EDITORS' PICKS

The Australian dollar axis
Alan Kohler
As long as China's currency is pegged to the US dollar, currencies like the Australian dollar must carry the weight of adjustment. However, a weak yuan is not necessarily bad for the economy.

Let's get physical
Alan Kohler
A new report says Australia should only fund nationwide sports such as cricket and the AFL to encourage participation. The Australian Olympic Committee, by contrast, seems to think sport is for watching, not doing.

Industry in jeopardy
Robert Gottliebsen
Australian power players, including banks and analysts, are now ringing the alarm bells over what would happen if the carbon trading legislation was passed in its present form – and it's truly scary stuff.

AMP's no-frills future
Robert Gottliebsen
Just as Qantas did with Jetstar, AMP CEO Craig Dunn plans to create a discount product range to build volume. The move will change the face of superannuation and investment products in Australia.

BHP's too smart to bid for Rio
Stephen Bartholomeusz
The looming anniversary of BHP Billiton's decision to abandon its offer for Rio Tinto has fired up speculation BHP might have another tilt. However, there are compelling reasons why it is improbable.

Poking the Packer bear
Stephen Bartholomeusz
Given the relative ferocity with which James Packer responded to the One.Tel ruling, it's clear he will not only fight any action initiated by Rich and the liquidator but will do so very aggressively.

Burning billions to achieve nothing
Giles Parkinson
Europe's ETS has confounded the critics by actually reducing emissions. Australia's CPRS, by contrast, will only help fund our competitors' moves towards carbon efficiency.

Where the iPhone fails
Isabelle Oderberg
It's great if you want to rake gravel in a virtual Zen garden, but when it comes to the business of doing business, Apple's iPhone just can't compete with a Blackberry.

Averting currency disaster
Mike Mangan
If Asian economies raise rates while the US and UK do not, investors will continue to put downward pressure on the greenback and sterling – raising the distinct possibility of a currency collapse.