“Wild kelp harvest is native forest logging of the sea”? Or just like “mowing the lawn”? It had marine science and conservationists in an uproar today, so what’s it all about?
Read MoreUncategorized
World News Brief, Friday September 24
Nuclear talks with Iran tipped to resume; Iran's Ahmadinejad is facing domestic challenges; US is reasserting itself in Asia as China and neighbours bicker; North Korea rearranges Communist Party in anticipation of succession by Kim Jong-Il's son; UN accuses Israel of war crimes; Obama announces US aid revamp; and more
Read MoreThe wobbly world of Fashion Week
It's odd. For an industry based on looking good, the fashion industry seems to know next-to nothing about presentation
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday September 23
China threatens retaliation unless Japan releases fishing boat captain detained in disputed waters; China has already suspended diplomatic ties with Japan; America taking bigger role in Asian security; US may apply sanctions to China unless value of yuan rises; Hillary Clinton encourages Arab aid to Palestine; France investigates al-Qaeda kidnapping; and more
Read MorePunitive political group-think rules... J'accuse too
The legislative failings exposed by Andrew Geddis this week also reveal a depressing political reality
Read MoreHere's my case ... what's yours?
In which the author tries to show why he is right ... so nyah, nyah, nyah.
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday September 22
Arab states arming themselves with $123 billion in US weapons; deal with Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait and UAE major boost to US defense industry; North Korean convention next week linked to Kim Jong-Il's succession plan; US concerned at estrangement between China and Japan; Turkey questions Iran sanctions; US recession longest since Great Depression; and more
Read MoreThe land that time forgot, and govt economics 101
Forest & Bird delivers a lesson in economical resource use — simplifying and streamlining, if you will — that doesn’t involve balancing the environment and the economy; and a reminder of the conservation job, put on ice for a quarter century
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday September 21
Low turnout, rocket attacks mar Afghanistan election (+ analysis); China-Japan relations deteriorate after fishing boat clash; BP's Gulf of Mexico well finally sealed; China pledges to keep Yuan low; and more
Read MoreJ'accuse
The National and Act Party members of the Law and Order select committee not only have no regard for basic individual rights, but they want to give William Bell, Graeme Burton and Clayton Weatherston the vote. They are not only moral pygmies, but they are really, really dumb.
Read MoreCarbon waits for science, again; but the planet won’t
We waited and, in one sense, wasted decades, scientifically establishing carbon emissions, and their effects. Now its about sequestration, on and in the ground: a different issue, yet the same
Read MoreThe Self Destructive Gene of Individualism
Can small political parties, or political movements, survive their own members?
Read MoreACT exiting, stage right? Or will the Nats decide 'they're worth it'?
It's been easy to be a right-wing politician in New Zealand the past couple of years. It looks like it's about to get a lot trickier, as Garrett goes
Read MoreSelling arms to the Saudis: Obama's big sell-out
An emerging unholy alliance between Israel, Saudi Arabia and the US is a key driver behind potentially the biggest arms deal in US history
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday September 17
Anti-American protest in Kabul turns deadly; protesters thought Florida pastor Terry Jones had carried out his Quran-burning plan; Japan may intervene in markets to lower value of yen again; US may impose tariffs on China; Gaza militants attack during peace talks; EU and South Korea have agreed to a trade deal; and more
Read MoreCanterbury's earthquake is worse than an infestation of zombies ...
In order to rebuild Canterbury after the earthquake, Parliament has given the government legal powers far wider than it would have if ravening undead hoards were to spread through our land.
Read MoreDavid Garrett and ACT: it's about forgiveness, even if you don't love me anymore
Prisoners used to get just the Bible to read in their cells. David Garrett might want to take a look at the parable of the unforgiving servant himself, as he looks for a way out of this week's mess... and what it all means for ACT
Read MoreEarthquake fascism and prostitution madness
Support from some Green and Labour MPs for conservative Manukau prostitution legislation is a real shocker
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday September 16
Japanese central bank intervenes to weaken Yen, boost exports (+ analysis); Pentagon speeds up plans to cut $100 billion; Karzai could get bigger anti-corruption role; French senate bans burqa; and more
Read MoreAustralian Tim Flannery tells us what he really thinks
Tim Flannery — professor, former Australian of the year, David Attenborough-acclaimed scientist and explorer, chair of the Copenhagen Climate Council — offers some free frank advice to New Zealand
Read More