Jet crashes are rare in Australia, but one happened last night at Norfolk Island and no-one in the media noticed. All six people on board the CareFlight medical evacuation jet have survived
November, 2009
No winners, but Jodee Rich gets back on his bike
For Jodee Rich, the One.Tel issue does not end with yesterday’s judgement: he’s still seeking the payment of the $132 million that PBL and News had originally committed for the rights issue, plus interest and damages.
The nuclear option: too slow, too costly
It’s not radioactivity or scare campaigns that are the nuclear industry’s biggest problem, it’s the maths: the numbers show that for decades to come, it will offer less and less of a solution to climate change, and simply takes too long and costs too much to develop.
Tips and rumours: Tips and rumours: The Libs in Hume, from an inside source
All the excitement of the Liberal Party nominations for Hume, closing our National Archives, United Group’s $50 million golden handshake, and Qantas hands out “bags of crap”.
How Obama’s China trip killed Copenhagen
Despite all the fanfare around Obama’s trip to China, he failed to make any headway with the country in securing support for serious emissions targets, says Steve Clemons. As a result, Copenhagen is now dead.
Film review: Paranormal Activity — no frills fear
Paranormal Activity is a no frills camcorder-shot thriller that cost around US$11,000 to make. So far it’s pocketed more than US$100 million, with much more business to come. But is it any good? Luke Buckmaster checks it out.
Did a cosmic ray zap the Airbus?
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau is now considering the remote possibility that a rogue cosmic ray or solar particle caused a Qantas plane to twice dive out of control over Western Australia in October last year, says Ben Sandilands.
Cut up your credit card
Megan McArdle recently interviewed finance guru Dave Ramsey, who advocates one simple message: ditch your credit cards and live debt-free. Would the world really be a better place without the plastic fantastic?
Video of the Day: Stephen Colbert on cricket
“All the excitement of a round of golf AND a game of baseball, stretched out over five days…”
The 100 best books of the decade
The Times lists its pick for the 100 best books of the noughties, with plenty of controversial picks sure to see the scones flying at your next book club (Twilight? The 9/11 Commission Report? The Da Vinci Code?).
Nate Silver: Why Palin could still be the Republicans’ next presidential candidate
Despite many believing Sarah Palin’s days as a politician are over, Nate Silver reckons she’s still in with a chance to be nominated as the Republicans’ 2012 Presidential candidate. He gives 10 good reasons why.
Sinodinos: The environment is too important to be left to The Greens
The environment is no longer a niche issue that should remain solely in the hands of socialist Greens, says Arthur Sinodinos. Major parties can advocate for the environment without giving up on capitalism.
New York Times: The Movie
A documentary filmmaker has taken up residence at the NYT to make a movie based around the paper’s media desk, documenting the journos’ depressing task of reporting on newspaper layoffs and closures, day-in, day-out.
media death watch 
The axe drops at the Associated Press
Heads have begun to roll at US-based newswire service the Associated Press, as the agency attempts to cut its costs by 10%.
Coates: Australia should not strive for mediocrity
AOC President John Coates argues against the findings of the Crawford Review in today’s Oz: Australians won’t settle for second (or tenth) best: we need and want our elite athletes.
The new EU President: meet the contenders
The European Union will announce its new President this week, following a rather sketchy closed-door process. HuffPo introduces the candidates and the bookies’ odds on their chances.
Aussie sheep set sail for ritual slaughter — if they’re lucky
Millions of sheep are headed off to the Middle East to be slaughtered for the Eid al-Adha festival. But tens of thousands will die before they even reach the shore as the cruel practice of live exports continues, says the RSPCA’s Heather Neil.
The Times reveals its paywall plans
As News Corp sites prepare to erect paywalls around their content, the editor of the UK’s Times has finally revealed some bricks-and-mortar information about what it will be doing and when.
Verrender: Time to put ASIC out of its misery
ASIC’s One.Tel flop puts the final nail in its coffin, says Ian Verrender: it’s time to scrap the regulator and start all over again.
Joyce: Why I’m still voting no on the CPRS
The Nationals’ Barnaby Joyce outlines the reasons he won’t be won over on emissions trading: “the CPRS will change the air we breathe by 0.0000000978 of 1%.”
The most pointless Parliament for 350 years
The Queen’s speech was a waste of timeMa’am speaks
The Queen has given her annual speech to mark the opening of the British Parliament. Read the full text here (don’t worry; it’s brief).
Maiden: Will ASIC lose its nerve?
With ASIC departing the One.Tel battle with its tail wedged firmly between its legs, the regulator may be less bold in aggressively pursuing cases in the future, says Malcolm Maiden
Durie: The case may be over, but questions remain
Jodee Rich may have escaped the legal battle with ASIC, but that doesn’t mean he’s cleared his name, says John Durie.
