Primary Choices: Hillary Clinton 

This generally is the stage of a campaign when Democrats have to work hard to get excited about whichever candidate seems most likely to outlast an uninspiring pack. That is not remotely the case this year. 

Hoping to give a quick adrenaline shot to the ailing economy, President Bush and House leaders struck a deal on Thursday for a $150 billion fiscal stimulus package, including rebates for most tax filers of up to $600 for individuals, $1,200 for couples and, for families, an additional $300 a child. 

Malcolm Turnbull has accused the Treasurer of being almost schizophrenic in his comments.  

The Federal Opposition has accused Treasurer Wayne Swan of adding to inflationary concerns with his recent statements about the economy. 

The west must be ready to resort to a pre-emptive nuclear attack to try to halt the "imminent" spread of nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction, according to a radical manifesto for a new Nato by five of the west's most senior military officers and strategists.  

Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton defended her recent remarks on civil rights Sunday, as Sen. Barack Obama weighed in on the controversy for the first time, describing Clinton's earlier comments about the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. as "unfortunate" and "ill-advised." 

The Australian share market is experiencing its biggest one-day fall since the September 11 terrorist attacks in 2001. 

Local stocks have plunged 6.4 per cent, after heavy losses on Asian and European markets overnight. 

Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton said that if she became president, the federal government would take a more active role in the economy to address what she called the excesses of the market and of the Bush administration. 

The Republican presidential contest entered a new phase on Sunday as the campaigns descended on Florida for the first primary in which all the candidates are participating full force, using as their stage a state famous for divisive election battles.  

Thanks to high oil prices and hefty subsidies, corn-based ethanol is now all the rage in the United States.  

“Australia has sacrificed the principles of science-based management and sustainable use that are the world standard (and which Australia uses in other international forums and for the management of its own wildlife) as a political expediency to satisfy the interests of non-government organisations. 

Surfer Swan hits heavy weather …..

English classic actor Michael Gambon once defended his right to keep some things private from an intrusive media by saying if an audience knew everything about a thespian say, perhaps, that he was a model railway enthusiast it would detract from the performance.

Sometimes, in a bid to appear human, aspiring politicians reveal just a little too much of themselves.  

Pope Benedict XVI has cancelled a planned visit to a prestigious Italian university after a protest by academics and students attacked his views on Galileo, the Vatican confirmed Tuesday. 

The pope had been due to give a speech at La Sapienza university in Rome Thursday to open its academic year. 

Romney wins in Michigan primary ….. 

Republican Mitt Romney has won the US state of Michigan's presidential primary, beating Senator John McCain. 

Giving a victory speech to jubilant supporters as the results came in, Mr Romney said the win marked 'the beginning of a comeback'. 

from the Washington Post .... 

from The Evening Standard (London) ….. 

There is something unedifying about Tony Blair's joining of investment bank JPMorgan and I don't just mean on the part of the former Prime Minister.