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US-born actor Bill Paxton dies aged 61 Audio Transcript and Verbatim
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The only actor to be killed by a Predator, a Terminator AND an Alien ... Bill Paxton has died from complications after surgery - he was 61. The Texan-born film star had roles in some of the biggest blockbusters of the last 40 years including Titanic, Apollo 13 and The Terminator.
Topics: film-movies, united-states
Malmsbury locals distressed about youth justice disturbances Audio Transcript and Verbatim
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Residents in the central Victorian town of Malmsbury are still angry about disturbances at the local youth justice facility. Victoria's Youth Affairs Minister and staff from the centre met with residents yesterday to outline improvements to security. Last month, a number of inmates escaped the juvenile jail and went on an alleged crime spree, leaving the community in fear.
Topics: prisons-and-punishment, youth, malmsbury-3446
Figures show most rapes on university campuses go unpunished Audio Transcript and Verbatim
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The advocacy group End Rape on Campus Australia has accused Australia's universities of covering up sexual assaults to protect the country's reputation as a destination for foreign students. The group has released a detailed report that says 500 official complaints of sexual assault have been made to universities in the past five years, but only six people have been expelled as a result.
Topics: sexual-offences, university-and-further-education, australia
Thousands flee Western Mosul ahead of Iraqi forces Audio Transcript and Verbatim
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Thousands of civilians have fled western Mosul as Iraqi forces continue to push back Islamic State militants. The United Nations is building a camp just south of the city to take the flood of people suddenly without homes. But hundreds of thousands are still trapped. Many more have been forced to act as human shields as IS militants too try to flee.
Topics: unrest-conflict-and-war, terrorism, iraq, united-states
US Democrat Party divided after Trump's election Audio Transcript and Verbatim
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In the United States, divisions remain in the Democrat Party over its future after the election of Donald Trump. Party delegates elected a new leader over the weekend, but in yet another blow to the runner-up to Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders' candidate did not win. Thomas Frank has been observing the Democrats with a critical eye for decades. His latest book 'Listen Liberal' calls for some harsh reflection from the party leaders.
Topics: world-politics, united-states
Large crowds pay respects to Boris Nemstov on anniversary of his murder Audio Transcript and Verbatim
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An estimated 15,000 people marched in Moscow overnight to the mark the second anniversary of the death of opposition leader Boris Nemtsov, who was shot on . His murder shook supporters and also spread fear among those daring to speak out against Russian President Vladimir Putin. One of the key organisers of the march was Ilya Yashin, one of a new generation of opposition leaders in Russia.
Topics: world-politics, murder-and-manslaughter, corruption, russian-federation
Financial misappropriation allegations throw vital NT alcohol service into crisis Audio Transcript and Verbatim
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Allegations that hundreds of thousands of dollars have been misappropriated from one of the Northern Territory's most important alcohol rehabilitation programs has thrown the Barkly Region Alcohol and Drug Abuse Advisory Group into crisis. The community controlled rehabilitation service has now decided to close its youth rehabilitation program. It's a major blow in the remote town, which is riven by alcohol and substance abuse.
Topics: drug-use, indigenous-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander, alcohol-education, indigenous-policy, tennant-creek-0860
Coffee shop lease under scrutiny as estimates hearings begin in Canberra Audio Transcript and Verbatim
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Bitter negotiations over a new licence for one of the most popular coffee shops in Parliament House have made it onto the official agenda for Senate estimates. The Department of Parliamentary Services is trying to negotiate a new lease with the proprietor of Aussies cafe, Domenic Calabria. Senators have questioned if the draft agreement is appropriate, given DPS is in direct competition with Aussies. But the Department has hit back, saying Mr Calabria has chosen to speak to Senators, rather than raise his concerns in official negotiations.
Topics: hospitality, federal-parliament, australia
Strong company profits add to economy but wages go backward Audio Transcript and Verbatim
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Australia's record of unbroken economic growth appears to be safe after better than expected business investment figures out this lunchtime. According to the ABS, company profits were up strongly in the final quarter of last year though wages and salaries were lower because of weak wages growth.
