Waving the flag at the Mitchell

THE proud boilermakers and ship builders who carried their huge union banner through Sydney's streets almost 100 years ago might have been surprised by their modern-day equivalents.

Cycle of dissent can drag Iran either way

Afresh wave of protests is sweeping Iran in the wake of the death of the dissident cleric Grand Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri. Opposition sentiment that had been dormant since the violent post-election clashes in June has reignited in recent days.

David Malouf asks: what is experience, and how do we come by it?

This is an extract from David Malouf's essay On Experience, which appears in The ON-nibus, published by Melbourne University Press, RRP $29.99; available now.

School still top of class

JAMES RUSE has topped the HSC performance list for the 14th consecutive year, but private schools in the eastern suburbs have pushed two other government selective high schools out of the top 10.

What are the rules since iPhone cast the net too wide?

I AM on holiday in Mooloolaba, Queensland. Surrounded by beach twiglets with iPhones. I wonder whether my parents looked upon me at the age 14 with the same despair.

Companies increase internet worth

SMALL- to medium-size enterprises (SMEs) are spending less on computer gear but are placing a stronger emphasis on online technology, according to the Sensis 2009 e-Business report.

Tax Office suspects rorts on work costs

THE Tax Office is losing its patience. After years of watching work-related deductions become one of the largest categories of tax claims, it has started an aggressive program of profiling aimed at suspected cheats.

New Optus BlackBerry Plans

Two Optus Blackberry plans offer unlimited email from $9.99.

Chilling Calls Point To Pakistan Terror Link

"WE HAVE three foreigners, including women from Singapore and China," a terrorist says into his mobile phone. "Kill them," is the reply.

Just Swipe Your Phone Over A Billboard, And Go To The Website

THE prospect of flashing a mobile phone at a movie poster to get screening times and buy tickets might seem fancifully futuristic to most.