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Date to be set soon for South African elections

By Norm Dixon A firm date for South Africa's first non-racial general election is to be set by June 3. After a week of discussions beginning on April 30, representatives of South Africa's key 26 political organisations agreed that a

New albums from South Africa

The Best of Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens Dolphin through BMG Rhythm of Healing West Nkosi Earthworks/Virgin through Larrikin Records Favourites Ladysmith Black Mambazo Dolphin through BMG Reviewed by Norm Dixon

President's hand in his own assassination

President's hand in his own assassination By S. Piyasena Sri Lanka, where violence has become the rule rather than the exception, has created another record by assassinating the president and his principal rival within just eight days.

Anti-union laws retained

Anti-union laws retained Fiji's finance minister, Paul Manueli, says the country's controversial labour reforms will not be revoked. The laws, introduced by the previous interim government in 1991, severely curtail trade union rights.

Joh jury inquiry focuses on investigator

Joh jury inquiry focuses on investigator By Bill Mason BRISBANE — The spotlight in the ongoing Criminal Justice Commission inquiry into the selection of the jury in the 1991 Joh Bjelke-Petersen corruption trial has now turned to legal

Nurses impose bans

Nurses impose bans By Di Quin MELBOURNE — Nurses at Western General have imposed bans on elective admissions and internal transfer of patients due to an increasing strain on midwifery staffing levels. The closure of the midwifery

Poison in bore water

Poison in bore water By Stephen Robson PERTH — Bore water in suburban Dianella has been found to be contaminated after lawns began dying. The WA Health Department and the Environmental Protection Authority have identified the herbicide

Different traditions, and why don't we know anything?

Different traditions, and why don't we know anything? Asia Music Various Celestial Harmonies through Larrikin Records Available on CD Reviewed by Mina O'Shea After passing through the hands of many people who felt they couldn't

Test tube farming: a formula for disaster

By Anne Casey A large part of our food today comes from multinational corporations, which are increasingly taking over all aspects of food production. They supply uniform seed varieties to growers along with the pesticide and fertiliser

'Be realistic, do the impossible'

By Frank Noakes "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity ...", wrote Charles Dickens of 18th century

Reformers comment on Suharto-army polemics

By Max Lane The recent struggle in Jakarta over vice-presidential, cabinet and military positions has provided a chance for liberal reformist critics of the regime also to obtain media coverage for their criticisms of authoritarianism and

Passionate fishes

Passion Fish Written and directed by John Sayles Starring Mary McDonnell and Alfre Woodard Reviewed by Lee Wallace The critics' pull quotes used to promote Passion Fish, the new film from the New York-based independent writer/director