Open mike 11/10/2019
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7:00 am, October 11th, 2019 - 87 comments
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The Green Party is welcoming Climate Change Minister Simon Watts’ continuation of Hon. James Shaw’s cross-party work on climate adaptation, now in the form of a Finance and Expenditure Committee Inquiry. ...22 hours ago - Release: Sexual violence prevention among hundreds of job cuts at ACCThe National Government plans to cut 390 jobs at ACC, including roles in the areas of prevention of sexual violence, road safety and workplace safety. ...1 day ago
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- Release: Budget blunder shows Nicola Willis could cut recovery fundingIt appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last year’s severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...2 weeks ago
- Further environmental mismanagement on the cardsThe Government’s resource management reforms will add to the heavy and ever-growing burden this Government is loading on to our environment. ...3 weeks ago
- Release: RMA changes will be a disaster for environmentThe Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...3 weeks ago
- Release: Labour supports urgent changes to emergency management systemLabour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...3 weeks ago
- Release: Labour calls for New Zealand to recognise PalestineThe Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...3 weeks ago
- Release: Three strikes law political posturing of worst kindThe Government is bringing back a law that has little evidential backing just to look tough, Labour justice spokesperson Duncan Webb said. ...3 weeks ago
- Release: Government cuts unbelievably target child exploitation, violent extremism, ports and airpor...Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...3 weeks ago
- Three strikes has failed before and will fail againResurrecting the archaic three-strikes legislation is an unwelcome return to a failed American-style approach to justice. ...3 weeks ago
- Release: Environmental protection vital, not ‘onerous’The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...3 weeks ago
- Speech to the 2024 Infrastructure Symposium
Introduction Good morning. It’s a great privilege to be here at the 2024 Infrastructure Symposium. I was extremely happy when the Prime Minister asked me to be his Minister for Infrastructure. It is one of the great barriers holding the New Zealand economy back from achieving its potential. Building high ...12 hours ago - $571 million for Defence pay and projectsDefence Minister Judith Collins today announced the upcoming Budget will include new funding of $571 million for Defence Force pay and projects. “Our servicemen and women do New Zealand proud throughout the world and this funding will help ensure we retain their services and expertise as we navigate an increasingly ...17 hours ago
- Climate change – mitigating the risks and costsNew Zealand’s ability to cope with climate change will be strengthened as part of the Government’s focus to build resilience as we rebuild the economy, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “An enduring and long-term approach is needed to provide New Zealanders and the economy with certainty as the climate ...17 hours ago
- Getting new job seekers on the pathway to workJobseeker beneficiaries who have work obligations must now meet with MSD within two weeks of their benefit starting to determine their next step towards finding a job, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “A key part of the coalition Government’s plan to have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker ...2 days ago
- Accelerating Social InvestmentA new standalone Social Investment Agency will power-up the social investment approach, driving positive change for our most vulnerable New Zealanders, Social Investment Minister Nicola Willis says. “Despite the Government currently investing more than $70 billion every year into social services, we are not seeing the outcomes we want for ...2 days ago
- Getting Back on TrackCheck against delivery Good morning. It is a pleasure to be with you to outline the Coalition Government’s approach to our first Budget. Thank you Mark Skelly, President of the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce, together with your Board and team, for hosting me. I’d like to acknowledge His Worship ...2 days ago
- NZ – European Union ties more critical than everYour Excellency Ambassador Meredith, Members of the Diplomatic Corps and Ambassadors from European Union Member States, Ministerial colleagues, Members of Parliament, and other distinguished guests, Thank you everyone for joining us. Ladies and gentlemen - In diplomacy, we often speak of ‘close’ and ‘long-standing’ relations. ...2 days ago
- Therapeutic Products Act to be repealedThe Therapeutic Products Act (TPA) will be repealed this year so that a better regime can be put in place to provide New Zealanders safe and timely access to medicines, medical devices and health products, Associate Health Minister Casey Costello announced today. “The medicines and products we are talking about ...2 days ago
- Decisions on Wellington City Council’s District PlanThe Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop, today released his decision on twenty recommendations referred to him by the Wellington City Council relating to its Intensification Planning Instrument, after the Council rejected those recommendations of the Independent Hearings Panel and made alternative recommendations. “Wellington notified its District Plan on ...3 days ago
- Rape Awareness Week: Government committed to action on sexual violenceRape Awareness Week (6-10 May) is an important opportunity to acknowledge the continued effort required by government and communities to ensure that all New Zealanders can live free from violence, say Ministers Karen Chhour and Louise Upston. “With 1 in 3 women and 1 in 8 men experiencing sexual violence ...3 days ago
- Smarter lunch programme feeds more, costs lessAssociate Education Minister David Seymour has today announced that the Government will be delivering a more efficient Healthy School Lunches Programme, saving taxpayers approximately $107 million a year compared to how Labour funded it, by embracing innovation and commercial expertise. “We are delivering on our commitment to treat taxpayers’ money ...3 days ago
- Report provides insights into marine recoveryNew research on the impacts of extreme weather on coastal marine habitats in Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s Bay will help fishery managers plan for and respond to any future events, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. A report released today on research by Niwa on behalf of Fisheries New Zealand ...3 days ago
- NZ to send political delegation to the PacificDeputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters will lead a broad political delegation on a five-stop Pacific tour next week to strengthen New Zealand’s engagement with the region. The delegation will visit Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, and Tuvalu. “New Zealand has deep and ...3 days ago
- Low gas production threatens energy securityThere has been a material decline in gas production according to figures released today by the Gas Industry Co. Figures released by the Gas Industry Company show that there was a 12.5 per cent reduction in gas production during 2023, and a 27.8 per cent reduction in gas production in the ...3 days ago
- Defence industry talent, commitment recognisedDefence Minister Judith Collins tonight announced the recipients of the Minister of Defence Awards of Excellence for Industry, saying they all contribute to New Zealanders’ security and wellbeing. “Congratulations to this year’s recipients, whose innovative products and services play a critical role in the delivery of New Zealand’s defence capabilities, ...3 days ago
