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Court at The Hague rules against Japan – revokes its whaling permits

  • March 31st, 2014
  • Posted by EU Australia

Whaling GreenpeaceThe International Court of Justice at The Hague has ruled emphatically against Japan, and in favour of Australia, in their dispute over whaling in the Antarctic region.

The court found Japan was in violation of obligations under the international Whaling Convention , by taking large numbers of whales for commercial use, on a justification that this was for scientific purposes.

The panel of judges determined 12 to 4, that Japan’s whaling permits are to be revoked and no new ones are to be issued to it; the decision binding, no appeals to be permitted.

New Zealand was joined in the case on Australia’s side. … Read More »

London gathering against the wildlife trade: Final war?

  • February 19th, 2014
  • Posted by EU Australia

Wildlife 9The London Conference on the Illegal Wildlife Trade fired the first shots, 13.2.14, in what is being announced as a stepped-up, and desperate new campaign to save world wildlife from heavy, increasing, and terminal poaching.

It named and confronted Asian markets for the trivialised use of  objects from animals that have now become precious and almost unimaginably expensive – as status symbols, and ingredients for obscure special foods. … Read More »

Human Brain Project: 2014’s optimistic start …

  • January 1st, 2014
  • Posted by EU Australia

brain-1280The European Union has started its giant-scale research drive – €1.2-billion ($A1.85-billion; xe.com, 1.1.14) over ten years — to create the best and most true understanding yet of the human brain. … Read More »

Ending 2013. World Action on Environment: EU steps up; Australia steps back …

  • December 30th, 2013
  • Posted by EU Australia

Climate globe ANUGatherings in Warsaw and Colombo kept the international community’s focus  on anxiety about climate change and sustainability, at the year’s end, though the Australians started to march out of step.

Actions on the home front in Australia show clear trends in a ‘non-environmentalist’ direction.

… Read More »

Software Wars: EU, Consumers, Companies …

  • March 24th, 2013
  • Posted by EUEditor

microsoft.jpgSoftware services becoming all-but-indispensable to the world, on the strength of a good idea, have trouble from time to time with the idea of being regulated as businesses.

Microsoft has had a second tussle with the European Commission, reminiscent of the long contest that ended in 2007, which cost the company €497-million (then $A826-million) — while the EU itself now gears up for future challenges in  a “digitised” economy.

See background from 2007, involving objections to such practices as locking-in purchasers of packages, to use only Microsoft products: EUAustralia Online, “Court confirms: Microsoft must share”, 18.9.07; also “EU to probe Google”, 1.12.10.

At the same time this year, an attempt at regulation by customers, instigated by Choice consumer magazine in Australia, has seen Adobe, Microsoft and Apple jumping to justify higher prices being charged for their services in that country. … Read More »

Leicester Skeleton: Effectively Proven Richard, If Not A Villain…

  • February 5th, 2013
  • Posted by EUEditor

richard-iii-skeleton.jpgThe skeleton found under a Leicester car park, in England, has been identified “beyond reasonable doubt” as that of King Richard III.

The man was killed in a civil war battle close to the city in 1485, and buried by monks at a church that was later demolished, during the religious purges of Henry VIII. … Read More »

New Virus: “Chunder From Down Under?”

  • January 15th, 2013
  • Posted by EUEditor

sydney-2012-nhsuk.jpg“Wotch out for the chunder from down under!”, British tabloids are screaming *; more prosaic but also to the point is this warning from the Eurosurveillance public health service:

“Healthcare institutions are advised to be prepared for a severe norovirus season.” … Read More »

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