retailer in Australia, has annual sales in NSW of $175 million.

Hutchence (SYDNEY)

Friends, family and members of the entertainment industry have gathered to farewellthe father of former INXS singer MICHAEL HUTCHENCE.

More than 100 mourners have attended the funeral for KEL HUTCHENCE at St Columba'sUniting Church at Lane Cove, in Sydney's north.

Mr HUTCHENCE died last Thursday after a two-year battle with lung cancer, aged 78.

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

Delegates to talks on the future of the Democratic Republic of Congo have signed anagreement to end four years of brutal warfare and set up a government of national unity.

A report says Australia's reefs are in better health than most coral reefs around the world.

A weak US dollar and fears of conflict in the Middle East have pushed the gold priceto its highest level in five years.

A herd of wild elephants has killed at least six people after getting drunk on ricebeer in northeast India.

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

Cricket Aust Warne (BRISBANE)

SHANE WARNE says he'll do everything he can to recover in time for next year's cricket World Cup.

WARNE says he is still groggy and grumpy after the operation on his dislocated shoulderyesterday and is disappointed at his latest setback.

But he's hopeful he has enough time to get fit before the World Cup starts in February next year.

WARNE says he's had little time to think about his career since dislocating his shoulderagainst England on Sunday night.

League Aust (SYDNEY)

The Australian Rugby League board has appointed CHRIS ANDERSON as coach of the Kangaroosfor a fifth season.

ANDERSON, coach of the Sharks, has been at the helm of one of Australia's most successfulsporting teams since taking over from Wayne Bennett in 1999.

He's coached Australia to 11 wins in 13 matches.

Soccer Aust (SYDNEY)

The soccer friendly between Australia and England has sold out within half an hourof tickets going on sale in London.

The English Football Association website announced today that the historic game atUpton Park sold out in less than the time it takes to watch an episode of Neighbours.

The teams have met six times before but the February 12 game will mark the first timethey've met on English turf.

ENDS EVENING ROUND-UP

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