by Heather Hastie | Jan 7, 2015 | Democracy, Freedom of Speech, Great Britain & Europe, Human Rights, Religion
Warning: If you find images of Muhammad, prophet of Islam, offensive, don’t read this article. If you decide to read it anyway, don’t blame me. By now you will have heard of the appalling event at the Paris offices of the French satirical magazine Charlie...
by Heather Hastie | Dec 28, 2014 | Great Britain & Europe, History, Religion
It’s 100 years since the start of the First World War. From New Zealand’s point of view, the Great War started at 2300 GMT on 4 August 2014 when Great Britain declared war on Germany. As part of the British Empire, that meant we were at war too. My grandfather...
by Heather Hastie | Sep 18, 2014 | Democracy, Great Britain & Europe, International Politics
It’s only a few hours now until voting starts in Scotland’s referendum to choose whether or not they stay part of the United Kingdom. The latest poll of decided voters is 49% pro-independence (Yes) and 51% pro-Union (No). Five percent of voters are still undecided and...
by Heather Hastie | Aug 30, 2014 | Democracy, Great Britain & Europe, International Politics, Russia
Putin’s regret at the dismantling of the Soviet Union and his desire to lead Russia to a pre-eminent place in world politics is well known. It’s also clear there is little he won’t do to make that happen. His invasion of Ukraine on 21 August is...
