澳洲新闻 (ABC新闻快递) 2010-02-26（在线收听）

The Federal Government is tipped to announce a new rescue package for the insulation industry today. It scrapped its scheme last week and is now focusing on helping workers and businesses. A $ 41 million plan to keep installers in work or training has already been unveiled. And the Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has admitted he should have paid more attention to the program.

 The former chief of the defence force Peter Cosgrove says Australia should use nuclear power to reduce its emissions. He made the argument while giving the opening speech at a Liberal ideas forum in Canberra. Mr. Cosgrove also told the audience he isn’t in favor of Australia expanding its role in Afghanistan.

 The US President Barack Obama has opened a health care summit in Washington. The cross-party meeting is being touted as a bid to bridge political divisions on the issue. Mr. Obama asked both Democrats and Republicans to avoid “political theater”. 

And Japan says an Australian proposal to end whaling is regrettable. Australia was heading for the International Whaling Commission with a proposal to ban scientific whaling and phase out harpooning in the southern ocean. Japan uses a loophole in an international moratorium to conduct its so-called scientific research. 

We’ll be back with more news later.