Tales from a revolutionDriving into Benghazi, Libya Jon Lee Anderson gets right up amongst the anti-Gaddafi protests, where border patrol want their photo taken in front of the new flag and freedom shimmers like a mirage.
February, 2011
A medieval climate
A new kind of science is being invented, free of data and unrelated to the basic laws of physics and chemistry. It’s a worrying development for human society when we ignore the climate science evidence, writes Dr Andrew Glikson.
Essential: first carbon price poll is bad news for Labor
The Government’s carbon price announcement appears to have immediately cost it votes, according to the latest Essential Report poll.
Build the NBN, but be careful of the detail: Optus boss
Optus’ CEO is frustrated by the debate around the NBN. The telecommunications industry faces a “critical period”, he says, but the discussion is little more than a polarised argument about whether to build it.
Political snippets: Time right to call Xenophon’s bluff
Nick Xenophon clearly is enjoying his last few months of fame as he milks for all it’s worth the “will-he won’t-he” suspense about the planned Queensland flood tax.
Nothing’s ever quite what you expect in Ireland
Ireland’s election produced very much the expected result, with the governing Fianna Fáil party sustaining the heaviest defeat in its history and losing about three-quarters of its seats.
A sovereign wealth fund should be a core climate change strategy
The reality that the world faces a significant temperature rise no matter what Australia does should drive the establishment of a sovereign wealth fund.
Business bleating just a case of back to the future
Australian business doesn’t read very widely these days as it constructs its arguments about the economy, tax and green issues.
Mayne: Fairfax should move now on WA News
A Fairfax deal with WA News has been talked about for decades but never come to fruition. It is the most logical newspaper merger in Australia given that competition regulators would never allow News Ltd to further extend its majority position.
The lucky-dip stall that is carbon pricing
The carbon pricing to date in Australia has been like an intimidating and not very enticing lucky-dip stall at a carnival, writes John Connor, CEO of The Climate Institute.
The levees that could cost millions
When a St George farmer complained that unregulated levee building was worsening floods on the Balonne, she was ignored. But when the floods came again in January, she was vindicated.
Berlusconi gets out of bed with Gaddafi
Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi felt the heat and telephoned his Libyan counterpart to call for an end to the violence, writes Josephine McKenna from Rome.
If Gaddafi survives, expect an external ‘intervention’
There is increasing discussion and hand-wringing about the pros and cons of direct intervention in the carnage that is now Libya. What seems certain is that without a circuit breaker, forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi will continue to wreak havoc on the Libyan people.
NSW Labor sits on the wrong side of the pendulum
Just one month to go now. New South Wales goes to the polls on 26 March in an election whose result is probably more of a foregone conclusion than any in Australia in living memory.
Renting is smart, even if you’re worth $15 billion
As long as you are disciplined enough to invest the money that would have been used for repaying principal, based on current home prices, renting is a much smarter move than buying.
Dancing at the crossroads: crucial test for Mardi Gras’ future
With the festival’s future at the crossroads, all eyes have turned to ticket sales for the Sydney Mardi Gras party — the key money spinner for organiser New Mardi Gras and primary financial support for the Mardi Gras parade.
Speakers’ circuit specials: $1m buys you Tony Blair, $5k gets Tania Zaetta
Away from the international glitz and glamour instilled by former leaders, the local speakers circuit remains solid, writes Andrew Crook.
Morning Market Report: Bad week for S&P
The market is down 11. The SFE Futures were up 20 this morning. The Dow Jones closed up 62 on Friday. The S&P 500 closed up 1.1% but had its worst week in 15, down 2.1%. 4th Q GDP was revised downward to 2.8% from 3.2%, while economists had expected growth of 3.3%. The Uni. […]
Your Say: Daily Mail readers' feedback: Questions over a carbon tax
Crikey readers weigh in on a carbon tax, climate change, the issue of Assange being extradited to Sweden and how David Williamson rates as a political commentator
Video of the Day: Gaddafi the crazy
“He may not be in Venezuela, but mentally he’s definitely halfway to bloody Narnia,” comedian Charlie Brooker lets loose on Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi.
Daily Proposition: Brave the ballet with Butterfly
To many, ballet is an island where others live — a place just seen in glimpses. In a reasonable universe, the Australian Ballet’s production of Madame Butterfly would be one to dent that idea, says Robert Lukins.
Media briefs: Nine’s ACMA slap … no plumbers at 7.30 …
The Australian Communications and Media Authority has slapped Channel Nine with a breach of the Commercial Television Industry Code of Practice over its uncritical reporting of Grand Prix attendance figures. Plus, the other media news.
Tips and rumours: Tips and rumours
Is David Shoebridge the NSW Greens’ Eric Roozendaal? The bush telegraph is alive with rumours that the barrister from Woollahra and lead on the NSW Upper House ticket is not connecting well with greens supporters outside inner Sydney. More red than green, local members have been reporting a desire to keep him in the eastern […]
