Who’s fueling the Afghan war?The Nation investigates the corruption and bribery scandals surrounding the secretive fuel supply contracts for US military bases in Afghanistan.
April, 2010
Health reforms: all posturing and political theatre
Why couldn’t Victoria — a state with a strong track record of managing hospitals — continue to operate its health care system as normal as a trial? Why didn’t we embrace competitive federalism? asks Graeme Orr.
You thought the last volcano eruption was bad? Wait for the next one
Earth was lucky to get off with some delayed flights and bad weather after Iceland’s volcano erupted, explains Simon Winchester: the next one could wipe out the human race.
Did the NRL scoop the media?
The Melbourne Storm salary cap scandal is already one of the biggest stories in Australian sporting history — but the news was broken by the NRL, not the media. Did Australia’s sports media drop the ball?
Scoop! How icecream flavours are born
Ice cream company Ben & Jerry is known for its kooky flavours but how are they chosen? Its “flavour gurus” run contests, ask the public — everyone wants more peanut butter — browse magazines and gain weight, all in the search for the perfect flavour.
Green bags and composting won’t save the planet
Buying environmentally friendly products and recycling may be better than doing nothing, but “lazy environmentalism” isn’t going to save Earth, says Sharon Begley: we can’t consume our way out of climate change.
Frank Brennan: Why human rights need to be our agenda
Australia doesn’t need a human rights charter, the government has decided. Fine, says Frank Brennan, that wasn’t the main point anyway. Hopefully the government won’t ignore the 87% of respondents who want a human rights act.
The iJet age begins
There will be four very different forms of ‘smart’ check-in procedures in domestic air travel by the end of this year, which should allow people who have checked in to board their flight right up to the moment the door is sealed. Ben Sandilands explains.
Wolff: Will Murdoch lose the UK election?
Rupert Murdoch’s media war on Tory leader David Cameron and Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg in the UK are about to bite him in the arse, says Michael Wollf.
Iran starts playing war games
Iran has begun large-scale war games in the Persian Gulf codenamed “The Great Prophet”, sending a clear “up-yours” to the US. But the Pentagon isn’t biting.
Shanahan: Rudd the wimp goes batty
Kevin Rudd has done a backflip on the infamous insulation scheme and abandoned it. Now $1b will be used to fix it and Rudd didn’t even have the balls to announce it himself, says Dennis Shanahan.
UK election debate II: Return of the Clegg-i
The second UK leaders debate has just wrapped up, and all eyes were on overnight success Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg. Could he pull off an encore of his debut performance? Judge for yourself, then check out what the early polls and pundits have to say.
Grattan: Both parties are sick when it comes to health
Kevin Rudd is coming out of the health reforms looking a little awkward — lots of extra cash was given away and WA still isn’t on board — but he still looks a lot healthier than backed-into-a-corner Tony Abbott, writes Michelle Grattan.
Melbourne shit Storm
Melbourne Storm have betrayed their players, their fans, their sponsors, the other teams, the NRL, and everyone else in the phone book. The penalties are NOT harsh enough, says Ant Halstead.
How New Jersey became cool
For years New Jersey was a state mocked for its harsh accent and trashy fashion, but thanks to a bunch of crappy reality TV shows — Jersey Shore, Real Housewives of New Jersey etc — the infamous Jersey attitude is making a comeback.
How historians will view #KKHairAvatarDay
Every inane thought ever tweeted is shortly to be kept forever by the US Library of Congress. This takes digital archiving to a whole new level, but is it actually making it harder for future historians?
revealed How British Airways pulled a wet Willie
Infuriated British Airways CEO Willie Walsh, sick of waiting for clearance after the Iceland volcano, played a game of chicken and sent BA planes to Heathrow, daring the UK government to send them back. They chickened out.
How to stop Australia being racist
From Afghan refugees to Indian students, race issues have hit the headlines questioning Australia’s multiculturalism. But can a new official Cultural Diversity Statement, penned with the help of Don Watson, help address institutional racism?
Melbourne Storm salary cap scandal: have your say
In breaking news, the Melbourne Storm, the NRL’s 2007 and 2009 premiers, have been caught for salary cap breaches and stripped of their two premierships. Is that fair?
Video of the Day: The devil and Harry Potter
Why Harry Potter will make your kids evil: “Robes, wands, owls…. Latin words”. Be afraid.
Game on: Facebook vs. Google
Facebook’s fancy new changes unveiled this week indicate who Facebook see as their main rival: not Twitter, but Google. Facebook wants to try and beat Google by being more people-centric and its on a ruthless pursuit.
Why trains are superior to planes
Thanks to the Eyjafjallajökull shambles, other travellers are starting to learn what Ed Gillespie has known for years: travelling overland is not just good for your eco-geek credentials. It’s also a lovely way to recapture the romance of travel.
Hitting the wrong note: bad vocals, great album
Why is it that revered music producer T-Bone Burnett, a man with superlative taste and musical abilities, allows such crappy vocals on his own solo album? Is it just ego? asks Tim Dunlop.
Greenies see red as Wilderness Society descends into chaos
The Tasmanian Supreme Court has slapped down beleaguered Wilderness Society executive director Alec Marr’s bid to retain control over the organisation.
