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Afternoon Edition. Thu 20 Jan 2011
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Top Stories	More Top Stories >
Flooded towns face days of isolation Victorian authorities are warning more towns in flooded areas will face up to a week of isolation as the number of affected communities continues to grow. Clijsters wins, laughs off 'pregnant' text Australian Open favourite Kim Clijsters remained in destructive form as she barged past Spain's Carla Suarez Navarro and found time to playfully embarrass former Australian doubles star Todd Woodbridge over a text message. Police tweet on the beat during flood crisis Just after 5pm on the day of the Lockyer Valley floods, Kym Charlton sent an urgent message from the Queensland Police Service Twitter and Facebook accounts: Hot air balloon splash-lands in bay A group of hot air balloon passengers have had a narrow escape after their craft landed in Melbourne's Port Philip Bay this morning. King tides pose further flooding threat King tides in Brisbane could cause more flooding problems for residents in low-lying areas over the next few days.
The Drum	More from The Drum >
Why Obama should not seek a second term Despite making many avoidable mistakes in his first two years, Obama has made history and should bow out on top. If he is to continue implementing a liberal agenda over the remainder of his term, there can be little doubt that its impact will be felt at the next election. A decision to run again could leave Obama with a legacy he may come to regret. Lying to Australians for the Israeli government We now have even more proof, yet another smoking gun: Israel is deliberately starving the population of Gaza. WikiLeaks reveals that "Israel told US officials in 2008 it would keep Gaza's economy 'on the brink of collapse' while avoiding a humanitarian crisis". What has not yet been as fully documented is Australia's complicity in the blockade. Nationalism and identity in a disaster In the wake of the floods that have hit Brisbane, people are homeless. They are living in shelters, or sleeping at relatives' houses, travelling back to their sodden homes to clean out the mud and reclaim precious keepsakes. But there is also still spirit, friendship, compassion and love, qualities which are being demonstrated on a daily basis by volunteers answering the call of need. Of course, these qualities are not unique to Queenslanders or Australians: these are human traits, exhibited by people realising their common humanity and recognising a shared community. Better care a must for mentally ill You wouldn't leave it to communities to mend broken limbs would you? Yet, this is what has long been happening to the mentally ill. Australians all: between myth and government Every nation projects a certain image of itself and what it understands to be its defining characteristics. Americans laud the rugged individual; the French stereotypically see themselves as some combination of great lovers and philosophers; the English are stoic and uncomplaining. We're egalitarian. It is still the case that when push comes to flood, or whatever other disaster afflicts us, it is the instinct for community and collective action that strikes a chord in the Australian heart.
World	More World Stories >
Police Segways fall foul of NZ law Police in a New Zealand town have been forced to resume foot patrols after their futuristic Segway scooters were deemed illegal, local media reports. Rudd resists India's push for uranium deal Foreign Affairs Minister Kevin Rudd says the Federal Government will not relax its rules for exporting uranium to India. Sweden's wolf hunt courts controversy Environment officials from the European Union are preparing to prosecute the Swedish government after it again allowed the hunting of wild and endangered wolves.
Science & Technology	More Science & Technology Stories >
Police Segways fall foul of NZ law Police in a New Zealand town have been forced to resume foot patrols after their futuristic Segway scooters were deemed illegal, local media reports. Counselling services inundated with calls Lifeline says it has had a large increase in calls for counselling since the Queensland flood emergency began. Residents get rare glimpse of slithering visitors A large number of mice and heavy rain are attracting unusual snakes to Alice Springs.
Environment	More Environment Stories >
Rudd resists India's push for uranium deal Foreign Affairs Minister Kevin Rudd says the Federal Government will not relax its rules for exporting uranium to India. Sweden's wolf hunt courts controversy Environment officials from the European Union are preparing to prosecute the Swedish government after it again allowed the hunting of wild and endangered wolves. Arrests over gas protest Two protesters will be charged with trespass after attempting to unfurl a protest banner from a balcony at the Woodside building in Perth.
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