August 2010

Weighing up the UN's development goalsAudio

Updated 31/08/2010 20:08:58

The United Nations conference on Advancing Global Health is in full swing in Melbourne, where civil society activists have been grappling with the consequences of possibly failing to meet the Millennium Development Goals by 2015. The goals were set down by world leaders in the year 2000 and include eradicating extreme hunger, reducing child mortality, improving maternal health, and combating HIV, malaria and other diseases. But what about those who don't believe in the MDGs at all - those who don't believe they are the right way to address global poverty.

Blackberry gets Indian ban reprieveAudio

Updated 31/08/2010 20:08:58

After weeks of negotiations, the makers of the Blackberry smartphone, Research In Motion, have agreed to give the Indian government access to secure data on their networks. That's secure data - including emails and messaging - belonging to the company's customers. The Indian government had threatened to ban the device from September 1 over concerns that it could be used by suspected terrorists. It has now issued a 60 day reprieve on the ban while it considers new proposals. And it's also targeting the internet based firms Google and Skype to push them to allow the government to monitor their services.

New US sanctions on North KoreaAudioTranscript

Updated 31/08/2010 20:08:58

US president Barack Obama has ordered new financial sanctions on North Korea despite the North's recent release of an American man who had been held captive for seven months for crossing into North Korea from China. The move broadens the scope of current sanctions, targeting eight North Korean 'entities', aimed at the trade in arms, counterfeit currency, drugs, other 'illicit economic activity', and luxury products.

Slanka to change constitution for presidentAudio

Updated 31/08/2010 20:08:58

Sri Lanka's president has secured the two thirds majority he needs to radically change the country's constitution. With the backing of cabinet and the support of opposition parliamentarians the amendments look set to proceed - possibly within days. Mahinda Rajapaksa is seeking to abolish the two term limit for presidents and gain control of powerful appointments, including the head of the police and the judiciary.

Japan's Taiji says dolphin hunt will go aheadAudioTranscript

Updated 31/08/2010 20:08:56

Over the next 12 months about 20,000 dolphins will be killed across Japan in a practice that animal rights activists condemn as 'barbaric'. It's the tiny town of Taiji in the south east of Japan that is likely to bare the brunt of the international condemnation. Since featuring in the Oscar winning documentary 'The Cove', Taiji has been repeatedly taken to task over its annual hunt. Lasting eight months, the hunt begins on September 1 - and the town's mayor says no amount of international pressure will change that.

Extended interview with World Vision Australia CEO, Tim CostelloAudio

Updated 31/08/2010 20:08:56

Here is an extended version of Joanna McCarthy's interview with Tim Costello, the chief executive officer of World Vision Australia. They spoke at this week's United Nations' conference on Advancing Global Health in Melbourne.

Australia hosts key UN health conferenceAudio

Updated 30/08/2010 20:32:38

The 63rd United Nations conference on development and global health has opened in Melbourne, with a renewed call from the UN security general for world leaders to meet the Millennium Development Goals. Ban Ki-moon addressed the conference via video and said meeting global committments on health was central to meeting all of the MDGs. It's the first ever major UN conference to be held in Australia and it's one that focusses on the work of the department of public information and non-government organisations.

Pakistan flood continues south, threats growAudio

Updated 30/08/2010 20:32:38

In Pakistan, the floods continue to threaten new areas and the latest is the southern city of Thatta, where the military says it has been on a 'war footing' to try to protect 300,000 people. Aid agencies say the threat of potentially fatal illnesses, like diarrhoea, is still very real. Sewer lines have been broken open and wells have filled with dirty water, forcing millions of people to use contaminated water.

Japan announces multi billion stimulus driveAudioTranscript

Updated 30/08/2010 20:32:38

The Japanese government has announced plans for a stimulus package worth around US$11 billion on the same day that the central bank decided to keep interest rates at a tiny 0.1 per cent. Both measures are seen as moves to curb the rise of a strong yen, which is threatening the country's fragile economic recovery. The Bank of Japan held an emergency policy meeting. But with little room to move, it's opted to hold tight, and even expand its cheap loans to banks.

Better women's health can reduce povertyAudio

Updated 30/08/2010 20:32:33

One of the key themes of this year's UN conference on development and global health are the effects that gender issues can have on people's access to health services. Delegates in Melbourne have heard that improving the lives of women and girls is the first step to reducing poverty and poor health across the developing world.

UN cites five year challenge for MDGs

Updated 30/08/2010 20:32:33

There are five years to go before the target date of 2015 for the United Nations' Millennium Development Goals, so how far have we come? Kiyo Akasaka is the under secretary general for communications and public information at the UN. He says 'important progress' has been made in the first ten years and that the goals will be met if the next five years are approached as a challenge.

Kashmir youth leading anti-India protestsAudio

Updated 27/08/2010 20:54:50

In Indian Kashmir, fresh unrest between anti-India protesters and Indian police has left more than 60 people dead. Over the past two months in the main town of Srinagar police have used tear gas and shotguns to disperse protesters defying a local curfew and reportedly throwing rocks. The insurgency against Indian rule is now twenty years old, but the intensifying resistance in the region is reportedly being led by a new generation of Kashmiris.

Nepal leads on gay rights with int'l paradeAudioTranscript

Updated 27/08/2010 20:54:50

In yet another step forward for the country's gay rights movement, Nepal has held its first ever international gay parade. Since legalising homosexuality in 2007, Nepal has cemented its position as being the one of the most progressive countries in terms of gay rights in the region. Third gender identity cards have followed and officially recognised gay marriages may come soon.

UN urges Australia to end discriminatory lawAudio

Updated 27/08/2010 20:54:50

The United Nations Committee on the Eradication of Racial Discrimination in Geneva has delivered its final conclusions on Australia for 2010 - and expresses concern about 'legislation that continues to discriminate on the basis of race'. While it 'notes with satisfaction' the Australian government's National Apology to indigenous communities - and especially the Stolen Generations - it's urging Australia to fully reinstate its Racial Discrimination Act. The Act was suspended under the Howard government's controversial Northern Territory Emergency Response to allow the government to quarantine welfare payments, to restrict what indigenous Australians in remote areas of the Northern Territory can spend their money on. And the Northern Territory Emergency Response remains in force. But it's seen as discriminating on the basis of race. The report lists more than 20 other concerns and recommendations, including that Australia intensify efforts to combat racially motivated violence, remove a suspension on processing visa applications from asylum seekers from Afghanistan, and it also raises concern about 'Excised Offshore Places' used as immigration detention centres.

3DTV's likely limp in crowded Asian marketAudioTranscript

Updated 27/08/2010 20:54:49

We've had flat screen TVs, LCD plasma TVs, digital TV and internet TV - and now Asian firms are locked in battle to produce the next generation of 3DTVs that work without special glasses to see the effects. And 3DTV is about to get a whole lot more interactive. A Japanese research team says it's developed the world's first 3D TV that allows users to touch, pinch and poke the images floating in front of them. But will it sell?

