Main stories in today's AM program

AAP General News (Australia)
08-22-2006
Main stories in today's AM program

SYDNEY, Aug 22 AAP - Main stories in today's AM program:

* Eleven people in Britain will face court today, after being charged with a range
of offences in relation to the foiled plot to blow up passenger jets between the UK and
the United States.

* US president George W Bush acknowledges the possibility of an Iraqi civil war for
the first time but remains unmoved to talk of withdrawing his troops.

* The number of federal police ready to assist in trouble spots overseas is set to
be doubled but doubts are raised as to where these new numbers will come from.

* Australia's car industry can breathe a sigh of relief with an in principle agreement
being struck to rescue Ajax fasteners and thousands of workers at risk of being stood
down.

* The Ajax crisis has prompted speculation of offshore diversion and massive redundancies,
but Ajax workers were banding together.

* Investment experts believe Macquarie Bank's high level of debt from its booming infrastructure
portfolio, including tolls roads and airports, isn't sustainable.

* Israeli reservist soldiers criticise their government on the war in Lebanon, saying
it has been guilty of arrogance.

* Condemnation of Australian umpire Darrell Hair is rife in Pakistan, after he alleged
the team tampered with the ball in the test against England.

* Cricketing great Imran Khan joins in the criticism, calling Hair a mini Hitler who
should not officiate at Pakistan matches in future.

* International Cricket Council head Malcolm Speed says a hearing will be held on Friday
to investigate the matter but says Hair has the full support of the ICC.

AAP cj/mb

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