- Speech to the Minister of Defence Awards of Excellence for IndustryWelcome to you all - it is a pleasure to be here this evening.I would like to start by thanking Greg Lowe, Chair of the New Zealand Defence Industry Advisory Council, for co-hosting this reception with me. This evening is about recognising businesses from across New Zealand and overseas who in ...3 days ago
- Speech to the Sixth Annual New Zealand Government Data SummitIt is a pleasure to be speaking to you as the Minister for Digitising Government. I would like to thank Akolade for the invitation to address this Summit, and to acknowledge the great effort you are making to grow New Zealand’s digital future. Today, we stand at the cusp of ...3 days ago
- Ceasefire agreement needed now: PetersNew Zealand is urging both Israel and Hamas to agree to an immediate ceasefire to avoid the further humanitarian catastrophe that military action in Rafah would unleash, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “The immense suffering in Gaza cannot be allowed to worsen further. Both sides have a responsibility to ...4 days ago
- Daily school attendance data now availableA new online data dashboard released today as part of the Government’s school attendance action plan makes more timely daily attendance data available to the public and parents, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. The interactive dashboard will be updated once a week to show a national average of how ...4 days ago
- Ambassador to United States appointedForeign Minister Winston Peters has announced Rosemary Banks will be New Zealand’s next Ambassador to the United States of America. “Our relationship with the United States is crucial for New Zealand in strategic, security and economic terms,” Mr Peters says. “New Zealand and the United States have a ...4 days ago
- New permit proposed for recreational gold miningThe Government is considering creating a new tier of minerals permitting that will make it easier for hobby miners to prospect for gold. “New Zealand was built on gold, it’s in our DNA. Our gold deposits, particularly in regions such as Otago and the West Coast have always attracted fortune-hunters. ...4 days ago
- NZ and the UAE launch FTA negotiationsMinister for Trade Todd McClay today announced that New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will commence negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA). Minister McClay met with his counterpart UAE Trade Minister Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi in Dubai, where they announced the launch of negotiations on a ...4 days ago
- New Zealand Sign Language Week an opportunity for anyone to signNew Zealand Sign Language Week is an excellent opportunity for all Kiwis to give the language a go, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. This week (May 6 to 12) is New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) Week. The theme is “an Aotearoa where anyone can sign anywhere” and aims to ...4 days ago
- Next stop NASA for New Zealand studentsSix tertiary students have been selected to work on NASA projects in the US through a New Zealand Space Scholarship, Space Minister Judith Collins announced today. “This is a fantastic opportunity for these talented students. They will undertake internships at NASA’s Ames Research Center or its Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), where ...4 days ago
- $1.9 billion investment to keep NZ safe from crimeNew Zealanders will be safer because of a $1.9 billion investment in more frontline Corrections officers, more support for offenders to turn away from crime, and more prison capacity, Corrections Minister Mark Mitchell says. “Our Government said we would crack down on crime. We promised to restore law and order, ...4 days ago
- OECD reinforces need to control spendingThe OECD’s latest report on New Zealand reinforces the importance of bringing Government spending under control, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The OECD conducts country surveys every two years to review its members’ economic policies. The 2024 New Zealand survey was presented in Wellington today by OECD Chief Economist Clare Lombardelli. ...5 days ago
- Agreement delivers Local Water Done Well for AucklandThe Government has delivered on its election promise to provide a financially sustainable model for Auckland under its Local Water Done Well plan. The plan, which has been unanimously endorsed by Auckland Council’s Governing Body, will see Aucklanders avoid the previously projected 25.8 per cent water rates increases while retaining ...6 days ago
- Gaza and the Pacific on the agenda with GermanyForeign Minister Winston Peters discussed the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and enhanced cooperation in the Pacific with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock during her first official visit to New Zealand today. "New Zealand and Germany enjoy shared interests and values, including the rule of law, democracy, respect for the international system ...7 days ago
- Decision allows for housing growth in Western Bay of PlentyThe Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop today released his decision on four recommendations referred to him by the Western Bay of Plenty District Council, opening the door to housing growth in the area. The Council’s Plan Change 92 allows more homes to be built in existing and new ...1 week ago
- Speech to New Zealand China CouncilThank you, John McKinnon and the New Zealand China Council for the invitation to speak to you today. Thank you too, all members of the China Council. Your effort has played an essential role in helping to build, shape, and grow a balanced and resilient relationship between our two ...1 week ago
- Modern insurance law will protect Kiwi householdsThe Government is modernising insurance law to better protect Kiwis and provide security in the event of a disaster, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly announced today. “These reforms are long overdue. New Zealand’s insurance law is complicated and dated, some of which is more than 100 years old. ...1 week ago
- Government recommits to equal payThe coalition Government is refreshing its approach to supporting pay equity claims as time-limited funding for the Pay Equity Taskforce comes to an end, Public Service Minister Nicola Willis says. “Three years ago, the then-government introduced changes to the Equal Pay Act to support pay equity bargaining. The changes were ...1 week ago
- Transforming how our children learn to readStructured literacy will change the way New Zealand children learn to read - improving achievement and setting students up for success, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. “Being able to read and write is a fundamental life skill that too many young people are missing out on. Recent data shows that ...1 week ago
- NZ not backing down in Canada dairy disputeTrade Minister Todd McClay says Canada’s refusal to comply in full with a CPTPP trade dispute ruling in our favour over dairy trade is cynical and New Zealand has no intention of backing down. Mr McClay said he has asked for urgent legal advice in respect of our ‘next move’ ...1 week ago
- Stronger oversight for our most vulnerable childrenThe rights of our children and young people will be enhanced by changes the coalition Government will make to strengthen oversight of the Oranga Tamariki system, including restoring a single Children’s Commissioner. “The Government is committed to delivering better public services that care for our most at-risk young people and ...1 week ago
- Streamlining Building Consent ChangesThe Government is making it easier for minor changes to be made to a building consent so building a home is easier and more affordable, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on making it easier and cheaper to build homes so we can ...1 week ago
