澳洲新闻 (ABC新闻快递) 2010-05-19（在线收听）

The standoff in Bangkok continues with the Thai government refusing to hold peace talks with the leaders of the Red Shirt protesters. Earlier the Red Shirts accepted an offer from the Senate speaker to act as a mediator. But the government says it won't take part in discussions until the protesters end their blockade.

The Shadow Treasurer Joe Hockey will today unveil more of the Opposition's budget response in his speech to the National Press Club. Mr. Hockey is expected to announce more than 40 savings measures which the Opposition says it would take the budget back into the black. He's also tipped to announce a broad ranging review of the Trade Practices Act which is aimed at helping small business.

A productivity commission report shows the nation's hospitals operating around ten per cent below best practice efficiency. Smaller public hospitals, many in remote areas were found to be less efficient than similar-sized private hospitals. But their reporter says this was possibly due to a lower occupancy rate.

In Afghanistan, a suicide car bomber has killed 18 people, including five US soldiers in the capital Kabul. More than 50 other people were injured when the blast targeted a NATO-led convoy during peak hour. The Taliban has claimed responsibility. The number of American soldiers killed in Afghanistan has now reached 1,000.
And Greece’s received the first part of a multi billion dollar international loan to help it overcome its debt crisis.