Will the Nationals quit the Coalition?The National Party is discussing leaving the Coalition, amid frustration at poor polling, opinions being ignored by Liberals, and a lack of focus on regional Australia, writes Matthew Franklin.
August, 2009
Baghdad blasts: Who’s to blame? Us?
At least 95 are dead from coordinated bomb blasts in what is Baghdad’s bloodiest day this year. But who is behind the attacks, and how much responsibility does the US and its allies bear since withdrawing troops? Experts and journalists weigh in.
Bombs blast US into political frontlines
With Iraq headed into election season, the Baghdad bombings have pushed the issue of the US military presence in the country — and national pride — to the fore, says Ben Lando. But if Iraq can’t learn to live with the US troops, they will have to learn to live without them — fast.
A deadly warning
Whoever the the Baghdad bombers were, they have sent a clear message to the world: they are able to strike at the heart of the Iraqi Government, says Deborah Haynes. It raises serious questions about the country’s ability to hold its own on the security front.
Carnage and despair return to Iraq
The belief that the Iraqi Government had broken free from extremists has been blasted away with the bomb attacks in Baghdad.
Can a landscape painting beat a landscape photo?
Culture mulcher WH Chong tackles a hoary old argument, photography versus painting, with a hands-on approach: photographing then painting Queensland’s Carnarvon Gorge.
The end of privacy
It takes only 10 digits to label each human being on the planet uniquely, says scientist Ari Juels, and as our world becomes increasingly digitised and databased, we must accept that we’ll soon be wearing our names on our foreheads. Your mobile phone is probably already squealing on you.
Clothes maketh the retail industry
Clothing retailers have taken a battering this year, but niche segments — like online stores and men’s fashion — are growing and IBISWorld predict a growth rate of 2.9% for the industry.
Aussie mateship: buying homes together
Okay, so obviously the First Home Owners Grant just pushes up the price of real estate, but if you are still interested in cashing in on it, consider buying a home with a friend. Just pay attention to the legal nitty gritty.
Anti-war movement struggles without Bush
For many on the Left, opposing the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan was really about opposing George W. Bush, says Byron York. Even though the US still has hundreds of thousands of troops fighting in the Middle East, without Dubbya, anti-war campaigners are now struggling to find support.
Liberals turn on Obama: no you can’t
Liberal backlash against Barack Obama is growing in the US, with even commentators like Jon Stewart and Ezra Klein, coming out in opposition to Obama’s health care reform dealings. The main issue? Obama is giving away too much to Republicans.
Why China will attack India
China will attack India by 2012, says Bharat Verma: the country needs a military victory to unite its fractured population, and pacifist India is the softest target.
WARNING: zombies attack may destroy humans
If zombies attacked the human race, only severe force would save us, says new research. There is a serious side to the work, comparing zombie attacks to the spread of infectious diseases like swine flu. What about zombie pigs?
Sacré bleu! Climate change threatens French wine
Fifty of France’s leading chefs, sommeliers and chateaux have written an open letter to president Nicolas Sarkozy with a blunt message: climate change will kill the French wine industry. To make matters worse, rising temperatures could mean the best wines soon come from England — or even Scotland!
Beauty over brains?
Is the old ‘dumb but pretty’ stereotype true? Imagine being so beautiful that your physical presence is all you needed to supply to a social occasion. It’d be easier than bringing wine and witty banter, writes Avril Rolfe.
Album review: Eilen Jewell’s Sea of Tears
Crikey’s music blogger Tim Dunlop reviews the latest offering from alt-country songstress Eilen Jewell: It’s a keeper.
Where are Australia’s female political bloggers?
Why is the Australian political blogosphere such a sausage-fest? asks Possum Comitatus. Where are the dedicated Australian women political bloggers of the likes of America’s Wonkette or Pandagon?
Film review: District 9
District 9 is a pulse-pounding, convention-bending sci-fi romp, that proves there is much extraterrestrial life left in the well-worn genre of aliens-on-earth movies, writes Luke Buckmaster.
Has the stethoscope become a useless prop?
The stethoscope is an iconic tool of any good GP: but most don’t even know how to use one properly. Now a group of veteran physicians are trying to revive the lost art of “cardiac auscultation” with the aid of 21st technology, like iPods and computer generated heart sounds.
Salon: from web magazine to web publication
What’s the difference between a web magazine and a web publication? Don’t ask us, but that’s the justification being used by Salon CEO Richard Gingras for firing six staff members.
AOL booms in the media bust
AOL’s online media empire is surging ahead, despite the general industry downturn, with hundreds of mainstream media vets now being poached to produce copy for more than 80 websites, including Politics Daily, Engadget and FanHouse.
Why lazy journalists love Detroit
As Detroit collapses, it is being descended on by a plague of journalists, all looking to write a lazy feature and shoot some “ruin porn”. Locals are starting to tire of their town being treated like an exhibit.
The evolution of the t-shirt
Designers go to great effort to create the perfect, “worn-in” t-shirt — with the price tag to match. But the once humble garment is now more than just fashion, says Hugo Lindgren: it’s a canvas.
