Professor Ian Harper is the part-time chair of the Fair Pay Commission, the body which increased minimum wages by a derisory amount last year (a whole $5.32 a week for those privileged bastards on $700 a week). 

It turns out he got a pay rise himself last year which was a bit more than the amounts his Commission awarded. 

Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated his handpicked successor Dmitry Medvedev on his projected presidential poll victory, at a rock concert on Red Square. 

"I congratulate (Medvedev) and wish him success," Putin said, standing beside Medvedev in front of a cheering crowd under the pouring rain. 

Gus: Turnbull 'saved' $40 million …..

Malcolm Turnbull says the $10 million grant was only one fifth of what was requested for the trail. (AAP: Mark Graham). 

The Federal Government says Shadow Treasurer Malcolm Turnbull has some explaining to do over an generous grant he made at the start of last years election campaign.

Well, so much for our new government taking an even-handed position on Israel/Palestine.

Before our politicians even warmed their seats in the new parliamentary sittings, the Australian Prime Minister announced that he will lead a parliamentary motion to honour Israel on 12 March acknowledging Yom Ha'atzmaut, Israel's Independence Day. The Opposition Leader will second the motion. Then, celebrations will take place at a reception in the Mural Hall of Parliament House. 

Bush has bankrupted America... financially and morally. And he seems proud of it... 

"As of 1940 hrs 29/02/08 I have been placed under an injunction preventing me from speaking publicly and publishing material gained as a result of my service in UKSF (SAS).

Gates said he sympathised with the Turks’ concern about cross-border raids by Kurdish rebels ….. 

Gates warns Turkey not to invade Iraq - USATODAY.com 

from Mike Carlton 

Very ugly developments in the genteel world of town planning ….. 

Frank Vellar, the badly shaven property developer, has not done any favours for the industry in which he has suddenly become such a colourful figure.

For the first time in the nation’s history, more than one in 100 American adults is behind bars, according to a new report. 

Nationwide, the prison population grew by 25,000 last year, bringing it to almost 1.6 million. Another 723,000 people are in local jails.

To cancel one high-level Franco-German meeting is unfortunate.

To cancel two in less than a week implies a bank of freezing fog is descending over the Rhine. 

from Crikey 

Iemma's power privatisation to favour Chinese state giant 

Alex Mitchell writes: 

Ben S. Bernanke, chairman of the Federal Reserve, signaled his readiness on Wednesday to bolster the economy with cheaper money even though inflation is picking up speed....

The Plan is for the United States to rule the world.  

The overt theme is unilateralism, but it is ultimately a story of domination.  

It calls for the United States to maintain its overwhelming military superiority and prevent new rivals from rising up to challenge it on the world stage.  

The company behind a controversial development under Canberra Airport's flight path that was approved by the Planning Minister against the recommendation of an independent panel has emerged as a big donor to NSW Labor. 

Village Building Company, which pushed for several rural properties in Queanbeyan to be rezoned residential so it could build more than 4500 homes on it, donated $154,400 to NSW Labor since 2002, Australian Electoral Commission returns reveal. 

Opposition defence spokesman Nick Minchin has launched a stinging attack on Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon, over a review into the Defence Department's Super Hornet contract.