The U.S. bond market will close at 2pm in observance of Memorial Day and the UK Spring Bank holiday.
May, 2011
Morning Market Report: Local markets down, US & UK markets close for holidays
Daily Proposition: something for the Phans
“Ten long years,” the Phantom bemoans, “living a mere facade of life. Ten long years, wasting my time with smoke and noise.” The frustration is palpable. Not of the opera ghoul’s lost love, necessarily, but of the puppet-master of global Phantom Enterprises.
Media briefs: Carey’s Fairfax plea … journos turn on subs … SMH mistaken identity …
In today’s Media Briefs: Peter Carey’s message to Fairfax … Journos blame their subs — on Twitter … The Bryce ain’t right … Reporters in line for copyright windfall … and more
Political snippets: An ominous greenhouse warning
The International Energy Agency is warning the world that greenhouse gas emissions increased by a record amount last year, to the highest carbon output in history.
Video of the Day: Dancing all the way to the big house
An American group called “Dance Party @ TJ’s” encourages Facebook users to get jiggy with it at the Thomas Jefferson memorial. Participants have two options: dance legally on the steps outside or boogie inside and, as this video shows, risk getting arrested, body slammed and put into a stranglehold.
Tips and rumours: Tips and rumours
A spoonful of sugar with your tobacco? Big tobacco is working on an ad featuring a cranky Mary Poppins (i.e. nanny state) shaking her finger at a smoker telling him they are taking his money and he has no choice. The fee being offered is $80,000 (normally $20,000 for a gig such as this) — big bikkies […]
Crikey Says: Australia can afford to have vision
As a nation we’ve never been better placed to tackle long term issues like health, our ageing population, transport, sustainability, communications, superannuation, climate change and the growing gap between rich and poor.
aviation industry 
Another reminder not to leave lithium batteries in your checked luggage
A potentially serious incident on an Air China flight on the weekend is a reminder to never pack the lithium batteries commonly found in computers and ‘smart’ phones in your checked luggage, writes Ben Sandilands.
Your work commute is killing you
Getting stuck in traffic jams is dangerous for your health and your sanity. Workers with long commutes are more likely to face obesity, stress, lower levels of happiness and relationship breakdowns, says new research.
Dog stand-off takes animal rights debate off the leash in China
A wide-ranging debate about animal rights in China has been ignited after a truck load of dogs “destined for the dinner table” were intercepted by activists, writes William Wan.
travel How to rock ‘n’ roll like a true HKer
If you want to travel like a local in Hong Kong, just sit back and listen. When a Hong Konger talks about Hong Kong, food comes first. Chris Lau gives the best foodie tips, from Japanese sushi to mango sago dessert.
Film briefs: here comes Hollywood … peek at MIFF films … The Hobbit explosion …
In a new weekly feature, Crikey’s film blog Cinetology lists some of the big film-related stories published online over the last week.
Talkin’ writin’: typecasting and narrative voice
Do authors agree with the way they’ve been categorized? At the Emerging Writers Festival, book blogger Angela Meyer attended sessions on typecasting and narrative voice.
W H Chong on Gil Scott-Heron, Bill Callahan and Bob Dylan
W H Chong reflects on the late and legendary Gil Scott-Herron, who passed away May 27, and shares his thoughts on Bill Callahan’s new album and whether or not Bob Dylan is over-rated.
Journalism as public good vs. commercial enterprise
Should journalism be regarded as a basic public utility? It is a question particularly pertinent for Australia, which ranks 41st in terms of media diversity, writes Mr Denmore.
Is 3D falling flat?
Hollywood is counting on a glut of 3D features to keep its margins in the black. But American audiences appear to be turning against the format and the international community might not be far behind, reports Brooks Barnes.
A soldier’s toughest mission: coming home
After months away at war in Iraq or Afghanistan, many US soldiers struggle with the transition back to home life. The NY Times interviews soldiers struggling with survivor guilt, injury and children they barely know.
healthcare Singing the praises of plain packaging ciggies
Some troubadours of public health have taken to YouTube to lend their support to Labor’s plain packaging cigarettes legislation and the Health Minister Nicola Roxon, whom they serenade below as a “hero of public health,” reports Melissa Sweet.
Shitbox Rally = clowns, bulldust and dickheads on the NT’s Stuart Highway
These past few days Bob Gosford had the very dubious pleasure of sharing a 600 kilometre or-so stretch of the Stuart Highway with some of those participating in the second annual Shitbox Rally.
theatre reviews Love Never Dies — the so-so sequel nobody asked for
It’s been 25 years since Andrew Lloyd Webber put his stupidly successful Phantom of the Opera inside our minds. Critics will use its sequel Love Never Dies as a blunt instrument to beat him with, and not entirely undeservedly, writes Jason Whittaker.
‘Carbon Cate’ Blanchett sparks ‘outrage’
The Daily Telegraph and other News Limited rags are running stories about how Cate Blanchett’s appearance in a pro carbon tax ad has reportedly sparked outrage. Problem is, the ads hadn’t even aired when the story was written, writes Dave Gaukroger.
Slutwalk: feminists take to the streets to reclaim ‘slut’ in style
Thousands of feminist-minded individuals took to the streets on Saturday to protest against slut-shaming and victim-blaming in colourful SlutWalks in Melbourne and Brisbane.
