We are on holiday in Europe at the moment. Of course there will be a full account on return.

It was almost two years ago that writer and public speaker Lord Hannan was in NZ, and we recorded an interview which provided much food for thought.

Having visited the country on numerous occasions, Daniel's opinion on politics and the economy was valid.

A couple of years later is a good time to check on his ‘predictions’ as to where several controversial issues might be headed.

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Imagine a company that has been pursuing its goal for fifteen years, with mixed progress, if you could call it that.

The company, Trans Tasman Resources (TTR) has invested over $85 million toward a deep sea mining project off the South Taranaki Coast.

It’s Executive Chairman Alan Eggers is a qualified geologist who gained his degree at Victoria University, Wellington.

But it’s not all been plain sailing...

Eggers lays it out in a most interesting interview which covers matters political, racial, social and financial, and helps to understand why New Zealand is poorly served in its search for the success it deserves.

It just might share some of the reasons the country comes up short in other areas, like infrastructure and health.

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Maryanne Spurdle from the Maxim Institute has produced a Discussion Paper "INTERROGATING CHOICE: Euthanasia and the ILLUSION OF AUTONOMY."

The UK has announced their intention to lower the voting age to 16.

Canada plans to include minors in its Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) advances — even excluding parental knowledge and approval.

This follows the established pattern of absurdities in numerous fields: alcohol consumption, sex, driver licensing, education and crime.

Is it driven by an illusion of maturity or some manipulative purpose by lowering standards?

Maryann Spurdle discusses her Discussion Paper on Podcast 294.

And we wind up with the Mail Room and Mrs Producer.

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"July 19 is the last day that Member States of the World Health Organisation can withdraw from the IHR amendments (without entering a multi-year withdrawal process).

By failing to withdraw, they will be committing their taxpayers to fund the key surveillance aspects of a rapidly expanding industry that is the pandemic industrial complex.

The hapless inhabitants of WHO Member States seem to have no real leaders anymore.”

This quote by David Bell, former medical officer and scientist at the WHO, relates to the situation in New Zealand.

David is also a public health physician and biotech consultant in global health.

And we check in to The Mailroom with Mrs Producer.

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A Tribute to Professor Des Gorman

After interviewing Des Gorman for Podcast 105, this is what we wrote for the podcast email…

“This week we drill down on the knowledge, wisdom and opinion of of Des Gorman, Professor of Medicine in the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences at the University of Auckland.

Of course, Covid-19 but we talk about many other matters that affect us all. We discuss science, philosophy, education, intelligence, the shortcomings of governance and what binds us together.

Share it with your friends... and the not so friendly.”

We can’t think of any good reason to change that for our tribute replay of that discussion in podcast 292. His opinions will remain valid… maybe even more so, with the passing of time.

At age 71, Des Gorman died a week ago, on July 2nd. He became a good friend and will be sorely missed.

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Over the last few years there has been much scientific dispute.

Climate dominated much of the last forty years, followed and outranked by Covid-19. Both remain very much in the headlines.

Science itself has suffered in the battle over truth. "Settled science” is more fallacy than fact.

Fortunately, there is an increase in push-back on false or unsubstantiated claims.

Guy Hatchard was a senior manager at Genetic ID; a food safety testing and certification laboratory. He has a degree in Logic and Theoretical Physics and a PhD in Psychology.

In light of the current debate over the NZ Gene Technology Bill, Hatchard provides another warning on “settled science”.

And, finally, we visit The Mailroom with Mrs Producer.

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Ramesh Thakur has a world of history, literally, in international affairs.

He has taught at a number of Universities including Otago and the ANU, Canberra.

But his time spent at the United Nations, culminating as an Assistant Secretary General, provides a wealth of knowledge.

That makes his comments on Iran, Israel, and Donald Trump a must listen in Podcast 290.

And after The Mailroom we offer some thoughts on multiculturalism.

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The similarities between Ukraine’s attack on Russian bombers and the Israeli attack on Iran’s nuclear sites have been noted. But the parallels don’t stop there.

The U.S. is involved in both conflicts and the script for each is flexible on a daily basis. The influence upon each is Donald J Trump.

Geopolitical authority George Friedman opines on both wars, employing the theory of geopolitical cycles as explained in his book “The Storm Before the Calm”.

And, finally, we see what you think in The Mailroom with Mrs Producer.

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Romanians are still navigating the difficult path of building democratic institutions and a culture of transparency.

At the same time, widespread perceptions of corruption and cronyism have caused many Romanians to see little change from communist leadership.

Antonia Colibasanu, a lecturer on International Relations at the Romanian National University, backgrounds Romania’s position and future influence in Europe and analyses the difficulties the country is faced with.

She also summarises the country’s relationship between Russia, Ukraine, Poland and the rest of Europe.

And finally, we visit The Mailroom with Mrs Producer.

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This week we talk with Patrick Basham on President Trump's approval ratings and the Democracy Institute’s latest poll, “Is Trump Fixing America or Breaking it?” 

Patrick gives a very good analysis on the most critical issues on the planet; Iran and nuclear developments, Ukraine and the drone strike on Russia and the South Korean and Polish elections.

And we visit The Mailroom with Mrs Producer.

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