Peaceful Isles

New Zealand comes in at number four on the second annual Global Peace Index released by Britain’s Economist  Intelligence Unit. A survey on the harmoniousness of the world’s nations, the Index evaluates 140 nations with respect to 24 criteria, including numbers of deaths from organized conflict, levels of violent crime and proportions of GDP used for military expenditures. The report said New Zealand lacked internal conflict and had generally good relations with neighbouring countries. “It is clear that small, stable and democratic countries are the most peaceful,” the report said, noting that island nations also “generally fare well”. New Zealand ranked behind number one Iceland, Denmark and Norway.


Tags: Deutsche Welel World  Economist (The)  Global Peace Index  

Unique Prehistoric Dolphin Discovered

Unique Prehistoric Dolphin Discovered

A prehistoric dolphin newly discovered in the Hakataramea Valley in South Canterbury appears to have had a unique method for catching its prey, Evrim Yazgin writes for Cosmos magazine. Aureia rerehua was…