Gordon Campbell: On Chilling The Warm Fuzzies About The US/China Trade Deal
Hold the champagne, folks. This week’s China/US deal is more about a change in tone between the world’s two biggest economies – thank goodness they’re not slapping more tariffs on each other! - than a landmark change in substance. The high walls of US and Chinese tariffs built in recent years will largely remain intact, and few economists are predicting the deal will significantly boost the growth prospects for a slowing US economy. As the New York Times noted this morning, the likes of New Zealand will still face the trade barriers imposed by the Trump administration during the recent rounds of fighting. More>>
ALSO:
- CMC Markets - Another trade deal spurs markets - Market muddle on trade deal - Imminent trade deal lifts sentiment
- XE.Com - XE Morning Update
PGF Kaikōura $10.88M: Boost In Tourism & Business
The Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) is investing $10.88 million to boost business and tourism opportunities in Kaikōura, Parliamentary Undersecretary for Regional Economic Development, Fletcher Tabuteau announced today. More>>
ALSO:
- Kaikoura District Council - $10.98 million of PGF funding announced
Whitebaiting: Govt Plans To Protect Announced
With several native whitebait species in decline the Minister of Conservation Eugenie Sage has today released proposals to standardise and improve management of whitebait across New Zealand. More>>
ALSO:
- Forest And Bird - Proposed whitebait rules are pitiful, won’t save native fish - Whitebait rules needed to save fish from extinction
- Science Media Centre - Fisheries management helps prevent overfishing - Reaction Earlier:
- National - Whitebaiters set to lose thousands on stands - Government attempting to ban whitebaiting
Education: Resource For Schools On Climate Change
New resource for schools to increase awareness and understanding of climate change... More>>
ALSO:
- Science Media Centre - 2019 NZ's fourth warmest year on record - Expert Reaction
- Federated Farmers - Simplistic climate change lessons counterproductive
- Taxpayers' Union - Climate change curriculum
In Effect April: New Regulations For Local Medicinal Cannabis
Minister of Health Dr David Clark says new regulations will allow local cultivation and manufacture of medicinal cannabis products that will potentially help ease the pain of thousands of people. More>>
ALSO:
- MCANZ - Unveiling of Medical Cannabis regulations "Bittersweet"
- Peter Dunne - Dunne Speaks: Cannabis-based medicines edge a step nearer
- MedCan 2020 - Cannabis scheme to ensure higher standards for all
- Helius Therapeutics - Medicinal Cannabis Scheme, a big win for patients
RNZ: New Year Honours: Sporting Greats Among Knights And Dames
Six new knights and dames, including Silver Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua and economist Professor Dame Marilyn Waring, have been created in today's New Year's Honours List. The list of 180 recipients - 91 women and 89 men - leans heavily on awards for community service, arts and the media, health and sport.
