What can North Korea gain by its current round of provocations, which have alienated even its old ally, China — a nuclear test, followed by short-range missile tests, and now a threat to tear up the armistice that ended the Korean War?
May, 2009
Video of the Day: Connecting to the Internet with a ’64 modem
Geeks alive! Watch as KC connects to the Internet using “one of the oldest modems of still in existence”.
Pyongyang only wants to deal with one nation: America
Pyongyang’s behavior can be seen as a reflection of its wish to abandon the Six Party process, which North Koreans find tedious and unproductive, in favour of direct talks with the US.
5 reasons why this isn’t groundhog day in North Korea
To clarify a way forward, it’s worth considering how the playing field has shifted, and how this may create a different set of possibilities for dealing with the North Korean regime, argues Dan Twining.
Russians buy a slice of Facebook
Russian investment firm Digital Sky Technologies has invested $200 million in return for a 1.96% stake in Facebook.
Roxon to face anger over blocked public health report
The findings of a highly anticipated review of public health research that was conducted last year still aren’t out. Prof. Don Nutbeam, who chaired the review’s committee, has written a letter in frustration.
Friedman: Plagiarism isn’t Maureen Dowd’s problem…
Recent accusations of plagiarism against NYT columnist Maureen Dowd aren’t her biggest issue, says Jon Friedman: it’s that she’s lazy.
Twitter distracts journos from real journalism
Twitter keeps journalists glued to their computer screens instead of being out on the streets doing their actual jobs, says Edward Wasserman.
Understanding Dan Brown’s America
If you want to understand American religion, says Ross Douthat, you need to understand why so many people love Dan Brown.
North Korea: just take a deep breath
The best response to North Korea’s attention-seeking behaviour may be no response at all, argues Fred Kaplan.
Government stick up for Gen Y
Generation Y cop a pretty bad rap, so the Federal Government are attempting to give young people some positive spin with an $8 million “Australian Youth Forum”. But can a bunch of out-of-touch Boomers really expect to engage Australia’s youth?
As times get tough, the strike makes a triumphant return
With the economic slump hitting jobs hard, workers around the world are rediscovering the power of direct action.
Gay people can’t get married; can get divorced
California’s High Court has upheld the ban against gay marriage. But those who got married in the brief window where it was legal still have full rights — til death or divorce do they part.
Can a teenage girl topple Berlusconi?
Silvio Berlusconi’s relationship with 18-year-old Noemi Letizia has already seen his wife file for divorce. Could it also cost him his job?
As Taliban rises, life gets worse for Pakistan’s women
If you need proof that Pakistan’s Taliban are rising, just ask the women and girls, who are increasingly under threat from a “fear campaign” as a result of the growing militant presence.
Brumbies 2010: is their greed good for all?
Should all the chips fall the right way, the Brumbies could be just about to pull off the most remarkable recruitment drive since the franchises inception, says Crikey Sports.
The great green job myth
Obama has promised Americans 5-million new “green” jobs will be created by subsiding alternative energy. Maybe, says Tony Blankley, but a case study of Spain shows it will cost more jobs elsewhere.
Rich 200 loses its lustre
The Rich 200 list isn’t looking so rich in the wake of the Global Financial Crisis.
Word nerds take the stage for Scripps Spelling Bee
293 of America’s best young spellers have hit Washington DC to do battle for the coveted Scripps National Spelling Bee champion’s trophy.
Barcelona the Great destroy Manchester United
This morning’s humbling of Man Utd in the Champions League final showed Barcelona might even be better than Cruyff’s originals
GM on the brink of bankruptcy
Bankruptcy looks all but certain for General Motors after bondholders rejected their offer to exchange $27 billion in debt for equity.
Breakfast Media Wrap: The Grateful Dead on Page One
Richard Farmer serves up a steaming plate of the best of the morning media.
newspaper death watch Journalism isn’t doomed, just lazy journalists
All that’s doomed in media is the management philosophy of monopolists who could not adapt to world where people, not papers, controlled the narratives of their lives, argues Robert Niles.
What the GFC can teach us about our intertwined food system
Just like the financial sector, the food system has dramatically globalised over the past generation, even as it has become increasingly concentrated.
Gawker / Thursday, 28 May 2009
US radio shockjock “Mancow” tested waterboarding to prove it isn’t torture. He lasted six seconds, and now says it’s “absolutely torture”.