AAP Backgrounders and Analyses for the weekend of April 7/8

AAP General News (Australia)
04-06-2007
AAP Backgrounders and Analyses for the weekend of April 7/8
AAP BACKGROUNDERS AND ANALYSES FOR THE WEEKEND OF APRIL 7/8

(EDS NOTE - Stories already on file will be repeated Friday morning. For further information
please contact AAP news editors on (02) 9322 8610 or 9322 8611.)

CANBERRA - John Howard and Kevin Rudd had a trial run for the election campaign this week
- and a few things have become clear. (Newscope Federal, by Maria Hawthorne, 730 words,
on file)

BRISBANE - Memories of the Asian Boxing Day tsunami were never far from the minds of Australians
who headed for the hills in panic after a tsunami warning this week. (Quake Aust Newsfeature,
by Roberta Mancuso, 840 words, on file)

CANBERRA - It's taken most of a decade but Australia's Collins submarines may finally
be able to shed the "dud sub" tag. (Submarines Backgrounder, by Max Blenkin, about 720
words, on file)

SYDNEY - When Premier Morris Iemma led the ALP to a decisive election win, he vowed to
use the political clout he gained from the victory to choose his own cabinet. (Newscope
NSW, by Peter Jean, 710 words, on file)

DARWIN - First it was open speed limits, now it's the freedom to fish. (Fishing Backgrounder,
by Tara Ravens, about 1090 words, on file)

SYDNEY - Ferry Backgrounder included on earlier reads list will now not be moved.

INTERNATIONAL:
DILI - The distinctive buzz of motorcycles can be heard in the distance, growing increasingly
louder. (Timor Newsfeature, by Karen Michelmore, 1,240 words, on file)

AUCKLAND - For 14 years Allan Fels led Australia's competition watchdogs, taking on big
business and staring down politicians. Now he is teaching public servants how to be fearless
too. (Fels, AAP Profile, By Xavier La Canna, 550 words. On file)

ENTERTAINMENT:
SYDNEY - For every Guy Sebastian there's a Casey Donovan and every Jamie Brooksby can
be countered with a Ben Williams or Peter Corbett. (Reality TV Feature, by Michael Gadd,
1,330 words, on file)

MELBOURNE - The stereotypes about women in comedy are well entrenched - apparently tampon
jokes, bagging out blokes and body image dominate. (Comedy Women Feature, by Michael Gadd,
1150 words, with file pix, on file)

MELBOURNE - Comedian Peter Helliar had the most time to fill as host of this year's Melbourne
International Comedy Festival Gala but says his was the easiest spot on the bill of more
than 20 acts. (Comedy Gala TV Feature, by Michael Gadd, 860 words, with pix, on file)

SYDNEY - Anna Nicole Smith so idolised Marilyn Monroe that she convinced herself she was
the screen siren's daughter, according to a new biography of the former Playboy bunny
and reality TV star. (Anna Nicole Feature, by Billy Freeman, about 840 words, on file)

SYDNEY - Celebrities like boxer Mike Tyson and musician Robbie Williams have made Maori
tattoos decidedly hip by sporting these striking, distinctive designs on their bodies.

(Ta Moko Feature, By Bridget Carter, 700 words, pix available. On file)

BRISBANE - Brisbane is bracing for invasion - by a cavalcade of villains and heroes, from
orcs and stormtroopers to elves and Jedi knights. (SUPANOVA Newsfeature, by Daniel Johnson,
460 words, with file pix, on file.)

SPORT:
CRICKET
ST JOHNS, Antigua - Locals on the cricket-mad Caribbean island of Antigua have adopted
Andrew Symonds as one of their own, even when they realise that despite his dark skin
and dreadlocks he speaks with an Australian accent. (WC07 Aust Sportsfeature, by Greg
Buckle, about 920 words, on file)

SURFING
TORQUAY, Vic - Tom Curren can't see anyone ending the dominance of Kelly Slater until
his fellow American surfing legend decides to retire from the world championship tour.

(Surfing World Slater Sportsfeature, by Daniel Pace, 700 words, on file)

RACING
SYDNEY - When Miss Finland started winning races as a two-year-old, trainer David Hayes
smiled quietly and told anyone who wanted to listen: "Wait till you see her over a bit
of ground". (Derby Finland Sportsfeature, by John Coomber, 740 words, on file)



SEE ALSO ROUTINERS ON FILE

* Milestones

* Quotes

* Oddities

* Checkup



AAP nf/mn

KEYWORD: WEEKEND READS UPDATED

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