AAP National News Wire Round-Up for Breakfast, April 8Breakfast Round-Up: HIGHLIGHTS OF THE AAP RTV FILE AT 0430
Mideast (NABLUS)
Israeli Prime Minister ARIEL SHARON says the crackdown on the Palestinians is at apoint of no return -- as his forces pound the West Bank for a tenth day -- ignoring UScalls to halt.
Combat has raged again in Nablus and Jenin -- a day after US President GEORGE W. BUSHcalled on SHARON to pull back without delay.
Troops and tanks have also rolled into the village of Beit Rima, just outside the cityof Ramallah where Palestinian leader YASSER ARAFAT remains besieged by Israeli forces.
The Palestinian leadership says BUSH has given SHARON the green light to continue bynot fixing a pullout date and sending US Secretary of State COLIN POWELL to five nationsbefore he arrives in Israel on Thursday or Friday.
But US national security adviser CONDOLEEZZA RICE says the withdrawal should begintoday, although such an operation cannot be completed in moments.
POWELL says he will meet with Palestinian leader YASSER ARAFAT -- if circumstances permit.
Raising new fears of a regional war, Lebanon's radical Shi'ite Hizbollah movement hasfired rockets and mortars across the border at Israel, prompting air raids by Israeliwarplanes on southern Lebanon -- while gunmen have opened fire on a kibbutz.
Israel's army chief General SHAUL MOFAZ says 200 Palestinians had been killed and 1,500wounded in the 10 days of fighting -- with 13 Israeli troops killed and 143 wounded.
But with reporters and medics barred from almost all combat areas, there has been noindependent confirmation.
And the General says he needs about three more weeks to complete a military sweep ofthe West Bank -- and would prefer a full eight weeks to complete what he calls the secondstep.
Meanwhile more than a million people have flooded the streets of the Moroccan capitalRabat -- as protests escalate in Islamic countries against the Israeli offensive.
Australian Prime Minister JOHN HOWARD has backed the US call for Israel to pull itsforces out of Palestinian cities in the West Bank --- but has played down the prospectof Australia contributing to a peacekeeping force in the Middle East.
Iraq Aziz (BERLIN)
Iraq says it's preparing itself for a military strike by the United States and is confidentof support from Arab nations.
US President GEORGE W BUSH and British Prime Minister TONY BLAIR have vowed to tackleIraqi leader SADDAM HUSSEIN over the threat he poses with weapons of mass destruction.
But US Secretary of State COLIN POWELL says the US is not yet planning an operationagainst Iraq -- acknowledging that the Middle East conflict is complicating the options.
IN OTHER NEWS:
Terror (CANBERRA)
Budget cuts may be on the cards in all areas, apart from defence and border protection-- which Treasurer PETER COSTELLO says are top priorities.
Mr COSTELLO says Australia's commitment to the war against terrorism, East Timor andcontinuing investment mean the government will have to be very tight in other areas.
The government is believed to have spent $320 million this year on the deployment oftroops in Afghanistan, with an extra $19 million covering the cost of intercepting asylumseekers.
Royals Mother (LONDON)
Churches across Britain have held special services for the Queen Mother as tens ofthousands of people wait in line to view her coffin.
Many mourners waited through the night to see the Queen Mother's remains in lying instate at Westminster Hall as temperatures dropped to 4 degrees celsius.
By the afternoon, police say an estimated 70,000 people were being told to expect aneight-hour wait.
Prime Minister HOWARD is now on his way to the funeral.
Colombia blast (BOGOTA)
At least 11 people have been killed and 50 injured in Colombia by a car bomb whichhas ripped through a crowded street.
Authorities say no armed group has claimed responsibility for the bomb in the cityof Villavicencio -- but they've quickly pinned the blame on Marxist FARC guerrillas.
And in the Colombian town of La Argentina -- a Catholic priest has been shot dead alongwith one of his parishoners while conducting mass.
UK Westfield (LONDON)
A UK newspaper reports Australian retail developer Westfield has paid a retainer ofmore than $A250,000 to a top political aide of Prime Minister TONY BLAIR.
The Sunday Times reports the payment was made to Lord LEVY to advise on the UK retailmarket -- as Westfield attempts to push through plans for shopping mall expansions acrossBritain.
The newspaper says the retainer may spark a new cash for access row in the BritishHouse of Commons.
Labor AMWU (SYDNEY)
The Australian Manufacturing Workers Union is reportedly reviewing its links with Labor.
The Sydney Morning Heralds says the union -- one of Australia's biggest -- considersLabor elitist and out of touch.
It has also criticised what it calls Labor's "Kylie Minogue syndrome" in trying toput forward star candidates.
Crowe (GOLD COAST)
A video of a scuffle involving actor RUSSELL CROWE will be played at a New South Walescourt hearing due to begin today.
The security camera footage shows the Oscar winner and several others in an altercationoutside a Coffs Harbour nightclub in 1999.
36-year-old PHILIP ANTHONY CROPPER of Sydney, and 37-year-old MALCOLM BRIAN MERCERare charged with blackmail for allegedly threatening to have the film published unlessCROWE paid them $200,000.
CROPPER, MERCER and another defendant, 42-year-old MARK JAMES POTTS, are also chargedwith perverting the course of justice for withholding the video from police.
It's unclear whether CROWE will be called to testify in person at the Coffs HarbourDistrict Court, but the video will be played -- and media from around the world are expectedto cover the trial.
BRIEFLY
An economic forecasting group says Australia runs the risk of repeating the economicmistakes of the 1980s over the next decade -- but its growth rate should outstrip theOECD average.
National Australia Bank will unveil its much-anticipated strategic review today --expected to include slashing almost 5,000 jobs and closing rural branches.
And on World Health Day -- Health Minister KAY PATTERSON is warning of a potentialcrisis if Australians continue to become less physically active in their daily lives.
IN SPORT
AFL Wrap (Melbourne)
The buildup to Saturday night's grand final replay between Brisbane and Essendon atthe Gabba will dominate the AFL this week.
At the other end of the table, highly-rated Port Adelaide and Hawthorn are both winless.
Things are even worse at Carlton, where questions are being asked of coach WAYNE BRITTAIN-- with the Blues propping up the ladder after losses to St Kilda and Sydney.
League Wrap (Sydney)
The Newcastle Knights have sole ownership of the top spot on the National Rugby Leagueladder after a 52-6 win over Canberra yesterday.
The defending premiers moved a point clear of Brisbane, which hung on to beat the Sharks18-16 at ANZ Stadium, with four teams locked together a further point back.
AAP RTV gee
KEYWORD: BREAKFAST ROUND-UP
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