IS AUSTRALIAN Idol performing its last power ballads? On Sunday night, the once-unassailable singing contest again failed to attract more than 1 million viewers.

THE Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade assisted an Australian company caught up in Papua New Guinea's carbon trading scandal as it closed deals in Bangladesh and Jordan this year, even giving it funding.

IT WAS clear when Byrne starred in Two Hands, the Australian feature that launched both her and Heath Ledger's careers some 12 years ago, that she was a rare talent.

BHP Billiton boss Marius Kloppers did his best to not mention the war. Well, he mentioned it a couple of times but I think he got away with it.

DAVE Sag has been called many names, but it does not worry him. Carbon Planet,