- Minister acknowledges passing of Sir Robert Martin (KNZM)New Zealand lost a true legend when internationally renowned disability advocate Sir Robert Martin (KNZM) passed away at his home in Whanganui last night, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. “Our Government’s thoughts are with his wife Lynda, family and community, those he has worked with, the disability community in ...1 week ago
- Speech to New Zealand Institute of International Affairs, Parliament – Annual Lecture: Challenges ...Good evening – Before discussing the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand’s foreign policy, we’d like to first acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. You have contributed to debates about New Zealand foreign policy over a long period of time, and we thank you for hosting us. ...1 week ago
- Accelerating airport security linesFrom today, passengers travelling internationally from Auckland Airport will be able to keep laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags for security screening thanks to new technology, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Creating a more efficient and seamless travel experience is important for holidaymakers and businesses, enabling faster movement through ...1 week ago
- Community hui to talk about kina barrensPeople with an interest in the health of Northland’s marine ecosystems are invited to a public meeting to discuss how to deal with kina barrens, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones will lead the discussion, which will take place on Friday, 10 May, at Awanui Hotel in ...1 week ago
- TVNZ Pacific correspondent Barbara Dreaver awarded ONZM for investigative journalism
Pacific Media Watch Television New Zealand Pacific correspondent Barbara Dreaver has been made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to investigative journalism and Pacific communities in a ceremony at Government House, reports 1News. She has been the Pacific correspondent for 1News since 2002, breaking many ...1 hour ago - Budget to pledge billions more in funds and fresh effort to tackle intractable housing crisisSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Tuesday’s budget will respond to the deepening public agitation over Australia’s housing shortages by pouring new money into crisis accommodation for women and children, social housing and infrastructure. A specially-convened national cabinet late Friday ticked ...1 hour ago
- Pacific journalists are world’s ‘eyes and ears’ on climate crisis, says EU envoyBy Kaneta Naimatu in Suva Journalists in the Pacific region play an important role as the “eyes and ears on the ground” when it comes to reporting the climate crisis, says the European Union’s Pacific Ambassador Barbara Plinkert. Speaking at The University of the South Pacific (USP) on World Press ...4 hours ago
- Why the Defence Force has been calling for a Budget boost
Failing accommodation, tarmac problems and a deteriorating naval base were all laid bare before a $571 million spend-up was unveiled today. ...4 hours ago - Back in Black: Aldora’s year gets even better
Aldora Itunu is back in the Black Ferns squad after a three-year absence. The last of her 24 internationals was an underwhelming loss to France (7-29) in Castres to conclude the disastrous 2021 Northern Tour. The powerhouse prop won a Rugby World Cup in 2017 and thought she was done. ...5 hours ago - ‘Who’s actually governing this city?’The fight to control major transport policy and projects in Auckland has burst into the open again, with councillors rejecting Mayor Wayne Brown’s latest attempt to steer things more under his influence. Councillors from the left and right broke ranks on the mayor’s bid to control Auckland Transport more directly ...5 hours ago
- The return of .. Raw PoliticsExhausted by the general election campaign, horrified by the twilight zone of coalition negotiations, distracted by the silly season and waiting for the honeymoon to begin, Raw Politics has been in hibernation since October. From today, we’re back. Our weekly political video show and podcast returns for ...5 hours ago
- New Caledonia marks Armistice Day with new NZ war memorialBy Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk Authorities in the small town of Boulouparis have commemorated Armistice Day on May 8 with a new memorial honouring New Zealand soldiers who were stationed in New Caledonia during World War II. The ceremony took place in the township on the ...5 hours ago
- High Court dismisses key challenge to indefinite immigration detention. What does it mean?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sara Dehm, Senior lecturer, international migration and refugee law, University of Technology Sydney The High Court unanimously ruled today that the Australian government can keep asylum seekers in immigration detention indefinitely in cases where they do not “voluntarily” cooperate with their own ...8 hours ago
- A brief history of found footage video art – and where Macklemore’s Hind’s Hall fits inSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kim Munro, Lecturer, Creative Industries and Digital Media, University of South Australia Twenty-four hours after the release of Macklemore’s pro-Palestine protest song Hind’s Hall on social media on May 7, the video had already notched up over 24 million views. In ...8 hours ago
- Transmission Gully could need new bulider – Infrastructure Commission reviewFailing to anticipate the complexity of the consenting system is being cited as the the current builder's shortcomings, an Infrastructure Commission review says. ...8 hours ago
- Proposed repeal of Oranga Tamariki Act section 7AA breaches Treaty of Waitangi – TribunalThe government is planning to repeal Treaty obligations from the Oranga Tamariki Act. ...9 hours ago
- Committee Silences Majority Of Submitters On Fast-track Bill
350 Aotearoa is calling the Environment Select Committee’s decision to allow oral submissions from just 40% of individual, unique submitters who asked to speak to the committee ‘a disgraceful blight to democracy’. ...9 hours ago - Sky-high vanity: constructing the world’s tallest buildings creates high emissionsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James Helal, Assistant Dean (Sustainability), The University of Melbourne Dubai skyline AleksandarPasaric/Pexels Since ancient times, people have built structures that reach for the skies – from the steep spires of medieval towers to the grand domes of ancient cathedrals and mosques. Today ...9 hours ago
- How can we measure the size of Australia’s illegal cannabis market – and the billions in taxes t...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jenny Williams, Professor of Economics, The University of Melbourne Canna Obscura/Shutterstock At the end of this month, a senate inquiry by the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee is due to hand down its report on a bill to legalise cannabis. ...9 hours ago
- Wearable devices can now harvest our brain data. Australia needs urgent privacy reformsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Edward Musole, PhD Law Student, University of New England Girts Ragelis/Shutterstock Recent trends show Australians are increasingly buying wearables such as smartwatches and fitness trackers. These electronics track our body movements or vital signs to provide data throughout the day, with ...11 hours ago
- Labour Up, Greens Down But Centre-Right Remains AheadThis is the first time since February that voters have had a net positive view of the country direction. ...11 hours ago
- RNZAF Hercules, NZDF Personnel Arrive In Papua New Guinea To Help Distribute Relief SuppliesPapua New Guinea experienced a significant earthquake on 24 March in East Sepik and there has also been recent flooding there and in surrounding provinces. ...12 hours ago
- Sleep wrinkles are real. Here’s how they leave their markSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Yousuf Mohammed, Dermatology researcher, The University of Queensland Maridav/Shutterstock You wake up, stagger to the bathroom and gaze into the mirror. No, you’re not imagining it. You’ve developed face wrinkles overnight. They’re sleep wrinkles. Sleep wrinkles are temporary. But as your ...12 hours ago
