Japanese industrial production failed to improve its rate of increase in May, and with global demand weak, exports won’t save their slumping economy.
June, 2009
US banks still world’s best practice in failure
Most American economists and the big end of Wall Street are ignoring the increasing failure rate among American banks.
Media briefs: Scientology global ad blitz… Iran leads world in jailing journos…
Scientologists enlist the assistance of Fairfax in their global media blitz, News Ltd hate Twitter, Pringles win the Gold Lion, and more from the mad, mad world of media.
John Elliot, hush money and the AFL
It is not John Elliott in this case who has shamed himself, but rather, the entire AFL fraternity.
An industry insider’s review of The Wire
Dr Alex Wodak reviews The Wire. In his professional medical opinion: it’s highly addictive.
Kevin Rudd — commercial TV everyman and regular Twit
Following Kevin Rudd on Twitter is compelling and cringey all at the same time.
Crikey Says: American sceptics take succour from Steve
Makes you proud, doesn’t it, to read tales of distinguished Australians making a name for themselves abroad. Cue Steven Fielding.
US climate change bill passes first hurdle
Greenies the world over have been, by turns, snorting and smiling into their morning fair-trade rooibos over a climate bill passed by the US House of Representatives on Friday.
Airlines, the Senate and the transfer of criminal responsibility
A back door attempt to water down the absolute responsibility of airlines for the actions of their employees and criminalise pilots has been blocked in the Senate.
Tips and rumours: Rich list in ATO’s sights
The Australian Taxation Office has decided to audit the books of Australians who have more than $30 million in personal wealth, says a Crikey tipster.
What social media revolution?
In the end, what could be heard on Twitter last week with regard to Iran was white noise from the West, writes Helen Razer.
95 kids on Christmas Island and counting
As another 194 asylum seekers head to Christmas Island for health and security checks, concerns are being raised about the number of children already there.
Turnbull does a Downer on popularity
In the modern history of federal leaders of the Opposition, there have been only two that have burnt their public approval like phosphorus, writes Possum Comitatus.
Guy Rundle: And now for a central American coup!
Wow — talk about your nostalgia boom. First Jacko has everyone digging out Off The Wall. And now a central American coup!
Australia’s role in Iraq must be examined
As US combat troops get set to leave Iraqi towns and cities tomorrow, it’s time for Australia to get the kind of inquiry due to take place in Britain, argues Overland editor Jeff Sparrow.
Iran: The world leader in jailing journalists
In just the 13 days since the Iranian election, the country has become the world’s leading jailer of journalists, with 40 journos detained and arrest by police.
Rowe vs Australian writers
News that former SBS Independent head Glynis Rowe is being funded by SBS to produce a crime series using UK and US writers will come as no surprise to those Australian writers who had dealings with her.
Anti-abuse ad batters women when no-one’s looking
Amnesty International has installed a new anti-domestic-abuse ad in Germany which uses an eye-tracking camera to sense when someone is looking at it — and when they’re looking away.
Mungo MacCallum: Utegate political whodunit
There can be no doubt that Rudd emerged triumphant, and Turnbull severely damaged. But the question remains: who set up the caper in the first place? And almost as importantly, why?
Would it be easier to moonwalk on the moon?
And other Michael Jackson FAQs.
Murdoch children inch closer to global media domination
UK media reports have Rupert Murdoch’s second daughter Elisabeth as an early contender to be CEO of ITV. Good grief.
Political snippets: The Grocery Choice, Emerson connection
Is it a coincidence that the decision to scrap the supermarket price watch came shortly after the Minister for Small Business also became the Minister for Consumer Affairs?
Guy Rundle: Michael Jackson, we can only hope, was just the first
The death of Michael Jackson need not be the end of the line for celebrity termination.
Dog days for the Liberal Party of Australia
The Liberal party needs to carefully examine the options. Is Wilson Tuckey really too old? Is Philip Ruddock still alive? Can Sir Robert Menzies be exhumed? asks Dr Norman Abjorensen.
