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AAP National News Wire Round-Up for Midday, April 25Midday Round-Up: HIGHLIGHTS OF THE AAP RTV FILE AT 1130
ANZAC (CANBERRA)
Thousands of Australians have gathered to pay tribute to fallen soldiers at Anzac Dayservices and marches across the nation.
As day dawned in cities and towns, wreaths were laid by political leaders and veteransto honour those who died 88 years ago on the shores of Gallipoli and in battles since.
And dawn services will soon get under way on the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey withTreasurer PETER COSTELLO, and in the Persian Gulf with Defence Minister ROBERT HILL onboard HMAS Kanimbla.
It's Australia's first Anzac Day without a Gallipoli veteran following the death ofALEC CAMPBELL last year at age 103.
In Canberra, about 20,000 people packed the National War Memorial where the servicewas attended by Governor-General PETER HOLLINGWORTH and defence chiefs.
In Sydney, thousands gathered at the Cenotaph in Martin Place, where New South WalesGovernor MARIE BASHIR laid a wreath and recited the Anzac dedication.
In Adelaide, about 2,000 people gathered at Adelaide's War Memorial, greeted by cooland clear conditions for the annual dawn service.
Organisers and regulars say it's one of the biggest crowds since the dedication ofthe memorial in 1931.
And up to 20,000 people gathered at Melbourne's Shrine of Remembrance for the dawn service.
Dawn services are now being followed by traditional Anzac Day marches around the nation.
Thousands are lining the streets of Sydney's CBD to cheer on war veterans and theirfamilies, while rain has failed to keep thousands from turning out to Brisbane's march.
In Sydney, the march is headed by 104-year-old World War One veteran MARCEL CAUX,who is one of only two surviving New South Wales veterans of that conflict.
It was only a few years ago that the decorated soldier admitted to his son MARCUS,who accompanied him today, that he had fought for Australia during World War One.
Anzac Costello (CANBERRA)
In Gallipoli, Treasurer PETER COSTELLO says the Turkish government and Australian authoritiesare providing tight security.
Speaking from Anzac Cove, where he will soon address the dawn service, Mr COSTELLOsays the site is heavily guarded by police and Turkish troops.
There have been warnings that terrorists are planning to attack westerners, includingAustralians at the service.
And Mr COSTELLO says Australians have been warned to be vigilant about their safety,and tough measures are in place.
Anzac Cosgrove (SYDNEY)
In the Persian Gulf, Australia's defence chief says hundreds of sailors will assembleon the flight deck of HMAS Kanimbla for a poignant memorial service.
General PETER COSGROVE, speaking from the Kanimbla, says Anzac Day will have a specialsignificance for the Australian personnel serving as part of the war on Iraq.
General COSGROVE told ABC Radio it will be the usual memorial service -- hymn singing,The Last Post and Reveille -- as the sun rises above the gulf.
General COSGROVE, who has been touring Australian forces in the gulf, said personnelwill probably mark the day with traditional memorials and a game of two-up.
Anzac PNG (PORT MORESBY)
And in Papua New Guinea, hundreds of Australians and locals have paid tribute to thefallen of World War II as dawn broke over the graves of allied servicemen at Bomana WarCemetery.
This Anzac Day service marks the 60th anniversary of the major land battles in PapuaNew Guinea, including Australia's largest offensive of World War Two -- the clearing ofJapanese from the Huon Peninsula.
The Bomana memorial, near Port Moresby, is just 40 kilometres from where Australiansoldiers on the Kokoda Trail finally halted the Japanese advance towards Queensland in1942.
Anzac Howard (CANBERRA)
Prime Minister JOHN HOWARD has paid tribute to Australian troops in Iraq in a speechat the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.
He says today is a day to reflect on the values of Anzac Day -- courage, valour, anda willingness to do the right thing as a nation, whatever the cost.
...in other news......
Korea Talks Nuclear (WASHINGTON)
North Korea's top official at talks in China has reportedly told a US envoy his countryhas nuclear weapons, and is prepared to use them if necessary.
