12 November 2003 05:22
AAP MARKETS REPORT for Wednesday November 12, =4 Sydney
INTERNATIONAL NEWS BAGHDAD - A series of strong explosions were heard in central Baghdad after sundown today, and
smoke could be seen rising from the US-controlled headquarters compound known as the "green zone". VIENNA -
The UN's nuclear watchdog has accused Iran of covert nuclear activities over the past 20 years, including making
plutonium, but said there is no evidence it is trying to build an atomic bomb. MOSCOW - A Moscow court today turned down
an appeal by Russian oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky's to be released from jail pending trial on tax evasion and
fraud charges. LONDON - A controversy centred on claims that Prince Charles was involved in a sexual incident with a
royal servant provoked accusations of censorship today after European newspapers reporting the allegations were
prevented from delivering to news stands across Britain. WASHINGTON - Mired in a complicated, unfinished mission in
Iraq, President George W Bush paused on Veterans Day to reflect on the sacrifices of 140,000 US soldiers in Iraq and
Afghanistan and to honour soldiers of past wars. JERUSALEM - The planned path of Israel's security barrier will
carve off 14 per cent of the West Bank, trap 274,000 Palestinians in tiny enclaves and cut off another 400,000 from
their fields, jobs, schools and hospitals, according to a UN report released today. NATIONAL NEWS CANBERRA - Federal
Treasurer Peter Costello today attacked suggestions by a Labor frontbencher that the government consider wealth taxes
and debt financing. SYDNEY - An expected slowdown in the rate of home loans sought in 2004 could eat into the bumper
profits reported by the four major Australian banks this year. MELBOURNE - Victorians continued to splurge on home
renovations with almost five billion dollars expected to be spent on extensions and upgrades in the current financial
year, the Housing Industry Association (HIA) said today. LONDON - Foreign Minister Alexander Downer has asked for more
details on the claims by Kurdish asylum seekers that they had requested refugee status in Australia before being towed
away from the Northern Territory coast. MORE
[AIW [Asia Africa Intelligence Wire]] |
RUSSIA IN FACTS
