National Newslist for Friday, February 13, 2009

AAP General News (Australia)
02-13-2009
National Newslist for Friday, February 13, 2009
AAP's National Newslist for today (not for publication). This is a guide only and stories
are subject to change. AAP's news editors Joanne Williamson and Nalita Ferraz can be contacted
on 02 93228611/8610.

NATIONAL
BUSHFIRES VIC
- Toll stands at 181.

- AAP reporters and photographers will concentrate on the township of Marysville, not
yet open to the public and with up to 100 feared dead, as well as the growing threat to
Healesville. Additional coverage from the Whittlesea-Kinglake and Alexandra areas.

- Daily combined emergency services presser.

- Media briefing with Premier John Brumby and Community Services Minister Lisa Neville.

- Media briefing with federal Community Services Minister Jenny Macklin.

- Australians pledge more than $20 million for the Red Cross Bushfire appeal during telethon,
adding to the more than $50 million already raised for victims.

- Investigators are closing in on arsonists, outgoing Victoria Police Chief Commissioner
Christine Nixon says.

- Police have charged two people accused of stealing money raised for Victorian bushfire victims.

- The federal government says it's focused on introducing a national early warning emergency
system for bushfires, but must overcome communications difficulties first.

- Outspoken academic Germaine Greer has branded Australian authorities arsonists for failing
to carry out regular burnoffs.

- Letter of condolence from the British parliament.

STIMULUS/PARLY
- Wrangling over the Rudd government's $42 billion economic stimulus package continues;
Senate sits from 9am to debate the package; House of Reps expected to resume sitting later
in the day after any Senate amendments.

- Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan and independent senator Nick Xenophon still in talks on
the package; Mr Swan remains optimistic about coming to an agreement; Senator Xenophon
says there's no deal yet.

- The Rudd government has given ground to Senator Xenophon, says Assistant Treasurer Chris Bowen.

FLOODS
- Governor-General Quentin Bryce will fly by Black Hawk helicopter to the flood-hit town
of Ingham in far north Queensland.

- Heavy rain between Mackay and Townsville has closed two major highways, but floodwaters
have continued to recede across north Queensland.

OTHERS
- Five children have died in a firefight between Australian troops and Taliban insurgents
in Afghanistan; Defence presser at 1015.

- Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin attends events for anniversary of national
apology to the stolen generation.

- Mining giant Rio Tinto is "very confident" it will win federal government backing for
a $19.5 billion deal with major shareholder Chinalco.

INTERNATIONAL
- Prince Charles expresses his horror at the Victorian bushfires.

- Pope Benedict XVI has expressed his shock at the bushfires while welcoming Australia's
new ambassador to the Vatican, Tim Fischer.

- Australia's high commission and the Victorian agent-general in London will open a condolence
book for victims of the state's bushfires.

MEDICAL
- Checkup column.

ENTERTAINMENT
- Interview with Andrew Denton about his new TV show Project Next.

- Interview with Aussie band The Cat Empire.

COURTS
BRISBANE - High Court bid by Dennis Ferguson over fair trial.

BRISBANE - Jayant Patel committal hearing continues.

ADELAIDE - Man in court on charge of endangering life over allegedly having unprotected
sex while knowing he was HIV positive.

MELBOURNE - Margaret Vandergulik to be sentenced for the manslaughter of her husband two
days into their marriage.

MELBOURNE - Trial opens in case of Hugo Rich, accused of murdering security guard during
an armed robbery.

SYDNEY - Sentencing submissions for Jeffrey Gilham, found guilty of murdering his parents.

SYDNEY - Inquest into drowning of Holly Legge, 22, and Dwane Larosa, 25, in a storm water drain.

SYDNEY
- Bondi beach reopens after a shark savaged a surfer and nearly severed his hand in the
first shark attack at the beach in 80 years.

- The Royal Botanic Gardens is Sydney's most romantic location for couples celebrating
Valentines day, according to an online destination directories.

