Susan Weil: ‘As a woman artist, you were very second-class’
Telegraph
23-09-19 07:00
Susan Weil, an artist and former wife of Robert Rauschenberg, has had a retrospective at Cromwell Place in London. Weil was married to Rauschenberg for two years from 1950 and has often been overshadowed by him and his later partner Jasper Johns. However, Weil, now 93 and living in Brooklyn, continues to work and exhibit, producing more than 2,000 pieces in her career. Her works are notable for their use of cyanotype prints, a technique she taught Rauschenberg. She also constructs abstract wall sculptures, creates delicate works charting the phases of the moon and uses cracks in mirrors to create tension in her work. Weil's career was disrupted by her marriage and the birth of her son, but she continued to work.
From ‘masterpiece’ to national shame: how the British fell in and out of love with Little Britain
Telegraph
23-09-19 13:54
Comedy series Little Britain, which first aired 20 years ago, was a cultural phenomenon. It became a hit thanks to its broad characters and catchphrases, and became a major merchandise spinner, with Vicky Pollard dolls readily available. However, the show has been criticised for crossing the line of taste and sensitivity, including the use of blackface and yellowface by its creators Matt Lucas and David Walliams. The series has since been criticised for being problematic and has been removed from iPlayer. Little Britain’s director Matt Lipsey argues that the show was a backlash against the first wave of political correctness, saying: “Little Britain stuck two fingers up at it and said, ‘This is b––––––s, we need to be able to laugh at this stuff.’”
Woke Anti-Family Ideology Is Destroying Britain’s Prosperity
Telegraph
23-09-19 11:00
The British political and economic establishment has largely disregarded the importance of the family in public policy, believing that it has little influence on economic outcomes. However, a new book by economist Melissa S Kearney argues that two-parent families have a significant impact on economic outcomes. Kearney's data shows that children from married parents tend to earn more, achieve higher education, and avoid poverty. Despite this evidence, marriage rates have been declining in the UK and the US. The blame lies partly with the government, which refuses to promote marriage and implements anti-family policies.
Bigger apartment rules in Victoria’s sweeping housing reforms
The Sydney Morning Herald
23-09-19 19:30
The Victorian government has announced plans to build one million new homes in developed areas by 2050 in order to address the housing crisis. The plan includes incentives for large developers to build social and affordable homes, as well as new design standards for Melbourne's higher-density areas. These standards will require new developments to have more space, better energy efficiency, and more natural light. The government will also introduce faster planning processes and taller height limits in priority precincts to encourage developers to build in these areas.
The 120,000 homes that are ready to be built – but work hasn’t started
The Sydney Morning Herald
23-09-19 19:00
Almost 120,000 dwellings have been approved and are ready to be built in the Australian state of Victoria, according to analysis by the Municipal Association of Victoria. The research was released in response to claims that councils are holding up the construction of new housing, leading to a supply shortage. The state government is set to announce measures addressing the housing crisis, including reducing the powers of councils. The study also found that 98% of housing permits were granted by planning officers rather than elected councillors.
Kingswood Golf Course rezoning among five projects suddenly approved by government
The Sydney Morning Herald
23-09-20 00:12
The Australian state of Victoria has announced significant reforms to boost housing supply. A new agency will handle rental disputes, planning processes will be streamlined for large housing developments that include affordable housing and the state government will rezone government land across 45 sites to deliver at least 9,000 new homes. Tougher regulations will also be introduced to protect tenants, including a ban on rental bidding and longer notice periods for rent increases.
‘Nonsense’: Liberal veteran skewers No campaign’s demand for more Voice details
The Sydney Morning Herald
23-09-20 00:02
Tony Nutt, a former federal director of the Liberal Party of Australia, has criticised the “bunkum” being spread by the No campaign regarding the Indigenous Voice to Parliament. He argued that the pre-federation inhabitants of Australia adopted the country’s constitution without detailed knowledge of how it would be interpreted, and that the same approach can be taken with the Indigenous Voice. Nutt said that parliament would provide the details of the advisory body and that its members would be chosen by local Indigenous people.
Albanese government faces an uphill road and angry locals as it drives change to renewables
ABC
23-09-21 21:11
Australia is facing challenges in its energy transition as the country grapples with the need to move away from fossil fuels towards renewables. The government is facing resistance from farmers and local communities to the construction of transmission cables needed for renewable power, as well as opposition to wind turbines. These conflicts highlight the clash between major renewable energy developments and other priorities such as tourism, fishing, agriculture, and aesthetics. The slow progress in developing the transmission grid is also hindering investment in renewables, with the government falling behind its target of having renewables generate 82% of the country's electricity by 2030. The opposition is pushing for nuclear power to be considered as a replacement for retiring coal-fired power stations, arguing that using the existing grid would reduce disruption caused by new cables. However, the nuclear option is politically risky for the government, and experts maintain that it is not economically viable at present. The energy transition is expected to put pressure on the government and the opposition in terms of power bills, local disputes, investor confidence, system efficiency, and meeting climate targets.
From Hell Park in Thailand to Mckamey Manor in the US, this article describes ten devilish destinations that are sure to freak out visitors. Other destinations include Café De L’enfer in New York, Dongyue Temple in Beijing, and the Satanic Temple in Salem. These destinations range from amusement parks to cultural theme parks and haunted houses, but all have a dark and macabre theme.
McDonald’s sued over hot coffee spill. Sound familiar?
