News from the other side of the world: Volume 5

Considering the last time I did one of these the Australians were preparing for a big showdown with England in the Cricket World Cup, I figure its time to discuss whats making news in Australia.

By the way, the Aussies won the Cricket World Cup. Here's the photographic evidence.



So, about two months later, here's whats making news in the merry o' land of Oz.

~Australia is taking the lead in creating an international forum to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. As with anything involving politics, there's a bit of bickering between the two parties here about what Australia has been doing about pollution. A heads up if you read the article, the Liberals are the conservative party, while Labour is the more liberal party.

~Hats off to Kevin Reynolds for the greatest quote ever, "Kevin possibly wants us all to go to bible class with him or something but that's not for us." Reynolds is referring to opposition leader Kevin Rudd and his policies regarding unions. Union leaders are beginning to fear that Rudd and his party (Labour) is losing touch with common workers.

~Kind of a bizzare story in the War on Terrorism. There was a group of Islamic men who are to be tried for plotting an attack on Australian soil. However, they are refusing to stand before a judge because of a religious observance. Aussie Islamic scholars aren't buying it.

~David Hicks, an Australian that had been held in Guantonomo Bay is back, and his family has seen him for the first time in years. Their virdict: he's not a terrorist.

~A pair of gigantic crocodiles are making things difficult for a charity canoe race.

~The AFL is considering reintroducing a State of Origin match.

~FIFA is coming to Sydney.

Enjoy the news,

Alan

News from the other side of the world: Volume 4

Its been awhile since I've done one of these.

The big story is the Tsunami in the Solomon Islands. Both Australia and New Zealand have pitched in with the relief efforts. Now there's concern about disease. The tsunami also raised concerns about Australian safety and the day of the quake, a lot of shoreline businesses closed down.

One of the biggest stories down here is that of Ian Thorpe accused of doping by a French newspaper. Ian Thorpe is, not surprisingly, trying to clear his name. This is apperently wearing him down. There's also a lot of debate amongst Australians as to weather or not he did it. This sounds a lot like the cases of Lance Armstrong and Floyd Landis which, if they have taught us anything its don't fully trust these tests or the French media. This story could become huge depending on further revelations.

In addition to clearing his name, Thorpe is "embarrased to be Australian" over the treatment of Aboriginal people.
The debate on Euthenasia just got a lot hotter due to this Sydney case.

There's a lot of controversy about how Australia's Aviation Safety council handled a plane crash two years ago.


Western Australia's got bank all of a sudden.


I love sports, and I love the media, so when the two collide its a must read for me. Telstra is quite upset about how its NRL video is being used.

Glenn McGrath is coming after England in the World Cup. The match is only 4 days away and the Ashes Series is still on the minds of Australians. (The Ashes is a cricket series Australia plays against England. The Aussies usually win, but not this year. That didn't go over so well.)

A light edition this time, but as always happy reading.

Alan

News from the Other Side of the World volume 3

Its been awhile since I've done this feature, and I know you guys have been demanding two things:

1) Its return

2) The oft promised but noft-delivered post about Vegemite. Its coming, trust me. And no, noft is not a word.

We'll start with some weather news. There is a cyclone about 100 km off the coast from Sydney. Its lowered the sea 70 cm and is going to be there awhile. Not a major story, but an interesting read, which you can do here.

Its election season, which means we get attack ads and the like. Here's something fun that my readers in Seattle can relate to: a candidate not wanting to talk about transportation! One of the candidates in New South Wales (just up, down, and around the road. ACT is in the middle of NSW) says its important, but not the most important issue. Full story can be found here.

By the way, the attack ads that we all know and love in America? Its the same down here. Its like I'm getting a preview of fall 2008. Let me tell you, I can't wait. Really, I can't.

A candidate from the Christian Democratic Party seems to be shooting himself in the foot, and his "No Muslim Immigration" plan is, lets just say, not very popular. Not in the least.

Onto sports...the weather in the West Indies is expected to help the Aussie cricket team. And if you don't know jack about cricket, then check out this story from ESPN.com It won't actually teach you anything about cricket, but its a good read. I'm sure a post about cricket is coming soon.

It wouldn't be an NRL season without salary cap issues! Brisbane has them this year. New Zealand had them last year. And oh, you don't think this affects betting? Well, it doesn't really, but here's a story about it anyway. Isn't that great? Big story about a possible salary cap purge and the follow up story is about how people are betting? Doesn't this mean I have to do a bit of gambling to tell you about that? (No Mom, you didn't read that. Honest!)

In other news...

That Skyfire thing I went to, apperently there was underage drinking at it. And the government is not happy.

Water continues to be kind of a big deal.

John Howard isn't going to fire one of his ministers that is labeld by an opponent as "corrupt as humanly possible" Sounds familiar in a way.

And, just to avoiud East Coast bias...a new species of frog has been discovered in Western Australia Rock on.

Happy reading!

Alan

News from the other end of the world...2

Time for the second round of the feature for all you news junkies in the world.

The top story...

