Haiti’s earthquake has killed more people — both in pure numbers and in terms of population percentage — and cost more than any other natural disaster affecting a single country, ever.
February, 2010
leaked 
The WSJ accuses the NYT of plagiarism
The Guardian has a copy of a letter sent from the Wall St Journal to the
Is China’s interest in Africa taking the continent backwards?
China’s rising demand of Africa’s natural resources is boosting African economies. But is it an entirely positive thing? Join the Economist’s interactive live debate, where it’s nearly time for rebuttals to begin.
How Iran uses rape to stifle dissent
Iran expert Mahmood Delkhasteh explains how the country’s regime regularly uses sexual assault — against both men and women — to silence and punish protesters and critics.
I’m like, totally, a soldier in Afghanistan
The war in Afghanistan has become Generation Y’s war and it’s a far different atmosphere from George Bush days. Embedded ABC journo Mark Corcoran reports on the war that has regained Washington’s attention.
How much local content are we getting for our $250k?
Australia’s digital channels are still exempt from the “55% local content” rules. Given they just got a $250k hand-out from the government under the guise of protecting Australian TV, isn’t it time some quotas were enforced? asks David Knox.
The 100 least powerful people
Forget about Forbes’ famous lists of the world’s biggest movers and shakers, 24/7 Wall St looks at the 100 people who are far less influential than their title and reputation would suggest.
You’re rubbish: the day I interviewed cult director Tommy Wiseau
Famously dubbed the “Citizen Kane of bad movies,” director Tommy Wiseau’s The Room has amassed a following of viewers in America who passionately celebrate its undisguisable awfulness. Here, Luke Buckmaster chats with the man behind it.
Taliban leader captured: an AfPak game changer?
Today’s big news from the AfPak frontlines is that the deputy leader of the Taliban, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, has been captured by American and Pakistani forces. Will this finally bring the Taliban to the negotiating table? asks The Economist.
The whingeing bogan becomes a whingeing Pom
Does Pauline Hanson know there are lots of immigrants in England? She may be leaving the country, but her political legacy of discrimination and hate in mainstream Aussie politics remains, writes Irfan Yusuf.
Kate Grenville: Sorry means diddly squat if it’s just symbolic
Two years ago author Kate Grenville stood with thousands of others to hear Rudd’s apology to the Stolen Generation. The public outrage on indigenous affairs has faded, but the dire living conditions of Indigenous Australians continue.
Kelly: Turns out, no one wants a human rights charter
Will Kevin Rudd enact a human rights charter as recommended by the Brennan report? The human rights lobby is powerful and determined, but it would be a foolish act with such a disengaged public, writes Paul Kelly.
Mossad’s secret history of spectacular assassinations
In the wake of accusations that a Hamas leader was killed by an team of trained Mossad assassins, the Guardian looks at Israel’s shadowy history of kidnappings and assassinations.
Meet a Mossad hit squad
Like something out of Le Carre: Dubai has released the details of an alleged 11-person Mossad-controlled hit squad it believes is responsible for the assassination of Hamas leader Mahmoud al-Mabhouh.
VIDEO: Watch the hit squad at work
CCTV footage of the alleged assassination of Hamas leader Mahmoud al-Mabhouh by a European hit squad.
Who wants to be a Liberal MP?
If you ever wanted to be a Liberal MP, this is probably a good time to be putting your hand up, says Charles Richardson. The Victorian Liberal Party still has a lot of “help wanted” signs up around the state.
WorkChoices II: the Coalition strikes back
Tony Abbott has been steering the political narrative into some treacherous waters this week: industrial relations. As the sharks start circling, will the Coalition sink or swim in the spectre of WorkChoices?
Beggars: to give or not to give?
One of the most confronting things about travelling in a developing country like India is the poverty that gets up in your face asking for change. But should you support a begging culture? asks Scott Bridges.
Digital and online archives: This is the BBC
The BBC archives are going online! It’s a work in process — in three years, 50,000 hours of footage have been digitised, and that’s just 10% of total Beeb content — but it’s a whole new direction for the network.
Never too old to be your own boss
The ‘older and wiser’ cliché has a lot of truth in it, with retirees being the biggest group of entrepreneurs in the business world. WSJ profiles the older entrepreneurs who realise their peers are their ideal target market.
Europe’s ETS declared a smashing success
Contrary to popular belief, Europe’s “Great Bix Tax on Everything” has not been a flop. The world’s biggest emissions trading scheme has created a healthy carbon market and brought emissions down. Australia could learn a lot.
Your Say: Daily Mail readers' feedback: No interest in the private life of Rann
Crikey readers chew the fat on the important things in life: Mike Rann, the property market and … Dante’s Cove.
Interest rates ‘finely balanced’, business conditions fall ‘significantly’
Monetary police remains “finely balanced” as the Reserve Bank board minutes for the February 2 meeting, released today, have again reminded us.
Business As Usual: Kerry hardly stoked by WA Newspapers … Westpac’s big bananas … Top Gear payout
WA Newspapers still shedding readers (and profits), Westpac’s knee-deep in bananas, the earnings power of Top Gear and the latest on the Japanese and European economies in today’s business briefs.
Morning Market Report: A good day for the market
The market is up 49 today, but the dollar fell slightly to fell slightly to 88.77c.