More>>
ALSO:
- NZ Govt - Full New Year Honours List 2020 - PM congratulates New Year 2020 Honours recipients - Justice Minister congratulates Hon. Joe Williams - New Year honours for top sportspeople - Service to birds and bush recognised in New Year Honours - Leading architect of Zero Carbon Bill honoured - Social entrepreneurs & innovation leads Pacific contribution
- Fire And Emergency NZ - Fire and Emergency honours’ recipients congratulated
- Netball NZ - Taurua awarded Damehood in New Year Honours
Gordon Campbell: On What An Inquiry Might Look Like
Presumably, if there is to be a ministerial inquiry (at the very least) into the Whakaari/White Island disaster, it will need to be a joint ministerial inquiry. That’s because the relevant areas of responsibility seem to be so deeply interwoven... More>>
ALSO:
- RNZ - Thursday 19/12: Police to scale down search - 18/12: police say bodies may never be found - 17/12: Poor conditions hinder search effort - Live updates: Whakaari/White Island, day 8
- Out-Link - Whakaari/White Island - In Memoriam | RNZ
- NZ Police - 18/12: Whakaari / White Island search - Statement on behalf of Karla Mathews’ family - 17/12: Update on search at Whakaari / White Island - 17/12: shoreline searches hampered by weather - 16/12: Aerial search of Whakaari / White Island
- NZ Govt - A minute’s silence for Whakaari White Island victims
- The Scoop Team - PM's Post-Cab 16/12/19: Disaster Responses
- Department Of Internal Affairs - National condolences book opened
- Te Runanga o Ngati Awa - Ngāti Awa Rāhui Update
- Eastern Bay Chamber of Commerce - Statement regarding emergency support package
- Association of Salaried Medical Specialists - Tribute to ASMS members in the wake of the Whakaari tragedy
- Eastern Bay Community Foundation - Donations for victims of the Whakaari/White Island tragedy
- Scoop Full Coverage - Whakaari/White Island Eruption
LATEST HEADLINES
- PARLIAMENT
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- Weekend of gang violence shows need to get tough 19/01/20 | New Zealand National Party
- Ko te reo kua mū: Piri Sciascia 18/01/20 | New Zealand Government
- PM sadden by the passing of Piri Sciascia 18/01/20 | New Zealand Government
- DOC inaction hurting Hawke’s Bay 18/01/20 | New Zealand National Party
- More gang violence under soft on crime Govt 18/01/20 | New Zealand National Party
- Simon Bridges to visit Philippines 18/01/20 | New Zealand National Party
- Pacific partners work together to support Australia 17/01/20 | New Zealand Government
- Wellington Scoop
- NewsWire.co.nz
- Low cloud at airport causes flight cancellations and diversions
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- Death of Piri Sciascia – kaumātua, educator, artist, composer, performer
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- Pasifika Festival raises money for Samoan measles fund
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Australian Bushfires: SMC Expert Reaction
Fires continue to rage across south-eastern Australia and three blazes may join forces to create a mega fire on the Victoria-New South Wales border. More>>
ALSO:
- Gordon Campbell - On the Aussie bush fires and Suleimani
- The Conversation - Bushfire Crisis: Climate Politics Turning Point Aus Needs? - Scott Morrison: the bushfires demand a climate policy reboot
- Binoy Kampmark - Incendiary Extinctions: Australian Fires
- NIWA - Aussie bushfire smoke reaches NZ – update 2nd Jan 2020
- SMC - 2019 NZ's fourth warmest year on record - Expert Reaction
- UN - 2019 second hottest year on record, UN confirms
- Eoin Higgins - Fossil Fuel Companies Called On To Foot Australia Fires Bill
And June Annual Growth Revised Up: Higher Retail Consumption Lifts GDP
Gross domestic product increased 0.7 percent in the September 2019 quarter, boosted by retail spending, Stats NZ said today. More>>
ALSO:
- NZ Govt - GDP growth reflects a strong economy
- National - NZ in ‘GDP per person recession’ under Labour
- Kiwibank - Kiwi growth remains potential
- NZ Council of Trade Unions - Economy serving working Kiwis better
$1.20 Boost: Minimum Wage Rise For Quarter Of A Million
The Government is making sure we share the prosperity of our strong economy fairly with those on the minimum wage by lifting it to $18.90 per hour on 1 April 2020 – the next step in the Government’s plan for a $20 minimum wage by 2021... More>>
ALSO:
- National - Minimum wage increase will cost jobs, hurt SMEs
- ACT - Higher minimum wage will cut job growth
- CTU - Working people welcoming minimum wage increase
- E tu - Another much-needed minimum wage increase
- Aotearoa NZ Association of Social Workers - Minimum wage rise welcome, structural change needed
- BusinessNZ - Minimum wage needs moderation
- Horticulture NZ - Minimum wage needs a rethink
Pristine, Popular... Imperilled? Environment Commissioner On Tourism Effects
The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, Simon Upton, warns that increasing numbers of tourists – both domestic and international – are putting our environment under pressure and eroding the very attributes that make New Zealand such an attractive ... More>>
ALSO:
- Image - Te Araroa walkers urged to take The Trail Pledge
- Science Media Centre - Environmental impacts of tourism – Expert Reaction
- Tourism Industry Aotearoa - Environmental report makes valuable contribution to tourism
- Regional Tourism NZ - Report is a reminder that tourism needs to step up
- thinkstep - Blue skies thinking needed for low carbon tourism in NZ
LATEST HEADLINES
- BUSINESS
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- NZ Property Market Sizzles in Kiwi Summer 18/01/20 | Tall Poppy Real Estate
- NZ Champions of Cheese Awards 17/01/20 | NZ Specialist Cheesemakers Assn
- Robotic technology is revolutionising farming 17/01/20 | Agcarm
- Originair’s new Nelson-Wellington Route Welcomed by Business 17/01/20 | Business Central - W...
