AAP Backgrounders and Analyses for the weekend of Aug 30/31

AAP General News (Australia)
08-29-2008
AAP Backgrounders and Analyses for the weekend of Aug 30/31
AAP BACKGROUNDERS AND ANALYSES FOR THE WEEKEND OF AUGUST 30/31
For further information please contact Newseds Joanne Williamson on (02) 93228611 or Nalita
Ferraz on (02) 93228610.

CANBERRA - Federal Newscope, by Sandra O'Malley, about 780 words, on file)

CANBERRA - An era marked by unity and adherence to the common law ends when Murray Gleeson
retires as Australia's chief justice today. (Gleeson Newsfeature, by Don Woolford, 1,004
words with file pix, on file)

PERTH - Should Labor retain government at the September 6 West Australian election, it
may be indebted to the state's electoral redistribution under its own "one vote-one value"

laws. (Newscope WA, by Jo Prichard, about 1,000 words, on file)

SYDNEY - The $25 billion power sale in NSW might be off for now, but the power struggle
on both sides of politics has only just begun. (Power Newsfeature, by Nick Ralston, about
900 words with pix, on file)

BRISBANE - A vital missing piece in the puzzle that is organised crime in Australia was
shifted into place this week. (Tapping, AAP Newsfeature, 850 words, by Paul Osborne, on
file)

BRISBANE - The Queensland and South Australian governments are poised to take the national
lead on what many see as the key to fighting a childhood obesity epidemic - TV advertising
of junk food. (Junk Newsfeature, by Paul Osborne, about 800 words, on file)

MELBOURNE - From a priest who works with street kids to a TV gardener and the inevitable
sportsmen, almost 2,000 nominees will be vying to be named Australian of the Year for
2009. (Year Newsfeature, by Edwina Scott, about 900 words, on file)

SYDNEY - In the extreme sport of BASE jumping, "safe" is a fluid concept. (BASE Newsfeature,
by Katelyn John, about 900 words, on file)

SYDNEY - Brian Corrigan talks about his experiences in helping a Canadian woman reclaim
her children after they were abducted by her Australian husband. (Corrigan Newsfeature,
by Vincent Morello, about 800 words, still to come. ETA about 1530-1600).

SYDNEY - US Navy captain John Banigan is absurdly matter-of-fact as he tells how he has
never seen his little boy walk or talk. (Sailor Newsfeature, by Caroline Berdon, 1,174
words with pix, on file)

BRISBANE - The visionary behind a plan to revolutionise world steel-making in northern
Australia says it's just primary school logic as he explains how to spend $49 billion.

(Steel Newsfeature, by Steve Gray, about 800 words, on file)

DARWIN - No-one will know the exact time Janie Norman died. (Djana, backgrounder, by Tara
Ravens, about 1200 words, on file).

INTERNATIONAL:
LONDON - Could style queens Trinny and Susannah be going out of fashion? (UK Fashion Newsfeature,
by Belinda Tasker, about 950 words, on file)

ENTERTAINMENT:
SYDNEY - Aussie actor Luke Ford earned himself a nickname on the set of The Mummy: Tomb
of the Dragon Emperor - hairy tongue. (Ford Film Feature, by Alyssa Braithwaite, about
750 words with pix, on file)
LOS ANGELES - Guillermo del Toro is known for lavish sets seemingly pulled from a Salvador
Dali painting, disturbing-looking creatures in intricate costumes and rich performances
from his actors. (US Toro Feature, by Peter Mitchell, about 970 words, on file).

SPORT:
DURBAN - From the stunning wildlife of the game parks to Nelson Mandela's prison cell
on Robben Island and the colossal stadiums that sat empty during the apartheid era boycotts.

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans can't get enough of South Africa. (Tri Aust Deans Sportsfeature,
by David Beniuk, about 1,100 words, on file)

HOBART - The chances of anything coming from Mars are a million to one, they say in the
War of the Worlds musical. (AFL Tas Newsfeature, by Paul Carter, 476 words with pix, on
file)

SEE ALSO ROUTINERS TO COME:
* Quotes
* Milestones
* Oddities
* Checkup

AAP nf/mn

KEYWORD: WEEKEND READS

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