Malaysian rehab strives to save orangutansAudioTranscript

Updated 27/08/2010 20:54:49

The battle to save the Asia's orangutan population is an ongoing one in Malaysia's Sabah state, where a special rehabilitation centre continues to rescue young apes and reintroduce to the wild. But many conservationists say more needs to be done for the orangutan to avoid extinction within the next decade.

Evangelical business network takes ChinaAudio

Updated 26/08/2010 20:47:24

There are reports of a powerful new business movement in Southeast Asia - and its origins are somewhat unusual for the majority Muslim region. It's based in evangelical Christianity and observers say it's fast overtaking the traditional clan networks that have dominated the ethnically Chinese business community. Their rising influence is also said to pose a challenge for authorities which are struggling to maintain religious harmony.

People selling babies in PNG on the riseAudio

Updated 26/08/2010 20:47:24

A family welfare agency in Papua New Guinea says the number of people attempting to sell their babies in the country is rising at an alarming rate. In just one recent case, it's alleged that a person tried to sell a newborn baby for less than US$40 to get just enough money to feed themselves.

Japan PM faces party leadership challengeAudio

Updated 26/08/2010 20:47:24

Japan's recently installed prime minister Naoto Kan faces a strong challenge for his party's leadership and the top job in the country from one of his own ranks - a man who lost the party leadership amid a funding scandal last year. That's Ichiro Ozawa. A man known as 'shadow shogun'. And also someone who has alleged money scandals under his belt. The party elects its president next month and if Mr Ozawa wins the ballot, he will automatically become prime minister. And he's got support from none other than former prime Yukio Hatoyama. Some say the challenge is creating instability, but others see a positive transitional phase in Japanese politics.

Indian lower house passes nuclear lawAudioTranscript

Updated 26/08/2010 20:47:24

After months of debate India's lower house of parliament has finally passed a law allowing it to buy nuclear equipment from foreign companies. The law is a condition of a 2008 landmark atomic energy pact with the United States that grants India access to foreign nuclear technology for domestic energy purposes. But analysts say the severity of the law's accident compensation clauses may have priced India out of the market.

Redfern Speech enters 'Sounds of Australia'AudioTranscript

Updated 26/08/2010 20:47:17

The project to preserve important and iconic moments from Australia's film and sound history has been expanded for the fourth year to include, among other things, some new pointers to the evolution of white-black relations. Australia's National Film and Sound Archive adds to its 'Sounds of Australia' collection each year, based on public nominations. And while it embraces everything audio-visual - from bird sounds, to music, to TV game shows and political speeches - curators say an important thread is the content that relates to Australia's indigenous peoples. And that embraces some very political moments.

Asia lures tourists with huge theme parksAudio

Updated 26/08/2010 20:47:17

Tourism experts are warning Australia's theme park operators to lift their game because there's some stiff, new competition from Asia. Several very big and very expensive parks are being built right across the region to cater for a growing wealthy middle class. And they are making the most of modern technology to offer a truly interactive experience.

Timor pardon raises new issuesAudioTranscript

Updated 25/08/2010 20:14:20

The decision by East Timor's president, Dr Jose Ramos Horta, to pardon 23 rebels involved in his attempted murder in 2008 has been welcomed by some. But there are fears that the move could encourage a 'culture of impunity' in a country that some say suffers under political interference in court decisions.

HK security panel to discuss Manila hijackAudio

Updated 25/08/2010 20:14:20

There are concerns in Hong Kong that people might start turning their anger over the hostage incident in the Philippines on Monday against the local Filipino community. Eight tourists from Hong Kong were killed in the bus hijacking. And Hong Kong's South China Morning Post is reporting 'signs of a racial backlash', with posts on the internet, saying people want to sack their Filipino maids. The region's chief executive Donald Tsang has called for calm. But there is no denying that even he seems unhappy. Perhaps because the Philippine president Benigno Aquino was unable to take his call on the night of the incident. Or perhaps because the Philippine authorities know they did a bad job. They have admitted it. Now, as the security panel of Hong Kong's Legislative Council (LegCo) plans to meet, one of its prominent members, Emily Lau, says the Philippines has to restore confidence.

Afghan debate refuelled by Australian pollAudioTranscript

Updated 25/08/2010 20:14:20

Three Australian deaths in Afghanistan in the past week have added fuel to a growing debate about whether the country's role in the nine year old war is worth it - and it's a key concern for Australia's newly empowered independent and Greens MPs. With 21 Australian soldiers now dead, prominent Australian analyst Professor Hugh White has cast fresh doubt over the campaign. And there is also new criticism from Andrew Wilkie - a former Australian intelligence officer and Iraq war whistleblower, who is likely to be one of the group of independents that will be crucial in forming a new Australian government.

Asia's growing middle classes bring risksAudio

Updated 25/08/2010 20:14:19

Asia's booming middle classes are on track to overtake Americans and Europeans as the world's biggest consumers and that is seen as helping to rebalance the global economy. A new report by the Asian Development Bank looks at the region's stunning success in lifting hundreds of millions of people out of poverty over the past twenty years. But it's not all good news. There are concerns about the environmental and health impacts of a growing consumer class.

Danny Philip elected new Solomons PMAudioTranscript

Updated 25/08/2010 20:14:19

Three weeks after voting was held in the Solomon Islands national elections, Danny Philip has been elected as the country's new prime minister. Mr Philip was able to get the support of 26 of the country's 50 MPs - a coalition of six political parties and a number of independents. Four years ago the election of Snyder Rini sparked rioting in the capital Honiara, so this year there has been tight security throughout the election period. But Mr Philip's ascendancy has been well received by the public.

Philippines seeks to allay tourism fearsAudioTranscript

Updated 24/08/2010 19:55:14

The Philippines is at pains to reassure tourists and governments in the region that law and order have not broken down in the capital Manila after Monday's fatal hostage situation, in which eight people died. President Benigno Aquino is in talks with Chinese and Hong Kong leaders - primarily to allay fears but also, no doubt, to discuss future steps. One thing that has been floated is a regional media campaign to convince tourists that the Philippines is safe. That is, if you're not in the south, where law and order have broken down and separatists are known to kidnap for ransom.

Calls for a kinder kind of Australian politicsAudioTranscript

Updated 24/08/2010 19:55:14

As well as demanding reform of Australia's adversarial style of politics, three independents and a new Greens MP may be set to force some big policy changes. The bidding war for their support is yet to begin in earnest after Saturday's election delivered what is almost certain to be a hung parliament. But the unusual outcome has opened an opportunity to contemplate some radical ideas.

