AAP Backgrounders and Analyses for the weekend of Dec 2/3

AAP General News (Australia)
12-01-2006
AAP Backgrounders and Analyses for the weekend of Dec 2/3

AAP BACKGROUNDERS AND ANALYSES FOR THE WEEKEND OF NOVEMBER 25/26

(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 - Wrap-up of Labor's leadership challenge. (Newscope Federal, AAP News Analysis,
by Maria Hawthorne, about 700 words, to come later this afternoon)

CANBERRA - The Howard government must be thanking Terry Cole and cursing him in the same
breath. (AWB, AAP Backgrounder, by Robin Pash, 1,261 words, pix available, on file)

CANBERRA - Wrap-up of Cole report. (AWB, AAP Backgrounder, by Robin Pash, about 1,000
words, to come Friday)

CANBERRA - In little over a year, two helicopters flying from the landing ship HMAS Kanimbla
have crashed, contributing to the toll of defence personnel who have died in accidents
involving helicopters. (Helicopter, AAP Backgrounder, By Max Blenkin. 430 words. On file)

SYDNEY - It was the simple, ostensibly harmless act of one youth staring at another on
a Sydney beach that exploded into one of the worst riots in Australia's history. (Surf,
AAP News Feature, By Katherine Danks, 992 words, on file)

BRISBANE - For Jeff Seeney, to be labelled in parliament "lower than a dingo's droppings"

is water off a duck's back. (Seeney, AAP Newsfeature, 724 words, by Paul Osborne, pix
available, on file)

TOWNSVILLE - Feature on selling Victoria Cross medals. (VC, by Dave Donaghy, abt 800 words.

To move Friday)

ADELAIDE - He's about to enter an exclusive club as a mountaineer who has conquered the
highest peaks on all the world's seven continents. (Chessell, AAP Newsfeature, by Tim
Dornin, 871 words, with graphics, on file)

CAPE DENISON, Australian Antarctic Territory - In the windiest place on earth, you'd expect
at least some vibration, especially inside an old, creaking wooden shack. (Mawson, AAP
Feature, 702 words, By Simon Mossman, file pix available, on file)

ENTERTAINMENT
BRISBANE - The Bitch Is Back. (Elton, AAP Backgrounder, by Steve Connolly, 649 words.

Pix available. On file)

SYDNEY - The twin brother of Australian drug smuggler Nguyen Tuong Van has admitted he
blames himself for his brother's death. (Nguyen, AAP TV Feature, By Erin McWhirter, 708
words, on file)

SYDNEY - Australian television chef Ben "Bender" O'Donoghue has proved the formula of
sun, surf and food do mix. (Menu, AAP TV Feature, by Erin McWhirter, 812 words with pix,
on file)

SYDNEY - An international audience of three billion people will tonight watch yet another
television spectacular produced by an Australian company - the opening ceremony of the
Doha Asian Games. (Asian Aust, AAP Feature, by Johnathon Moran, 851 words, file pix available,
on file)

SPORT:
SYDNEY - The biggest quandary for Wallabies selectors between now and the World Cup is
not deciding on a suitable front row or determining the best combination of backrowers.

(Rugby Aust, AAP Sportsfeature, By Darren Walton, 802 words, on file)

SYDNEY - Since the Athens Olympics, Australia's female swimmers have walked onto pool
decks around the world as if they owned them. (Swim Aust Women, AAP Sportsfeature, By
Tom Wald. 650 words, on file)

SYDNEY - The show must go on. That will be the sentiment firmly imprinted upon the world
championship trials and national titles starting Sunday at Brisbane's Chandler Aquatic
Centre. (Swim Aust Preview, AAP Sportsfeature, by Tom Wald, 729 words, with factbox, on
file)

BRISBANE - A new romance, strong friendships and the return of her cherished medals has
enabled pole vault queen Tatiana Grigorieva to clear troubled times. (Aths Grigoreva,
AAP Sportsfeature, by Steve Connolly, 738 words, pix available, on file)

ROUTINERS TO COME:
* Quotes
* Milestones
* Oddities
* Checkup column

AAP jlw

KEYWORD: WEEKEND READS (UPDATE)

2006 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.