Pick your top 50 friendsAs opposed to all your hundreds of Facebook “fans” and Twitter “followers”, new social media site Path limits users to having only 50 friends. It’s based on the Dunbar biology theory that people know and trust only 50 others.
November, 2010
AMA smiling but not everyone’s happy about diabetes backdown
What to make of Health Minister Nicola Roxon’s recent back-down on plans to overhaul diabetes care? Robert Wells, director of the Menzies Centre for Health Policy and cirector of the Australian Primary Health Care Research Institute at the ANU, is not impressed by the delays.
Just a little Greek accounting error
Eurostat, the statistical arm of the European Union, has just come up with revised figures for the Greek government’s budget deficit and debt. the deficit for 2009 has been increased from 13.6% of GDP to 15.4% with total debt now put at 126.8% of GDP, says Richard Farmer.
Rainbow of opinions over gay marriage
Crikey media wrap: Greens MP Adam Bandt brought gay marriage into parliament yesterday, introducing a motion of marriage equality in parliament to ask politicians to search out their constituents views on the issue.
travel The revelation of Bordeaux, a quiet Paris
From grandiose columned architecture to colourful anti-Sarkozy protesters and stunning sunsets reflected against sandstone, Bordeaux proved a wonderful travel surprise during Nic Heath’s French adventures.
Qantas Qantas makes another very timely turn back
If a flight is going to experience any form of mechanical or electrical failure flying the 11,789 great circle mapper kilometres between Sydney and Buenos Aires, then the turn back by Qantas flight QF17 - the latest in a spate of bad incidents - occurred at a very timely point.
film reviews Little Deaths– dramatically disconnected
Melbourne-set drama Little Deaths features 11 segments by 11 different directors. Unsurprisingly it feels disconnected and the quality of the segments leaves a lot to be desired, writes Luke Buckmaster.
What the frack? Natural gas debate flares up in Australia
The natural gas debate, which largely concerns the process of “fracking” or “coal steam exploration” as it is known here, has well and truly arrived in Australia, writes Luke Buckmaster
Essential: Voters rate Joe on banks, and we want to get closer to China
More of us want to get closer to China than the United States, Essential Research’s new poll shows. And there’s strong support for gay marriage as well.
A flying RAT means more strife for the flying ‘roo
Another serious problem has beset the Boeing 787 Dreamliner which is supposed to be the key to Qantas retiring its aging Boeing 767s, one of which was forced to turn back to Perth on Friday with an engine problem.
What do the Victorian Liberals think they’re up to?
If the Liberals really thought they could wipe out the Greens, they’ve left it much too late.
Steve Fielding coming to a town near you
The Victorian ALP repeatedly offered the Greens an across-the-board second preference deal in every upper and lower house state seat in exchange for support in the 25 most marginal lower house seats, Crikey can reveal.
Online privacy dangers: they’re not what you think
Forget your drunken photos on Facebook. They already know about them, and you know they know. Don’t worry about tracking cookies either. It’s what you don’t know they know that you should worry about.
The Greens are here to stay
For thirty years our politics has focused on economic management and reform. But voters appear to want something more, and they’re not getting it from the major parties.
Hold the treaty, I’ll have a six pack
Cancun is probably the perfect venue for the 16th Conference of the Parties and for the UN climate change secretariat to kick the partying college students out for a fortnight and get to work on their six-packs. Because that’s probably all they’ll achieve, says Giles Parkinson.
What the frack? Natural gas debate flares up in Australia
Documentary maker Josh Fox knew he was onto something big when he watched one of his neighbours turn on the kitchen tap and set the water that came out of it on fire.
Are Medicare Locals entrenching institutional racism?
In the current discussions on primary health care for the future in this country, the Aboriginal Community Controlled sector and its voice are being ignored, writes Professor Gavin Mooney.
Default of the Irish?
Time is running out for Ireland. The debt-plagued country is being urged to accept a bailout to quell worries about its solvency, and to stop the turmoil in financial markets that is endangering weak members of the eurozone, says Karen Maley.
Indigenous workers are getting screwed under the SIHIP program
Two of my employment consultants have received a number of complaints from CDEP participants about being underpaid for working on Strategic Indigenous Housing and Infrastructure Program (SIHIP) projects using CDEP as a vehicle, writes Carl Russelhuber, Employment Services Manager, CatholicCare NT.
Mungo MacCallum: Government can’t have a bob each way on boat people
The Liberal Party’s cadaver in waiting, Phillip Ruddock, described last week’s High Court decision on the rights of asylum seekers as “diabolical.” The misuse of the word was so grotesque as to suggest that the former Immigration Minister and Attorney-General’s use of it might have itself been satanic inspiration.
Rundle’s UK: student protests peaceful, or piss weak, depending on your politics
Down at Thirty Millbank beside the grey and misty Thames, they’re still cleaning up the glass and metal, sprayed all around by last week’s demonstration against tuition fees.
Tougher test for would-be Aussie migrants to hit universities hard
A federal government decision last week to further tighten the eligibility requirements for foreigners seeking permanent residency seems certain to have a serious impact on the already faltering recruitment of overseas students, especially those from China and India, writes Geoff Maslen
Poll Bludger: Greens’ VIC hopes in tatters
The Greens’ grand hopes of winning as many as four or even five seats in the lower house are now in tatters, and their chances of securing the coveted balance of power greatly diminished, says Poll Bludger’s William Bowe.
Your Say: Daily Mail readers' feedback: Who wants a carbon tax?
Crikey readers weigh in on Victorian borders and who benefits from a carbon tax.
Morning Market Report: Dour days for the Dow Jones
The Dow Jones closed down 90 on Friday for its worst day in 3 weeks. It was down 2.2% last week – the worst week this financial year so far.
