澳洲新闻 (ABC新闻快递) 2010-08-16（在线收听）

Labor is maintaining its lead in the polls as it prepares to launch its election campaign in Brisbane today. The latest Newspoll shows Labor with a narrow lead over the Coalition, 52 to 48 on a two-party-preferred basis. Julia Gillard is expected to use the launch today to outline her economic plan and highlight Labor's policies on health and education.

The Opposition leader Tony Abbott will turn his attention back to Western Sydney today. He is due to campaign in five marginal electorates. Mr Abbott was in Penrith last night where he told voters that Labor's planned Parramatta to Epping rail link is a hollow promise.

The United Nations Secretary-General Bang Ki-moon says the destruction in flood-devastated Pakistan is heart-wrenching. Mr Ban says the scale of the disaster is greater than anything he's seen before. And he's called for urgent aid to the region. The Pakistani government says more than 20 million people have been affected by the floods.

In the United States, eight spectators were killed when a car ploughed into them during a desert motor race. Twelve others were injured when the car crashed into the crowd at the night race near Los Angeles.

And a man will appear in court today charged with a double shooting in Melbourne. Adam Kosian is charged with murdering Boris Kostov and Goran Vasic in Melbourne on Friday afternoon. And Macchour Chaouk, the head of a Melbourne crime family who was also shot dead in Melbourne on Friday will be buried today.