- Week in Politics: Triumph and disaster, but no austerityAnalysis - A big announcement about Auckland's water woes was overshadowed by a chaotic press conference about prisons, Peter Wilson writes. ...12 hours ago
- Community Groups Furious That Government Silencing Hundreds In Fast-Track HearingsThe Environment Select Committee has just announced that 60 percent of individuals who asked to speak at the hearings will not be heard. This equates to almost 700 people who made individual submissions and more than 1000 more who made a form submission. ...12 hours ago
- Review: Swan Lake is a reminder of how much work it takes to look effortless
The Royal New Zealand Ballet is performing Swan Lake around the country. What kind of dream does the ballet sell? Before going to see the Royal New Zealand Ballet perform Swan Lake, I had about as much familiarity with the plot of this ballet as could be expected from having ...13 hours ago - The Friday Poem: ‘High Tide at Local Maxima’ by Eamonn TeeA new poem by Auckland poet Eamonn Tee. High Tide at Local Maxima It is only going to get worse. The streams will be narrow and fickle. The week will bend and buckle like a pot-bellied waist. You will make it to the weekend with one ...13 hours ago
- The plastic-heavy drinks industry is in for a shake-upThe New Zealand entrepreneur behind beauty business Ethique is gearing up to launch a new eco-venture. This is an excerpt from our weekly environmental newsletter Future Proof. Sign up here. Our thirst for a tasty bevvy is insatiable, but it comes with a hefty plastic price for the planet: 580 billion ...13 hours ago
- The Unity Books bestseller chart for the week ending May 10The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington. AUCKLAND 1 James by Percival Everett (Mantle, $38) A retelling of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn from ...13 hours ago
- Puna calls for Pacific ‘journalistic vigilance’ in face of climate crisisBy Kamna Kumar in Suva Pacific Islands Forum Secretary-General Henry Puna stressed the importance of media freedom and its link to the climate and environmental crisis at the 2024 World Press Freedom Day event organised by the University of the South Pacific’s journalism programme. Under the theme “A Planet for ...13 hours ago
- Downsizing Of ERO Inconsistent With Govt Priority Of Lifting Student AchievementThe PSA is concerned that Government spending cuts have forced ERO to downsize at a time when student achievement is a significant challenge. ...13 hours ago
- Education Review Office set to cut 13 jobs, union saysThe Education Review Office is set to cut 13 jobs, the Public Service Association says. ...13 hours ago
- Judith Collins announces $571 million Defence spend-upAn extra half a billion dollars is going to Defence in this year's Budget for pay and equipment upgrades, the Defence Minister has announced. ...14 hours ago
- This new TVNZ anthology is Motherhood as you’ve never seen it beforeTara Ward previews a new local TV series offering alternative visions of motherhood. This is an excerpt from our weekly pop culture newsletter Rec Room. Sign up here. A woman is clambering up the side of her two-story house, clinging desperately to a drainpipe. Nearby, her child is perched on the ...15 hours ago
- LGNZ Supportive Of Cross-party Approach To Climate AdaptationLocal Government New Zealand (LGNZ) is supportive of the cross-party approach to climate adaptation announced by the Minister of Climate Change today. ...15 hours ago
- SBC And CLC Welcome Bipartisan Climate Adaptation InquiryThe Sustainable Business Council (SBC) and Climate Leaders Coalition (CLC) welcome today’s announcement from Government around a bipartisan inquiry into an enduring climate adaptation framework for New Zealand. ...15 hours ago
- Another Victory For Free Speech: DIA Abandons Proposals For Online CensorshipThe Free Speech Union welcomes the decision by the Department of Internal Affairs, and Minister Brooke Van Velden, to abandon proposals to further regulate online speech. ...15 hours ago
- Confused or playing for time? 3 possible reasons NZ is taking so long to make a call on AUKUSSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Robert G. Patman, Professor of International Relations, University of Otago Getty Images New Zealand governments have been actively exploring the option of joining pillar two of AUKUS for over a year now. But according to foreign minister Winston Peters, the government ...15 hours ago
- Archives NZ says it has enough space – for nowIts new building in Wellington will not be nearly big enough for all its records, and it has also run out of money to build its new storage facility in Levin. ...16 hours ago
- Consensus WelcomedBusinessNZ is congratulating the Minister of Climate Change for his work in achieving cross-party consensus for a way forward on climate adaptation. ...16 hours ago
- How many lives is that tax cut worth?Recent research reveals the repeal of smokefree measures is not only bad for our health, but also the economy. The Government has repealed various smokefree measures to ensure it keeps collecting $1.2 billion a year in tobacco taxes, in order to pay for tax cuts already being delivered to ...16 hours ago
- How the Phoenix went from wooden spoon favourites to title contendersThe club’s surprisingly good season is built on the desire to prove a random A-League YouTuber wrong… and a few other factors. “There’s no way that Wellington Phoenix play finals this year. I can’t see it happening at all.” Those are the words of Lachlan Raeside, an Australian football content ...16 hours ago
- Ministry cuts will harm Pacific health, wellbeing – unionThe PSA is warning cuts at the Ministry for Pacific Peoples will have severe consequences for the health and wellbeing of Pasifika families. ...17 hours ago
- Power shortages: What's being done to keep the lights on?Officials are looking at better ways of choosing who gets the power during shortages amid relentlessly growing demands. ...17 hours ago
- No more bad accents, stereotypes or cringe: why the rise of multilingual TV is good news for everyon...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By César Albarrán-Torres, Senior Lecturer, Department of Media and Communication, Swinburne University of Technology Apple TV+ As one of billions of bilingual individuals in the world, it disappoints me when a film or TV show with characters of a non-English-speaking background is ...17 hours ago
- It’s time to ditch Berhampore Golf CourseThe under-utilised course is a waste of space, and with a little political will, it could be turned into something better. For the duration of her stay in Wellington, my long-suffering cousin listened to me rant about golf courses. They’re bad for the environment: water intensive and pesticide heavy. They ...18 hours ago
- Women in rich countries are having fewer kids, or none at all. What’s going on?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Leah Ruppanner, Professor of Sociology and Founding Director of The Future of Work Lab, Podcast at MissPerceived, The University of Melbourne Shutterstock A recent report from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows US fertility rates dropped 2% in ...18 hours ago
- We looked at over 166,000 psychiatric records. Over half showed people were admitted against their w...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amy Corderoy, Medical doctor and PhD candidate studying involuntary psychiatric treatment, School of Psychiatry, UNSW Sydney shop_py/Shutterstock Picture two people, both suffering from a serious mental illness requiring hospital admission. One was born in Australia, the other in Asia. Hopefully, ...18 hours ago
- Feral horses in Australia’s high country are damaging peatlands, decreasing carbon storesSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sarah Treby, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, RMIT University P.j.Hickox, Shutterstock Peatlands store more carbon per square metre than any other ecosystem on Earth. These waterlogged, mossy bogs beat even dense rainforests for their ability to act as carbon reservoirs. Under the ...18 hours ago
