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In 1890, a remarkable photograph was taken. It captured the scars of a little-known American man. He was a survivor of an unimaginable ordeal in American frontier history. · The picture would continue to pass down through the ages. It was a reminder of not only a distant time in American history but of the individual it depicted – Robert McGee. · The story of Robert McGee, a young orphan who embarked on a westward migration in search of a…

Nearly three years after his last visit to India in December 2021, Russian President Vladimir Putin will be in New Delhi for the forthcoming reciprocal 23rd annual bilateral summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, pending the announcement of specific dates. Putin’s visit will be at Modi’s invitation extended during their bilateral meeting held on the sidelines of the October 2024 Kazan BRICS summit. · The two leaders had earlier met at the…

Soil health is a critical global issue. World Soil Day reminds us that degraded soils affect food security, water quality and ecosystems. Among the threats to soil ecology, micro-nano-plastics or MNPs have emerged as a significant new one. Studies suggest that the presence of MNPs in soil hampers seed germination and seedling growth. The vital physiological processes of plants are disturbed, impacting the yield and quality of produce. Plants'…

Political commentator Mathew Hooton argues that despite the Prime Minister’s optimism, mounting evidence suggests that any plan to turn the economy around isn’t stacking up. · Treasury forecasts show no fiscal surplus until 2027/28, with a record $178.5b debt, equivalent to $97,000 per household. · Accounts reveal a $4.6b operating deficit, nearly a billion worse than predicted with Finance Minister Nicola Willis preparing voters for further…

9 December 1867 · After 6½ years of construction, it took just 6½ minutes for the first trainload of passengers to speed through the 2.6- km tunnel linking the Canterbury plains to the port of Lyttelton. · Canterbury Provincial Superintendent William Moorhouse (‘Railway Billy’) had proposed this ambitious project as early as 1858. In July 1861, amid much fanfare, he ceremonially ‘turned the first sod’, but the task proved challenging. The…

Five new charter schools are set to open in 2025. Proponents praise the schools’ flexibility in curriculum and funding use, but critics argue this approach diverts resources from public education. · Charter schools were originally introduced under John Key’s National government, but were shut down when Labour came to power. · With the ACT Party pushing their reintroduction, the schools face potential closure again if Labour wins in 2026. ·…

Whanganui District Council is seeking public consultation on a proposed framework with local hapū and iwi. Mayor Andrew Tripe said the initiative is “an unprecedented opportunity” and a “world-first indigenous-council partnership that benefits every individual.” · But does the language downplay the financial and structural implications of the arrangement? · The measures include a legally binding iwi-council agreement, a joint statutory board to…

They may be the intellectual elite, but Harvard students could graduate without reading a work of fiction during their time at America’s oldest university. · Chastising her fellow 25,000 students at the college dating back to 1636, Claire Miller has claimed that the university should require them to at least pick up a book. · Writing in The Harvard Crimson, the college newspaper, Ms Miller has called for the university to make an English…

President-elect Donald Trump plans to impose a 25% tariff on Mexican and Canadian imports and a 10% tariff on Chinese goods. While New Zealand’s exports are currently exempt, the indirect effects could be both advantageous and damaging. · According to economic modelling by Niven Winchester, New Zealand may see a boost in exports to the US as American consumers turn to alternative suppliers. · Annual merchandise exports to the US could rise by…

In a result that bucks expectations, Auckland (5) and Wellington (14) outperform all Australian cities, including Sydney (12) and Melbourne (20), in Mercer’s Quality of Living Report. · Auckland, the only Southern Hemisphere city in the top five, slipped two places from last year but remains a standout for its blend of modern amenities and natural beauty. · The rankings highlight New Zealand’s ability to punch above its weight, offering…