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Since October 1995

Thursday 1st February 1996

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International:

The Australian cricket team's visit to Sri Lanka for the World Cup was being reconsidered yesterday after a massive bomb blast shook the heart of Colombo leaving over 50 dead and nearly 1000 wounded. Bowlers Shane Warne and Craig McDermott have already received death threats in the mail aimed at discouraging them from taking part in the World Cup. McDermott was unsettled by the news saying "It does disturb me. Whether or not it was a suicide, a bomb is a bomb as far as I am concerned."

Political:

Howard won the hearts of the green voters yesterday with a promise to invest Au$1 billion in the environment. The money would be made available through the sale of 33% of Telstra for an estimated Au$10 billion. The main areas of investment targeted are: National Vegetation Initiative: Au$318 million. Rehabilitation of the Murray-Darling basin: Au$163 million. Landcare and farm forestry: boosted by Au$280 million and an on-going trust of Au$300 million for green projects falling within a five year plan. It reminds us, after Paul Keating's recently announced greens policy, of the song "Anything you can do I can do better." Right now the opposition Liberal party are flying so far ahead of the Labor Government that the Alice Springs book makers already have them as 3-1 to win the election.

Business:

Queensland's battling giant MIM suffered a first half slump of 27% in its operating profits. Industrial problems at Mt Isa and production difficulties at Oaky Creek cut into the profits which were Au$23.6 million for the period. Chief executive Nick Stump said that the thing that had most effected the business was the current low-margins.

Sport:

Golfer Greg Norman just can't get away from the issue of appearance fees again being targeted at a press conference in Perth yesterday. Norman, who is in Perth to play at the Heineken Classic said: "Appearance money will never be stamped out if the sponsors want to pay to get the top stars to their tournaments and maximum publicity. It's a business deal between players and sponsors."

Social:

Killing someone and then committing suicide, a common tragedy in family killings, is related to empowerment according to Australian Institute of Studies Research and Prevention director Pierre Baume. From research into suicide notes, in 22% of cases people who killed themselves also had a desire to kill somebody else, he said. He went on to say that murder-suicides were normally carefully planned and not spur-of-the-moment events.

Personal trivia:

Another blistering hot day yesterday with temperatures reaching the late 30s. Last night I had a 20 minute spa in cold (only) water and still felt hot when I got into bed. This morning a storm threatened for a short while but appears to be dissipating - at least it appears to be a cooler day than yesterday with a thick blanket of cloud currently covering the sky! As I write a few drops of rain are starting to fall...

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