Tony Blair is telling John Howard that Australia should come up with an exit strategy in Iraq, echoing what opposition leaders in Australia have been calling for. Howard is downplaying the remarks (wonder if this has something to do with the alliance with the US).

Here's the article.

The largest paper in the country, The Australian, is supporting Blair.

Also, Dick Cheny's coming down for a visit, and some people are not happy about it. Cheney's visit will create the largest protection force for a foreign dignitary since George Bush came in 2003. Cheney will be down here for 3 days.

More US-Australian relations. George Bush has told John Howard that he will help speed up David Hicks' trial. Hicks is an Australian being held at Guantanomo Bay, and fter five years was finally charged with what many Aussies think are bogus offenses. Howard is becoming less and less popular, so Bush will try to help him out with a speedy trial.

The country is trying to get control of all of its water. Currently the states have individual control of their water and how its used, but due to a drought, the federal government is pushing for national control. Victoria is opposed to this.

In sports...the Australian cricket team says it will become a force again. After losing to England (shocking) and then New Zealand (inspiring one guy on my floor to scream "What the hell is wrong with the Australian cricket team?!?) the Aussies head to the Carribean trying for their third straight World Cup championship. Their skipper says that after the tournament, then the criticts can have their say.

Archie Thompson scores five goals as the Melbourne Victory win the A-League Grand Final.

In other news...

Australia will be using enviromentally friendly light bulbs.


Sydney is having problems landing major sporting events.

Aussie rules football might get its own channel.

Happy reading!

Alan

News from the other end of the World...1

I’m going to start what I hope will be a regular feature here at Alan In Oz. Presenting the first addition of News From the Other End of the World.

Basically, I’ll scan the papers and relay what’s big news down here to those of you reading back in the States (or anywhere in the world, really. This is, after all, on the World Wide Web.) I want to give you guys an insight on how Austraalia works in the world, and just in general what’s going on down here.

The Top Story…

In a story that might not be getting a whole lot of press back home, Australian prime minister John Howard is attacking Democratic candidate Barack Obama’s Iraq policy.

"If I were running al Qaeda in Iraq, I would put a circle around March 2008 and be praying as many times as possible for a victory, not only for Obama but also for the Democrats,” said Howard, referring to the dateline Obama set for troop withdrawl from Iraq.

Australia does have a small presence in Iraq, supplying 1,400 troops. Something Obama made mention of.

"If Prime Minister Howard truly believes what he says, perhaps his country should find its way to contribute more than just 1,400 troops so some American troops can come home," he said. "It's easy to talk tough when it's not your country or your troops making the sacrifices."

Obama also suggested that the Aussies put more troops to Iraq help with the cause. Howard maintains that his country’s contributions are significant. Gwynne Dyer, a columnist that is published in The Canberra Times points out that this isn’t entirely correct. Australia’s population is about one-fifteenth of the population of the United States. So, if you work the numbers, one-fifteenth of the U.S. presence in Iraq is 10,600.

Why is Australia even in Iraq, you might ask. Well, its because the government here feels the need to be on good terms with the United States. Given its small population, the Australians fear invasion from Indonesia or other Asian countries. I picked up a book, “Australia in International Politics” and on page 5 (to give you an idea of how prevalent this way of thinking is) it reads…

“The turning point in World War II, which showed that the British were incapable of defending their far-flung empire in South-East Asia and the Pacific. Australia, too weak to protect its own territory from determined attack, had to find a ‘great and powerful friend’. That new friend was the USA, and Australia has been in close alliance with the USA ever since.”

Australia has fought alongside the US in many wars, most recently the one in Iraq. Yes, Australia does face the threat of terrorism (88 Australians were killed in the Bali Bombings in 2002, and ten were killed on September, 11) but as Mr. Dyer writes in Thursday’s column, “If the US were to invade Mars, Australia would send a battalion along to guard the supply depot.”

A link to the CNN story

A link to Dyer’s column.

A story relating to that last bit by Dyer. Perhaps that is why the leader of the Labour Party (think Democrats) is all in favor for a US Military Communications base in Western Australia….




Story 2 gives us an environmental concern. A Japanese whaling vessel is floating adrift near the world’s largest penguin breeding grounds. A fire aboard the ship makes it a risk to leak oil, and its in an area that’s hard to get to, and sees a lot of storms. So, an oil spill here (the ship carries over 300,000 gallons of oil) could be pretty bad.

Here’s the link.

Now for some sports. Already reeling from a stunning defeat to England (and I do mean stunning. The Aussies are kind of mad about this, actually) in cricket, the Green and Gold received more bad news when one of their top players badly twisted his ankle in practice. Brett Lee is now doubtful for next month’s Cricket World Cup.

The Aussies are playing New Zealand for three matches, but aren’t counting on a victory. Stephen Flemming, the Kiwi captain, told reporters that there is no such thing as a weak Australian team.

New Zealand and Australia play three one-day matches beginning Saturday.


In other news: Telstra doesn’t like the iPhone.


Sydney might use recycled water.


There is some political tension between Australia and the island nations.

Hope you like the new feature. More to come later.