Main stories in Monday's AM program

AAP General News (Australia)
08-24-2009
Main stories in Monday's AM program

SYDNEY, Aug 24 AAP - Main stories in Monday's AM program:

* Environmental groups are urging the federal government to reconsider energy projects
in Western Australia, following an oil leak that is sprawling across the coast.

* Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett says the government is keeping a close
eye on the oil leak off Western Australia.

* Nationals Senate Leader Barnaby Joyce says that if the federal government was serious
about reducing carbon emissions, it should discuss the option of nuclear power.

* The chairman of the US joint Chiefs of Staff has described the situation in Afghanistan
as serious and deteriorating.

* Australian forces in the south of Afghanistan are trying to restore security after
a spate of attacks on the day of the presidential elections last week.

* The jury is out on the legacy of Australia's cricket captain Ricky Ponting, following
Australia's loss to England at the Ashes overnight. Ponting is the first captain in 119
years to lose two Ashes series in England.

* Farmers in the Murray-Darling Basin are heading to the High Court to challenge the
commonwealth for what they say is unjust compensation for 60 per cent cuts to their ground
water licenses.

* A diplomatic furore has erupted between Israel and Sweden, after a Swedish newspaper
reported that Israelis have killed Palestinians in order to steal their organs. Sweden
is refusing to condemn the article.

* The Japanese election campaign has ended its final days with every opinion poll predicting
an end to the reign of the Liberal Democratic Party after 54 years.

AAP bm/rl

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