Podcasts about New Caledonia

Thanks for Preston and Pranav for suggesting this week's topics! Further reading: DNA has revealed the origin of this giant ‘mystery' gecko Snow Leopards Dispersed Out of Tibetan Plateau Multiple Times, Researchers Say Conquest of Asia and Europe by snow leopards during the last Ice Ages uncovered The crested gecko AKA the eyelash gecko: The fluffy snow leopard: Show transcript: Welcome to Strange Animals Podcast. I'm your host, Kate Shaw. This week we have a couple of suggestions from Preston and one from Pranav! This is the first episode I've recorded in my new apartment, so let's make it a good one. First, Preston wanted to learn more about the crested gecko, mainly because he has a pet crested gecko named George Washington. That is one of the best gecko names ever! The crested gecko is also called the eyelash gecko. We've talked about it a few times, but not recently at all. It's native to a collection of remote Pacific islands called New Caledonia, where it spends most of its time in trees, eating insects and other small animals, but also fruit, nectar, and lots of other food. It's an omnivore and nocturnal, and can grow more than 10 inches long, or 25 cm. It gets its names from the tiny spines above its eyes that look like eyelashes, and more spines in two rows down its back, like a tiny dragon. It can be brown, reddish, orange, yellow, or gray, with various colored spots, which has made it a popular pet. These days all pet crested geckos were bred in captivity, since it's now protected in the wild. The crested gecko has tiny claws on its toes, which is unusual since most geckos don't have claws. It can drop its tail like other geckos if a predator is after it, but the tail doesn't grow back. Since its tail is prehensile and helps it climb around in trees, you'd think the gecko would have trouble climbing after it loses its tail, but it doesn't. Maybe that's because in addition to claws, like other geckos it has basically microscopic hairlike structures on its toes that allow it to climb smooth surfaces like windows and walls and the trunks of smooth trees. It can also jump long distances to get to a new branch. The crested gecko was discovered by science in 1866, but wasn't seen after that in so long that people thought it was extinct. Then in 1994, a German herpetologist out looking for specimens after a tropical storm found a single crested gecko. It turns out that the geckos had been fine all along, but because they're nocturnal and mostly live in trees, scientists just hadn't spotted any. While we're talking about geckos, Pranav requested that we revisit Delcourt's giant gecko with some updated information. We did mention the new findings back in episode 389, but it's really interesting so let's go over it again. Way back in episode 20 we talked about Delcourt's giant gecko, which is only known from a single museum specimen donated in the 19th century. In 1979 a herpetologist named Alain Delcourt, working in the Marseilles Natural History Museum in France, noticed a big taxidermied lizard in storage and wondered what it was. It wasn't labeled and he didn't recognize it, surprising since it was the biggest gecko he'd ever seen—two feet long, or about 60 cm. He sent photos to several reptile experts and they didn't know what it was either. Finally the specimen was examined and in 1986 it was described as a new species. No one knew anything about the stuffed specimen, including where it was caught. At first researchers thought it might be from New Caledonia since a lot of the museum's other specimens were collected from the Pacific Islands. None of the specimens donated between 1833 and 1869 had any documentation, so it seemed probable the giant gecko was donated during that time and probably collected not long before. More recently there was speculation that it was actually from New Zealand, since it matched Maori lore about a big lizard called the kawekaweau. In June of 2023,

From promise to protest - how the Bougival Accord has thrown New Caledonia into chaos.The Bougival Accord was meant to heal, but now risks dividing New Caledonia again, with a French journalist saying that locals are armed and readyGuests:Coralie Cochin- Journalist at New Caledonia La PremierLearn more about the history of civil unrest in New Caledonia and other Pacific nationsFrench claws in the Pacific The tiny nations that want to stand aloneFind The Detail on Newsroom or RNZ Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

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The latest news from Melanesia.

