The Wilderness Society goes wild: greenies are baying for bloodThe disgruntled infighting between management and staff within the Wilderness Society is grabbing lots of media and political attention. Not exactly what the environmental movement needs, writes Heidi Douglas.
February, 2010
Behind Apple’s Great Wall in China
Reuters goes inside the heavily-guarded “industrial fortress” in South China where Apple’s products are manufactured, and company secrets are kept that way — or else.
Has the world run out of good band names?
A band’s name can make or break its career, but thanks to the internet, an increasing number of acts are discovering their witty moniker isn’t quite as original as they’d first thought.
Australia’s grand history of Ministers not taking responsibility
If a minister had to resign every time somebody under their charge screwed up, the Cabinet would be bare, says Barrie Cassidy, with a great historical primer on when Ministerial Responsibility has and hasn’t be enforced wisely.
Film review: Crazy Heart — hits all the right notes
Jeff Bridges is generating a lot of Oscar buzz for his role in Crazy Heart, the
character study of a past-his-prime country music troubadour who reluctantly confronts important life decisions long after they’re due, writes Luke Buckmaster.
How I joined a right-wing think tank — and survived!
Driven by desperation in his poverty-stricken student days Matthew Di Leo went to work for a right wing think tank. Read his horror stories of being trapped in a room with Young Libs for hours at a time.
Calming the Indian crisis
The violence against Indian students issue isn’t going anywhere, and while the Australian government fails to fix it, the Indian media will run inflammatory, blanket coverage. It’s time for an independent inquiry to help mend our relations.
Why business won’t be lining up to support Abbott’s IR plans
While employers may quietly support Tony Abbott’s plan to scrap weekend penalty rates and unfair dismissal laws, they’re not about to form a Coalition cheer squad, says Nicholas Way: they know Gillard will still be holding the reigns of power after the election.
Qantas half-yearly big on excuses, small in results
Qantas has just released its latest half-yearly financial report. In a nut-shell: Jetstar is booming, mainline isn’t and shareholders get nothing by way of dividends. Ben Sandilands has more.
Austin: Brumby to get the boot?
The Bracks/Brumby Labor leaders have ruled Victoria for a decade, but judging by recent byelections, the Labor tides are changing. Are we witnessing the beginning of the end? asks Paul Austin.
Vote for the latest First Dog on the Moon bumper sticker! Or die!
Democracy is alive and well! Click here to vote for your number one favourite bumper sticker because then we will print billions or either millions of them.
Is the world ready for life after Dear Leader?
While most will be happy to see the end of North Korean despot Kim Jong-il, his inevitable death will carry some serious global consequences — including the serious possibility of regime collapse and the outbreak of war. And the world is not prepared.
How a “mediocre stockbroker” conned Merrill Lynch
The story of Steven Mandala, who got a job with investment bank Merrill Lynch, talked them into giving him a $780,000 loan on his first day, bought a Ferrari and went AWOL.
Garrett’s insulation scandal gets even hotter
Already under fire over his foil insulation scheme, the scrutiny on Peter Garrett is set to reach boiling point, with new revelations today of dodgy solar panels, shonky businessmen and fresh attacks from industry. Better slip, slop, slap, Pete.
Conroy and Rudd’s $250m headache
Plenty of fresh controversy today in the ongoing scandal of the Federal Government’s $250m “gift” to TV networks, with news that both Stephen Conroy and Tony Abbott have been getting uncomfortably close to the media industry.
“Shit for fuel” turns British Airways green
Although cynics said it would never work, British Airways has signed up for a revolutionary biomass-for-jet-fuel process which will power part of its fleet from 2014, reports Ben Sandilands.
Calories, cakes and cookies: the horror of school cafeteria food
You think Jamie Oliver had it hard? Michelle Obama has launched an anti-obesity program, with a focus on American school cafeteria food. With meals being made for US$1, it’s no surprise that they’re neither healthy nor tasty.
revealed Abbott and Murdoch’s secret meeting
When Tony Abbott was attacking Kevin Rudd over the Government’s $500m handout to free-to-air television, suggesting “it looks like an election-year bribe”, he neglected to mention his own recent secret breakfast meeting with Rupert Murdoch, writes Bernard Keane.
If cost was no object, most Aussie kids would attend private schools
A new study by Independent Schools Queensland has found that 42% of parents with kids at public schools would switch them to private education if cost were no object. Perhaps it’s time to question the common wisdom of public schools as the “norm”, suggests Andrew Norton.
Move over Virgin: other airlines with a sense of humour
Low cost air travel doesn’t have to be just a squishy and boring affair. South African budget carrier Kulula Air paints their planes humorously, allows checked bows and arrows and flies golf bags for free, explains Ben Sandilands.
Your Say: Daily Mail readers' feedback: Pokies, porkies and poppycock
Crikey readers weigh in on pokies, Afghanistan, Newspoll and wine tasting with Mick the sub.
Stop missing the point. Greece is important
The global economy is wound up so tightly that if Greece goes snap, crackle and pop and causes something to break in European markets, there will be shit flying all over the place and a far more devastating GFC will begin.
Business As Usual: Westfield’s woes … Greeks falling behind … the dumped CEO
Frank Lowy owes Australians a lot for keeping his shopping centre giant Westfield afloat in 2009. That, plus the latest economic news from Greece and China in today’s business briefs.
Morning Market Report: Another good day for the market
The Dow Jones closed up 169. Biggest one-day rally in percentage terms in 3 months. Dow was up 180 at best and up 2 at worst. A massive day for results today.
