Main stories in ABC's World Today

AAP General News (Australia)
12-19-2011
Main stories in ABC's World Today

SYDNEY, Dec 19 AAP - Main stories in ABC's World Today:

* Search efforts are resuming off the Indonesian island of Java for survivors from
an asylum boat which capsized on Saturday morning en route to Australia. The federal government
says it's been told 86 survivors have been found, although the boat is thought to have
been holding as many as 250 people.

* The federal government says the tragedy reinforces the need for Australia to put
in a system of offshore processing for asylum claims. But the Refugee Council of Australia
says a much more complex and detailed regional response is needed.

* Authorities in Manila say they urgently need body bags and drinking water, after
confirming the deaths of 650 people from flash floods and landslides in the Philippines.

Hundreds of people still missing, as survivors begin the arduous task of cleaning up the
mess.

AAP ra/

KEYWORD: MONITOR WORLD TODAY

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