- A 51-year-old man has been charged with farming and supplying cannabis after police
found more than 1,500 plants on the NSW north coast.

BRISBANE
- An examination of a large female crocodile has found no trace of a five-year-old boy
who disappeared in the Daintree River.

- Launch of National Indigenous Art Triennial.

- Seeking update on train strike.

ADELAIDE
- Local firefighters to raise money for Victorian bushfire victims.

- Outwatching for more reaction to bushfires.

FINANCE
ECONOMICS NEWS:
SYDNEY - Housing Industrial Association affordability report for December quarter.

EQUITIES DESK:
MELBOURNE - Australia's biggest gold company, Newcrest Mining Ltd, lifted first half profit
to $154 million from a loss in the prior corresponding period, and said it was in a strong
position in a weak economy.

SYDNEY - Financial services provider AMP Ltd expects annual underlying profit for 2008
to be around $800 million, compared to $882 million in the 2007 financial year.

SYDNEY - Telecom Corporation of New Zealand Ltd has downgraded its earnings guidance for
its Australian subsidiary AAPT as it loses customers.

SYDNEY - Mooter Media Ltd general meeting.

- See also: Stocks, Dollar, Credit.

SPORT
CRICKET
BRISBANE - Chappell-Hadlee series decider: Australia v New Zealand, Gabba, 1415.

ADELAIDE - Sheffield Shield: SA v Qld, Adelaide Oval, day 1.

MELBOURNE - Interstate one-dayer: Vic v NSW, MCG.

HOBART - Preview one-dayer Tas v WA on Saturday.

BRISBANE/SYDNEY - Follow-up to news that former Australia coach John Buchanan is firmly
in the sights of England's cricket hierarchy as they search for someone to guide their
team in this year's Ashes series.

LEAGUE
SYDNEY - NRL premiers Manly media session ahead of departure to England for World Club Challenge.

PERTH - St George Illawarra and Sydney Roosters captains and coaches presser 1300 AEDT
before Saturday's NRL trial match in Perth.

BRISBANE - Preview Brisbane v Gold Coast trial on Saturday.

SYDNEY - Preview remaining 2 NRL trial matches on Saturday.

SOCCER
BRISBANE - A-League minor semi 2nd leg: Queensland Roar v Central Coast, Suncorp Stadium, 2030 AEDT.

ADELAIDE - Preview major semi second leg Melbourne v Adelaide.

AFL
MELBOURNE - NAB Cup: Western Bulldogs v Essendon, Telstra Dome, 2040.

BRISBANE - Preview NAB Cup match Brisbane v St Kilda on Saturday.

SYDNEY - Sydney have named Brownlow medallist Adam Goodes as a co-captain for 2009.

GEELONG - Geelong intra-club match; media conference with assistant coach, 1030, Skilled Stadium.

MELBOURNE - Carlton set to announce that Setanta O'hAilpin has escaped the sack, despite
kicking and punching teammate Cameron Cloke in an intra-club match.


RUGBY
Super 14 1st round
DUNEDIN, NZ - Brumbies v Highlanders, 1735 AEDT.

PERTH - Western Force v Blues, Subiaco Oval, 2145 AEDT.

SYDNEY - Preview NSW Waratahs v Hurricanes on Saturday.

BRISBANE - Preview Queensland Reds v Bulls in Pretoria early Sunday AEDT.

GOLF
MELBOURNE - Australian Women's Open, Metropolitan GC, 2nd round.

SWIMMING
SYDNEY - Some big names of swimming return to the pool as NSW championships get underway,
finals session in evening, copy about 2030 AEDT.

RACING
MELBOURNE - Looking at the Group One Australia Stakes at Moonee Valley on Saturday.

SYDNEY - Throw forward to Saturday's Randwick fixture featuring the Group Two Light Fingers Stakes.

BRISBANE - Preview of the Eagle Farm program on Saturday.

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KEYWORD: NATIONAL NEWSLIST

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