SBS World View program

Giving alleged war criminal chance to clear his name: Jewish group

SBS Radio — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:49:59 +1000

The federal government has paved the way for Hungarian authorities to extradite an alleged Nazi war criminal who's been living in Perth, to face trial in his homeland. 88 year-old Charles Zentai - a former member of the Hungarian army during the Second World War - has been fighting against his extradition for four years, including on the basis of ill-health. Mr Zentai has been charged with playing a role in the torture and murder of a Jewish teenager in Hungary 65 years ago. He is the first person to be extradited from Australia for an alleged war crime The Australia-Israel Jewish Affairs Council's spokesman, Colin Rubenstein told Caroline Davey that the Jewish community in Australia has welcomed the government's decision.

China's mining interest in African countries expands 10-fold

SBS Radio — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 09:46:03 +1000

China has offered African nations 10-billion dollars in low-interest development loans over the next three years. The move will increase influence that's already given Beijing wide access to oil and minerals across the continent. Chinese Premier, Wen Jiabao made the pledge at a China-Africa summit in Egypt. Our Beijing-based correspondent Douglas Bakshian reports on the extent of Chinese involvement in Africa and why it's set to grow. He spoke with Caroline Davey.

World View highlights

SBS Radio — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 08:09:42 +1000

In this podcast with Caroline Davey, ** some of the Tamils on customs ship in Indonesian waters accept Australia's deal to disembark ** US President Barack Obama heads to Asia - but will it achieve anything? And, ** We preview this weekend's Socceroos clash with Oman.

Obama mission to reassure Asian allies

SBS Radio — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:32:10 +1000

American President Barack Obama has embarked on a week-long Asian trip. President Obama will visit four countries and attend the APEC forum in Singapore. Washington correspondent John Stempin says it looks like an ambitious agenda. He's speaking with Caroline Davey.

World View highlights

SBS Radio — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 07:46:46 +1000

In this edition of World View hosted by Caroline Davey, ** Kevin Rudd makes a secret flying visit to troops in Afghanistan on his way to India, ** Has change really come to Eastern Europe? Also, ** Calls for an independent body to set immigration policy. And... ** Concerns for the welfare of an Australian and Canadian journalist held hostage in Somalia for more than a year.

Official media blackout on Somali kidnaps

SBS Radio — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:19:01 +1000

Official government silence surrounds the status of negotiations seeking the release of an Australian and Canadian journalist taken hostage almost 15 months ago in Somalia. Both governments are keeping tightlipped about their efforts, due to concerns that any reporting may jeopardise the outcome. The pair - Australian freelance photographer Nigel Brennan, and Canadian freelance journalist, Amanda Lindhout - were kidnapped in August 2008, as they were working as freelancers near the capital Mogadishu. There are media reports that the kidnappers initially demanded 2-point-5 million dollars in ransom, which was reduced to one million dollars earlier this year. Reporters Without Borders is an international group that's concerned with the welfare of journalists. It's vice-president in Canada, Dennis Trudeau spoke with Caroline Davey. NOTE: A Department of Foreign Affairs spokesman has told World View, the government is doing all it can to secure the release of the Australian hostage.

World View highlights

SBS Radio — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 08:11:05 +1000

In this podcast with Caroline Davey, Remembering the fallen...we take a look back at the beginnings of Remembrance day. Also, ** Are we winning the war in Afghanistan? And... ** Emergency services in El Salvador struggle to help survivors from severe flooding and mudslides.

Rock fishing can be deadly: sport groups

SBS Radio — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:05:18 +1000

With the arrival of warmer weather in many parts of the country, water safety groups are warning of the dangers of ocean fishing. New figures show that fishing from coastal rocks is one of the most deadly past-times in Australia. National coastal swimming and fishing groups say that nine to 12 Australians die unnecessarily from rock fishing each year. They have banded together to launch a safety awareness campaign, part of which is targetted to communities originally from northern Asia. Matt Thompson from Surf Life Saving Australia explains to Caroline Davey.

Urgent aid to survivors in El Salvador

SBS Radio — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:24:26 +1000

The Red Cross in El Salvador is working to avoid the spread of disease in survivors from serious flooding and mudslides. The Red Cross says Hurricane Ida and a low pressure system off the Pacific Ocean have brought as much rain in four hours, as they would normally receive in a whole winter. More than 140 people are believed to have died, and hundreds of houses close to the capital San Salvador have been destroyed. Caroline Davey spoke with Red Cross' spokeswoman in El Salvador, Mirna Zelaya, from their office in San Salvador.

World View highlights

SBS Radio — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:56:09 +1000

In today's World View podcast with Caroline Davey, ** a former journalist recounts living in East Berlin before the wall was ripped down ** new English language rules for taxi drivers And, ** staying silent not an option - a Fijian academic says he doesn't regret comments which led to his expulsion

Expelled Fiji-born academic talks about his ordeal

SBS Radio — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:54:01 +1000

Fiji-born, Australian academic Brij Lal says he does not regret the comments which led to his expulsion from Fiji. Professor Lal has described being verbally abused and fearful as he was detained by the Fijian military in Suva last week. He says he was interrogated and verbally abused before being told to get out of his birth country within 24 hours - &uot;or face the consequences&uot;. It followed his comments to the media that the expulsion of Australia's high commissioner, would lead to further isolation for Fiji. Now back in Australia, Australian National University Professor Lal spoke to Caroline Davey.

Slavery in Australia

SBS Radio — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:46:48 +1000

The rise in migration across the globe has also seen an increase in human trafficking, people forced into modern day slavery in conditions that mirror those of the slave trade centuries ago. While most of us associate this phenomenon with the developing world, Australia remains a destination for people trafficked into all kinds of servitude in many different industries. Peggy Giakoumelos reports.

Julian Moti court case continues

SBS Radio — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:24:17 +1000

Evidence about unprecedented witness payments, claims australia breached the rule of law, and accusations of political conspiracy, have all been made in the court case involving the former attorney general of the Solomon Islands. Julian Moti is attempting to have child sex charges against him thrown out, which date back to 1997 in noumea and vanuatu. The Supreme Court in Brisbane has been hearing the stay application on and off for several months, and the judge has reserved her decision. Queensland correspondent Stefan Armbruster has been following the case.

World View highlights

SBS Radio — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 07:26:01 +1000

In this podcast with Caroline Davey, **We mark the anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, 20 years ago today.. **Sudan begins preparing for elections, amid ongoing unrest in Darfur.. And, ** Indonesia has its own Watergate... as different forces struggle for power over the fight against corruption

Bushfire season begins

SBS Radio — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 11:04:13 +1000

Firefighters will have their work cut out for them this year, with Country Fire Services and weather experts predicting an extreme season. Victoria's firefighting volunteers have called for one agency to be put in charge of all bushfires in the state. This is just one recommendation following the devastation that occurred earlier this year in Victoria.