A good week for ...

Gabrielle Giffords

US congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords has just released a book called Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope - and the truth behind the title was evident when she appeared on an hour-long television special last week, just 10 months after a gunman put a bullet through her brain. Smiling and alert, Giffords displayed the remarkable progress she has made: from learning to walk again to forming words, although she still struggles with both. Asked if she ever gets angry at what happened to her, she responded: 'No. No. No.' Then, with a shrug, she added: 'Life.'

Julia Gillard

The Australian prime minister, sinking in the polls as she deals with unpopular policies at home and the worsening economy at large, was given a political pick-me-up in the form of Barack Obama. After the US president landed in Canberra on Wednesday, there were kisses on the cheek, lots of laughter and meaningful looks into each other's eyes. The pair also walked around with their arms around each other's backs. 'They just clicked,' said Ben Rhodes, the White House deputy national security adviser. 'They enjoy being around each other. Her personality meshes well with the president's.'

Annie Au Wing-chi

The 22-year-old squash player became the first local player ever to reach the quarter-finals at the Hong Kong Squash Open. She then went on to reach the semi-finals, but lost her bid for a place in the finals to world No 1 Nicol David at the Cultural Centre piazza in Tsim Sha Tsui last night. Au's achievement caps a great year in which she broke into the world top 10 for the first time. She is currently ranked No 7.