AAP Backgrounders and Analyses for the weekend of April 4/5

AAP General News (Australia)
04-03-2009
AAP Backgrounders and Analyses for the weekend of April 4/5
AAP BACKGROUNDERS AND ANALYSES FOR THE WEEKEND OF APRIL 4/5

For further information please contact Newseds on (02) 93228611/10.

LONDON - Laden with the expectations of more than six billion people, 20 world leaders
must have heaved a collective sigh of relief after stockmarkets spiked upwards on news
of the G20 deal to rescue the planet from ruin.(Federal newscope, AAP analysis by Kate
Hannon, about 800 words, on file).

CANBERRA - The smattering of economic data since the national accounts in early March
suggest first home buyers are the only people doing their bit for Australia. (Economy
Backgrounder, By Colin Brinsden, Economics Correspondent, about 700 words, to come Friday).

CANBERRA - It hasn't taken long for Kevin Rudd's Sinophile reputation to turn from political
advantage to potential embarrassment. (AAP Analysis, by Sandra O'Malley, Diplomatic Correspondent,
about 700 words, on file).

BRISBANE - Queensland politics has become a battle between a dentist and a social worker.

(Newscope Qld, News analysis, by Paul Osborne, about 650 words. On file.

BRISBANE - John-Paul Langbroek is keen to sink his teeth into the Bligh Labor government.(LNP
Langbroek, AAP profile, by Paul Osborne, about 420 words, on file).

BRISBANE - Just 50 years ago 17,000 Queenslanders were "controlled", could be removed
from their communities, housed in separate dormitories and denied access to their own
bank accounts. (QUEENSLAND, AAP Newsfeature, by Steve Gray, about 850 words. On file).

GOLD COAST - Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew retiring as president of the ASP (Association
of Surfing Professionals) at the end of the month after 10 years in the position. (RABBIT,
AAP Newsfeature, 600 words, by Tony Bartlett, with pix, to come Friday).

ENTERTAINMENT
SYDNEY - When Viggo Morten-sen read the script for Good, he felt it was his fate to play
German literature professor John Halder. (Good, AAP film feature, by Alyssa Braithwaite,
about 690 words, on file.)

MELBOURNE - Religion, rock music and canvas supermarket shopping bags - Tim Minchin has
mined them all for comedic nuggets.(COMEDY. AAP feature, by Michelle Draper, about 750
words. On file with pix)

SYDNEY - Young Hollywood star Zac Efron is desperately trying to shed is boy image. (Efron,
AAP Film Feature, by Katherine Field, about 650 words to come Friday, embargoed until
Sunday, with pix.).

SPORT:
EDS NOTE - For further information on sports reads please contact sports desk on (02) 93228750

MOTORSPORT
MELBOURNE - Mark Webber will need to pass his own ice test this season or his immediate
future - perhaps even his career in Formula One - could be in peril. (Motor Prix Webber
AAP Sportsfeature), 636 words, by Rob Grant, on file)

MELBOURNE - Likely key 2009 Formula One duellists Ferrari and McLaren both face potential
problems - will their manpower be as switched on as their machinery. (Motor prix AAP Sportfeature),
976 words, By Rob Grant, on file)

AFL
ADELAIDE - Chalk up another milestone for the AFL's consummate allrounder.(AFL Port Cornes,
AAP Sportsfeature, by Daniel Brettig, about 670 words, on file.)

CRICKET
JOHANNESBURG - Australian cricket fans have seen South Africa's Graeme Smith walk out
to bat in the Sydney Test despite a chronic elbow-tendon injury and a broken finger. (Cricket
IPL AAP Sportsfeature, 1000 words, by Greg Buckle, on file.)

SOCCER
SYDNEY, AAP - Get ready to party. All of the stars in the Socceroo galaxy will shine at
two big shindigs in Sydney and Melbourne in June when Australia's passage to next year's
World Cup finals should be well and truly confirmed.(WC10 Aust, Sportsfeature, by Doug
Conway, about 1,000 words, on file.)

GOLF
AUGUSTA, Georgia - Greg Norman's return to the Masters next week has created extraordinary
interest but is he a legitimate contender or will he merely enjoy a well-deserved lap
of honour? (Golf Masters Norman, AAP Sportsfeature with factbox, by Andrew Both, about
1030 words, on file.)

RACING
SYDNEY - The $3.5 million Golden Slipper at Rosehill is the world's richest race for two-year-olds
and the showpiece of Sydney's richest day of racing.(Slipper Day, Sport feature, by Caryl
Williamson, about 1,000 words. On file.)

SEE ALSO ROUTINERS to come Friday:
* Quotes
* Milestones
* Oddities
* Checkup medical column

* Postcards from London, Auckland and Jakarta to come on Sunday, 1200.

AAP bwl

KEYWORD: WEEKEND READS

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