ABC Home | Radio | Television | News | …More Subjects

More Current Affairs:

Latest Program:

Friday, 18 July, 2008

Full program Real Play Real
Full program Windows Play Windows
Full program MP3 Play MP3

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.

Latest Transcripts:

Updated Friday, 18 July, 2008

QANTAS cuts jobs to keep flying

QANTAS this morning has announced that it will shed four per cent of its workforce. The 1,500 job losses will be felt across the board but predominantly among its local staff. Chief executive Geoff Dixon says that if the cost of oil continues to climb, more tough decisions will be forced on the company.

Telstra quits pay negotiations

Telstra has called pay talks accusing the unions of jeopardising the company's tender for the national broadband network. The ACTU wants the company's 32,000 workers to be given the chance to switch to a collective agreement instead of individual contracts. But Telstra says its employees have never been happier.

IMF warns on inflation threat

The International Monetary Fund has warned that the global economy is in a tough spot, with demand slowing sharply in major industrial economies and inflation rising everywhere. The Fund has lifted its 2008 inflation forecast to 3.4 percent for advanced economies and to nine per cent for emerging economies.

Treasurer to meet Woodside, but warns 'no free lunch' on emissions trading

Treasurer Wayne Swan says he'll meet the head of Woodside Petroleum to discuss concerns about the proposed carbon pollution reduction scheme. Woodside believes the scheme will put at risk more than $60-billion worth of planned investment. But the Treasurer says its too early to tell.

Carbon trade worth $11-billion in three years: analyst

European carbon market analysts Point Carbon estimate Australia's ETS could be worth $11-billion in the first three years. The firm says Australia has improved on the European trading system, but has made some of the same mistakes by handing out free permits.

Accusations NT Govt misspent Indigenous funding

There are calls for a royal commission into the Northern Territory Government's spending on Aboriginal services. A Central Land Council accuses the Government of diverting billions of Commonwealth money into unrelated projects. But the NT Treasurer rejects the allegations.

Another horse worker struck with bat virus

In Queensland, an outbreak of the potentially deadly Hendra virus has worsened, with a second person diagnosed with the disease. The horse handler works at a veterinary clinic south east of Brisbane, where the outbreak has claimed the lives of two horses.

Pilgrims call on Church to address social justice

World Youth Day pilgrims are urging the church and governments to tackle poverty and inequality around the world. But one critic says the Catholic Church is masses of wealth and could do a lot more.

Pianists hit Sydney for musical marathon

Dubbed the piano "Olympics", the world's best young virtuosos are competing in the Sydney International Piano Competition. They're expected to play up to four hours of music from memory and if they make it to the final they they have to memorise an entire concert to be performed with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.

Top five medal finish expected for Aust Olympic team

The make up of the final Australian Olympic team was announced today. There are 433 athletes on the team. The Australian Olympic Committee says while we don't know yet just how successful the team will be, they will be the best prepared.