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Web-only Exclusives November 30, 2000 From Our Correspondent: Hirohito and the War A conversation with biographer Herbert Bix From Our Correspondent: A Rough Road Ahead Bad news for the Philippines - and some others From Our Correspondent: Making Enemies Indonesia needs friends. So why is it picking fights? |
Week of October 13, 1995
GOLD BUG
Gold worth $24 million is stolen in Western Australia every year, but the figure could be double that, or 2% of all gold mined in the country, the state'sSunday Times reported. Most of the gold is taken by trusted employees of mines and processing plants, it said. Argyle Diamonds, the world's biggest gem producer, has announced losing some $37.5 million in stolen gems.Week of October 6, 1995
WISH LIST
In a report delivered to Australian PM Paul Keating, a business advisory group called on the 18-member APEC forum to take important steps to aid commerce at its November conference in Osaka. On the list: "roadmaps" for APEC members to meet their free trade goals, visa-free business travel in member countries and accelerated trade liberalization targets.Week of September 29, 1995
NUCLEAR REACTION
According to a poll by environmental group Greenpeace, 75% of Australians believe the government should stop uranium exports to France - 10% of Australia's total uranium exports - to protest nuclear testing in the Pacific. The credibility of Australia's objection is being undermined, warned Greenpeace. Earlier this month a shipment was held up over the issue.Week of September 22, 1995
A TALL TALE
Controversy continued to engulf Helen Darville, who won Australia's top literary award with the war-time novel, The Hand that Signed the Paper. Having apologized for pretending to be Helen Demidenko, of Ukrainian descent, to lend her book credibility, she faced complaints of plagiarism. Her publisher lifted a ban on book sales after she successfully cleared her name.Week of September 8, 1995
SLIM FIGURE
A surprise narrowing of Australia's current account deficit sent the country's currency to a sevenmonth high. July statistics showed the figure dropped over $750 million from May. "There has been a massive improvement in two months," said economist Rory Robertson. Analysts blame a poor savings rate and excessive reliance on foreign funds for Australia's persistent deficit.Week of September 1, 1995
FACT AND FICTION
She won Australia's highest literary award for a novel she said was based on her family's war experiences in the Ukraine. But her mother says author Helen Demidenko has English, not Ukrainian, blood and that she changed her name to lend the novel credibility. Despite (or because of) the controversy, sales of the book, The Hand that Signed the Paper, are brisk.
Week of August 25, 1995
SINKING FOUNDATION
A mortgage means borrowing now to buy a home that will appreciate in value. Usually, the bet pays off. But oversupply and higher interest rates have stuck some Australians in Sydney's suburbs with "negative equity" - owing more on a house than it is worth. Analysts warn that if the trend spreads, it could be political poison for the ruling Labor Party.
Week of July 28, 1995
NOT CONCERNED
If the anti-Labor swing in the recent state elections in Queensland, Australia were duplicated nationally, it could mean trouble for Prime Minister Paul Keating's government. At the close of counting, Labor and the National-Liberal Coalition each had 42 seats, with four undecided and one going to an independent. Keating said he was "not concerned."
Week of July 07, 1995
FRIENDLY SKIES?
Hong Kong and Australia averted a commercial air war when they agreed to reconfigure agreements governing the operations of each other's air carriers. A dispute had arisen over whether Australia's Qantas Airways was carrying more Asian traffic than allowed. Under the agreement, the two will review all air agreements between them by the end of the year.