Topics: markets, business-economics-and-finance, australia
Member backlash as NSW RSL state council stood aside amid investigation Audio
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There's confusion and anger in the ranks of the RSL's New South Wales Branch today, as the entire state council stands aside while its conduct is investigated. The branch is facing several inquiries into payments to senior figures and the spending habits of its former President. The National Branch has now struck a deal with the state branch, withdrawing internal disciplinary proceedings in exchange for the council's decision to stand aside.
Topics: corruption, veterans, australia
Qld Govt appoints Adani director Abbot Point coal port Audio
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'The Grand Canyon of conflicts of interest' - that's how critics describe a mining insider's appointment to a key port adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef. The Queensland Government made an Adani coal company director - Brad Fish - the ultimate boss of the Abbot Point coal port. He resigned his Adani position afterwards. The Government has defended the appointment, but environmentalists argue its dangerous for the Reef.
Topics: mining-environmental-issues, mining-industry, great-barrier-reef, australia
Turnbull blames Abbott for Government's poll slide Audio
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The Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's lashed out at his predecessor Tony Abbott for his 'calculated' plan to damage the government's standing with voters. Labor's opened up a ten-point lead over the coalition in today's Newspoll, taken in the days after Mr Abbott questioned the credibility of several government policies, including some he instituted as Prime Minister.
Topics: liberals, government-and-politics, australia
Australian scientists reject criticism from British researchers over carp herpes plan Audio Transcript and Verbatim
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Australia's chief scientific research organisation has launched a fierce defence of plans to release a herpes virus into the nation's waterways to control feral carp, after claims that the project could lead to a 'catastrophic collapse of the ecosystem'. Two British scientists penned a letter to the editor of the scientific journal, Nature, claiming the virus can't be controlled in the wild. But one of the CSIRO's leading researchers into invasive species says the comments are a gross exaggeration of concerns that Australian scientists are already aware of.
Topics: fish, diseases-and-disorders, fishing-aquaculture, science-and-technology, australia
RSL drops charges against NSW officials in return for council stepping down Audio Transcript and Verbatim
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The entire state council of the RSL's New South Wales branch has agreed to stand aside in view of investigations into spending by its president and several other senior figures. The National President Robert Dick says the matters will still be fully investigated, even though internal charges have been dropped, but there are already early signs that many members are fuming, at what they see as a weak deal.
Topics: clubs-and-associations, veterans, police, corruption, nsw, australia
ACOSS urges slashing of tax breaks for property investors Audio Transcript and Verbatim
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Tax breaks for property investors should be slashed and the Medicare levy lifted to pump more funding into welfare spending, according to the Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS). In its pre-budget submission, the peak welfare group says there is 'no more fat to chew' from lower-paid workers or disadvantaged Australians as the Government seeks to carve out further savings. ACOSS chief executive speaks with the ABC's Peter Ryan.
Topics: welfare, government-and-politics, budget, scott-morrison, australia
Transition to renewables in the US 'inevitable' despite Trump: Energy expert Audio Transcript and Verbatim
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The United States is the world's second largest carbon emitter, although former President Barak Obama made concerted efforts to reduce emissions and transition from carbon fuels. Now climate change denier Donald Trump is at the helm and signalling plans to bring back 'beautiful clean coal'. Candace Vahlsing was one of President Barack Obama's energy and environment policy advisers. She told AM that renewable energy sources are already more cost effective than gas and coal in some areas.
Topics: alternative-energy, world-politics, solar-energy, wind-energy, hydro-energy, united-states, australia
'Tanna' cast braves extreme culture shock to attend Academy Awards Audio Transcript and Verbatim
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Three villagers from a remote island in Vanuatu will join the big names of the entertainment industry as they gather for the Academy Awards later today, and they will be dressed in traditional grass skirts and sheaths. They're cast and crew-members of the Australian-produced movie 'Tanna', which has been nominated for best foreign language film.
Topics: academy-awards-oscars, film-movies, vanuatu, united-states
Thousands march in Moscow to honour murdered opposition leader Audio Transcript and Verbatim
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Thousands of Russians have marched in Moscow to honour the opposition leader, Boris Nemtsov, who was shot dead on a bridge near the Kremlin two years ago. The opposition movement has struggled since his death - and the man most likely to have been able to take on Vladimir Putin at next year's election was recently convicted in what was seen as a politically motivated trial.