Pakistan to investigate deliberate diversionsAudioTranscript

Updated 24/08/2010 19:55:14

Pakistan's president Asif Ali Zardari says it will take his country more than three years to recover from the devastating floods that have left millions of people homeless - and he warns that Islamic militants may still exploit the crisis. The government has also agreed to investigate claims that flood waters may have been deliberately diverted away from feudal landholdings, towards poorer areas.

Youth drain blamed for Japan farm crisisAudioTranscript

Updated 24/08/2010 19:55:13

It's an idea that has attracted global interest - a robotic suit that helps Japan's elderly farmers - but it's one that has also highlighted the problems of an aging rural population. The Exoskeleten can be strapped on to farm workers and helps reduce the strain of more physically demanding tasks. But it fails to solve the fundamental issue of Japan's rural crisis. Most of the country's farmers are over the age of 60 and many people fear it's a profession that's completely dying out.

China's nine day traffic jamAudio

Updated 24/08/2010 19:55:13

If you thought you had a busy ride to work this morning, spare a thought for the thousands of people stuck on the Beijing Tibet expressway - they are bogged down in a traffic jam that stretches for more than 100 kilometres and has lasted nine days. This particular highway has long been the scene of traffic chaos, with heavy load vehicles carting food, coal and other goods into the Chinese capital. But experts say it's also a symptom of a much bigger problem. They say China's infrastructure is struggling to keep pace with the country's massive economic growth.

Cambodia joins queue for nuclear powerAudio

Updated 23/08/2010 20:26:39

The Cambodian ministry of industry, mines and energy has confirmed that scientists are studying nuclear technology as a means of addressing the country's chronic power shortages. Cambodia joins a queue of Southeast Asian nations that want to go nuclear. It's a month after Vietnam called on fellow ASEAN members to consider using nuclear power as a way of meeting rising energy needs, fuelling economic growth and combating climate change. But some worry that the region's developing nations lack the capacity to manage the safety risks.

Australia faces long wait for governmentAudioTranscript

Updated 23/08/2010 20:26:39

There's an air of caution in Australia as the country settles in for a long wait to see the shape of a new government. But even as the caretaker government of Julia Gillard asserts its right to go first in a bid to form a new administration, the Labor Party has been airing more of its bitterness over its failure to secure a majority of seats in parliament. At the same time, intense speculation about how the process will work is being batted away by some of Labor's most senior figures and by electoral and constitutional experts, who warn that a long process of counting remaining votes - and then of negotiating with independents - lies ahead.

Pakistan floods diverted 'deliberately'AudioTranscript

Updated 23/08/2010 20:26:39

As the flood waters start to recede in Pakistan, the country's top finance officials are in Washington for talks with the International Monetary Fund to discuss an old loan. Pakistan is asking the IMF to ease the terms of an US$11.3 billion rescue loan it approved in 2008. In Pakistan itself, authorities have been criticised for deliberately diverting flood waters to south western Balochistan - one of the poorest provinces and one which is also the subject of a separatist movement.

RAMSI ready for next Solomons governmentAudio

Updated 23/08/2010 20:26:35

The next Solomon Islands prime minister will be appointed on Wednesday and with it the high level security measures that were put in place before the election earlier this month will start to wind down. The security effort has been led by the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force, but a large part of it has been provided by the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands, RAMSI. RAMSI has been in the country since July 2003, providing law and order and governance support . And its very presence - and future - were part of the debate during election campaigning and even informed some of the commitments made by the country's politicians.

Japan tells India no deal if nuke tests go onAudio

Updated 23/08/2010 20:26:35

Japan and India were in talks over the weekend and the topic was atomic - the two countries have been negotiating a deal on civilian nuclear cooperation. This is just months after China agreed to help Pakistan build two nuclear power plants and it also comes with significant pressure from foreign firms who want to use Japanese suppliers for nuclear power projects in India. But Japan says there will be no deal if India keeps testing nuclear weapons.

Radio Australia's 2010 election specialAudio

Updated 22/08/2010 10:33:22

Radio Australia's Canberra correspondent Linda Mottram reviews the Australian election and its international implications with Labor MP Michael Danby and Liberal senator Russell Trood; And we hear from Australian voters in Bali.

Cambodia looks beyond war crimes tribunalAudioTranscript

Updated 20/08/2010 19:58:01

After handing down its first verdict in July, the international war crimes tribunal in Cambodia will next year hear the second - and possibly final - case against a former senior Khmer Rouge leader. But some people are looking beyond all of this - to a time when the tribunal has left Cambodia - and a need for learning centres and other legacy projects.

Greens say business wants carbon taxAudioTranscript

Updated 20/08/2010 19:58:02

The Australian Greens stand to make significant gains in the country's election this Saturday - if public opinion polls are accurate. For the first time at a general election, they are likely to win a lower house seat. And where they currently share the deciding votes in the upper house, they could also hold the balance of power in their own right. They're pledging to be responsible. But the Greens have also been criticised for leaving Australia with no climate change legislation because they played a part in rejecting a carbon pollution reduction scheme negotiated between the government and opposition last year.

ASEAN rice reserve poses risk to marketsAudioTranscript

Updated 20/08/2010 19:58:01

Memories of the global food crisis a few years ago still make governments in the region nervous and there are now moves within Asia to establish a massive rice reserve to guard against sudden shocks. It sounds like a simple idea but there are real risks if the scheme is not managed well.

Climate of disillusion over Australian pollAudio

Updated 20/08/2010 19:58:01

With campaigning virtually over, Australians look set to deliver one of the closest general election results in Australia's history. Voting stations open from 8 o'clock on Saturday morning and stay open until 6 o'clock in the evening, but some pundits are forecasting that the outcome may not be known - as it usually is - on the same night. The prime minister, Labor's Julia Gillard, and the Liberal Party's Tony Abbott have continued intensive campaigning, focussed in particular on New South Wales, where the latest indications are Labor's losses may be more severe than first thought. With one late opinion poll showing voters split 50-50 between Labor and Liberal, the possibility of a hung parliament is real. That's throwing the spotlight on the last two public polls due to be released as voters begin casting their ballots. The big winners in a climate of disillusion are likely to be the Greens.

US slams Pakistan neighbours for slow aidAudioTranscript

Updated 20/08/2010 19:58:01

A senior US official has accused Pakistan's regional neighbours of not doing enough to help the victims of the devastating floods in the country. America's special representative for Pakistan, Richard Holbrooke, singled out China on the day the United Nations held an emergency session on disaster assistance. The UN estimates the number of people affected has risen to 20 million. Flood waters are flowing from the north to the south of the country where even more people live and more rain is expected.

Fijians cite Australian hypocrisy on asylumAudioTranscript

Updated 19/08/2010 21:08:11

Australia is being accused of double standards on Fiji by a group of Fijians who say they fled their country and came to Australia, only to have their applications for asylum seekers rejected. They say the have suffered harsh treatment from members of the Fiji army and fear for their lives.

