AAP National News Wire Round-Up for Midday, April 12

AAP General News (Australia)
04-12-2009
AAP National News Wire Round-Up for Midday, April 12
Midday Round-Up: HIGHLIGHTS OF THE AAP RTV FILE AT 1130


Toll National

Two more people have died on Queensland's roads bringing the National Easter road toll to 11.

Emergency crews were called to the two-vehicle crash on the Peak Downs Highway in Nebo
.. west of Mackay .. at about 8 o'clock this morning.

Four people have now been killed on Queensland roads .. four in NSW .. and one each
in Victoria .. Western Australia and the ACT.



ASEAN Rudd (SYDNEY)

Prime Minister KEVIN RUDD says he's disappointed the ASEAN summit has been cancelled
and has urged a return to normal democracy in Thailand.

Mr RUDD had been due to land in Thailand late yesterday afternoon .. but his plane
was turned back to Canberra when news of a protest at the summit venue broke.

The PM says important matters were to be discussed on the regions future and the global
financial crisis.

He says the protest is evidence of the deep problems in Thai politics and has urged
all Australians to carefully consider any travel to the country.



Easter Rome (VATICAN CITY)

Pope BENEDICT the 16th has led the traditional Easter vigil in front of thousands of
faithful inside St Peter's Basilica early this morning.

Thousands more have followed the ceremony .. marking the resurrection of Christ ..

on four giant screens outside.

The 81 year-old Pontiff is scheduled to deliver his traditional Easter blessing later today.

This year's Easter festivities in Italy have been tinged with sorrow for the victims
of the deadly earthquake .. that struck L'Aquila on Monday.



Easter Williams (LONDON)

In his Easter address the Archbishop of Canterbury will tell his followers the global
financial crisis has shown that happiness can't be measured by material possessions alone.

His message is echoed by the leader of the Roman Catholic Church in England .. who
has urged people to avoid negative feelings about the downturn.



ADHD (BRISBANE)

The link between genes and children with ADHD will be researched by a group of neuroscientists.

More than 600 families will be studied over the next three years in the hope the research
will provide medical practitioners with a better understanding of what causes the disorder..

and help them develop better treatments.

Associate Professor MARK BELLGROVE from the Queensland Brain Institute says there is
already good evidence to suggest ADHD might have a strong genetic component.



Korea Missile UN (UNITED NATIONS)

Six major powers have agreed on a draft statement slamming North Korea's long-range
rocket launch.

The non-binding statement was agreed on following closed-door talks between UN Security
Council members from Britain .. China .. France .. Russia .. the United States and Japan.

Diplomats say the text is expected to be unanimously accepted by the full council tomorrow.



Bikies Prison Union (SYDNEY)

Union officials say a brawl between rival bikie gang members at a Sydney prison should
sound a warning about the NSW government's prisons privatisation plan.

The Public Services Association says five officers were injured in the fight at Parklea
on Friday.

News Ltd reports members of the Notorious gang attacked a Bandido with makeshift weapons
.. including a sharpened tooth brush.

MATT BINDLEY from the union says under the government's plans to privatise prisons
fewer officers would have been on duty during the fight .. which could have made the situation
harder to control.



Bikies Fight (SYDNEY)

Two men and a woman linked to the Rebels outlaw bikie gang have been charged over a
brawl at Sydney's Star City Casino.

Police say the fight broke out in the early hours of this morning between two groups
of patrons .. who allegedly used glasses and chairs as weapons .. before being thrown
out by security.

The fighting involving up to 20 people continued in the street before officers and
members from the riot squad brought the brawl under control .. arresting 10 men and a
woman.

It's alleged six of the men .. aged between 22 and 35 .. as well as the woman .. have
links to the Rebels.

The three charged will face court on May 5 on affray offences while the others have
been released without charge pending further inquiries .. including the review of CCTV
footage.



Briefly in other news ..



Somalia Pirates FBI (WASHINGTON)

FBI agents are planning to interview the crew of a US cargo ship today as they begin
building a criminal case against Somali pirates .. who attacked the ship and took the
captain hostage.



Ecuador Volcano (QUITO)

Ecuador officials say a volcano is erupting in the Galapagos Islands and could harm
unique wildlife.



in Sport ..



AFL Wrap (Melbourne)

Today .. Port Adelaide host Melbourne .. North Melbourne will try to put their chicken
video scandal behind them when they play Hawthorn at Etihad Stadium and Fremantle host
Adelaide.



League (SYDNEY)

This afternoon Newcastle host the New Zealand Warriors .. while win-less Manly welcome
the Wests Tigers to Brookvale Oval.



Motorcycle Prix Wrap

Australia's CASEY STONER is confidently eyeing a third successive Qatar MotoGP victory
after taking pole position in a dominant qualifying performance under the Losail desert
floodlights.

World champion VALENTINO ROSSI has qualified second fastest with his Yamaha teammate
JORGE LORENZO in third place.



Sail Gladstone (BRISBANE)

Squalls up to 30 knots have made life interesting for the tail of the fleet in the
Brisbane to Gladstone yacht race .. with damage ranging from sail blowouts to broken spinnaker
poles.

37 boats finished the race overnight .. popular Sydney skipper RAY ROBERTS and his
Quantum Racing crew taking outright handicap honours to win the race.

The last yachts in the race are expected to cross the line by 1 o'clock this afternoon.



ENDS MIDDAY ROUND-UP

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