HighLights of the AAP National Wire at 20:00, Dec 30

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HighLights of the AAP National Wire at 20:00, Dec 30

MAJOR STORIES MOVED SINCE THE 14:45 NATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

MELBOURNE - The International Cricket Council (ICC) will push ahead with plans to playWorld Cup matches in Zimbabwe, even if the Australian and British governments advise theirplayers not to take part. (WCUP THIRD NIGHTLEAD to come)

BRISBANE - Australia would be supporting President Robert Mugabe's regime if it playedits World Cup match in Bulawayo, expatriate Zimbabweans said today. (WCup Zimbabweans)

BRISBANE - Important political decisions should be made by governments and not by cricketingor sporting bodies, cricket World Cup executive director Ali Bacher said today. (WCupZimbabwe Bacher)

CANBERRA - Hoaxes against the Muslim community emerged as a concern today as about500 telephone calls were received during the first day of the government's terror alerthotline. (Terror Aust Nightlead)

ADELAIDE - The federal government today branded some asylum seekers "copycat arsonists"

after another fire in an Australian detention centre caused millions of dollars damage.

(Detention Nightlead, see also Detention Fire Factbox)

PERTH - Overnight fires at the Port Hedland detention centre had caused $3 millionin damages and were "an appalling waste of taxpayers money," federal Attorney-GeneralDaryl Williams said today. (Detention Hedland Nightlead)

PERTH - Four detainees were taken to a police lock-up today following an incident atPerth airport detention centre, an immigration department spokesman said. (Detention Perth)

CANBERRA - Australia would not relent in its pursuit of wanted people smuggler AbuQuassey and held a number of options to bring him before an Australian court, JusticeMinister Chris Ellison said today. (Boat Nightlead)

SYDNEY - An Australian family on a Christian mission to bring seasonal cheer to Thailand'srefugee children were held by soldiers for five hours and later questioned, accordingto the parents. (Laklem)

CANBERRA - Liberal Senator Bill Heffernan said today he would take new claims overthe Justice Michael Kirby affair to the Privacy Commissioner. (Kirby)

BRISBANE - He may have been best known for his flamboyant television antics but friendsand relatives remembered celebrity chef Bernard King today for his optimism and sharpsense of humour. (King Nightlead)

SYDNEY - Australia's leading Oscars hope Nicole Kidman is back in Australia to restbefore her hectic film schedule returns to full swing in the new year, her publicist saidtoday. (Kidman Aust, LEAD to come)

LONDON - Australian pop singer Holly Valance proved how far she had climbed towardBritain's A List when she opened the doors today for the start of Harrod's winter sale.

(UK Valance Lead)

BRISBANE - Francis and Florence Marshall have 72 good reasons to celebrate this NewYear's Eve. (Oldest couple)

SYDNEY - Burns, Philp & Co Ltd's $2.4 billion takeover attempt on Goodman Fielder Ltdhit another snag today, when the target called on the Takeovers Panel to intervene. (GoodmanFielder)

MELBOURNE - Nasser Hussain says any side can crumble under pressure. (Cricket Aust Nightlead)

MELBOURNE - Twelve players have picked themselves in Australia's 15-man squad to defendthe World Cup in Africa in February-March. (WCup Aust)

AAP mo

KEYWORD: HIGHLIGHTS NATIONAL UPDATED