The most recent 250 transcripts from the ABC's Radio and TV Current Affairs programs.
Short sellers fighting back in three countries
Catherine Clifford, AM
Posted
The International Organization of Securities Commissions is finalising tough new regulations for short sellers in the wake of the global financial crisis. After temporary bans last year world regulators want more disclosure. But fund manager associations in three countries who collectively manage more than $15-trillion have come out fighting, claiming they are being unfairly punished.
South African Government attacked over lack of action on Zimbabwe
Andrew Geoghegan, AM
Posted
Activists from South Africa's anti-apartheid movement say they're ashamed at their Government's lack of action on the Mugabe regime in Zimbabwe.
Australians killed in NZ glacier tragedy
Kerri Ritchie, AM
Posted
Two Melbourne brothers aged in their 20s were killed when their sight-seeing trip at New Zealand's Fox Glacier went wrong. It's believed the men were crushed by 100 tonnes of ice when an ice-shelf collapsed as the pair climbed over the viewing platform to get a closer look and take photographs.
Europe gas crisis talks collapse
Sara Everingham, AM
Posted
Talks at the European Commission aimed at restoring the flow of Russian gas to Europe have collapsed at the last minute. Russia and Ukraine's gas companies had agreed to a deal but Russia's Prime Minister Vladimir Putin overruled his gas executive to demand tougher conditions from Ukraine.
Bank of England cuts interest rates to record low
Emma Alberici, AM
Posted
The economic malaise in the UK has prompted the Bank of England to slash Britain's official interest rate for its lowest level in the bank's 300 year history. The cost of borrowing in the UK is now at 1.5 per cent.
Obama warns of protracted economic downturn
Michael Rowland, AM
Posted
The US President-elect Barack Obama is urging Congress to pass his $1-trillion economic stimulus package, saying the economic situation could worsen considerably without drastic action.
Media ban hampers Gaza coverage
Nicole Butler, AM
Posted
Members of the international press have accused the Israeli Government of censorship by denying foreign journalists access to the conflict zone in Gaza.
UN suspends aid deliveries in Gaza after attack
Ben Knight, AM
Posted
UN relief work has been suspended in Gaza after one of its trucks was attacked in northern Gaza. The international pressure on Israeli is mounting but the Israeli government is talking about increasing the scale of the war.
Israel faces conflict on two fronts
Scott Bevan, 7.30 Report
Posted | Updated
At least three rockets have been fired into Northern Israel from Lebanon, leaving Israel with the prospect of facing conflict on two fronts. The fight against Hamas continues in Gaza as Israeli forces push further into the strip. Spokesman for the Israeli Prime Minister, Mark Regev speaks with the 7.30 Report from Jerusalem.
Employers accuse unions of reckless demands
Anne Barker, 7.30 Report
Posted | Updated
The mining union, the CFMEU is seeking a 33 per cent pay rise for power plant workers at Alcoa Refineries in Western Australia. Employers have accused the union of being reckless but the union claims that it is about preserving jobs and wages.
Two-year-old artist causes a stir in the art world
Alice Brennan, PM
Posted | Updated
Abstract artworks by a two-year-old girl are to be exhibited in Melbourne later this month. But critics are questioning if someone so young can really produce 'art'.
Anger at betting promotions in cricket commentary
Alison Caldwell, PM
Posted | Updated
The International Cricket Council has stepped in to try to stop television commentators from plugging a betting company as they discuss play. The ICC has spoken to Cricket Australia about the issue.
US pornography industry asks for financial assistance
Michael Turtle, PM
Posted | Updated
The adult entertainment industry in the United States is asking for billions of dollars in government assistance. Pornography producers are worried the global financial crisis may have an effect on their business, leading to thousands of job losses.
The ACTU warns the economy will suffer if wages slide backwards
Kirrin McKechnie, PM
Posted | Updated
The Acting Prime Minister is warning unions to put job security before wage claims. But the ACTU says the global financial crisis is no excuse for taking wage rises off the negotiating table.
Ugly numbers boost fears of an Australian recession
Simon Lauder, PM
Posted | Updated
Building approvals had their biggest fall in years and the trade surplus halved in November. Economists say Australia's probably already in recession and the Reserve Bank should make another big cut to interest rates next month.
Claims Australian soldiers injured Afghan civilians
Danny Morgan, PM
Posted | Updated
Australian soldiers are being investigated over claims they wounded or killed up to nine Afghan civilians while fighting Taliban insurgents in Uruzgan Province. The investigation is underway as the Australian Defence Force prepares to bring home the body of the eighth Australian soldier killed in Afghanistan.
Israel comes under rocket attack from Lebanon
Ben Knight, PM
Posted | Updated
There are fresh fears the conflict between Israel and Hamas will spread throughout the region. The Israeli military says rockets have been fired today from Lebanon into northern Israel.
Ballet star's spectacular rise
Rebecca Baillie, 7.30 Report
Posted | Updated
At just 23 Steven McRae is universally hailed as one of the stars of the Royal Ballet. McRae grew up in Sydney's western suburbs, a long way from the Covent Garden stage he now frequents. His incredible journey has led some to call him "Australia's real-life Billy Elliot".
Love may unromantically be all in the genes
Karen Barlow, AM
Posted
Scientists are closing in on the neural and genetic makeup of love and biologists are talking up the possibility of genetic tests to sort out potential life partners.
Australia wins third test
Samantha Donovan, AM
Posted
Australia's thrilling win over South Africa in the third test at the SCG saved its ranking as the world's number one test nation. But the valiant innings of South African captain Graeme Smith, who played with a broken hand, will ensure the match is long-remembered by cricket fans.
Turmoil in English cricket
Emma Alberici, AM
Posted
The dispute between the coach and the captain of the England cricket side has come to head with Captain Kevin Pietersen resigning and the sacking of coach Peter Moores.
Ex-mayor wants job back
David Weber, AM
Posted
A mayor who resigned over corruption allegations says he wants the job back and could be re-elected in a matter of weeks. The resignation of the Mayor of Cockburn Stephen Lee came months after the Corruption and Crime Commission found he'd failed to declare up to $40,000 in campaign funding, which came from a developer associated with the former Premier Brian Burke.
Acting PM urges union wage restraint in tough economic times
Kirrin McKechnie, AM
Posted
The acting Prime Minister is urging the CFMEU to be responsible in its enterprise bargaining negotiations with aluminium giant Alcoa. The union is demanding a pay rise of up to 33 per cent, but the ACTU President Sharan Burrow has told AM the pay claim is reasonable.
Howard in hotel clash with Obama
Michael Rowland, AM
Posted
The former Australian Prime Minister is in Washington to accept the Presidential Medal of Freedom but his stay in Washington has caused an upset.
Japanese pocket cash payments as government encourages economic stimulus
Mark Willacy, AM
Posted
In an effort to turn around Japan's dire economic situation and encourage domestic consumption, the Government has announced a $30-billion package in cash bonuses, but the Opposition has labelled the move a vote-buying scheme.
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From Sydney's west to the Royal Ballet. Australia's real life Billy Elliot.
