Helen Clark's Diary, February
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RUSSIA
RIP Alex Navalny
A tragic end to a courageous life. Alexei #Navalny was buried in Moscow on 1 March with large crowds braving intimidation and the prospect of arrest to pay their last respects. His parents showed great bravery in demanding their son’s body for burial. RIP. The Guardian.
Alexei Navalny died in a form of gulag with exceptionally harsh conditions designed to break the human spirit and health along with it. Will there ever be accountability for these human rights abuses, torture, and outright killings? The New York Times has more.
UKRAINE WAR
The cost of war to human life in Ukraine
Horrific cost to human life of war on Ukraine: President Zelensky says 31,000 Ukrainian troops have been killed since the invasion two years ago. The injury toll is likely very large on top of that. Tens of thousands of Russian troops have also been killed or injured in this unjust war: The Washington Post.
Reuters also has an interesting article on how life in Ukraine has been changed by two years of war.
Russian attacks on Avdiivka
As US Republican-controlled House of Representatives continues to obstruct aid for Ukraine, its forces have struggled to hold their lines against a numerically larger force with more munitions. What exactly is the Republican strategy here? The Guardian on Russian attacks on Avdiivka.
ISRAEL - GAZA WAR
Arms delivery or ceasefire?
Does the left hand know what the right hand is doing? “The Biden administration is preparing to send bombs and other weapons to Israel that would add to its military arsenal even as the U.S. pushes for a ceasefire in the war in Gaza, according to current and former U.S. officials”: The Wall Street Journal.
New Zealand, Canada, and Australia Prime Ministers have issued joint call for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza and against a ground invasion of Rafah, describing the likely consequences of the latter as catastrophic. Ain’t that the truth. #CeasefireNow before more lives are lost. New Zealand Herald.
A US call for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza
“This war, on its current course, is leading to wholesale killing of Palestinians while Hamas gains in international standing and Israeli hostages remain captive. US as Israel’s most important ally and source of military aid should take the lead in changing that.” More in The New York Times.
US intelligence has ‘low confidence’ of Israeli claims of UNRWA-Hamas links
Some weeks ago, a number of western countries suspended funding to UNRWA. Now US intelligence has cast doubt on Israel’s claims of UNRWA-Hamas links and reveals that Israel has not shared the raw intelligence with US. So, what’s stopping funding reinstatement by donor countries? The Guardian.
DRUG POLICY
Germany’s marijuana decriminalisation bill
Bravo, Germany! Parliament has passed law to “legalise cannabis possession and home cultivation for adults and to allow non-profit cannabis clubs to supply consumers”. A model for others to study and emulate. Politico.
NEW ZEALAND
RIP Efeso Collins
Very sad news from Auckland where New Zealand Green MP Efeso Collins has died after collapsing at a charity run. My deepest condolences to Efeso’s family and colleagues. Efeso will be remembered for his strong sense of social justice and fairness. RIP
OP ED: Short-sighted self-interest has no place in deep sea conservation
Fishy business at South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management conference where New Zealand reneged on its previous support for protection of at least 70% of vulnerable ecosystems, such as seamounts, from bottom trawling in the region’s international waters.
Foreign diplomats warn New Zealand health officials
Humiliating for New Zealand to be the first country to opt out of an amendment to International Health Regulations in 17 years. No wonder that it raised concern about undermining further amendments aimed at getting more effective responses to pandemic threats. News Room.
Cuts to science funding
Concern about cuts to New Zealand’s science funding and the scrapping of the reform plan for the sector reported in international science media. New Zealand needs to increase its investment in science and R & D to keep its edge as an advanced economy. Clearly a better investment than tax cuts.
National to cut public spending
It’s an old and easily recognisable tactic: paint the economic outlook as bleak as you can, and then use that as an excuse for draconian public spending cuts. Countries need strategic leadership which follows a longer term course to economic and social stability. RNZ has more.
Grant Robertson retires from politics
Grant Robertson, New Zealand’s Finance Minister for six years who steered our country’s economy through challenging times of the COVID pandemic, is to retire from politics and become Vice-Chancellor of the University of Otago. Thanks to Grant for many years of selfless public service. Read more about it in New Zealand Herald.
New Zealand backing out of South Pacific bottom trawling restrictions
Cringeworthy: “Following directions from the new Govt, NZ successfully blocked consensus on a measure to restrict bottom trawling to just 30% of seamount areas in the South Pacific at an international forum” - a proposal NZ itself had earlier put forward: News Room has more.
New Zealand Government acts contrary to needs of energy transition
What next! The new conservative New Zealand Government is seeking advice on how to derisk oil and gas exploration by giving compensation if a future government pulls the plug on it. While much of the world faces up to the need for energy transition away from fossil fuels, New Zealand seems to be rowing the other way: more on that in The Post.
Backward moves signalled on New Zealand gun laws
Beyond shocking: new New Zealand conservative Government is re-examining the country’s strict gun laws. “Everything is on the table, including changing the existing licensing regime & re-introducing the military-style weapons used in the 15 March terror attacks.” Dangerous: 1news.
Newshub Newsroom closure will lead to less diversity in free to access news media
The closure of Newshub newsroom is a huge blow to the New Zealand media scene. Diversity of news and opinion is good for democracy. Newshub has had a lively TV news service and its departure leaves a big gap. It’s devastating for its committed staff too. RNZ.
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