HighLights of the AAP National Wire at 14:45, April 4

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HighLights of the AAP National Wire at 14:45, April 4

CANBERRA - Prime Minister John Howard today told the mother of an Australian soldierserving in Iraq her son could be stuck fighting the war for some time. (Iraq Aust Mother)

WASHINGTON - One of America's top military officials has praised the Australian warcontingent in Iraq, including SAS units "absolutely crucial" to securing western Iraq.

(Iraq Aust Myers)

CANBERRA - The next few days would be among the most crucial in the war in Iraq, PrimeMinister John Howard said today. (Iraq Howard Daylead )

(Iraq Aust N/L to come.)

SYDNEY - Either Saddam Hussein is dead, or he isn't. Some reports from the war frontjust have to be true. (IRAQ FACTS to come)

UNITED NATIONS - Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer sought today to playdown differences between the United States and the United Nations over their respectiveroles in post-war Iraq. (Iraq Downer Daylead)

CANBERRA - Australia has no territorial designs on Iraq, Prime Minister John Howardsaid today. (Iraq Howard Rebuild)

(Iraq Rebuild N/L to come.)

CANBERRA - Lasting peace between the Palestinians and the Israelis hinged on maintainingthe "momentum" of allied forces in Iraq, Prime Minister John Howard said today. (IraqAust Mideast )

ADELAIDE - Foreign Minister Alexander Downer today confirmed his mother had receivedhate mail since the start of war against Iraq. (Iraq Downer Mother )

CANBERRA - The Royal Navy had rushed an Australian-developed mine clearing system intoservice near the Iraqi port of Umm Qsar, the Australian Defence Force said today. (IraqAust Dyads)

CANBERRA - The Australian war widow of an American marine killed in Iraq has met withUnited States President George W Bush. (Iraq Aust Bitz)

and in other news....

CANBERRA - Doctors and nurses will be placed at major Australian airports from tomorrowto boost protection against the deadly flu-like disease SARS. SARS Aust N/L to come. Seealso SARS Aust Geelong to come.)

CANBERRA - Only anti-war protesters on the extreme fringe would sully Anzac Day byprotesting, Prime Minister John Howard said today. (Anzac Howard)

NEWCASTLE - A teenager accused of shooting an ex-girlfriend with a crossbow at a NSWschool fired on her from point-blank range, a court heard today. (Crossbow Court. N/Lto come.)

MELBOURNE - An Australian man jailed in Pakistan as a suspected terrorist since Januarywas last night denied freedom, despite being told earlier this week he would be released.

(Terror Thomas. N/L to come.)

MELBOURNE - A Melbourne mother of four who helped herself to more than a quarter ofa million dollars accidentally paid into her daughter's bank account, walked free fromcourt on a suspended sentence today. (Parchomenko. N/L to come)

SYDNEY - Troubled gaming group Aristocrat Leisure Ltd has announced the departure ofchief executive officer Des Randall and chief financial officer Lionel Jeyaraj. (Aristocrat)

GEORGETOWN - Captain Steve Waugh insists Australia remains clear favourites to beatthe West Indies in the Caribbean despite the latest setback to batsman Damien Martyn beforethe tour open in Georgetown tomorrow. (Cricket Aust Nightlead)

more

KEYWORD: HIGHLIGHTS NATIONAL