AAP National News Wire Round-Up for Midday, Dec 5

AAP General News (Australia)
12-05-2009
AAP National News Wire Round-Up for Midday, Dec 5
Midday Round-Up: HIGHLIGHTS OF THE AAP RTV FILE AT 1130


Liberals/Bradfield/Higgins (SYDNEY)

Weeks of political tussle over the government's failed climate change policy and a
leadership coup within the federal liberal party is being put to the test today .. as
thousands of voters hit the polls for by-elections in two blue-ribbon liberal seats.

New liberal leader TONY ABBOTT ended the government's chances of having their ETS passed
ahead of next week's climate change talks in Denmark.

That will be on the minds of voters in former opposition leader BRENDAN NELSON's old
seat of Bradfield .. and former treasurer PETER COSTELLO's electorate of Higgins.

Labor isn't contesting the seats .. with all eyes on how well Greens candidates do
.. although both are Liberal strongholds and they're expected to win.



Italy Student (PERUGIA)

American university student AMANDA KNOX has today been found guilty of murdering her
British housemate MEREDITH KERCHER in Italy in 2007.

KNOX began weeping when the judge began reading out the lengthy verdict and sentenced
her to 26 years in prison.

Her then-boyfriend and co-defendant RAFFAELE SOLLECITO has also been found guilty and
imprisoned for 25 years.

The prosecution alleged KNOX and SOLLECITO were high on drugs when they tried to engage
KERCHER in a sex game that turned violent.



Russia Cafe (MOSCOW)

Up to 90 people have been killed in a blast that's ripped through a Russian bar.

Authorities have confirmed 86 deaths but say the toll could change .. while news reports
claim at least 90 people have been killed.

Some 60 people have also been rushed to hospital from the stricken Lame Horse bar.

The blast hit as some 200 people .. mostly employees and their families .. were partying
inside to celebrate the bar's eighth anniversary.



Shooting (SYDNEY)

One man is dead and several others have been injured after a shooting and brawl in
Sydney's southwest.

Police say a fight broke out between a group of people during a Vietnamese Christmas
party at a function centre in Fairfield .. in the early hours of this morning.

A gun and machetes were used during the fight and one man suffered a gunshot wound to his chest.

He was rushed to Liverpool Hospital by paramedics but died a short time later.

Three other men presented themselves at Fairfield Hospital with machete injuries sustained
during the fight.



Fire (BRISBANE)

A woman has died in a house fire in the inner Brisbane suburb of Camp Hill.

Several units fought the blaze at Hobart Avenue early this morning .. with firefighters
later finding the body of a woman in the low set house.

No one else was believed to be in the house at the time .. it's unknown if smoke alarms
were working.

Investigators will attend the scene to determine the cause of the fire.



Bushfires NSW (SYDNEY)

Firefighters are concerned about gusty winds and warmer temperatures today in the
central west of New South Wales .. as they continue to try to contain a bushfire at Bathurst.

The blaze .. north of Eglinton .. put properties in danger yesterday .. but the work
of around 100 firefighters and water bombing aircraft managed to keep them away from the
buildings.

But the weather bureau's predicting temperatures will move into the 30s today .. with
moderate to fresh southwesterly winds.

20 firetrucks from Sydney are expected in the area today to help Rural Fire Service crews.



Briefly in other news ..



Climate US (WASHINGTON)

The White House says the United States is ready to pay a fair share of a proposed 10
billion dollar fund to help developing countries tackle climate change.



UK Masters (LONDON)

Two masterpieces by REMBRANDT and RAPHAEL have gone on public display for the first
time in decades today .. ahead of a major auction of Old Masters and 19th century art
at Christie's in London.



in Sport ..



WC10 Draw Aust (CAPE TOWN)

The Socceroos have been drawn to play three-time champions Germany .. Serbia and Ghana
in Group D at next year's World Cup finals in South Africa.

Australia's opening match at the World Cup will be against Germany in Durban on June 13.



Cricket Aust (Adelaide)

West Indies have resumed batting on the second day of the second Test against Australia
in Adelaide today.

The Windies will be eyeing a healthy first innings total when after resuming at six
for 336 with BRENDAN NASH and DARREN SAMMY both unbeaten on 44.

Australian paceman DOUG BOLLINGER has two wickets as does allrounder SHANE WATSON ..

while MITCHELL JOHNSON and NATHAN HAURITZ are the other successful bowlers.



Cup Tas (HOBART)

Tasmania have won the toss and decided to bowl first in their one-day cricket game
against NSW at Launceston.



Motor V8 (SYDNEY)

V8 Supercar star JAMIE WHINCUP'S quest to secure a second straight driver's championship
has been given a massive boost after the Ford star qualified eighth fastest for today's
top 10 shootout for pole position at Sydney's Olympic Park.

The Ford driver needs to just finish 28th or higher in today's 250km race and will
join the 10 drivers chasing pole position later this morning along with Holden's GARTH
TANDER .. who posted the quickest time in qualifying.

But the only man who can stop WHINCUP winning the title is TANDER'S teammate WILL DAVISON
who will start today's race from 18th position after missing the top 10 cut along with
Ford star CRAIG LOWNDES who will start from 22nd.

Today's race starts at 2.35 AEDT.



Golf Aust (SYDNEY)

ADAM SCOTT has thrown down a challenge to compatriot STUART APPLEBY after a superb
second round at the Australian Open.

SCOTT has this morning produced six birdies and no bogeys in a second round six-under
66 .. just two strokes behind APPLEBY with two rounds to play.

Co-first round leader SCOTT HEND has fired a steady one-under 71 to reach seven-under
for the tournament .. one stroke ahead of JARROD LYLE and NICK O'HERN.



ENDS MIDDAY ROUND-UP

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