- Andrew Tate’s extreme views about women are infiltrating Australian schools. We need a zero-tolera...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stephanie Wescott, Lecturer in Education, Monash University RDNE Stock Project/ Pexels , CC BY Earlier this week, two students were expelled from a Melbourne private school for their involvement in creating a spreadsheet that ranked girls using sexist and violent categories ...18 hours ago
- Yes, spending on health is growing, but new research shows we’re getting more for itSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Goss, Adjunct Associate Professor, Health Research Institute, University of Canberra Government spending on health has been growing so rapidly that a decade ago the then health minister Peter Dutton called it “unmanageable” and “unsustainable”. Health spending grew in real terms by ...18 hours ago
- Govt must regulate to smooth EVs and data centres' demand on power grids – VectorNew Zealand's largest electricity distributor is warning the country to hurry up with controls around charging electric vehicles or face unnecessary bills running into the billions. ...19 hours ago
- Could you be about to lose your power?New Zealanders have been asked to conserve energy this morning to combat a possible electricity shortfall, writes Stewart Sowman-Lund in this extract from The Bulletin. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. A call to conserve power New Zealand is facing a possible electricity shortfall, with people up ...19 hours ago
- What actually are the Ockhams?Writer Rebecca K Reilly breaks down the national book awards. What are the Ockhams? The Ockham New Zealand Book Awards are our annual national awards for books published for adults, and have existed in this form since 2016. There are four categories: Fiction, Poetry, General Non-fiction and Illustrated Non-fiction. There ...22 hours ago
- Selling Wellington Airport would be colossally carelessWellington City Council should keep its 34% ownership share in Wellington International Airport, argue Unions Wellington spokespeople Finn Cordwell and Ashok Jacob. Insanity, as the saying goes, is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Wellington City Council (WCC) is yet again proposing to dispose ...22 hours ago
- Two senior publishers axed at Penguin Random House amid major restructureNew Zealand’s largest book publisher has undergone drastic changes this week, leaving its future role in local publishing uncertain. Two of the most recognisable local publishers in New Zealand are among those restructured out of Penguin Random House, it was announced this week. Head of publishing Claire Murdoch will leave ...22 hours ago
- Daily crossword, Friday 10 MayThe post Daily crossword, Friday 10 May appeared first on Newsroom. ...22 hours ago
- Black Ferns Sevens: The greatest team of allThe Black Ferns Sevens appeared to be a mile behind Australia at the halfway point of the 2023-24 SVNS international circuit. Winless in three tournaments, a cup quarter-final exit in Perth was one of their worst results. To add insult to injury, talismanic skipper Sarah Hirini had been ruled out ...22 hours ago
- Newsroom daily quiz, Friday 10 MayLoading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A,DIV,A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp'); Got a good quiz question? Send Newsroom your questions. The post Newsroom daily quiz, Friday 10 May appeared first on Newsroom. ...22 hours ago
- Government hypes gas crisis ahead of restarting drillingAnalysis: Solar power is the cheapest form of energy in the Pacific but the Government says NZ’s only choice is gas or coal The post Government hypes gas crisis ahead of restarting drilling appeared first on Newsroom. ...22 hours ago
- NZ sanctions needed to back Myanmar resistance – ministerAn exiled Myanmar politician says NZ must continue to place pressure on the country’s military junta The post NZ sanctions needed to back Myanmar resistance – minister appeared first on Newsroom. ...22 hours ago
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For those with a technical/engineering bent, here's a good piece from Vox about the climate problem from industrial process heat.
https://www.vox.com/energy-and-environment/2019/10/10/20904213/climate-change-steel-cement-industrial-heat-hydrogen-ccs
It could have been better, though. It didn't even mention what effects a price on carbon would have in its cost comparisons, nor did it even mention the possibilities of completely changing some industrial processes such as electrolytic steelmaking or electrochemical cement production.
Electrolytic Steel ?
"until the product is actually built and tested at commercial scale, it’s too early to say how well or affordably it will really work. "
Electrochemical Cement ?
"‘A modern cement plant typically produces 10,000 tonnes of cement per day – it is very difficult to imagine this scale of production by electrolysis.’
There would be telephone books ( remember them) worth of research papers produced that dont go any further than saying , yes we can do it when we make 0.5kg in the lab
Just about every part of modern society had its origins in small scale lab experiments. The stuff that got commercialised on a massive scale was where there was a big commercial incentive to do so.
In the case of cement or steel, that commercial incentive will come from a carbon price or heavy-handed government restriction on burning fossil fuels. But right now, when fossil fuel burners get to dump their hazardous waste in the atmosphere for free and the rest of the world has to deal with the damage it causes, there's no commercial incentive to further develop alternatives.
John Key's 'you'll just have to wait and see'..regarding who bought his Parnell hacienda,leaves me to believe( as no title transfer of sale has occurred )that maybe the buyer is a foreigner and not eligible under new laws.
If that is the case ,I'm sure some creative solution will be found.
Wouldn't you say it could be another cosy related party like the buyer of his beach house? Who else owes him a favour for services rendered?
And the buyer is…………. Christopher Luxon when he parachutes into the electorate after selection. The much photographed pool will provide quite a media splash.
Thats because Keys house was originally in a Family Trusts name. he and his family are the beneficiaries.
Whats happened is the Trust still exists but has new beneficiaries which arent listed on the title, just the Trustees
Sen. Paul neatly skewers the pro-war left over Syria pullout.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/washington-secrets/rand-paul-compares-trump-syria-withdrawal-to-reagans-beirut-pullout
Using a hard right republican tea bagger to justify the extermination of the Kurdish people. How very left wing of you.
i was surprised to see paul cited here..but part of his and his fathers' politics is pulling american troops out of whatever…so despite his other r/w beliefs there is some consistancy there..
the takeaway/surprise for me was the small number of troops involved (50-100..)
so the significant aspect of this isn't so much the troop withdrawal itself..
but the conversation trump had with erdogan..where we are told he basically handed over the isis-problem to erdogan..
giving him the green light to do whatever..
something else to consider is that turkey currently has three and a half million refugees from this conflict in their country..
and turkey won’t want to ‘exterminate’ the kurds – historically the kurds have been a buffer-zone between turkey and the middle-east..
and in different times/wars the kurds have fought alongside the turks..
so i am guessing erdogan wants control back of that area – so he can send back the kurds he has not ‘exterminated’ – who are in turkey as refugees..
these fings are often quite nuanced..
