How the UN poisoned BangladeshHow a UN and World Bank-backed scheme to bring clean drinking water to millions of Bangladeshis went horribly wrong, resulting in what the World Health Organisation has labeled “the largest mass poisoning of a population in history”.
March, 2010
Collingwood announces new Westpac sponsorship, Westpac announces interest rate rise. Coincidence?
On the same day that Westpac reveals it is taking over as Collingwood Football Club’s major sponsor, it also suggests that an interest rise is imminent. Leigh Josey sniffs a conspiracy.
Good news for Australia’s economy: our iPods are a rip-off
Australia’s iPod’s are now the most expensive in the English-speaking world. It’s bad news for music lovers, but a good sign for our economy, says Peter Martin: it means retailers can afford to gouge us.
The other Murdoch
A fascinating interview with Elisabeth Murdoch, the often forgotten daughter of Rupert and head of UK production company Shine. Murdoch talks Fox News, her political persuasions and what happens once Rupert’s gone.
Watch out Stewart and Colbert: Onion News Network is coming
Satirical newspaper The Onion is getting its own TV show — and if it’s anywhere near as good as its fantastic online videos, it will be an absolute ripper.
America’s smartest people choose their favourite websites
The clever people at American Mensa have voted on their top 50 websites to visit. Surprisingly, Crikey doesn’t make the list, but Cake Wrecks, I Can Has Cheeseburger and Craigslist do.
Google: We no longer hate freedom
Google has officially stopped censoring its searches in China today. The company’s Senior Vice President David Drummond explains how and why they did it.
US health reform: how the world reacted
Daily media wrap: Yes he did. Across the globe, the media has applauded the passing of Obama’s historic health care reforms, but in America itself, not everyone is breaking out the bubbly.
A tale of two voting systems
It wasn’t just the ALP and Libs going head-to-head in the weekend’s elections: it was SA’s single-member preferential voting system up against Tasmania’s single transferable vote proportional representation system (aka Hare-Clark). So which works best?
Grattan: Abbott, enough with the exercise already
Yes, Tony Abbott could be poster boy for a national exercise campaign. But his commitment to running marathons seems to almost outweigh his commitment to being Opposition leader, warns Michelle Grattan.
No longer Made in Australia
There was once a time when Australians were inherently proud of items that were manufactured in Australia. That day has passed, notes Geoff Strong, since we now go out of our way to avoid Aussie made.
China: Who needs Google?
As Google stops censoring Google.cn, China’s state media arm, Xinhua hits back, deriding the search engine as “arrogant” and accusing it of challenging the Chinese government’s sovereignty — while taking a swipe at Avatar and name-dropping Lady Gaga.
Expert advice for Rudd and Abbott ahead of the health debate
Health experts, including Professor Pat McGorry, Professor Ian Olver and Professor Kerin O’Dea, offer their advice to help the PM and his counterpart prep for the big health stoush.
Savva: Nasty Rudd won’t last past the next election
Not even Kevin Rudd’s own party like him. He’s win the next election despite this, but he’ll essentially be a one-term PM because Wonder Woman Julia Gillard will swoop in, writes Niki Savva.
Experts give last-minute debating prep tips
Some advice from health experts — including senior bureaucrats, Professor Gavin Mooney and Professor Glenn Salkeld to help the PM and Opposition leader with their last-minute preparations.
Rudd goes rogue
Rudd’s pulled a risky move by calling for the health smackdown, but he’s banking on Abbott being stuck talking about Howard days. Too bad Rudd failed to mention the treacherous plan to any of his staff beforehand, says Christine Jackman.
Rudd vs. Abbott: the smack-down
Daily media wrap: It’s Kevin “Dr Death” Rudd vs. Tony “The Mad Monk” Abbott in the slug-fest of the century, and the pundits have gathered ringside, ready to land a few blows of their own.
A tale of two Romes
Rome, the city where tourists live peacefully — minus their cameras — with a huge homeless population. It might not always be pretty, but it makes for interesting travelling, writes Tristan.
Guns, Huns and World War I: which war has the best movies?
As Hollywood continues to pump out flicks about combat, the question lingers: which American war provides the best film fodder? Even without the shocking exclusion of Sylvester Stallone’s Victory, the answer is a little surprising.
MSG “the essence of taste” once again
Chinese restaurants rejoice, apparently MSG isn’t bad for us. Despite previously being associated with headaches, castration and brain damage, the tasty additive was just the victim of food hysteria.
First Dog on the Moon: Not good enough Australia!
Australia’s favourite cartoonist First Dog on the Moon indulges in a rant against Australia. Why is no one buying First Dog’s beloved bumper stickers? Has he jumped the shark?
Essential: Voters would elect Gillard over Abbott
This week’s Essential Report, now brought to you earlier by Crikey, finds 47% of voters would prefer the Powerfox as PM over the Mad Monk, while a quarter of the country can’t seem to pick between Rudd and Joe Hockey. Possum has the rest of the figures.
Nestle’s Facebook FAIL
Food empire Nestle showed how not to do social marketing recently, pissing off fans by deleting comments and engaging in childish flame-wars with critics, before finally having to apologise: “I have stopped being rude.”
“Drunk” foods from around the world
What are other countries’ versions of the drunken late night kebab? Lemondrop looks at what other oily, fatty foodstuffs late-night revelers are cramming down their gobs — plus recipes so you can try it yourself this weekend.