Tweets and buses on Australian campaignAudioTranscript

Updated 19/08/2010 21:08:11

Australia's prime minister Julia Gillard has delivered her final set piece campaign speech before voters go to the polls on Saturday to decide her fate. And questioned by a throng of political reporters, she's been tested on some of the less talked about questions of the election campaign. They included climate change and indigenous issues - particularly whether Ms Gillard takes any moral responsibility for indigenous suicide rates that remain high in Australia. The leaders will campaign right up to the last minute - and for the would-be prime minister, Tony Abbott, that even means some middle-of-the-night radio appearances and lots of time on the bus.

Security concerns in flood hit PakistanAudioTranscript

Updated 19/08/2010 21:08:11

As Pakistan grapples with plans to rebuild its destroyed infrastructure, millions of people are still struggling - Pakistan's Swat Valley has been badly hit and there are growing concerns that the government may lose what little support it has in the region. Some say affected villagers may turn to militants as the best source of help. But are the concerns were justified?

New Delhi games in trouble 45 days outAudio

Updated 19/08/2010 21:08:07

India's New Delhi Commonwealth Games have been plagued by trouble - with just 45 days before the opening ceremony, there are claims that venues will not be completed in time - and those that are ready may be substandard and riddled with defects. Delays and charges of corruption against the organising committee have cast a cloud over the games. But the president of the Commonwealth Games Federation, Mike Fennell, has toured stadiums and the games village in New Delhi to monitor what progress there is.

Row over Hong Kong harbour shaftsAudio

Updated 19/08/2010 21:08:07

Advisers to the government of Hong Kong say they will consider alternative locations for a set of controversial ventilation shafts that are needed for a bypass on the city's famous Victoria Habour. One of the shafts is planned for a site outside of the landmark IFC shopping centre in Central. Hong Kong's transport department says it has looked at all other possibilities but that the current site is the best. Those against, meanwhile, say the shaft would have a significant visual and environmental impact and they suggest it should be moved to a nearby flyover. But that would raise costs. So, can Hong Kong's green future break through the row?

Australian leaders debate issue of debatesAudioTranscript

Updated 18/08/2010 20:13:06

Under intense pressure from their opponents, Australia's Liberal-National opposition parties have released costings for their election promises, claiming that if they win government, they will have a budget surplus almost twice the size of Labor's projection. Economic credibility is a key campaign issue ahead of Saturday's vote and that has also helped fuel a messy dispute over when and whether leaders should hold debates and under what conditions. It is fuelling calls for Australia to adopt the American model of an independent debates commission.

Southeast Asia in shaky strategic phaseAudioTranscript

Updated 18/08/2010 20:13:06

China has described to a new report by the US defence department as 'not beneficial' for improving and developing Sino-US military ties. The American report suggests that China has ongoing plans to build longer range capabilities which are designed to extend the reach of China's power in regional disputes. And as China gains influence, other Asian countries are apparently also modernising their armies. Some say Southeast Asia's strategic environment is now more uncertain than it has been for decades.

Pakistan faces long term financial troubleAudio

Updated 18/08/2010 20:13:06

The United Nations says that nearly half of the money that is needed for the initial relief phase in Pakistan because of the floods has been secured. It says that donors and countries are slowly beginning to realise the scale of the disaster. But we're still only talking about US$459 million - and another US$900 million on loan from the World Bank, which means more debt. That's on top of the cost of all the farming goods that have been destroyed, including cotton, wheat, fruit and vegetables, and livestock. Pakistan's government estimates that that destruction is worth about 2.5 per cent of the country's GDP. Or, as the the World Bank puts it, US$1 billion. So, what can Pakistan do?

Pacific civil society welcomes dialogueAudioTranscript

Updated 18/08/2010 20:13:06

The Pacific Islands Association of Non-Government Organisations (PIANGO) has welcomed calls for more dialogue with civil society after the secretariat of the Pacific Islands Forum was criticised for failing to consult civil society organisations. That was before the recent Pacific Islands Forum meeting in Port Vila. Now, the forum's secretary general, Tuiloma Neroni Slade, has acknowledged the enormous grassroots skills, knowledge and staying power of civil society organisations and called on regional bodies to build a partnership with them.

China invests big, Australia slow to followAudioTranscript

Updated 18/08/2010 20:13:06

Increasing Chinese investment in Australian companies has been a sensitive political issue. But investment the other way - from Australia into China - is much lower and gets far less attention. A new report points out that even if the current barriers to foreign investment into China are lifted, Australian companies are unlikely to rush over with offers. It adds that with bilateral free trade talks apparently stalled those barriers will come under increased scrutiny.

Tonga refuses to lift immunity of soldiersAudio

Updated 17/08/2010 20:18:30

Tonga is refusing to lift the immunity of two of its soldiers who were involved in a fatal shooting of a man in Solomon Islands last week. The two Tongan soldiers, who were part of RAMSI, the regional intervention force in Solomon Islands, allegedly fired their weapons while retreating from a crowd of people throwing rocks on the outskirts of the capital, Honiara. One man died of gunshot wounds. Solomon Islands police are investigating, but they're unable to question the soldiers until the Tongan government waives their right to immunity from prosecution.

Barclays fined for US sanctions breachesAudioTranscript

Updated 17/08/2010 20:18:30

The British bank Barclays is to pay almost 300 million dollars in fines for breaking US economic sanctions against several countries, including Burma. Barclays is accused of hiding transactions on behalf of banks in Cuba, Iran, Libya, Sudan as well as Burma for over a decade. Its the latest in series of prosecutions by US authorities against major banks, as Karon Snowdon reports.

Pakistan's 'image deficit' slowing flow of aidAudioTranscript

Updated 17/08/2010 20:18:30

A United Nations aid official says humanitarian agencies are struggling to get funds for millions of flood victims in Pakistan because the country suffers from an 'image deficit' linked to the Taliban and terrorism. But Australia's foreign minister Stephen Smith admits that's the very reason why the world should be increasing its assistance.

Expat voters go to the polls in ChinaAudioTranscript

Updated 17/08/2010 20:18:27

In some parts of the world voting for Australia's general election is already well under way, including in China, where Australian citizens - travellers and expats - have been casting early ballots. But with campaigning yet to finish, what's the overseas voting experience like? And do politicians take it into account?

Australian election close call for someAudioTranscript

Updated 17/08/2010 20:18:27

A veteran Australian election watcher has dismissed predictions that this Saturday's vote in the country could be historically close, though the major parties are frantically shoring up marginal seats in the final days of campaigning. But Malcolm Mackerras says the close call isn't born out by Australian electoral history and he's picking Labor to win. The opposition Liberal leader, Tony Abbott, meanwhile has outlined a narrow view of when Australian prime ministers should travel abroad - adding a sense that both contenders for the prime ministership lack vision for Australia's role in the world.

