US dockers strike over Iraq war

Union officials say about 10,000 longshore workers who handle cargo along the west coast of the United States have stayed away from work in a one-day protest against the war in Iraq.

The International Longshore and Warehouse Union reported that traffic had virtually come to a halt across the region's ports including the largest at Los Angeles and Long Beach.

Oakland, Seattle and other ports along the coast between the Canadian and Mexican borders were also affected.

Union officials say many of the big shipping companies are profiting from the war.

"It's supposed to be quiet," said union spokesman Craig Merrilees. "When people don't go to work the docks are quiet."

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Slain commando's body on way home to Australia

Lance Corporal Jason Marks with his two children.

The body of the Australian special forces commando killed in Afghanistan this week is on its way home.

Lance Corporal Jason Marks, 27, died in a firefight with Taliban militants in Uruzgan Province on Monday morning.

A repatriation ceremony was held in Afghanistan last night at the start of his final journey home.

A spokesman says funeral arrangements are yet to be finalised.

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TWO Australian journalists were wounded in a suicide bombing that killed about 15 people in Afghanistan yesterday, just two days after an Australian commando was killed in battle.