- Dunedin-based filmmaking company NHNZ wins awards 17/01/20 | NHNZ
- Another New Zealand Craft Brewery Heading Overseas 17/01/20 | Brand Evolution Ltd
- Another trade deal spurs markets 17/01/20 | CMC Markets
Gordon Campbell: On The Harry/Meghan Affair, And Iran
Those “Meghzit” headlines seem apt, given how closely Britain’s January 31 exit from the European Union resembles the imminent departure from the Royal Family’s top team of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. For young Iranians, the accidental downing of the Ukrainian airliner is just the latest example of the deadly incompetence and dishonesty of their leaders... More>>
Gordon Campbell: On The Iran Aftermath
So, evidently, you can get away with murder. It looks as though a further escalation in the ongoing war between Iran and the US has been avoided – mainly thanks to Iran NOT responding in kind to the recklessly unhinged behaviour by the United States. Given the massive outpouring of public grief in Iran over the murder of Qassem Soleimani, some reciprocal action by Iran was necessary, but (so far) it has been almost entirely symbolic in nature... More>>
Gordon Campbell: On The Aussie Bush Fires And Suleimani
In popular culture, Australia is often portrayed as Western civilisation’s last unspoiled frontier, or as its final refuge from planetary disaster. In Nevil Shute’s best-selling 1950s novel On The Beach for instance, Melbourne served as the backdrop ... More>>
Gordon Campbell: On The Best Music Of 2019
This was a year where so many of the highlights came from female musicians. But amid all that richness, there was one standout album... More>>
Gordon Campbell: On Scotland’s Renewed Independence Battle
Brexit has always been very much an English obsession... So while it isn’t surprising that Boris Johnson won the election, he might also have lost the United Kingdom in the process. More>>
Analysis: Dotcom Appeal For Surveillance Data Dismissed
Kim Dotcom’s Appeal against the decision allowing the GSCB to withold information as to communications illegally intercepted by them has been dismissed by the Court of Appeal of New Zealand. More>>
ALSO:
- NZ Court of Appeal - Appeal Decision: Kim Dotcom v AG (GSCB)
- Binoy Kampmark - Legitimised Surveillance: Kim Dotcom’s case against GCSB
LATEST HEADLINES
- TOP SCOOPS
- Janus-Faced on Climate Change: Microsoft’s Carbon Vision 18/01/20 | Binoy Kampmark
- Chilling The Warm Fuzzies About The US/China Trade Deal 17/01/20 | Gordon Campbell
- Russian government resignation: what's just happened? 17/01/20 | The Conversation
- Bushfire Crisis: Climate Politics Turning Point Aus Needs? 16/01/20 | The Conversation
- On The Excellent School Climate Change Resources 15/01/20 | Gordon Campbell
- Establishment Pundits Go Nuts Over New Hacking Conspiracy 14/01/20 | Caitlin Johnstone
- “Iran Must Begin Acting Like A Normal Nation,” Says Trump 14/01/20 | Caitlin Johnstone
Gordon Campbell: On The Iran Aftermath
So, evidently, you can get away with murder. It looks as though a further escalation in the ongoing war between Iran and the US has been avoided – mainly thanks to Iran NOT responding in kind to the recklessly unhinged behaviour by the United States. ... More>>
ALSO:
- Caitlin Johnstone - “Iran Must Begin Acting Like A Normal Nation,” Says Totally Normal Nation - So The US Is Invading Iraq Again - Full-Scale War Avoided, Trump Right Back To Warmongering - “We Do Not Seek War,” Says President Who Just Started A War - US Assassination Of Iranian Military Official May Ignite War - US Empire’s Passion For Iraqi Democracy Magically Disappears
