Sydney’s Rail System Faces ‘Strangulation’

Sydney’s rail system is perilously close to strangulation because of soaring passenger numbers and recurring track and train faults, confidential reports warn. The findings, kept secret for more than a year, say operational paralysis can be avoided only by adding new lines and up to 80 stations, buying 770 carriages worth $2.2 billion and spending at least $20 billion in the next decade on urgent maintenance

State of mistrust

Once again South Carolina’s state government has proven that it can’t be trusted with the personal information it demands from its citizens. Last week South Carolinians learned that — without their knowledge or permission — the state had created a DNA library on their children

Powell’s condoms comments draw ire

A row has broken out in the United States after Secretary of State Colin Powell appeared on the music television network MTV and urged sexually active young people to use condoms to protect themselves against disease. Conservative politicians and right-wing religious groups — the moral moronity — were among those who criticised Mr Powell, describing his remarks as irresponsible