Cambodians evicted for sugar plantationsAudioTranscript

Updated 16/08/2010 20:45:16

Cambodia's sugar industry is undergoing a revival, but there is an undercurrent to what would otherwise be a great success story. Hundreds of farmers have allegedly been forced off their land - at gunpoint - to make way for sugarcane plantations, which are controlled by foreign firms and take advantage of Cambodia's tax exemptions in Europe. Rights groups worry the alleged abuses will continue as the sugar industry and foreign incentives grow.

Indonesian president to unleash 'caged tiger'Audio

Updated 16/08/2010 20:45:16

In a speech to parliament on the eve of Indonesia's independence day, president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has said it is time for the country to stop being 'a caged tiger' and 'be a nation that is competitive on the international scene'. He has announced that his government aims to achieve economic growth of 7.7 per cent by the year 2014. He also wants to create 10.7 million new jobs and reduce poverty by between eight and ten per cent. But are his targets realistic?

China moves up as Japan growth slumpsAudioTranscript

Updated 16/08/2010 20:45:16

Japan's economy appears to have taken a nose dive with the release of official figures showing growth at just 0.1 per cent in the three months to June. Some analysts believe the world's second largest economy is again heading for recession and will soon be overtaken by China.

China's 'Grandpa Wen' branded best actorAudioTranscript

Updated 16/08/2010 20:45:15

A controversial book that criticises the Chinese premier Wen Jiabao has been published in Hong Kong,
Presenter: Claudette Werden
Speakers: Yu Jie, dissident author, Beijing; Bao Pu, publisher, Hong Kong; Dr Richard Rigby, China Institute, Australian National University, Canberra

Australian PM coins 'Yes, we will' mantraAudioTranscript

Updated 16/08/2010 20:45:15

It's late in the race but Australia's Labor Party has officially launched its campaign for re-election next Saturday. And the speech by Julia Gillard could hardly have contrasted more with the expansive agenda Kevin Rudd offered when he led the party to victory in 2007, only to be dumped as leader less than two months ago. Ms Gillard's message was firmly targeted to an economically nervous electorate.

Corporal punishment persists in India despite banAudio

Updated 13/08/2010 19:16:37

Despite an Indian supreme court ban on the use of corporal punishment, there are ongoing reports of teachers caning, slapping and beating students. There have been a number of cases in schools across the country where pupils have allegedly sustained grievous physical injuries. Some are said to have committed suicide because of the practice.

ILO warns of jobless youth 'lost generation'Audio

Updated 13/08/2010 19:16:37

The International Labour Organisation warns there could be a 'lost generation' of young jobless people as a result of the effects of the economic crisis. It says a record 81 million people aged between 15 and 24 were without work in 2009 - the highest number ever and a full one per cent higher than adults. In a report that coincides with the International Year of Youth, the ILO says any jobs recovery will be slow after two years of economic downturn. It also says that some countries could see economic waste and social instability as a result.

Australian opposition floats regional 'country plans'Audio

Updated 13/08/2010 19:16:37

The Australian opposition says it will take a cross platform approach to foreign affairs and develop 'individual country plans' if it wins this month's general election. On Thursday, we heard the current foreign minister Stephen Smith speak about the Labor government's future plans for Australia in the region. Now, it's the opposition's turn. Our Canberra correspondent Linda Mottram spoke to Julie Bishop after she and Mr Smith had held a foreign policy debate as part of the election campaign.
Presenter: Linda Mottram, Canberra correspondent
Speaker: Julie Bishop, opposition foreign affairs spokesperson, Australian Liberal Party

Burma sets long awaited election dateAudio

Updated 13/08/2010 19:16:37

Burma's leaders have ended many months of speculation by announcing the country will hold its first general election in 20 years on November 7. The last election - in 1990 - was won by Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy party, but it was barred from taking office and Ms Suu Kyi has spent much of the past two decades under house arrest. So, what can the country expect from the 2010 election?

Japan uses sushi to project raw powerAudio

Updated 13/08/2010 19:16:34

Sushi was once considered exotic but the Japanese dish is now ubiquitous in both fast food halls and high end restaurants around the world - there more than 25,000 restaurants outside Japan. Its global appeal was further confirmed by a recent Japanese government survey which found foreign tourists enjoy sushi above any other national dish. The combination of rice, vinegar and seaweed is so popular it's spawned an industry that turns over billions of dollars every year. It's a soft power icon.

Samoa optimistic about new tuna loining plantAudio

Updated 13/08/2010 19:16:34

Samoa is looking into the possibility of setting up a tuna loining plant on the island of Savaii - a project that would create 1200 new jobs. The country's deputy prime minister, Misa Telefoni, has told a Pacific Investment Summit in Sydney this Friday that the Samoan government has been holding high level talks with the American company Starkist, which already owns a tuna cannery in neighbouring American Samoa.

Australia views potenial South China Sea conflictAudio

Updated 12/08/2010 21:00:13

Australia has raised concerns about potential conflict in the South China Sea with China and ASEAN and the foreign minister Stephen Smith says the country is pressing for any tensions to be resolved bilaterally. The issue flared at recent ASEAN meetings in Hanoi, where the US secretary of state Hillary Clinton declared the South China Sea to be a matter of US national interest. Mr Smith has also raised the issue in answer to questions from Radio Australia at an election campaign foreign policy debate in Canberra this Thursday between him and his opposition counterpart, Julie Bishop. It's just over a week before Australia's general election. In the first of two interviews, our Canberra correspondent Linda Mottram speaks to the Australian foreign minister. On Friday, she speaks to the opposition's foreign affairs spokesperson, Julie Bishop.

RAMSI soldiers allegedly shoot Solomon IslanderAudio

Updated 12/08/2010 21:00:13

Troops from the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands have allegedly shot dead a local man and wounded another in the Solomons capital Honiara. Police had been called to a fight on the outskirts of Honiara and were apparently attacked by people throwing rocks. Tongan soldiers were also there, supporting the police, and are said to have fired shoots when they began to retreat and that's when the one man is thought to have died. The incident has come at a sensitive time, with the country yet to finalise the results from a general election.

Thai democracy enters 'Burmese' phaseAudio

Updated 12/08/2010 21:00:13

Prosecutors in Thailand have indicted 19 members of the anti-government Red Shirt movement on terrorism charges relating to their blockade of Bangkok earlier this year. The protest ended after months in mid May when the main leaders of the group surrendered to police. But the whole action sparked widespread rioting, more than 90 deaths, and nearly two thousand people were injured. The 19 Red Shirt leaders and supporters have been charged after 84 days in custody. The Red Shirts say it's a step backwards for democracy in Thailand.