- Eric Zuesse - Soleimani’s Successor Is Failing - How Iran Can Checkmate Trump
- John Stanton - The USA’s System of Checks, Balances and Reality Crumbles
- Julia Conley - World Leaders Call on US To Resume Diplomacy With Iran
- Jake Johnson - Iran Launches Rocket Attack on US Airbase in Iraq - UN Rapporteur Demands Probe of Soleimani Assassination
- Binoy Kampmark - Vague Imminence: US policy on Pre-emptive Force - Disruptive Assassinations: Killing Qassem Soleimani
- Hugh Steadman - Avoidable Nuclear War
- Paul Martin - Soleimani & the Red Flag of Qom
- Eoin Higgins - Did the Iraq War Just End? - Ocasio-Cortez Joins Chorus Against War With Iran
- United Nations - Guterres pledges ‘active engagement’ in de-escalation effort - UN chief calls for de-escalation across Gulf region
- NZ Govt - Statement from Acting PM Winston Peters
- National - Statement on unfolding events in Iraq
- NZ Govt - NZ will continue to showcase ambitious climate action
- UN News - As COP25 goes into the night, Guterres calls for ambition
- Global Climate and Health Alliance - COP25 is a failure of leadership of historical proportions
COP25 Ends: World Screams Out For Action But Climate Summit Whispers
“The world is screaming out for climate action but this summit had responded with a whisper. The poorest nations are in a sprint for survival yet many governments have barely moved from the starting blocks. Instead of committing to more ambitious cuts in emissions, countries have argued over technicalities." More>>
ALSO:
Madrid Climate Talks: Decade Ending 2019 Likely To Be Hottest On Record
“If we do not take urgent climate action now, then we are heading for a temperature increase of more than 3°C by the end of the century, with ever more harmful impacts on human wellbeing.” More>>
ALSO:
- NIWA - Hottest November on record: NIWA climate scientists
- RNZ - Government funds to continue investing in fossil fuels - COP 25: Pacific nations demand greater commitments - Leaders urged not to COP out of climate action in Madrid - Bridges condemns climate protest vandalism at his office
- NZ Govt - Climate change lens on major Government decisions
- UN - Green economy not to be feared - Sustainable Development Goals - Is the world ready to end the coal era? - COP25 Launchpad for Significantly more Climate Ambition
- Greenpeace - Ex-Tuvalu PM Sopoaga at COP25
- WWF - State of the Environment Report 2020
- Oxfam NZ - NZ undercutting the Pacific on key climate issue
- Global Climate and Health Alliance - COP25: Health sector denounces lack of funds
- NZ Energy and Environment Business Week - Govt sets mandate for climate change negotiations
- Millions of Mothers - Parents Around the World Plea for Urgent Climate Action
- The Conversation - Climate explained: how climate change will affect food - How plant-based meat stretches cultural & legal boundaries
- Carbon Market Watch - Markets must increase climate action, not undermine it
- Greenpeace - Fiji among 10 nations most impacted by climate crisis - Greenpeace installs oil museum at OMV - Protestors to OMV: It’s not over
- NZ Psychological Society - NZ psychologists join world pledge to stem climate change
- Callaghan Innovation - Environmental innovators urged to take on C-Prize challenge
- The Wise Response Society - Recent Climate Reports Underscore Genuine Emergency
- Citizens Environmental Advocacy Centre - UN Climate report- record emissions’ - Govt' must use rail - PM must attend COPS 25 Climate Change Conference.
