Main stories in today's 0745 ABC News

AAP General News (Australia)
12-07-2006
Main stories in today's 0745 ABC News

SYDNEY, Dec 7 AAP - Main stories in today's 0745 ABC News:

- A top level panel in the US recommends the phased withdrawal of American troops from
Iraq and the opening of talks with Iran and Syria.

- The British Prime Minister Tony Blair concedes that US-led forces are not winning
the war in Iraq, but Mr Blair says Iraq can be salvaged as part of a region-wide strategy
centred on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

- Supporters of embryonic stem cell research welcome a decision by the federal parliament
to lift the ban on therapeutic cloning.

- The chief executive of the Australian stem cell centre Professor Stephen Livesey
says Australian scientists will be able to carry out research their overseas colleagues
have been doing for some time.

- The new federal Labor front bench has been decided and will have four new members.

- Fiji's military chief Frank Bainimarama says parts of the bill of rights will have
to be put on hold while there is a state of emergency in his country.

- A business council representing Australian interests in Fiji says there's already
been some job losses and more are expected after the coup.

- The NSW Treasurer Michael Costa continues to blame the federal government for the
state's slide into negative growth.

- The state Opposition Leader Peter Debnam says another quarter of negative growth
will put the state on the brink of recession.

- About 200 residents of Sydney's north shore last night voted to push the state government
to take immediate action on the environmental effects of the Lane Cove Tunnel.

- Grant Hackett swims the fastest time in the world this year to win the 800 metres
freestyle at the Australian swimming championships in Brisbane to dispel doubts over his
fitness.

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KEYWORD: MONITOR ABC 0745 SYDNEY

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