A Muslim who converted to Christianity could face death penalty in Afghanistan for rejecting his religion. He could be executed under Sharia law if he does not reconvert. The whole world is looking at the first such trial which shows the tug-of-war between the conservative Muslims and the others after the fall of Taliban. Media spokesman of the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils, Haset Lali spoke to The Wire.

Federal Treasurer Peter Costello recently stated not only will Australia never observe Sharia or Islamic law, but those who wish to live under it should have no place in Australia. A similar debate has recently been held in Canada, and former member of the Australian Youth Roundtable Sebastian De Brennan says the Canadian experience serves as a useful reference point for discussions in our own country. He explains that in Canada disputes have already been settled in a legally binding way by using religious laws.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders have lower life expectancy that non – Indigenous people due to poor health and lack of health education and services. The inaugural Heart Foundation conference and Scientific meeting began in Sydney today, where one of the guest speakers is indigenous doctor Dr Alex Brown. He spoke to The Wire’s Elise Kuchel about the concerning rate of heart disease in Australia’s Indigenous communities.

The Bougainville conflict from 1989 to 1998 was one of the most serious and damaging conflicts in the South Pacific region since World War Two. According to some estimates as many as 15, 000 people died during the conflict and suffering on the island was widespread, with almost entire communities displaced in care centres or camps. The conflict in Bougainville has now ended, but it’s a society that is in many ways starting from scratch. Two lecturers from Flinders University have been commissioned by the United Nations Development Program to compile a Human Development Report on Bougainville. One of the lecturers involved, Dr Gour Dasvarma spoke to The Wire’s Catherine Graue.

The Australian V8 Supercar Championships get under way this weekend with the running of the Clipsal 500 on Adelaide’s street circuit. But the event is prompting concerns from some it’s glorifying unsafe driving, particularly among young drivers. Justina Legoe reports.