HighLights of the AAP National Wire at 19:30, April 2

AAP General News (Australia)
04-02-2009
HighLights of the AAP National Wire at 19:30, April 2

LONDON - France and Germany have stepped up pressure on G20 leaders to introduce tougher
regulations for the finance sector amid fears they could walk away from a global economic
rescue package. (G20 Update. 2nd Wrap to come)

CANBERRA - Australia's goal to rid the world of nuclear weapons moved a step closer
after the United States and Russian set ambitious targets to reduce their atomic arsenals.

(G20 Nuclear Aust)

EDS: Coverage from G20 summit in London. Press conference/communique expected about
0130-0200 Friday AEDT



CANBERRA - A prominent member of the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) board says another
quarter of negative economic growth is likely, backing suggestions Australia is already
in recession. (Economy Wrap)

SYDNEY - Personal bankruptcies increased by nearly 15 per cent in the first quarter
as a result of the global financial crisis, an accountancy firm says. (Bankruptcy on finance
wire)



CANBERRA - The distilling industry has delivered on a promise to the senator who killed
the Rudd government's alcopops tax hike by announcing a year-long ban on television advertising
before 9pm. (Alcohol)



CANBERRA - Cheap labour in Thailand was behind a decision to lay off more than 300
Australian workers at a fridge factory in Queensland, Fisher and Paykel says. (Jobs Wrap)



CANBERRA - The High Court will announce its decision on a challenge to the federal
government's tax bonus payments at 10.15am (AEDT) on Friday. (Bonus Decision)



SYDNEY - The NSW government has rushed tough new laws to crack down on bikies through
parliament, vowing to stop warring gangs from endangering the public. (Bikies Laws Wrap)

SYDNEY - The south Sydney home of Comanchero bikie chief Mahmoud "Mick" Hawi is being
raided by police. (Bikies Comanchero. Outwatching further)



BRISBANE - Incoming Queensland Liberal National Party (LNP) leader John-Paul Langbroek
has paid tribute to Lawrence Springborg, as his new deputy shrugged off suggestions he
could make another comeback. (LNP Wrap. Pix available)

BRISBANE - John-Paul Langbroek is keen to sink his teeth into the Bligh Labor government.

(LNP Langbroek Profile)

BRISBANE - One Nation has lost its last elected representative and will now consider
its future as a political party. (PollQld Nation)



SYDNEY - Battling rough seas and high winds, the last thing the crew of the yacht Excalibur
would have expected was that the keel keeping them afloat would break apart. (Excalibur
Wrap. See also Excalibur Builders. Pix available)



SYDNEY - Thousands of residents and businesses on NSW's mid-north coast have begun
the massive clean-up after Tuesday's devastating downpours. (Rain NSW Wrap)

BRISBANE - Heavy rain and strong winds lashing the southeast Queensland coast, causing
flash floods and bringing down power lines, are expected to shift to the central Queensland
coast on Friday. (Wind Qld Wrap)

BRISBANE - One of Australia's top racing yachts, Ausmaid, is being towed to shore and
its injured skipper has been winched off the stricken vessel after it rolled and lost
its mast in big seas off the south Queensland coast. (Yacht 2nd Update (Pix available))



ADELAIDE - The AFL has "cannibalised" supporters by attaching free gambling vouchers
to the official match day program, independent Senator Nick Xenophon says. (AFL Betting)



SYDNEY - The Biggest Loser may be generating solid ratings for Ten Network Holdings
Ltd, but the title may also be a more appropriate description of the television broadcaster's
first half bottom line. (Ten 2nd Wrap. With graphic)



SYDNEY - With World Cup qualification all but confirmed, the Socceroos are now out
to prove they will be a real threat in South Africa next year. (WC10 Aust Wrap)

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KEYWORD: HIGHLIGHTS NATIONAL UPDATE

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