en-auABC radio news and current affairs afternoon program reporting on Australia and the world.http://www.abc.net.au/pm/Wed, 07 Jan 2009 19:25:00 +1100Copyright 2009 Australian Broadcasting Corporation.currentaffairs@your.abc.net.aucurrentaffairs@your.abc.net.auhttp://www.abc.net.au/pm/http://www.abc.net.au/pm/img/pm_55x55.jpgno The United Nations Security Council is considering a proposal by Egypt and France to halt the fighting in the Gaza Strip. Both Israel and Hamas are facing mounting pressure to accept the ceasefire plan. http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2008/s2461099.htm Wed, 07 Jan 2009 18:10:00 +1100 http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/news/audio/pm/200901/20090107-pm-1-un-debate.mp3 The ABC's Middle East correspondent Ben Knight says Israel's Government is seriously considering the ceasefire proposal. He says any end to hostilities may include an international security force to monitor the border between Egypt and Gaza. http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2008/s2461101.htm Wed, 07 Jan 2009 18:14:00 +1100 http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/news/audio/pm/200901/20090107-pm-2-ben-knight-qna.mp3 The Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon has ordered the Australian Navy to stop using asbestos contaminated parts within two years. Mr Fitzgibbon says there's little chance sailors will contract asbestos-related diseases from the parts, but he still wants them phased out. http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2008/s2461105.htm Wed, 07 Jan 2009 18:18:00 +1100 http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/news/audio/pm/200901/20090107-pm-3-navy-asbestos.mp3 The Prime Minister of Japan Taro Aso has admitted that Allied POWs were used as forced labourers in his family's mining company during World War Two. Former Australian POWs are now calling for a full apology from the Japanese leader. http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2008/s2461106.htm Wed, 07 Jan 2009 18:22:00 +1100 http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/news/audio/pm/200901/20090107-pm-4-japan-pows.mp3 Researchers confirm a shipwreck found on the Great Barrier Reef is that of The Mermaid. They say it provides the closing chapter to the surveying of the Australian coastline. http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2008/s2461107.htm Wed, 07 Jan 2009 18:26:00 +1100 http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/news/audio/pm/200901/20090107-pm-5-mermaid-search.mp3 Fifteen years after the introduction of the Native Title Legislation in Australia, questions are being asked about how effective it is. The Federal Social Justice Commissioner Tom Calma says it's a slow and cruel system and needs urgent reform in order to fulfil its original intention of reconciliation. http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2008/s2461098.htm Wed, 07 Jan 2009 18:30:00 +1100 http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/news/audio/pm/200901/20090107-pm-6-native-title.mp3 Two teenagers in Cape Town are hoping they'll be able to sing their way out of poverty. The two singers have shunned the dominant trends in the local music scene to follow a passion for opera. http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2008/s2461102.htm Wed, 07 Jan 2009 18:34:00 +1100 http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/news/audio/pm/200901/20090107-pm-7-black-opera.mp3