The comment was made by North Korean delegate RI GUN to US Assistant Secretary of StateJAMES KELLY after discussions on the North's nuclear weapons program ended prematurely.
A senior US official says KELLY didn't respond to RI'S comment, while South Koreanofficials say they are looking into the claim.
Iraq Tariq (WASHINGTON)
The United States says it has detained TARIQ AZIZ, the former deputy prime ministerin SADDAM HUSSEIN's toppled Iraqi regime.
A senior US defence official gave no other details.
But America's ABC television says AZIZ, the longtime international spokesman for SADDAM,gave himself up.
AZIZ was number 43 on the list of 55 most wanted members of the SADDAM regime issuedby the United States.
He was also the most senior Christian member of the Iraqi administration and one ofthe the best known faces of the Iraqi regime.
Iraq Bush (WASHINGTON)
The US has for the first time admitted Iraq may have destroyed its weapons of massdestruction before or during the US-led war.
The comments by President GEORGE BUSH suggest coalition troops may come up empty-handedin their search.
BUSH defied much of the world to wage war against SADDAM HUSSEIN in a bid to rid Iraqof weapons of mass destruction.
Mideast Powell (WASHINGTON)
US Secretary of State COLIN POWELL says he wants to avoid arguments between Israeland the Palestinians over the details of the Middle East peace plan.
But he says Palestinian attacks on Israelis will make it almost impossible for US mediationto bring about progress on the plan.
A Palestinian suicide bomber yesterday killed an Israeli security guard at a railwaystation in northern Israel just hours after Palestinian leaders agreed on a new cabinet,one of the prerequisites for the peace plan to proceed.
SARS (HONG KONG)
China has set up drastic quarantine measures to contain the SARS epidemic after theWorld Health Organisation warned against travel to Beijing.
The measures come as the World Bank warns the epidemic is causing mounting damage toAsia's economy as global travel and trade are increasingly disrupted.
The World Bank says economic growth in some of the economies affected by the viruscould be reduced by as much as two per cent.
However, signs are emerging that the spread of the flu-like virus may be slowing insouthern China, where the worldwide epidemic appears to have started.
The global death toll from Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome has risen to 263 and isnow infecting over 4,500 people in 25 countries.
In Australia, a nine year-old NSW boy remains under observation as the only suspected SARS case.
US shooting (NEW YORK)
In the United States, a heavily armed student shot and killed the principal of a juniorhigh school in Pennsylvania before killing himself.
Local police officials say EUGENE SEGRO, died in hospital after being shot by the unidentified,14-year-old male student in the Red Lion Area Junior High School.
Police say the incident happened in the school's cafeteria before morning classes began.
in sport............
Surfing World (Melbourne)
Reigning world surfing champion ANDY IRONS of Hawaii has defeated the Gold Coast'sJOEL PARKINSON to win the Rip Curl Pro at Johanna Beach, Victoria.
The victory lifted 24-year-old IRONS into the Association of Surfing Professionalsratings lead in a repeat performance of last year when he won the World Championship Tourevent at Bells Beach.
IRONS posted the highest wave score of the final a near perfect 9.80 ride to finishon 17.57 to PARKINSON'S 15.40 score out of a possible 20.
League (SYDNEY)
St George Illawarra will be without internationals SHAUN TIMMINS and MARK GASNIER fortoday's National Rugby League game against the Sydney Roosters at Aussie Stadium.
TIMMINS has a thigh problem and MARK GASNIER a calf injury.
And young Manly hooker CHAD RANDALL has been ruled out of Sunday's National Rugby Leaguegame against South Sydney with an eye injury.
JASON FERRIS will shift to hooker, with LUKE DORN to play halfback and BEN WALKER tocome into the side at five-eighth.
Coach PETER SHARP is yet to make a decision on the fitness of of NATHAN LONG and SOLOMON HAUMONO.
ENDS BULLETIN
AAP RTV sco
KEYWORD: MIDDAY ROUND-UP