Multi-million compensation for Vietnam fish farmersAudioTranscript

Updated 12/08/2010 21:00:10

In what is being described as a landmark case, a Taiwanese owned manufacturer has made an out of court settlement with thousands of Vietnamese farmers who claim pollution caused by the firm significantly effected their livelihoods. Vedan Vietnam, which makes food additives including monosodium glutamate (known as MSG), reportedly discharged waste water in such quantities into the local river that it killed the ecosystem. Thousands of fish and shrimp farmers claimed the toxic waters killed their catch and ruined farmland along the river's banks. Vedan has admitted responsibility and offered compensation worth US$11.5 million to farmers in three provinces.

East Timor flags conditions for refugee centreAudioTranscript

Updated 12/08/2010 21:00:10

East Timor says it will go ahead with a planned four billion dollar oil and gas hub on its southern coast whether Woodside Petroleum commits to onshore gas processing or not. The multi-national oil and gas firm has said it will go ahead with a floating plant for the processing of gas from the Sunrise Field - but East Timor wants a pipeline and plant to be built in East Timor. Talks have been suspended. And now East Timor's economic development minister says other companies are ready to step in if Woodside refuses. He also says running a pipeline to East Timor would have to be a condition that Australia agrees to if it wants East Timor to host a planned regional processing centre for asylum seekers.

Tongan crisis group against troops to AfghanistanAudio

Updated 11/08/2010 21:15:53

Tonga's Women and Children Crisis Centre says it's against the country sending troops to Afghanistan. Parliament has voted unanimously to accept a request from the British government to send soldiers from the Tonga Defence Service to help guard the main British base in Helmand province. But the Women and Children Crisis Centre says it's a bad idea because Tonga could now become a target.

Women and children bearing brunt of Afghan warAudioTranscript

Updated 11/08/2010 21:15:53

A new United Nations report says women and children are increasingly bearing the brunt of the Afghanistan war, with civilian casualties up by nearly a third this year. At the same time, government statistics show a rising number of Afghan women are attempting suicide. The government says every year around 2,300 women or girls attempt to kill themselves - mainly due to mental illness, domestic violence and poverty.

China's economic slowdown no meltdownAudio

Updated 11/08/2010 21:15:53

Economic growth in China is slowing but unlike elsewhere this is good news because Beijing has been keen to deflate an overheating property market and reach more sustainable levels of economic growth. Investment, factory output and lending were all slightly lower in July, pointing to a soft landing for the economy. But growth is still likely to be around ten per cent.

South Korean 'comfort women' slam Japan apologyAudioTranscript

Updated 11/08/2010 21:15:53

There have been angry protests in the South Korean capital Seoul after the Japanese prime minister's apology for his country's often brutal occupation of the Korean peninsula a century ago. The apology has been met with mixed responses in Seoul, where South Korean politicians reportedly 'noted' the apology but said it failed to go far enough. Hundreds of South Korean women enslaved by the Japanese as so-called comfort women during the occupation have also held noisy protests outside the Japanese embassy in Seoul denouncing the apology.

'Radicals' rank high on list of influential MuslimsAudio

Updated 11/08/2010 21:15:52

A Jordanian think tank has just released its annual list of the 500 most influential Muslim people in the world, raising some interesting questions about what it takes to be influential. The list is published by the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre and features a Top 50 that places the Grand Ayatollah Ali Khamenei of Iran above Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, the president of Indonesia. It also places Hasan Nasrallah, the secretary general of Hezbollah, who's known for some aggressive views on Israel, fairly high up the list in 18th place.

Doubts over Japanese tanker terrorist theoryAudioTranscript

Updated 11/08/2010 21:15:52

Security experts have cast doubt over allegations made by the United Arab Emirates that it was terrorists who damaged a Japanese oil tanker late last month in the Strait of Hormuz. They say an indentation in the hull would suggest the ship collided with another heavy object rather than an improvised explosive device or suicide bomber on a boat.

Australian government plans tough timber lawsAudioTranscript

Updated 10/08/2010 21:04:14

The Australian government has announced plans to introduce tough new rules on the sourcing of timber imports into Australia. Backed by members of the international environment lobby, the timber import industry and the unions, Australia's environment minister, Tony Burke, says a reelected Labor government would clamp down on any timber sourced illegally. The new rules would shift the responsibility from the overseas source to wholesale buyers in Australia.

Former Australian PM gets UN jobAudio

Updated 10/08/2010 21:04:14

Australia's former prime minister Kevin Rudd continues his political re-emergence with a new appointment to a high level climate change panel working with the United Nations. He joins a long list of other serving and former leaders and government ministers from around the world, who the UN secretary general wants to think big about sustainable growth. But out on the campaign trail here in Australia, the opposition leader, Tony Abbott, has accused Mr Rudd of having mismanaged foreign relations with Indonesia, Japan and India when he was in the top job.

Fiji gets its own version of FacebookAudioTranscript

Updated 10/08/2010 21:04:13

There's a new internet based social network for Fijians - called Fijibook - and it hopes it can emulate the success of the American Facebook. Fijibook has been operating for just over a week and only has about 50 members. But its creator, Paul Wilson, wants the site to provide a way for Fijians all around the world to keep in touch with each other electronically.

More attacks on Indonesian religious minoritiesAudioTranscript

Updated 10/08/2010 21:04:14

Attacks against religious minorities in Indonesia have risen dramatically this year and human rights groups say the government is failing to protect religious freedoms and prevent aggression by radical Islamic organisations. In recent weeks, protests have forced the closure of churches and Mosques belonging to the Ahmadiyah sect.

Murdoch's News Corp takes Chinese partnerAudioTranscript

Updated 10/08/2010 21:04:14

Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation is reducing its stake in three television stations in China and is taking on a local partner. Some analysts have interpreted the move as a shift away from China, but it could actually make it easier for News Corporation to operate and still take part in the profits. China Media Capital is supported by the Chinese government and will take controlling shares in the TV channels which Rupert Murdoch had hoped would deliver mass audiences. But Beijing has kept a tight rein on foreign media players, including the world's biggest.

Solomons PM survives general election for nowAudio

Updated 09/08/2010 21:13:12

Solomon Islands' caretaker prime minister, Dr Derek Sikua, has survived the vote in his constituency in the country's general elections, but it's far from certain that he will have the numbers to stay in the top job. More than 40 seats in parliament have been decided. But counting and indeed voting continues on remote outer islands and in three areas where there was some violence last week.

Australian treasurer candidates go head to headAudioTranscript

Updated 09/08/2010 21:13:15

On the Australian election campaign trail, the opposition's treasury spokesperson, Joe Hockey, has agreed he would have to run a deficit if he was in charge during the current global financial crisis. It could blunt the impact of constant opposition attacks over the Labor government's deficit, which the treasurer, Wayne Swan, defends as being minimal by global standards. Mr Swan and Mr Hockey have jousted during a national televised debate on economic policy less than two weeks before the August 21 poll.

