New Zealand Listener Issue 39 2019

Moderate MPs using their legal voting rights in Parliament to save their country from a possible recession should be the sign of a democracy in good health. However, in the UK, where the recession – if it happened – would be a by-product of implementing the people’s will in a referendum, it is now regarded by many as holding the country to ransom. The UK’s chronic impasse over its plans – or lack of them – to leave the European Union has intensified, and not even an election will necessarily pave a way forward. A majority of MPs have refused to let Prime Minister Boris Johnson achieve Brexit without first negotiating a deal to ensure the transition has an orderly framework. Johnson is at war with the caucus he has led for…

It was a big night for the Listener, its editor Pamela Stirling and columnist Diana Wichtel at the Magazine Media Awards on September 5. The Listener, which is in its 80th year, was jointly judged best current affairs and business magazine. Stirling says it was a thrill and honour to accept the award on behalf of the magazine’s staff and contributors. “This is a magazine regarded with genuine respect and affection. And that’s thanks to all those passionate, dedicated and talented people who have worked on the magazine over the course of 80 years.” Stirling, who was given a standing ovation at the Magazine Publishers Association event in Auckland, was named best editor in the current affairs, business and trade category and received the overall editor-of-the-year award. The judges called her a…

“Calling out the silent killer” (September 14) stated that “the primary cause of hypertension is unknown in 95% of cases”. However, research into the blood-pressure-lowering effect of low carbohydrate diets by the UK’s Dr David Unwin and colleagues, who have put type 2 diabetes into long-term remission in 40 cases within one practice, provides an insight into this “essential hypertension”. Hypertension is a common feature of both the metabolic syndrome discovered by US endocrinologist Gerald Reaven and its sequel, type 2 diabetes. Excessive insulin levels promote the reabsorption of sodium in the kidneys, causing an increase in fluid volume. Without carbohydrate in the diet, the reduced insulin response results in this sodium and fluid being lost. That this effect is not solely dependent on weight loss was seen in the case of…

John Stribling, Wellington FINALISTS Justin Trudeau: “We can give you Canadian citizenship if you cross the border as a refugee.” – Paul Kelly, Palmerston North Caption: “After hours at Madame Tussauds, weird stuff happens.” – Max Tasman, Auckland Brigitte Macron: “Black is the new Orange.” – Kate Highfield, Hastings Donald Trump: “Melania is cementing US-Canada relations.” – PM Lynch, Upper Hutt Trump: “Don’t worry, she’s just practising her French kiss.” – Kate Highfield Trump: “Amazon burning? So what? It’s just a book store.” – Graeme Bulling, Auckland Caption Competition {caption@listener.co.nz} TO ENTER Send your captions for the photo above to caption@listener.co.nz, with “Caption Competition No 350” in the subject line. Alternatively, entries can be posted to “Caption Competition No 350”, NZ Listener, Private Bag 92512, Wellesley St, Auckland 1141, or submitted through listener.co.nz/win. Entries must be received by noon,…

“Wondering if the name ‘measles’ isn’t threatening enough, like ‘Ebola’. Maybe they should rename it ‘the pink death’.” – documentary-maker David Farrier“Most clairvoyants you meet are either depressed or angry. It’s hard to find a happy medium.” – tweet by Dean Nimbly“I like nonsense; it wakes up the brain cells.” – Dr Seuss“People think of education as something they can finish.” – Isaac Asimov“He has the memory and skin tone of a goldfish.” – US comedian Jimmy Kimmel on Donald Trump“If cats looked like frogs, we’d realise what nasty, cruel little bastards they are. Style – that’s what people remember.”– Terry Pratchett“Trump had to be corrected by the National Weather Service. I know we’re used to it by now, but it still amazes me how often the Government has to…

KiwiBuild is a leaver, not an outcome, Woods said. NZ Herald, 4/9/19 She understood the culprits were teenagers, who had snuck through the cat door while the family were away in June. Taranaki Daily News, 12/8/19 Correction: Fraudster Joanna Harrison was employed by the Ministry of Transport, not NZTA as stated in a correction last week. Sunday Star-Times, 11/8/19 … like all sports, it might be time for the game to move with the times and go back to the future. Independent Herald, 8/8/19 Her initial idea was to start a choir focussing on the signing side of things … Akaroa Mail, 16/8/19 “In a world of unlimited design possibilities, you no longer have to put up with the monstrosity that is the average dog bowl,” says Scott. Viva, 29/5/19 LIFE IN NEW ZEALAND: Entries must describe New Zealand events. The first…