Reuters
23-09-21 18:42
McDonald’s is being sued by an 85-year-old woman who claims she was burned by spilling a cup of hot coffee in her lap. The lawsuit echoes the Jackpot Justice case of 1994 in which Stella Liebeck, then 81, sued McDonald’s after suffering burns from a cup of hot coffee. Her case became a punchline for jokes by late night comedians and Toby Keith’s “American Ride” song. Liebeck was awarded $2.9m at the trial, which was subsequently reduced to $480,000.
Drinking through a straw shouldn’t be such a headache
Telegraph
23-09-22 14:00
The author of this column reflects on how straws have changed over the years. They start by discussing how in the Victorian era, straws were used to drink sherry-cobblers, and then go on to discuss how plastic straws are being phased out due to environmental concerns. The author then shares a personal anecdote about how they purchased a Capri-Sun drink, only to find that the straw was made of paper. They express disappointment about the change, and ponder whether turtles are really worth the loss of the nostalgic experience of drinking a Capri-Sun with a plastic straw.
Callum Ah Chee on the cusp of 141-year first for football's Chinese-Australian community
ABC
23-09-22 20:31
Brisbane Lion Callum Ah Chee could become the first Australian man with Chinese heritage to win the AFL premiership. Ah Chee's great-great-grandfather, Owen, was a Cantonese immigrant who helped found the town of Derby, Western Australia. He married an Aboriginal woman, and their descendants include AFL players Brendon and Callum Ah Chee. A new book, Celestial Footy, explores the history of Chinese-Australian football pioneers, including Ah Chee's ancestors. The book also highlights the long tradition of Chinese-Australians playing Australian football, with Chinese miners and market gardeners playing football in Ballarat in the 1890s.
Ten of our favourite homes for sale in Victoria right now
The Sydney Morning Herald
23-09-22 19:00
The article provides brief descriptions of various properties that are currently on the market. The properties range from worker's cottages to townhouses and feature a variety of amenities such as rooftop terraces, pools, and outdoor spaces. The article highlights the unique features and potential of each property, such as proximity to schools or potential for expansion. Overall, the article serves as a brief overview of the available properties and their selling points.
Impact on children missing from COVID-19 inquiry, critics say
The Sydney Morning Herald
23-09-22 19:00
The national inquiry into COVID-19 in Australia is being urged to examine the social damage caused by school closures. Former NSW premier Dominic Perrottet and health experts have called for the inquiry to investigate the impact on children from the shutdowns. The National Children’s Commissioner Anne Hollonds has said that political leaders must focus on the needs of children, particularly as the country faces growing challenges with youth mental health, school refusal, and academic performance. The terms of reference for the inquiry, which were issued on Thursday, did not include the impact of school closures. However, Health Minister Mark Butler stated on Friday that the inquiry would examine health measures such as social distancing, lockdowns, school closures, and border closures. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has faced criticism for seeking to block the inquiry from reviewing state decisions. The federal government has said that it expects public hearings to be held as part of the inquiry.
Sacred Mysteries: Stained glass with all the exuberance of Chaucer
Telegraph
23-09-23 06:00
The stained glass window at the church of St Andrew in Holt, Norfolk, depicting Chaucer's pilgrims to Canterbury, is praised for its coherence and depiction of each character from Chaucer's poem. The window was made in 1933 by Francis Spear and was installed in memory of a local doctor. The window has been carefully restored and every detail, including the horses and individual pilgrims, is clearly depicted. The window is part of a larger collection of stained glass windows at the church that have been studied and documented in a new book by Dr James Thomson.
New Victorian Liberal president calls out treachery, disunity
The Sydney Morning Herald
23-09-23 02:38
Former Victorian Liberal MP Philip Davis has been elected as the state president of the Liberal Party, with a vow to root out treachery and disunity within the party. Davis stated that the party had been in a difficult place for a long time, and he was committed to working with members to resolve the issues. He also urged members to respect one another and criticised those leaking information to journalists. Davis’s election will likely be a relief to Opposition Leader John Pesutto, as contender Caroline Inge had campaigned on withholding party funds for the leadership team to defend defamation proceedings.
Scientists, First Nations groups demand better protection for dingoes
The Sydney Morning Herald
23-09-23 09:00
Scientists and Indigenous groups have called on the Victorian government to protect dingoes, which they say are being killed due to the mistaken belief that they are feral dog hybrids. Over 25 scientists have signed a letter to Victoria’s Environment Minister calling for changes to dingo control policy, including scrapping an order which allows the threatened species to be shot or bated within three kilometres of private land when it is due for review on October 1. Scientists argue that continued lethal control could threaten the survival of Victorian dingo populations.
Australian MPs meet with controversial Republican congresswoman
The Sydney Morning Herald
23-09-23 08:38
A delegation of Australian federal politicians has met with Republican congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene in an effort to lobby the US government to end its pursuit of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. Greene posted a photo on social media with the delegation, stating that they discussed the "inhumane" detention of Assange and calling for his charges to be dropped and for him to be pardoned. Greene is a controversial figure who has been criticised for promoting conspiracy theories and making controversial statements. The Australian delegation travelled to Washington to drop charges against Assange, who is currently being held in London's Belmarsh prison. Assange, an Australian national, has been charged with breaching the US Espionage Act and faces a maximum jail sentence of 175 years if found guilty.
‘Net zero targets were driving landlords out – now we have breathing space’
Telegraph
23-09-23 08:00
The UK government has dropped its proposed energy efficiency rules that would have required rental properties to meet a C rating by 2025. The rules would have required landlords to spend at least £10,000 per property to meet the requirements. This news has been met with relief by many landlords, who have said that the rules would have driven landlords out of the market and raised rents. However, some landlords are concerned that the rules could be reintroduced if the Labour Party wins the next election.