China landslide highlights rural underdevelopmentAudioTranscript

Updated 09/08/2010 21:13:15

The clean up has begun in the northwestern Chinese province of Gansu after a massive landslide that happened during some of the worst flooding in China for years. More than 120 people have died and more than 300 houses have been destroyed. Premier Wen Jiabao has visited the area and told residents that rescue teams will do everything to find those who are still missing. But the disaster, in a remote corner of the country, has again prompted questions about the lack of development in China's rural and regional areas.

Indonesian cleric Abu Bakar Bashir arrestedAudioTranscript

Updated 09/08/2010 21:13:15

Indonesia's anti-terrorism police have detained radical Muslim cleric Abu Bakar Bashir because of alleged links to a new terrorist group. Police say they have strong evidence that Mr Bashir is linked with Islamic training camps in Aceh, which they claim were planning attacks on foreign embassies and other high profile domestic targets. Mr Bashir served two years in prison on conspiracy charges, relating to the 2002 Bali bombings, before being cleared and released in 2006.

Japan embraces reggae religionAudio

Updated 09/08/2010 21:13:12

Thirty years after reggae superstar Bob Marley first toured the country, Japan's love affair with reggae music has spawned a multi million dollar industry. Reggae music's themes have often been concerned with racism and racial politics between black Caribbeans and white Europeans. But it's also part of a spiritual movement and many in Japan have now embraced Rastafari.

Malaysia considers banning child marriageAudioTranscript

Updated 06/08/2010 20:51:30

Malaysia's government says it's considering amending civil and shariah law to ban underage marriages, which are considered a common way to lower the number of children born out of wedlock and those which are abandoned. This comes in response to public opposition to comments made by the chief minister of the state of Malacca, encouraging underage marriages. Datuk Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, the federal minister for women, family and community development, says child marriages are morally and socially unacceptable. She says the government wants to bring laws in line with United Nations human rights treaties which Malaysia has ratified.

Rapid social change blamed for China pre-school attackAudioTranscript

Updated 06/08/2010 20:51:30

Rapid social change has been blamed after another violent knife attack at a kindergarten in China, resulting in the death of three children and the wounding of seven other people. The attack is reportedly the sixth on a school or preschool this year. But a Hong Kong based criminologist says there have been many more such cases in China over the past few years.

Prominent MPs lose out in Solomons electionAudio

Updated 06/08/2010 20:51:31

There have been some significant losses in the Solomon Islands general election, but counting continues and the prime minister, Dr Derek Sikua, has yet to find out whether he's been re-elected. But the former prime minister, Manessah Sogavare, and opposition leader has been voted back in. It will be another week and a half before the prime minister - whoever that will be - is finally appointed.

Chinese firm may buy Britain's Liverpool Football ClubAudio

Updated 06/08/2010 20:51:28

A Chinese businessman is considering buying the Liverpool Football Club in England, prompting speculation that one of China's giant sovereign wealth funds may be backing the investment. But with China's national team struggling, a Chinese owned Liverpool could be just the thing to give soccer fans at home something to cheer about.

Vietnam in talks with US over nuclear fuel dealAudio

Updated 06/08/2010 20:51:28

The United States and Vietnam are in talks for a deal to share nuclear fuel and technology and there are concerns they may be discussing whether Vietnam will be allowed to enrich its own uranium. Negotiations have yet to conclude and it's unconfirmed whether enrichment is on the agenda. Still, the feeling is the US could be about to backtrack on its own moves towards global disarmament. But the US says it wants to see fewer countries enriching uranium - which can be used in bombs - and make way for an international system that is supervised and where there are guaranteed sources of the enriched material.

Australian bank looks to train staff on AsiaAudioTranscript

Updated 05/08/2010 20:52:56

Australia's second largest bank is offering its staff and customers Chinese and Indian cultural and language programmes as a way of improving business opportunties. China and India are two of Australia's largest trading partners. But it's thought that some business has been slow to recognise the importance of learning about these countries' cultures.

Pakistan hit by ethnic violenceAudio

Updated 05/08/2010 20:52:57

There is renewed talk about widespread instability in Pakistan - with ongoing ethnic violence, a suicide bombing, and the worst floods in 80 years putting new pressure on the government. At least 70 people have died in unrest following the assassination of a politician in Karachi. A suicide bombing claimed by the Taliban killed a police commander and two others in Peshawar. And the government's response to the floods in the northwest has been widely criticised, especially after president Asif Ali Zardari went ahead with state visits to Europe this week.

Ousted Australian PM back on campaign trailAudioTranscript

Updated 05/08/2010 20:52:57

Australian Labor Party strategists may well be greatly relieved - after an initial foray onto radio by Kevin Rudd, signalling an easing of internal party tensions, the dumped leader has now gone further. He's mounted a very prime ministerial defence of his policy record and linked it to a future government under Julia Gillard. He says he'll start campaigning for her on Sunday. Kevin Rudd re-enters the fray with Labor's position precarious, but the opposition vulnerable on the economy.

Count continues in Solomons general electionsAudio

Updated 05/08/2010 20:52:57

Counting continues in Solomon Islands after Wednesday's general elections, which passed off smoothly. At least two seats have been decided so far. And a heightened security presence will remain in place for another two weeks until the full results are known and a new prime minister has been appointed. Four years ago, the appointment of Snyder Rini as prime minister sparked riots.

Pacific Islands forum maintains Fiji suspensionAudio

Updated 05/08/2010 20:52:57

Pacific Island leaders have released a communique at the end of the second day of an annual summit, with Fiji concerning most leaders - especially through its absence from the talks. Fiji was suspended from the forum to pressure its interim government and coup leader Frank Bainimarama to return to democracy. But Pacific leaders have come under some pressure to decide what to do next.

Indonesia to drop zeros from currencyAudio

Updated 05/08/2010 20:52:56

Indonesia's Central Bank is considering whether to adjust the country's currency, the rupiah, to simplify transactions, which often run into the millions. It aims to reduce the rupiah's exchange rate with the US dollar - from about 9,000 rupiah to just nine - to reduce the number of zeros in business transactions. But there are fears that the move will devalue to rupiah.

Fiji still figures at Pacific Islands ForumAudio

Updated 04/08/2010 07:42:18

The 41st Pacific Islands Forum meeting has opened in the Vanuatu capital, Port Vila, without any mention of Fiji in the secretary general's speech - Fiji being the one significant absentee. But Vanuatu's prime minister, as chairman of the forum, did talk specifically about the country that is still run by an interim government and the coup leader Frank Bainimarama. Australia's foreign minister has also called for Fiji to remain suspended from the forum until it returns to a form of democracy.

Militants feared to be using floods to gain supportAudio

Updated 04/08/2010 07:42:18

There are concerns that militant groups in Pakistan could use the natural disaster caused by flooding in the country's northwest to gain support by providing crucial aid - which the government is unable to provide itself. Some charities in the region are suspected of having links to militants and are providing aid to people affected by the flood. They also played a key role in the relief effort after the 2005 earthquake in Kashmir that killed 75,000 people.

