Abiy's big steps shouldn't obscure undercurrents in Ethiopia
Dec 08, 2018 17:39 pm UTC| Insights & Views Politics
Positive headlines about Ethiopia have been frequent since the countrys new Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed took over in early April. One of the biggest steps hes taken has been the rapprochement with Eritrea, which ended the...
Syria: is Europe’s influence in the region finished?
Dec 08, 2018 17:35 pm UTC| Insights & Views
The Assad regime has inched closer to winning the Syrian conflict during 2018. With Russian and Iranian support, the regime has reestablished strong and authoritarian rule, at least outside the deescalation zones where its...

Dec 08, 2018 17:34 pm UTC| Insights & Views Entertainment
In demonising orcs, the ugly, monstrous enemy of the elves, did JRR Tolkien betray a belief that some races are worse than others? Thats the debate that has been at the heart of claims in the Britsh press recently accusing...

Perth's brief abalone season is a time of delicacies and danger
Dec 08, 2018 17:34 pm UTC| Insights & Views Nature
Starting on December 8, recreational abalone fishing will be allowed in Perth. Fishing will be limited to one hour on four Saturday mornings between December and February. The maximum catch is still 15 per person per day....

Darwin port's sale is a blueprint for China's future economic expansion
Dec 08, 2018 17:33 pm UTC| Insights & Views Economy
An agreement between Darwins city council and an overseas municipal counterpart normally wouldnt attract much attention. Local government officials love signing such deals. Darwin already has no less than six sister city...

Vital Signs: 35 extraordinary years. What the float of Australian dollar bought us
Dec 08, 2018 17:32 pm UTC| Insights & Views Economy
If a week is a long time in politics, then 35 years must be an eternity. 35 years ago, on Monday December 12, 1983, the Hawke-Keating government announced the Australian dollar would be floated. That is, the prices...
Are the tech giants taking over as your city leaders?
Dec 08, 2018 17:32 pm UTC| Insights & Views Technology
Global tech players such as Amazon, Google, Apple, Facebook, Amazon the so-called Big 4, or GAFA Airbnb and Tesla are redefining work, mobility, leisure and the everyday of how we live. Our cities are increasingly being...