Sometimes our South East Asian neighbours seem a lot further away, says W H Chong: Indonesia has imposed a moratorium on sending its citizens to work in Malaysia as maids, and Malaysians are very annoyed.
May, 2010
Clegg vs. Cameron: who’s the poshest?
The English class system is confusing, with David Cameron’s “Eton-Oxford-country-clubby-cutglass-shooting party” posh against Nick Clegg’s “Westminster-Cambridge- metropolitan-foreign-glottalstop-trustfund” posh. Who looks down on whom?
What did Jesus do?
The more you read the Gospels, the less you seem to know about who Jesus really was. Adam Gopnik goes searching through the texts to find some truth.
Ant’s Analysis: NRL Predictions Round 11
Once again, the Queenslanders have been predictable in their selections, while the NSW selectors have inconsistently applied faith in the incumbents and faith in NRL form, writes Ant Halstead, as he gives his tips for the weekend.
Water: the new oil
The world’s thirst for water is growing stronger and stronger, and it may soon become one of the planet’s most sought-after commodities. The Economist wades into the murky politics and science of H20.
Lethal’s AFL tipping advice: Round 9
From cocaine to Akermanis on gays, it’s been a busy week for AFL in the media. And it’s going to be a bumper weekend, kicking off with the Geelong Cats vs. Collingwood Pies tonight. Leigh Josey gives his tips.
Why the end of privacy may not be so bad after all
Yes, the internet has killed privacy — at least as we know it — but a world with no secrets is a far more interesting place, says Steven Johnson.
Make cartoons, not war: how Muslims should protest
For Everybody Draw Mohammed Day, a group at a US university walked around drawing stick figures of Muhammed on the pavement. The Muslim Students Association drew boxing gloves over them, turning the figures into mini Muhammed Alis. Smart move.
What’s really going on in North Korea?
News that North Korea sunk a South Korean warship could be a sign of some worrying instability within the secretive dictatorship: what if Kim Jong-il didn’t give the order to fire?
The secret Iranian oil trade
Everyone’s buying their oil from Iran — but no-one wants to talk about it. Like buying your undies from Target (come on, you know you do), it’s cheap but unfashionable.
The unfettered self-interest of International Power
International Power — owners of power stations 00 remain at the forefront of industry attempts to delay action on climate change. A recent leak shows that they are pushing hard against energy efficiency legislation, writes John Hepburn.
Save Greece, sell off its assets
The IMF was mad to bailout Greece, because it simply delays default and puts Greece in more debt. Much of Greek industry is nationalised, so open the economy to the private sector and watch it grow, says Allan Meltzer.
How the iPad will revolutionise US Congress
The hottest accessory on Capitol Hill is the iPad, and it could revolutionise the way the US government does business, ending the piles of paper bills and giving politicians instant access to constituent and policy data.
From the land of smiles to the land of riots
The chaos in Thailand continues, with enormous shopping mall CentralWorld burnt out by protesters overnight. But the violence isn’t entirely surprising to Thais. Foreign Policy examine’s Thailand’s decade of political discontent.
The refugee who’s waited a decade
Mrs Bao, a sickly 56 year old Chinese woman, is Australia’s longest serving immigration detainee, despite criticism by the UN. Geoffrey Barker reports on how she got entangled in the tricky diplomatic relations of Australia and China.
The science of denial
From climate change to evolution, New Scientist is running a great series of special reports into denialism: how it works, how it spreads, how companies manufacture it, and why it’s so hard to fight.
Wright: Kristina Keneally — from sacrificial lamb to top of the class
NSW Premier Kristina Keneally is winning over critics with her accessibility and clever political nature. Tony Wright explores the fascinating history of the girl from Ohio.
Wayne Swan for PM
Wayne Swan is doing a ripper job, says former Labor MP Barry Cohen. Except for one big clanger: the Resources Super Profits Tax. The government can’t just completely rewrite the rules.
The big TV shows of 2011
US TV networks have announced their new shows for the 2010/11 season. Dan Barrett takes a look at what you’ll be watching next year.
Haigh: Pig stupidity cost the Coalition the election
Rudd’s a dud but we’ll still vote Labor, writes Bruce Haigh. The Coalition could have won, it just needed to move a little more to the centre.
Pfft, big deal 
How one scientist created life in a lab
Geneticist Craig Venter has created the world’s first synthetic cell — a human genome built entirely in a lab. Science explains how he made the ultimate home brew.
Welcome to (Google) Television
Not content with ruling the internet, Google is moving into the TV market, unveiling a new set top box that it claims “will change the future of television” by fusing TV and the web.
