澳洲新闻 (ABC新闻快递) 2010-11-03（在线收听）

The Federal Government is working on a plan to improve competition between the banks. It's likely that package will include a number of the Coalition's ideas. The Treasurer Wayne Swan says he'll announce a range of policy changes next month to try and put downward pressure on rates and increase competition between the banks. The Reserve Bank lifted rates by 25 basis points yesterday, taking the official cash rate to 4.75 per cent.

Voting is now underway in the US mid-term elections with the Republicans poised to win control of the House of Representatives. Analysts predict a divide in power with the Democrats tipped to retain a small majority in the Senate. The House of Reps and a third of Senate seats are up for re-election.

At least 36 people have been killed in a series of bomb blasts across Baghdad. Another 320 were injured in the attacks which involved a combination of car and roadside bombs. Officials say at least ten explosions struck eight mainly Shia areas of the city.

Two men in Greece have been charged with terrorist acts in connection to a series of parcel bombs sent to embassies in Athens. The explosive devices were found at five embassies. One of the bombs exploded at the Swiss embassy, but no one was injured.

And a gas explosion has blown apart a row of terraced houses in northern England. Fire officials say 15 people were injured in the blast that caused absolute chaos, they say. Police, paramedics and firefighters spent hours scouring the rubble for residents feared trapped.