- Citizens Environmental Advocacy Centre - CEAC – How to stop destructive loss of ocean oxygen?
Gordon Campbell: On The Recent Upheavals Inside Iran
In the fortnight since the Internet got switched back on in Iran, the ferocity of the crackdown on the recent demonstrations has become evident. Reportedly, hundreds of people have been killed, thousands wounded and thousands more have been arrested. More>>
ALSO:
- Image November - Iranians of NZ became the voice of the protesters in Iran
LATEST HEADLINES
- WORLD
- Animal-Eating Causing Diseases That Could Become Pandemics 18/01/20 | Martha Rosenberg
- Blockpass Featured in Forrester Research Report 18/01/20 | Asia Corporate News Network - ACN...
- Aussie animals celebrate the arrival of rain! 18/01/20 | Symbio
- Syria: Bachelet condemns continued killings 18/01/20 | UNHCHR
- Cambodia: UN experts say Kem Sokha trial is “tainted” 18/01/20 | UNHCHR
- A Matter of Quality: Air Pollution, Tennis & Officialdom 17/01/20 | Binoy Kampmark
- EU Sanctions Against Human Rights Abusers Sorely Needed 17/01/20 | Euro-Med Monitor
Howard Davis: 1917's 1,000 Yard Stare
Sam Mendes has created a terrible and barbarous trek, one that we appreciate all the more for being catapulted right into the midst of this ear-splitting melee from the film's opening sequence. More>>
Floorball: NZ To Host World Cup Of Floorball In 2022
In a major coup for a minnow nation in the European-dominated sport of floorball, New Zealand has won the rights to host one of the sport’s marque international events. More>>
National Voyage Continues: Tuia 250 Ends
Tuia 250 has unleashed an unstoppable desire to keep moving forward and continue the kōrero about who we are, say the co-chairs of the Tuia 250 National Coordinating Committee, Dame Jenny Shipley and Hoturoa Barclay-Kerr. More>>
ALSO:
- NZ Govt - Tuia 250 ending is just the beginning
- Tuia 250 - Final stop for Tuia 250 Voyage celebrates past and future - Tuia 250 Voyage flotilla arrival in Capital - Image Tuia 250 Voyage flotilla arrival in Capital
Te Papa: New Chief Executive From Its Own Staff
Courtney Johnston has been appointed as the new Chief Executive of Te Papa. Ms Johnston will take up the role in December 2019. Since its founding, Te Papa has had a dual leadership model, and as Tumu Whakarae|Chief Executive, Johnston will share the leadership with Kaihautū Dr Arapata Hakiwai. More>>
ALSO:
- Te Papa - Courtney Johnston will lead Te Papa into a new era
- Creative NZ - Creative NZ board appointments
Over 150 Productions: NZ Fringe 2020 Has Launched
The upcoming festival will be held at 40 venues all over Wellington Region from 28 February to 21 March, and includes every genre possible—theatre, comedy, dance, music, clowning, cabaret, visual art, children’s shows and more! More>>
ALSO:
- Auckland Fringe - Auckland Fringe Announces New Festival Director
- NZ Comedy Guild - 2019 NZ Comedy Guild Awards handed out
LATEST HEADLINES
- CULTURE
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- Tsunoda cruises to win at Highlands 19/01/20 | Toyota New Zealand
- Champion Lawson inherits win as Collet falls foul 19/01/20 | Toyota New Zealand
- Humbert crowned 2020 ASB Classic champion 19/01/20 | ASB Classic
- Vodanovich holds off Ransley to win at Highlands 18/01/20 | Toyota New Zealand
- A French affair 18/01/20 | ASB Classic
- Several riders may feel they have target on their backs 17/01/20 | Bikesport NZ
- TJ Perenara joins Under Armour Athlete Roster 17/01/20 | Under Armour
