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Friday, 19 December, 2008

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The World Today is a comprehensive current affairs program which backgrounds, analyses, interprets and encourages debate on events and issues of interest and importance to all Australians. Below is the latest program summary and transcripts are published as soon as they become available. You can listen to today's full program or individual reports in Real Media, Microsoft Windows Media or MP3.

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Updated Friday, 19 December, 2008

Graham Richardson facing Swiss bank account allegations

The Australian Financial Review says it has documents linking Labor powerbroker Graham Richardson to a second Swiss bank account, raising questions about whether the former Federal Minister will face further investigation over his alleged links to the Offset Alpine scandal.

Federal Government nominates nation-building projects

The Minister for Infrastructure has announced which nation-building projects are likely to get grants from the $12-billion set aside in the Building Australia Fund to construct roads, railways and ports. Anthony Albanese has released details of an audit of the neediest projects.

Another Australian dies in Afghanistan

Another Australian soldier has been killed in Afghanistan. Stuart Nash was a 21-year-old joint Australian-British citizen who'd enlisted with the British military last March. He was shot while providing cover for his fellow soldiers when they came under heavy fire in Helmand province.

Qantas merger speculation switches to Asia

Qantas and British Airways have confirmed their merger talks are off, at least for the time being. Some aviation analysts are now suggesting Qantas might have a brighter future through a merger with an airline based in Asia.

Motorists warned of Christmas fuel shortages

Motorists in south-east Queensland and northern New South Wales are being asked not to panic buy, after Caltex reported a failure at its refinery at the Port of Brisbane. However, some service stations in the region have already run out of diesel, unleaded petrol and E-10 fuels.

Former Customs officer loses appeal against leak conviction

A former officer with the Australian Customs Service has lost an appeal against his conviction for leaking classified information. Allan Kessing was found guilty of leaking reports about Sydney Airport security to a newspaper in 2005. He maintains he didn't leak the document.

Sydney retailers optimistic, despite economic turmoil

Many Sydney retailers remain upbeat about sales this year, despite turmoil in the world economy. With the global financial crisis drying up credit and confidence, the Federal Government has been handing out billions of dollars to get people into shops.

Royal Commission for Palm Island unlikely

Queensland's Premier has dampened hopes of a Royal Commission into the 2004 death-in-custody case on Palm Island. Critics are disappointed coronial findings were overturned yesterday, saying they want a broad-ranging inquiry to examine all aspects of the four-year saga.

Antarctic chief steps down

The head of Australia's Antarctic Division, Dr Tony Press, is stepping down after 10 years in the job. In that time he's overseen the introduction of tourism flights, vital climate change research and the development of measures to ensure the icy continent is better protected.

Accident delays Antarctic research

An accident involving a worker at the Australian Antarctic Division's Davis station last October has prompted research teams to defer their scientific work until next season. It took three weeks to rescue Dwayne Rooke, who fractured his feet and pelvis in the accident.

A gift in the hand is worth two in the doll

The matryoshka doll has become the symbol of Russian culture, despite its origin in Japan. The dolls within dolls are particularly popular at Christmas not only as toys, but also varieties that make subtle points about the hidden layers of Russian politics.

The World Today holiday break

The World Today will be in recess until Tuesday 27th January 2009. The ABC wishes you a safe and happy holiday season.