(and i see allen delivered an ill-thought-out/simplistic-sneer – it must be a day ending in a 'y'..)
There's never anything Ill thought out from me, Philip, though cant argue with simplistic – One has to play to the level of the audience after all just like last night, when you were shepherded into ducking a simple question.
Still, it is odd how some left wingers choose to quote or cite rabid righties in order to attack others on the left. Thats a very confused position for sure.
maybe some people are actually seeking illumination..
preferring that over doctrinaire-posturing..?
@ Al1en " There's never anything Ill thought out from me, "..thanks for that I needed that little mid morning chuckle.
I would have thought an anti-war stance is one of the few areas where libertarianism coaligns with true leftist position
Disagreements aplenty in other areas
Your kind of simplistic tribal thinking does no one any good
Nothing in the posts I made above, about a presumed lefty attacking the falsely alleged "pro war left" by way off a right wing tea party has changed with your comment.
no surprises there…
allen puts the 'id' in '- – – -id'..
Your ad homs are getting worse, Phil. Up your game, if you can..
I can't get an ad hom out of – – – – id – is it 3 or 4 letters before the id? I thought 3 and vap id would be a tidy double hitter
close..!..but no chocolate-fish..
i was working with four letters..
When you two have finished patting each other on the back maybe you could drop the infantile attempts to wind up another commenter here? Yes? It is getting bloody tedious to have to listen to same old broken record time after time. If you cannot take a joke, maybe you take a hint? Yes?
heh..!
how in earth is 'pitting the 'id' in '- – – – id'.. an ad hom..?
what am i saying there..?
i cd also note that since my return here – allen has been this malevolent shadow – responding to anything i said with 'ad homs'…
and/but nary a murmer from you on that..eh..?
to the extent i had to police him/her by telling him/her i wd not respond to ad homs..
and 'if you can'..eh..?
a bit of putting the old 'id' in '- – id -' there..eh..?
heh..!
Thanks for proving id..
Not moderated, not told off, not warned nor banned.
Im guessing it's because I know how to play this better than you, Philip. I don't need to insult you to shred your arguments, and I don't have to worry about getting booted when I do so. It's the best of both worlds.
@ incognito..
are you doing yr punning thing again..?
some people asked me to ask you to 'please just stop it'..
(they seemed quite distressed by the/yr practice..)
Get your id under control and get over your issues with The Al1en.
If you can (asking for a friend)?
Happy to leave you to it .. then..!..
Who is this "allen" you're trying to insult?
'who'?..indeed…!
i have asked myself that question..
Andre, Philip has this thing he copied from Marty years ago, where he can't bring himself to use my chosen login when addressing me, and he's done it for so long, if he ever changed it would be viewed as a sign of defeat. It's like a wee willy wave on permanent Viagra. Lol
Its only him and the greywarshark, the Nelson nibbler who do it today, and as much as every time I see it its like a +1 to my score before I've even started, it's all a bit silly seeing as my name is Dan
I thought it was quite genius at the time because it upset you so much – lol those were the days…
It really didn't, but it's one of those things if you deny, people will claim the opposite. I still see it as admitting defeat up front, and I'm glad you at least managed to get over it and a hold of your sh1t, 'cause it don't half make these clowns look broken up when they do it.
yes we moved on which was nice
Yep. Still got a pint with your name on it when I switch islands.
Yep looking forward to it
Oddly enough, the Kurds are not experiencing the Turkish invasion as an antiwar moment.
agreed..and great to see such concern..
but it pays not to forget that since obama america has been droning/bombing/shelling/killing this whole region..
in their latest proxy war..
why do you think those 3.5 million refugees are in turkey..?
for the weather..?
so i do find yr concerns to be somewhat selective..
That would be because you haven't done your homework on Putin. No-one on the Left who wants to talk about peace can do so while blindly following the totalitarian responsible for the Chechen genocide. Exchanging US hegemony for kleptocrat hegemony is not a victory, though it may take the Putin hero worshippers thirty years to work that out.
who are these 'putin-worshippers' of whom you speak..?
are you speaking to me..?..munro-man..?
Nope – I'm not certain of your stance.
Yeah exactly Mr Munro, "who are these 'putin-worshippers' of whom you speak..?", how about you point them out for us?
You for one, tragically.
@ Stuart Munro.
And when exactly have I said or done anything like that, that would give you that idea?
Actually, why don't you go and find one comment on the Standard or anywhere on the net for that matter, (I use my real name) where I have shown myself to be a " Putin hero worshipper"….I can tell you right now you won't, so that leaves me with only one thing to say the the likes of you……flick you,melonfarmer.
"Let Lynn know what?, that his site is full of aggressive Russiagate conspiratory theorists I hope…"
Yesterday.
There is ample evidence on the record of the Russia/Trump connection, but you won't entertain it for some reason.
Look you fool, just becuase someone dosn't buy into the ridiculous Russiagate conspiracy/smokescreen, does not mean they have any love for Putin…your problem is that you and many like you seem to instantly assume that any enemy of Trump is all of a sudden a friend of your's ..wrong..very very wrong.
Holy shit you people are so gullible you even believe that the FBI and CIA are suddenly on your side now…FFS I have even seen your Trump/Russia hating loonies in the Liberal press now giving Bolton a free pass as long as he is attacking Trump…Bolton, yes I said Bolton..that's how far down the rabbit hole you guys (and girls) have gone…yet you lot won't or can't even seem to see that?
But I can guarantee you one thing for sure, that the people who will be looking back on this whole sad episode in the future in embarrassment and shame at the so called 'friends' they touted, qouted and defended won't be me or Bill or morrissey or Shiobhan, phillip ure, francesca etc, no it will be you and your super gullible friends..but now that I think about it you probably won't be embarrassed or ashamed at the damage you are doing to the Left, or yourself for that matter..and it's a shame.(but I really do hope that one day at least some of you will wake up and come back to the light)..good night.
You ignore the plain evidence in front of you for specious reasons.
It's fools like you that render the west vulnerable in this new cold war.
And then you have the incredible arrogance to pretend to be Left. The 'old reds' who naively supported Stalin were both more sincere and more realistic than you.
Putin is Right, authoritarian, corrupt, invades, and slaughters journalists. You cannot square that with pretentions to Left or progressive values.
I am ashamed of you, and when you grow up, you will be ashamed of yourself.
