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Two bullets in Sarajevo ended years of peace and launched the 20th century on a path that would make it the bloodiest in human history.
But the Great War was by no means inevitable and the search for a culprit is the wrong one. Starting the war was a tragedy, not a crime.
As the 100-year anniversary of WWI nears it is time to reflect on what lessons can be learnt from the battles of the past.
Topics: world-war-1, history, death, world-politics
For all its talk of reducing welfare and entitlements, the Federal Government continues to prop up non-viable businesses while treating politician and executive pay as off limits.
Both sides of politics have played a direct role in the demise of Australian industry and have squandered the proceeds of the resources boom.
Australia has a legal right to defend its shores, but the Abbott government's border protection policy has begun to drift into some legal grey areas.
Abbott and Hockey appear to have mastered the alchemy of public opinion transformation, but will face their biggest test when they release their first budget.
Even the most politically correct and progressive have a blind spot when it comes to our attitude towards animals. It's time to acknowledge it and get over it.
When I took an offshored gig with Fairfax, I found myself playing an unwitting role in the rise of New Zealand as a low-wage economy.
Many Australians are upset by the idea of Schapelle Corby earning millions from a media deal. But is there a case for letting her keep the money?
How the Israeli PM balances his desire for a peaceful solution with Palestine with his need to calm the ultra-right faction at home will reveal how much he supports the two-state solution.
When it comes to bailouts, Denis Napthine and Tony Abbott are caught in the war between economic rationalism and political pragmatism.
A knack for getting runs at just the right moment has seen Steve Smith rise from the fringes of the Australian Test squad to become its likely future skipper.
Instead of persisting with corporate welfare that fails, governments should focus on things that can boost the performance of businesses.
Six years ago, I was one of the farmers being driven to breaking point by drought. These are the people we need to remember when weighing up the merits of assistance.
Both sides of politics have played a direct role in the demise of Australian industry and have squandered the proceeds of the resources boom.
Abbott and Hockey appear to have mastered the alchemy of public opinion transformation, but will face their biggest test when they release their first budget.
Tony Abbott allowed his strong argument in favour of ending industrial subsidies to become an attack on the conditions of low-paid workers.
It's disturbing that common sense can have such an arresting effect, but Paul Howes might be on to something with his ambition for a New Accord.
Australia has a legal right to defend its shores, but the Abbott government's border protection policy has begun to drift into some legal grey areas.
Even the most politically correct and progressive have a blind spot when it comes to our attitude towards animals. It's time to acknowledge it and get over it.
When I took an offshored gig with Fairfax, I found myself playing an unwitting role in the rise of New Zealand as a low-wage economy.
The Israeli PM juggles his desire for a peaceful solution with Palestine with a need to calm the ultra-right faction at home.
Where to now?Toyota workers should be forgiven for not sharing the optimism that other job opportunities abound, writes Andrew Porter.
Australian diseaseAustralia consciously chose economic goals that left manufacturers in the cold, and the chickens are now coming home to roost, writes David Llewellyn-Smith.
No photo op, no subsidyWhile the media and politicians continually argue over subsidies for car manufacturers and food makers, the struggles of the technology sector go unnoticed, writes Renai LeMay.
Not just red tapeIf the requirements for gender diversity reporting are diluted, so too will be the efforts to see more women at the top of businesses, writes Catherine Fox.
Budget bluesJoe Hockey plans to usher in the "age of responsibility", but any golden welfare Australia may have enjoyed was over a while ago, writes Greg Jericho.
The manufacturing industry closures are in regional areas, have historical/cultural baggage, and employ blue-collar workers. The people losing jobs are going to have a tough time finding work again, and the whole region will suffer flow-on effects for many years to come.
Darren on No photo ops, no industry subsidies via story comment.
It doesn't matter if Paul Howes is positioning himself as the next Bob Hawke or the under-appreciated Bill Kelty, there is no hope for a tripartite agreement between employer unions, employee unions, and the government while the Abbott Government is hell-bent on ideological and cultural warfare.
Fred the Big Cat on Beyond the straitjacket of unions vs business via story comment.
It's funny how we all think she got what she deserved, while simultaneously knowing that if anyone got thrown in a rat-infested jail in Australia for 20 years just for a big bag of grass we'd all be marching on the streets.
Mitor the Bold on Our Schapelle: a smuggler for all seasons via story comment.
Be my valentineProposals on the Sydney Harbour Bridge to a hugging marathon, this is how the world spent Valentine’s Day. [New York Times]
Bus bomb in EgyptOfficials are investigating a bus bombing that killed at least four people on Egypt's border with Israel [Reuters]
Ellen Page comes outActress Ellen Page delivers a rousing and emotion speech at the inaugural Time to Thrive conference. [Youtube]
Wet weather brought some much needed rain to the northern South Australia town of Coober Pedy on February 14, 2014.
