Money could very well be the root of all evil — though in the latest study of corrupt countries, it's actually the lack of money that sparks trouble. The new report by Transparency International
found that in two-fifths of the world's nations, corruption continues to intensify — a trend that can be traced to economic realities. In the countries found to be the most corrupt, 40 percent are classified by the World Bank as low income.
Transparency International's rankings range on a scale from 10 (on the up-and-up) to 1 (rampant corruption).
Under the Treelord Treaty signed today, seven of New Zealand's native tribes will now own
huge areas of New Zealand forest land. Addressing past injustices with tangible penances, New Zealand has transfered 435,000 acres of land holding large commercial pine plantations in exchange for NZ $420 million (US $319 million). The current pine plantations generate NZ $13 million a year in rent.
An Internet news rumor run amuck. Sites were reporting this shocking story as fact yesterday — do you believe it. Apparently, a road crew in the small town of Kerikeri, New Zealand, was repairing the main street when they decided to pay
too much attention to one woman — who decided to let them know just what she thought about their behavior — by stripping.
According to the story, the woman (an Israeli tourist) took offense to their catcalls and planted herself firm, stripped bare, and used the ATM in the altogether.
Last year I was at my local
Trader Joe's when I noticed containers of something called "kiwi grapes." I'd never heard of such a thing, so naturally I picked them up. They were small grape-sized fruits which were delicious and tart, sort of like regular kiwi, but sweeter and with a smooth, edible skin. Needless to say, I fell in love and wanted to eat them over and over again.
In his artist's statement, New Zealand-based furniture designer
David Trubridge writes:
My ideas come from the wild places, edges of turbulence and renewal,
where seas break on beaches and headlands, where land and air meet on mountain ridges. I make forms of elemental simplicity, as the erosion of air and water on wood and stone, forms that speak of humanity's survival on earth, of life's fragility and dependence, of comfort in the ways of the past that have succoured us, and optimism for a sustainable and enriching future. I work within the limits of what I have and know, simplicity and low impact, natural materials and processes, leaving a delicate footprint.
With a poet's heart and a conservationist's values, David Trubridge has raked in awards and accolades for his stunning designs.
When
YumSugar and I were trend watching at the
Fancy Food Show earlier this week, I was really into tasting all of the wines and liquors. Ok I was really into tasting just about everything, but I was paying special attention to anything that would make my next party super duper fabulous (yummy international wines, infused and organic vodkas, martini glasses shrunken to the size of a shot glass, etc). While there, I was lucky enough to meet John, a handsome fellow with sandy colored hair who was pouring tastings of his Kono Marlborough Pinot Noir from New Zealand.
