Main stories in today's AM program

AAP General News (Australia)
02-02-2009
Main stories in today's AM program

SYDNEY, Feb 2 AAP - Main stories in today's AM program:

* The contraction in local economies has led to a resurgence of protectionism around the world.

* In Great Britain, there have been protests about the awarding of work to foreign workers.

* Trade ministers at the World Economic Forum have urged each other not to resort to
protectionism.

* While governments have been grappling with trade issues and market share, the International
Monetary Fund has urged the Reserve Bank to drastically slash interest rates.

* The federal budget is going into deficit, but that won't stop the government from
spending big in an effort to revive the economy.

* Treasurer Wayne Swan says the budget will go into deficit, but only temporarily.

* The United States may be in recession, but there is a bright hope for the economy
- all thanks to the Super Bowl.

* A group of paediatric specialists has called for child protection authorities to
intervene in cases of extreme obesity.

* Provincial elections in Iraq went off without major incident, but there were some
incidents of violence.

* In Japan, massive companies are laying off thousands of workers and recording huge
losses, but the major story across the headlines is about a sumo wrestler caught using
cannabis.

* Rafael Nadal has become the first Spaniard to win the Australian Open.

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