Another change to Gillard’s cabinet? I note the comments from “a public servant” about that meeting at the Holy Grail in Kingston. This meeting also provided an insight into why a high-profile minister will soon be demoted to the back bench due to a major issue with the famous four. A split portfolio again will […]
September, 2010
Tips and rumours: Tips and rumours
Crikey Says: We’re wild (drunk) about Harry
Speaker of the House of Representatives Harry Jenkins delivered a stirring speech to the bright eyed new members of parliament this morning.
Unpopularity and artifice: Sarkozy’s rep plummets to new lows
French President Nicolas Sarkozy is attracting unprecedented levels of bad press wherever he goes and whatever he says. Known for theatrics and superficiality, the Frenchman has been dubbed ‘Sarkosconi’ in reference to Italy’s flamboyant PM Silvio Berlusconi.
Using Moore’s law to predict planetary discoveries
Intel co-founder Gordon Moore coined the term “Moore’s law,” which is used to estimate the rate of scientific discoveries. An American team are testing whether that law can apply to the discovery of an inhabitable Earth-like planet, boldly predicting the first could be spotted by May 2011.
Album review: The Verses, Seasons — disappointing debut
The Verses is the new band by former Killing Heidi siblings Ella and Jesse Hooper. Apart from the flat production and the, by and large, uninspiring and unmemorable songs, it’s also pretentious, declares Tim Dunlop.
Could Joaquin Phoenix be eligible for an Oscar?
The big question hanging over the release of Joaquin Phoenix’s “meltdown-umentary” I’m Still Here is whether or not it is real. If Phoenix admits it was all performance, could he then be eligible for an Oscar, wonders Luke Buckmaster.
Birds of the week: all six Australian Falcons in one day
If one was set the arbitrary task of seeing all Falco species in Australia in a single day, then Alice Springs would probably be the place to do it. Christopher Watson proved his theory right.
How did the GFC change economics?
Looking back post-GFC and the global recession, the study of economics has changed forever. Or has it? A group of experts debate the topic at the Economist.
An illustrated waterside tour of the Victorian countryside
“Water water everywhere” exclaims W H Chong as he reflects on his sightseeing tour of the Victorian countryside. Places Chong visited included the stunning Cairn Curran and the dreamlike visions of the Loddon River Basin.
The last king of Egypt
At just six-months of age Ahmed Fouad II was made King of Egypt, then his father abdicated from the throne. But 58 years after the monarchy was abolished, many Egyptians are now looking fondly back on King Farouk.
Future Fund hedging into US markets
Despite the grim economic outlook of many American markets, the Future Fund invested billions into US hedge funds last year. The fund lost around 1 percent between March and June, bringing its asset pool to around $67 billion.
One by-election away from an Abbott government
By-elections usually result in a swing against the government of the day. It’s a precarious situation for Gillard, since any potential by-elections could go either way, writes Peter Brent.
From Facebook to …. Facephone?
Facebook have officially denied reports that they are secretly building a phone, but their denial is a bit suss and the probability of a Facebook style Android phone heavy on social networking functionality is not unlikely, says Dan Nosowitz.
Señor drug trafficker, can you stop killing our journos?
Mexican newspaper El Diario de Juárez penned an editorial to the drug lords running the town, asking what exactly it can and cannot publish, following the assassination of another of its journalists last week.
Why the editor of Wired boycotts Facebook
Web savvy Wired editor and digital addict David Rowan is wary of social networking websites and refuses to buy into the Facebook craze. He explains why you might want to do the same.
The underdogs have the bark and the bite
The four independent MPs and the Greens MP hold more control than any other minor party or independents before them. But don’t forget the power of the major, writes Paul Williams.
The Brownlow Medal: the good, the bad and the ugly
It’s Australian football’s night of nights. It’s where a champion is crowned and winner Carlton captain Chris Judd deserved the gong, even if Dane Swan didn’t deserve the gratuitous disappointment camera shots, says Leigh Josey.
To end starvation, we need revolution
World UN leaders gather this week with the grim knowledge that they are well behind on their plan to half the number of hungry people in developing countries by 2015. To achieve anything close to this we need nothing short of a green revolution, according to Der Spiegel.
The US “kill team” killing civilians
A dozen US soldiers are currently under court-martial proceedings for horrific abuse to civilians they were supposedly protecting in Afghanistan, including killing them and then maiming the corpses. What went wrong with the US troops?
Trains vs planes vs automobiles
What would make a traveller choose a fast train between Melbourne and Sydney or Canberra and Sydney in preference to a jet? Or even a bus? In response to the renewed interest in high speed rail, Ben Sandilands discusses cost, convenience and speed.
Why women rule the right
The rise of Sarah Palin’s mama grizzlies in the conservative corner of US politics isn’t a new phenomena. Since the 1950s, the grassroots right-wing movement has been run by women, ironically spruiking values different from what they’re living.
A fast food lovers’ guide to crazy KL: with added boom boom
I’ve been to bigger cities, more globally important cities, but none that seem to move this fast as Kuala Lumpur, with its oodles of street food options and constant “32 with thunderstorms” weather, writes Jason Whittaker.
Essential: gridlocked at 50-50
The latest Essential Research survey finds the two parties still neck and neck at 50-50 two party preferred. Both parties are up a point on the primary vote – the Coalition to 45 per cent and Labor to 40 per cent – with the Greens down to 9 per cent, writes William Bowe.