Tensions simmer in Indian-administered KashmirAudioTranscript

Updated 04/08/2010 07:42:18

There has been no let up in violence in Indian-administered Kashmir, where there have been student protests since early June. As many as 40 people have been killed in the past seven weeks and more than 25 since the weekend.

Solomon Islands votes four years after riot ballotAudio

Updated 04/08/2010 07:42:18

People in Solomon Islands have voted in a general election four years after riots broke out following the last elections. Notably two prominent figures are hoping the results will land in their favour. The caretaker prime minister, Dr Derek Sikua, faces a strong challenge. And there's also the former prime minister, Manessah Sogavare, who is eager to get back into power.

Vietnamese banks set for major reformAudioTranscript

Updated 04/08/2010 07:42:16

Vietnam's banking sector will have to undergo major reform when it is opened up to international competition at the end of this year and analysts say the move will create more development opportunities. But that's got a lot of economists looking for new ways to manage the country's ongoing economic growth. And the World Bank has warned the focus should be on investment quality over quantity.

ANZ urged to stop financing cluster bomb makersAudioTranscript

Updated 04/08/2010 07:42:16

In the same week that a major ban on cluster bombs has come into effect, Australia's ANZ bank is being pressured to stop financing companies that produce the munitions. ANZ provides credit to Lockheed Martin, which has produced cluster munitions, and a company that makes fuses used in the bombs. Australia has signed up to the ban - the Convention on Cluster Munitions - but has yet to ratify it and pass national laws. Campaigners hope the bank will take action on moral grounds rather than wait to be forced by legislation.

Australian election campaign hungry for food securityAudioTranscript

Updated 03/08/2010 21:12:36

Simmering concerns in Australia about food security have prompted the governing Labor Party to add a national food policy to its list of election promises. Experts say it's an area of emerging concern for Australia and the opposition Liberal Party has already promised a food security minister at cabinet level if it wins this month's general election. As a food exporting nation - but also an attractive destination for food related investment - Australia faces important decisions about food security.

Australian PM embraces vision for Asia Pacific blocAudio

Updated 03/08/2010 21:12:36

There's still little to speak of on foreign policy from the Australian general election campaign, but Julia Gillard, the Labor leader seeking re-election as prime minister says she embraces the vision of ousted prime minister Kevin Rudd for an Asia Pacific Community.

RIM lets India monitor Blackberry smartphone serviceAudioTranscript

Updated 03/08/2010 21:12:36

The Canadian manufacturer of the Blackberry smartphone has agreed to let Indian security authorities monitor its services, including data traffic for emails and chats. The company - Research In Motion - is said to have side-stepped similar requests from China. But it's come under increasing pressure over its uniquely secure email system, which some governments say could be used for criminal purposes. The United Arab Emirates has threatened to suspend Blackberry services - such as its messenger, email and web browser functions - from early October - until it gains access to encrypted messages. Research In Motion says it wants to satisfy the security needs of both governments and customers. But what does this mean for privacy and freedom of speech around the Asia Pacific region?

Security high for Solomons general electionAudio

Updated 03/08/2010 21:12:36

Solomon Islanders go to the polls on Wednesday in general elections - four years after riots started when Snyder Rini was voted in as prime minister. There are more than 60 international election observers in Honiara to monitor the ballot and almost another 400 local observers. Authorities will want to avoid a repeat of the violence that happened after the 2006 election and security personnel are very visible this time around.

Animated news service launches in TaiwanAudioTranscript

Updated 03/08/2010 21:12:32

Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai has defied authorities in Taiwan by launching his own online news channel, specialising in animated news. This comes after Taiwan's regulators denied Mr Lai a licence for a news, entertainment and information television channel. The National Communications Commission is concerned about the apparently sensationalist content of some of Mr Lai's Next Media publications.

Hong Kong residents defend right to speak CantoneseAudioTranscript

Updated 03/08/2010 21:12:32

Hundreds of people have taken part in joint protests in Hong Kong and China's southern province of Guangdong to defend the right to speak Cantonese. The dialect is spoken by the majority of people in both regions. But Chinese authorities want prime time broadcasting in Guangdong to be in mainstream Mandarin - instead of Cantonese.

China launches satellite to rival America's GPS networkAudioTranscript

Updated 02/08/2010 21:16:28

China has launched the fifth in a series of 35 satellites which it is hoped will rival America's world dominant GPS navigation system. The project has important security implications but will also be used by people for car navigation systems and text messages.

Nauru rejects claims it wants to profit from immigration centreAudio

Updated 02/08/2010 21:16:29

Nauru has dismissed allegations that it hopes to profit financially by saying it is ready to sign the United Nations convention on refugees. The government wants Australia to reopen an abandoned detention centre on Nauru as part of a proposed regional processing centre for asylum seekers. But Nauru's foreign affairs minister, Dr Keiran Keke, says money is not the main concern.

Australian opposition proposes cuts to overseas aidAudioTranscript

Updated 02/08/2010 21:16:29

Three weeks out from a general election, Australia's opposition has denied it's breaking a promise to match the Labor government on increasing overseas aid. The opposition is proposing almost A$300 million in cuts to climate adaptation programmes for developing countries from within the aid budget. And the Australian Greens Party says the cuts will send a bad signal to the Asia Pacific region, where climate change is said to be hitting hardest.

Major aid group dismisses fears of disease after Pakistan floodAudio

Updated 02/08/2010 21:16:29

The Pakistan Red Crescent Society has played down fears of a widespread outbreak of disease because of the floods in the country's northwest. More than 12,000 people are estimated to have died and many more have been displaced. It's said to be the worst monsoon in living memory. And now - even with the waters receding - there's the threat of diseases and illnesses like cholera and diarrhoea taking hold. But Muhammad Ilyas Khan, the secretary general of the Pakistan Red Crescent Society, says it's more likely that people will be able to return to their homes in the next few days.

Philippines remembers democracy hero Corazon AquinoAudio

Updated 02/08/2010 21:16:28

The Philippines has marked the first anniversary of the death of Corazon Aquino, the mother of the nation's president Benigno Aquino. Cory Aquino was the country's first female president. News of her ill-health last year and then her death inspired a public outpouring of tributes and later inspired her son to run in this year's presidential elections, which he won in May.

Laos still facing legacy of cluster bombsAudioTranscript

Updated 02/08/2010 21:16:28

An international treaty banning the manufacture and use of cluster bombs has come into force, with some of the world's key military powers refusing to sign up. And, so, they can still use them in current conflicts. But it's often years after conflicts have ended that the deadly effects of unexploded cluster bombs are felt. Countries like Laos remain heavily contaminated by unexploded bombs dating back to the Vietnam War.