AAP Backgrounders and Analyses for the weekend of Jan 1-3

AAP General News (Australia)
12-31-2009
AAP Backgrounders and Analyses for the weekend of Jan 1-3
AAP BACKGROUNDERS AND ANALYSES FOR THE WEEKEND OF JAN 1/2/3
For further information please contact Newseds on (02) 93228610/11.

CANBERRA - Kevin Rudd used his 15 minutes in the commentary box at the Boxing Day test
to push the case for Shane Warne's return to the Australian cricket team. (Newscope Federal,
AAP News Analysis, by Richard Lawson, about 800 words, on file).

CANBERRA - Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says he will turn back boats carrying suspected
asylum seekers if elected. (Boat Abbott, AAP News Analysis, by Crystal Ja, about 600 words,
to come on Thursday)


PERTH - A bushfire near a small town wiped out more property than any single disaster
in Western Australia since 1963 - and the finger is being pointed at a fallen power line.

(Newscope WA, AAP Analysis, By Warwick Stanley, about 1,000 words, to come on Thursday).


MELBOURNE - Melbourne is set for its lowest road toll ever. With hours to go until the
end of the year, the state's toll stands at 295, compared to the previous low of 303.

Reporter Greg Roberts examines why the toll is so low, and warns against complacency.

(Toll Vic, AAP Newsfeature, by Greg Roberts, about 500 words, to come on Thursday.)


SYDNEY - It was outlawed in the 1940s and killed off by Space Invaders in the Eighties.

But for a few glorious decades pinball ruled. (Life:Pinball, AAP Feature, by Judy Skatssoon,
about 870 words, on file)


SYDNEY - Little by little, researchers in the race against time to save the Tasmanian
devil are understanding more about the mysterious cancer that is decimating the population
of the carnivorous marsupial. (Sci:Devil Tumour, AAP Feature, by Judy Skatssoon, about
675 words, on file - under EMBARGO)

FINANCE
MELBOURNE - Industry players say recent moves by the US government to tighten security
measures on aircraft will do little to deter people from visiting the land of Uncle Sam.

(AVIATION US, by Jordan Chong, about 685 words, on file)


SPORT
SYDNEY - It's the Australian Open final and Rafael Nadal is serving at 15-40, double break
point down, and he goes wide to Roger Federer's forehand. (Tennis Aust Technology, AAP
Sportsfeature, by Darren Walton, about 940 words, on file)

AAP NOMINATES THE TOP TENS FOR 2010 - TEN WITH A POINT TO PROVE, TEN TO LOOK OUT FOR,
and TEN WE WILL MISS. (Sport Aust, AAP Sportsfeature, Darren Walton, about 1,346 words,
on file)

ROUTINERS
* The Week (includes * Milestones * Quotes * Oddities)



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KEYWORD: WEEKEND READS

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