Man you are really one paranoid individual, they really got you good pal…like some sort of crazy old demented cold war warrior..well your old sexually perverted boss Hoover would be proud of you…
https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2011/11/19/article-2063491-0EDBBFF300000578-188_306x423.jpg
There is nothing anti-war about enabling an attack by Turkey on the SDF (who only resisted IS a secret Turkish ally) and displacing Kurds from their homes in northern Syria.
There are no Kurds in Turkey as refugees.
But there will be in Syria when Turkey occupies northen Syria and displaces the Kurds living there.
You'll be stoked that Meghan McCain agrees with you then Allen…
https://thehill.com/homenews/media/465227-meghan-mccain-rips-trump-rand-paul-blood-on-their-hands-while-kurds-are
Probably not near as much you are having the arche duke of neoliberalism to make your attack on lefties for you.
slight ideological-labelling correction here –
like his father before him – paul is a libertariam..not a neoliberal..
So Clark is definitely a neo lib but you're wanting to get picky over what to label a full on conservative tea bagger? Lol
what exactly don't you get about 'libertarian'..?
and yes..clark is/was a neoliberal-incrementalist..
she came from a tory family – and despite having the labour party as her vehicle to power..didn’t stray far from those roots..
her record in office underlines/confirms that..
what don't you get about that..?
and clark is in part the cause of any reticence i have about warren..in that she also comes from a ‘tory’ background – the republican party..
prob-ly just unfounded paranoia on my part..but still a niggle..
Paul is a conservative republican, wants low taxes, reductions in spending, anti abortion, doesn't support lgbti rights and detests socialism, social democracy and the left.
If you want to champion him and his opinions, go right ahead.
I have read of RP described as Neo lib, but besides you predictably nit picking over a label, isn't anyone to the right of Sanders supposed to be a neo lib anyway?
As for your concerns about Warren- Are these new?
paul self-describes as a libertarian-consevative..
which is very different from neoliberal – that wd be like equating paul with h. clark..silly..!
scandanavian countries are democratic-socialist – higher taxes – strong social support..
clark/nz – aust – britain (where the poorest are left to rot..) are neoliberal..
we here in nz need to move from neoliberal into democratic-socialist..
(hope that helps clarify that for you..)
Uhh, scandinavian countries are social democracies, not democratic socialists. Those scandies are still firmly based on capitalism, ie private ownership of the means of production, rather than the socialist principle of collective ownership of the means of production.
Here's an explainer for you:
https://jacobinmag.com/2018/08/democratic-socialism-social-democracy-nordic-countries
Heh, 'I thought we were the popular people's front of Judea'…
they are utter bastards – the popular peoples' front of judea…
The US is not "exterminating the Kurdish people". If one must put blame somewhere, then blame Turkey.
Thanks to Trump abandoning them to their fate, sure.
They have options
"But the constitution committee is Putin’s brainchild and he will not wish to see it threatened by fighting in north-east Syria. Instead he will see if the Turkish invasion is a chance to engineer an unlikely reconciliation between the Kurds and the Syrian regime.
Some Syrian Kurds, watching the accumulating signs that Trump would leave them in the lurch, have argued that their future security lies in coming to some form of reconciliation with Damascus based on a federal Syria. The commander of the mainly Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces, Mazlum Kobane, said in the past week: “We are considering a partnership with Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, with the aim of fighting Turkish forces.”
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/10/russia-and-iran-reaction-to-syria-assault-likely-to-most-concern-erdogan-turkey
Sophies choice due to the u.s ditching the kurds
Gee, the presence of American military personnel in the area was the one thing actually preventing war in that specific area. As evidenced by how quickly war started up after it was made clear they wouldn't actually do anything to protect a vulnerable minority people if they were attacked. How could the self-styled "anti-war" delusionals have missed that little nuance?
As for Rand Paul, he's not anti-war. His bag is that the rich and powerful get to do what they want, and they richer and more powerful someone is, the more they get to do whatever the fuck pleases them. So if an authoritarian dictator, the epitome of unrestrained wealth and power, gets a hankering for a bit of genocide, all good as far as Rand Paul is concerned. The idea that the US should feel any need to act on any kind of moral consideration such as the UN “responsibility to protect” doctrine, is abhorrent to him, but the idea that there might be some actual cost to him in the way of taxes to pay for that protection of a vulnerable people is absolute anathema.
Goodness me those yankee soldiers really are titans eh?
50 of them kept the slavering masses at bay
And as for "the reponsibility to protect goes"I have yet to see a situation that was improved by sending in the troops
The Gadaffi exercise was later found to be a total fraud by the UK parliamentary committee that provided a report on the Libya intervention
Depleted uranium was used in the bombing of Serbia that went on for 78 days non stop
The incidence of cancer is the highest in Europe. Real humanitarian stuff there.
Yeah, I s'pose you could see it that way. If you're an enthusiast of authoritarian dictators fucking over the ordinary people that have the misfortune to be within that dictator's area of influence, that is.
Here we go Andre , see what your heroes did in Iraq…for the very best of reasons of course protecting Kuwait and ridding the world of a dictator in 2003
The Iraqis have thrived under US good intentions?
https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2013/03/2013315171951838638.html
fancy birth defects more than cancer
https://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/insidestoryamericas/2012/08/2012815458859755.html
R2P is nothing but a crock, a fig leaf for death and destruction and regime change.
You good old boys sure love the military
Your claim was about Serbia. How about backing up your actual claim, instead of diverting.
None of the lies used to try to justify the Iraq war even tried to invoke responsibility to protect. They couldn't have, both Iraq wars predate the adoption of the responsibility to protect doctrine. In any case, the motivation for military action in Iraq (both times) was punitive and/or control of oil, unlike the Balkans which was about protecting civilian populations.
When it comes to depleted uranium munitions, the only number I've seen comes from RT which says 10 to 15 tons of depleted uranium munitions were used in total. There's probably more uranium than that spread around very finely every year in fertiliser.
Whereas in the two Iraq wars, thousands of tons of DU munitions were used, including in civilian areas. So while there are indeed recognised harmful effects attributed to DU munitions among US military and Iraqis from both Iraq wars, they also experienced massively higher exposure.
Nice diversions, though.
" unlike the Balkans which was about protecting civilian populations."
Like hell it was.
Read this ffs Andre
https://www.strategic-culture.org/news/2016/08/17/destruction-yugoslavia-template-for-america-future-policy/
Incidentally Francesca is not offering a diversion but information which you may well take advantage of since you are only able to offer your 'reckons' on the subject which of course hold no weight.
