DETROIT — No one answers the phones these days at Fisker Automotive. Its visionary founder has quit; its employees have been laid off or put on furlough without pay. Production of its sleek plug-in hybrid car, the Karma, ended months ago.

Markets live and die on rumours - as the interchangeable saying goes "buy on the rumour, sell on the fact".

Deficits are immaterial to the progress of the nation. Nations have plenty of ways to get rid of them and turn them into surpluses. One way, of course, is to collect taxes. Another is to print their own money, which is what all major countries do. And, of course, inflation follows as it always has done.

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In the new curriculum Anzac Day is studied in year 3 as one of a number of days of national significance. The Gallipoli campaign is studied in year 9.

Mr Pyne criticised the fact that Anzac Day is ''locked in with NAIDOC Week, Reconciliation Day and Harmony Day'' in the national curriculum.

Mr Pyne's sentiment was similar to that expressed by former prime minister John Howard, who last year accused the government of purging British history from the curriculum.

Labor fails to gain traction in latest Newspoll

Maasai — Gus'  picture library (Gus does nor remember where — possibly Kenya — circa early 1960)

WHEN THE Gillard Government announced a set of mild reforms to media regulation recently — I had an epiphany.

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has indicated a Coalition government could change its position on gay marriage, after state Liberal premiers came out in support of the idea.

THE Australian Federal Police says it’s moving in the Ashbygate matter, but it apparently still cannot get its collective head around the difference between an appeal and seeking leave to appeal.