Topics: world-politics, murder-and-manslaughter, corruption, russian-federation
Pumped hydro can secure 100% renewable electricity Audio Transcript and Verbatim
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New research shows Australia can build an affordable and secure electricity network, with 100 per cent renewable energy, using existing technologies. The Australian National University study, details plans for a zero-emissions grid which would rely on wind and solar technology, supported by pumped hydro storage. It could be established with inexpensive, currently available 'off the shelf' products, and eliminate the need for coal and gas-fired power. But energy groups say now is not the time for 'intellectual' proposals, rather a swift fix for a fragile system.
Topics: alternative-energy, solar-energy, wind-energy, hydro-energy, australia
New measures in Family Daycare crack down are 'reasonable' and 'generous': Simon Birmingham Audio Transcript and Verbatim
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The Federal Government has announced a new crackdown on family day care, through capping some payments and applying new age limits, to stop what they claim is $250,000 being rorted through the system each year. The changes will not be legislated, but rather tabled in the Senate in what's known as a 'disallowable instrument', which means that Labor, the Greens and the Crossbench can use their numbers to vote it down. Education and Training Minister Simon Birmingham said Labor had supported to previous two tranches of family day care measures.
Topics: child-care, price-fixing, australia
Labor prepares to campaign hard to overturn penalty rate cut Audio Transcript and Verbatim
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Labor is vowing to overturn a decision by the Fair Work Commission on penalty rates, and will today give notice of its intention to legislate to protect workers on award wages. Last week the Fair Work Commission ruled that Sunday penalty rates for a number of awards should be cut. The Government has called the move a cynical political stunt.
Topics: industrial-relations, australia
A tragedy on the verge of a catastrophe: famine and war in Yemen Audio Transcript and Verbatim
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This week the United Nations warned that 20 million people in the Middle East and Africa could face starvation in the next six months if aid is not immediately increased. But you could be forgiven for missing this story completely. It didn't make the big headlines, barely garnered debate and seemed to disappear as soon as it was announced. Yemen is listed as the worst-affected country facing potential famine. Middle East correspondent Sophie McNeill went to Yemen last year and talks of the confronting plight of starving children - and of how a crisis that could have been addressed a year ago has been ignored by the world.
Topics: famine, relief-and-aid-organisations, unrest-conflict-and-war, yemen
Anger is an energy: the groundswell of American citizen activism Audio Transcript and Verbatim
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Before his assignment in Washington DC, ABC correspondent Greg Jennett reported for years on Australian politics. Covering the first month of US President Trump's administration, he is struck by just how many American citizens are motivated and active - or just plain angry right now - as they express their political views. He contrasts his impressions with what he believes is an Australian malaise: political apathy.
Topics: world-politics, community-and-society, people, activism-and-lobbying, united-states
Swagger, snow and slow customs queues: returning to Moscow in the 21st century Audio Transcript and Verbatim
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From the deep, impenetrable walls of the Kremlin and the beauty of Red Square to the Bentley showroom and hipster restaurants, Moscow is a complex combination of surprises. Some things remain the same, but other parts of the city are rapidly changing. Europe correspondent Lisa Millar first visited Moscow in 2002 as a tourist. Returning 15 years for a series of reports to be aired on ABC TV and online over the next week, she reflects on the changes that have shaped the city - and on some things that might never change.
Topics: journalism, human-interest, russian-federation
'Bules' in trouble: the unpredictable journey of tourists in the Indonesian court system Audio Transcript and Verbatim
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The Indonesian island of Bali has long been one of the most popular overseas holiday destination for Australians, with around 1 million tourists visiting every year. For a handful of tourists, however - like Byron Bay woman Sara Connor, who has been charged with the murder of a policeman - their stay on the island is much longer than anticipated. These visitors who end up in the Indonesian legal system face an unpredictable and frustrating experience, far removed from Western notions of justice, with courts asking questions - and expecting answers - that would seem bizarre in Australia.
Topics: courts-and-trials, bali