Wayne Madsen, huh? Yet another one of the Alex Jones freak show cast?
All sorts of ..ahem … interesting stuff pops up when you google those two together.
edit: and that site he’s publishing on?
https://mediabiasfactcheck.com/strategic-culture-foundation/
Is this what you'd describe as 'protecting civilian populations'?
"Three days after NATO began its war, workers and management issued an open letter which was sent to trade unions abroad and U.S. President Clinton, British Prime Minister Tony Blair, U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, and other Western leaders. "We, the employees of Zastava and freedom-loving Kragujevac, made a live shield," the statement proclaimed. "Even at the shift end, even at the alarm sound, the Zastava workers did not leave their workshops, but remained to protect with their bodies what provides for their families' living, that in which they have built in years-long honest work in order to provide for their better future."
Shortly after 1:00 AM on April 9, NATO responded to the workers' letter by sending a volley of cruise missile flying into Kragujevac."
https://www.sott.net/article/295315-Shameless-How-NATO-stole-Yugoslavias-prosperity-targeting-state-owned-and-worker-cooperative-factories
Y'know, the internet is full of sites and people making all kinds of weird and wonderful claims. I really can't be arsed checking out everything put up by someone who in all seriousness linked that Wayne Madsen piece above. Particularly since a brief search on Gregory Elich and SOTT gives me no confidence that either is in any way reliable or factual.
1: Turkey would be reluctant to kill US soldiers, even by accident, so yes their presence was indeed a political barrier to Turkey's operation;
2: 50 soldiers can talk to aircraft that are carrying a shitload of explosives overhead, so can be a very practical obstacle to turkey's operation. Refer to afghanistan, 2001, for further information.
3: what Andre said
Also; francesca, are you suggesting Serbia has an elevated cancer rate as a result of the military activities there? Or are you just throwing out a couple of unrelated dots and hoping readers make the connection?
If it's the first, linky-link please? Coz I googled "depleted uranium serbia cancer" and got screeds of the usual nonsense from the usual kook and crank sites.
Googling "serbia cancer rates" brought up sites like this one with actual data. Serbia's cancer rate was steadily increasing from 1991 to about 2009, when it levelled off and has started to slightly decrease. There was no apparent change in the trend in 1999 or the few years thereafter. Any assertion the 1999 war has increased cancer in Serbia appears unsupported by actual data.
Also notable is that Serbia is #25 on wikipedia's list of countries by cancer frequency with 269.7 new cases of cancer per year per 100,000 population. That's well below other nations such as NZ (295), US (318), Denmark (338) etc.
Here's some more of your good old fashioned humanitarianism,
https://apnews.com/c2de89e6e9b0c09320a67cbfdfabbf1e
All to wrench those democracy loving Kosovars from Serbia
https://www.politico.eu/article/kosovo-hashim-thaci-un-special-court-tribunal-organ-trafficking-kla-serbia-milosevic-serbia-ramush/
Your AP link relates to 1992 and 1993. That doesn't back up your claims about 1999. Nor do the outcomes of sanctions have anything to do with the outcomes of military activities motivated by the responsibility to protect doctrine. Which had its origins the Rwanda genocide of 1994.
Did you read your politico link? It's about efforts to reduce the corruption and cronyism that sadly still plague Kosovo. To try to give ordinary Kosovars some improvements in their lives. I expect any US contribution to those efforts has come to a halt under Generalissimo Bonespurs, making it more likely some nasty authoritarian dictator has a better chance to take over and fuck over ordinary Kosovars. Is that the outcome that would please you, francesca?
Nice diversions, though.
All of those wars were started on the principle/pretense of necessary intervention
None of them had benign effects
Killing other people is a solution that never turns out very good. Regardless of the reason to take aim.
Interesting to hear on radio so many foreign voices talking about what is good for NZ and our democracy. It may just be that we should welcome them, which I hadn't done wholeheartedly before. At least they have a wish to preserve some things that they like about NZ and try and save them, which is not the uniform attitude of all actual NZ-born citizens.
This morning on RadioNZ there was a discussion about slow voting in Auckland, hard to motivate the citizens apparently. I wonder if they find that they are so anonymous in the Supershitty and so brassed off with its workings, that they don't feel part of anything that is involved and concerned with them in the great Auckland city. Perhaps they should start a petition to correct the spelling to Orcland or Awkland .
https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/2018717214/councils-stress-still-time-to-vote
politics Councils stress still time to vote
From Morning Report, 8:16 am today Listen duration 3′ :00″
If you haven't voted in your local elections yet – you had better be quick. Voting closes at midday on Saturday, but councils are urging people to act now. Marguerite Delbet, the General Manager Democracy Services at Auckland Council, spoke with Gyles Beckford.
It could be true that the anonymous citizens don't feel part of anything that is involved and concerned with them in the great Auckland city.
It's pretty certain though that when something doesn't suit them 100% they'll be 100% interested. And moan and grizzle that others who they think should 100% feel part of everything that is involved and concerned with the great Auckland city set things up for them or sort out their grievance. 100%.
To reinforce my so-called rant of yesterday, this poor man didnt give up and has my admiration, this article from RNZ this morning confirms this
https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/2018717226/hdc-complainant-accuses-watchdog-of-bias-incompetence2
Looks awesome this one – hope lots of youth go to hear from other, older, activists who created change and fought injustice. Just met a teacher of mine from High School, at a funeral of a classmate – she still remembers my anti tour graffiti around our small town. Proud moment for me to be part of that fight.
Hattip – Sue on fbook
i hope they are inviting extinction rebellion to be honoured guests..?
😎
Have been thinking about this, because of the challenges laid down by Māori to Extinction Rebellion and trying to remember how Pākehā responded to Māori leadership with the anti-Tour organising and mahi.
I was there too (didn't think to graffiti though, damn) but a teen so don't have a good direct sense of what worked and what didn't. It was a watershed time for NZ in terms of confronting our own racism, hugely influential on my politics. I wish I could remember the details better.
Our friends, the enemy
seize their assets – nationalise the bastards – close them down..
let each nation nationalise the branchs/whatever in their countries..
The new head of AirNZ head of Walmart? The gun sale Walmart? The mass shooting Walmart? Oddly enough the puff pieces haven’t mentioned that.. did I read Key bigged him up?
Yep, the very same Wal-Mart, who even by US standards is regarded as an arsehole employer.
Air NZ employees be very afraid