Main stories in ABC's 0800 AM Program

AAP General News (Australia)
02-02-2006
Main stories in ABC's 0800 AM Program

SYDNEY, Feb 2 AAP - Main stories in ABC's 0800 AM program:

* US asks the Howard government for an explanation as to what it knew about AWB's payments
to Iraq during the wheat sales affair, as US senators voice concern over AWB's activities
and question the independence of the Cole inquiry into the scandal.

* Australia's ambassador to the US, Dennis Richardson, moves to quell anger in the
US at misleading assurances from his predecessor that AWB wasn't paying kickbacks to Saddam
Hussein's regime.

* Liberal backbencher Bill Heffernan hits out at AWB, saying the Iraqi kickbacks scandal
is hurting Australian farmers.

* There are calls for the Cole inquiry into AWB wheat sales to be expanded.

* A New Zealand man faces extradition proceedings over the murder of Janelle Patton
on Norfolk Island four years ago, amid predictions his arrest may help to restore the
island's image and dispel suspicions among the small community.

* Survivors of the Indian Ocean tsunami are being deprived of basic housing and are
being relocated to make way for coastal tourist developments, a report finds.

* Iran's president says he will not submit to "bullying" from the West and will stand
by his country's right to develop nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.

* Thousands of people flee renewed fighting in Sudan, as it appears a United Nations
peacekeeping force may be needed to restore order in the troubled African country.

* Scientists believe they've solved the mystery behind a condition that is threatening
the Tasmanian devil population - a highly unusual cancer that can be passed between animals.

* Leisel Jones smashes the world record in the 200m breaststroke at the Commonwealth
Games trials in Melbourne.

* Dow Jones closes up 89 points, NASDAQ up four, FTSE100 up 41, Australian dollar buys US$0.7527.

AAP dcr/mfh

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