The unspeakable population problem
John Feeney has written on BBC World about the population problem, a problem that is just a little too hot for being a central part in the debates regarding a sustainable development in the future. In reality, the topic is the same as in the days of Thomas Malthus, but maybe the subject is more volatile today than it was back then?
Source: BBC World
Returning tropical rainforests a new debate issue
When smaller farms are abandoned, the tropical forests get new space. These "secondary forests" have now started to be used as an argument in the debate on rainforest deforestation and the impact on climate change.
Source: International Herald Tribune
The problem with Swiss nudist hikers
The Swiss cantonal government of Appenzell Innerrhoden wants a new law in place to cope with the rise in popularity of nudist mountain hiking.
I must admit that until I read this news, I hadn't even reflected over the possibility that it was something that existed, and definitely not something that apparently has become so prevalent that the canton sees it as a problem. To be perfectly honest, I'm almost as surprised - if not more - to read that it apparently under current Swiss law is perfectly legal. As for the actual question at hand, I don't know what to say.
France's turn to lead EU
From 1 July France holds the rotating EU presidency and for the coming six months it's up to french president Nicholas Sarkozy to try to steer the EU, a task that is made more complicated by the Irish no to the proposed reform treaty. Nevertheless he has ambitious plans for the future of the union. Beside trying to solve the administrative crisis brought on by the Irish referendum, high on the list are also the Mediterranean Union project and the climate.
Source: Tagesschau.de
New Zealand transfers ownership of large areas to the Maori
The New Zealand government have in a historical decision transfered big land holdings valued to approximately 420 million NZD to the Maori as a reparation of their historical treatment and thereby confirming that the Waitangi Treaty of 1840 was breached by the British and New Zealand governments when they did not respect the Maori's rights to their land.
Source: BBC World
Australia gives official apologize to Aborigines
The Prime Minister of Australia, Kevin Rudd, has read out a statement in the federal parliament apologizing for the discrimination and mistreatment of the aboriginal peoples throughout history.
Sources: Sydney Morning Herald; Prime Minister of Australia website