France makes a bid to rescue a political agreement that would redefine New Caledonia’s status with broad new powers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Percussion Discussion Podcast - Episode 168 - Stan Bicknell. Joining me today is Stan Bicknell. New Zealand born Stan Bicknell has worked with Kimbra, Miami Horror, Ecca Vandal and his own band The New Caledonia, he is currently touring the UK and Europe with Natasha Bedingfield. He has worked hard to develop a very strong online presence, this was noticed by Jared Falk the owner and creator of the mighty Drumeo, the quite remarkable Canadian based drum education platform where he spent two days creating online content with them . Earlier this year Stan was one of the drummers given the opportunity to audition for Primus in a hugely entertaing and beautifully filmed and edited documentary that has been viewed hundreds of thousand of times. Stan and myself spoke about all this and much more in our Late Night /Early Morning conversation, including how his day starts at a ridiculously early time to ensure that his drumming doesnt affect his family life too much! Stan - Thank you for giving up your time so freely, it was a pleasure talking to you. Huge thanks to  @wincentdrumsticks for sponsoring this episode - please visit their website www.wincentdrumsticks.com and check out all of the wonderful products that they make and the incredible roster of artistes that play them! Facebook @Wincent Drumsticks - Official Instagram @wincentdrumsticks

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The latest news from Melanesia.

The latest news from Melanesia.

On Tagata o te Moana this week:The great new deal for New Caledonia loses some of its sheen. The Cook Islands celebrates without Winston. How did meth become such a huge problem in the Pacific. And more on mining the ocean floor, elections in Bouugainville, Bislama in New Zealand and Davis Cup tennis.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

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Monica and John discuss independence movements in New Caledonia and Bougainville, deep sea mining in the Pacific, and regional news and developments.  

Acknowledgement of Country// Headlines//Russia Tsunami update (will check updates later tonight - Wednesday - as I've written it as the news is just coming in)Gaza updateVic gov bail reforms, inquiry into death in custody of Heather CalgaretSA algae bloom protests and potential inquiryUnions say a more diverse economy is needed to boost productivityPart two of Race Matters' Kanaky Rising special, which originally aired on FBi Radio on 23 Feb 2025. Ethan and Shareeka spoke to Roscoe, a special rapporteur for Radio RATA, a decolonial media, culture and mutual aid network operating across the Pacific. Roscoe has been pivotal in establishing networks and connections with the Indigenous people of Kanaky (so-called New Caledonia) in the fight against the French occupation to reclaim their land. Through his work we learn that colonial systems are not the only thing that can duplicate and expand borders -- so can Indigenous knowledge and solidarity. A special thank you to Ethan Lyons and Shareeka Helaluddin for making this episode possible. Listen back to part 1 of Ethan and Shareeka's conversation with Roscoe at 3cr.org.au/thursday-breakfast.// We listen to part of a panel discussion accompanying last Saturday's Open House event at the Victorian Quaker Centre, which was a sonic collaboration between Homeless in Hotels and audiovisual artists Sonia Leber and David Chesworth. The panel, ‘Security, Surveillance, and the Street: The recent criminalisation of homelessness,' featured Meg Fitzgerald from Fitzroy Legal Service, Greg Denham from Cohealth, Pat ‘Spike' Chiappalone from Homeless in Hotels, Craig, also known as ‘Turtle', who is currently homeless and was interviewed for Homeless in Hotels, and David Boarder Giles from Deakin University. In this excerpt you'll hear interviews between Pat and members of Melbourne's homeless community, followed by a segment of the panel discussion featuring the voices of David, Pat, Craig and Greg. Our thanks to Amy Ciara from 3CR's Kill Your Lawn and Kick Your Fence for sharing this recording with us.// Last week, Palestine solidarity activists and human rights advocates gathered in Canberra for a three-day national protest, demanding the Australian Government end its complicity in the genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. Rallies were held at Parliament House as well as multiple self organised actions aimed at calling out the government's continued supply of weapons to Israeli forces. Autonomous protestors held actions at the 48th Opening of Parliament Ceremony, the US-Australia War Memorial, and shut down operations at two of Canberra's weapons manufacturers - Electro Optical Systems and Northrop Grumman. Today we are joined by activist, furniture maker and proud CFMEU member Jas Bell, from grass roots collective ‘Stop Arming Israel' to give us more details about the convergence, and why weapons manufacturer Northrop Grumman is under scrutiny.// Palestinian advocate Nour Salman joins us to talk about this coming Sunday's rally to block the city for Gaza. Palestinian activists and supporters have committed to protesting weekly until the siege on Gaza is lifted, Israel is internationally sanctioned, and until there is a true end to the genocide. The rally will begin on Sunday the 3rd of August at 12PM outside the State Library of Victoria, and attendees are asked to bring pots and utensils to make some noise so that demands to end the genocide are impossible to ignore. Find out more on Instagram at @freepalestinecoalition.naarm.//Michael Poland, Campaign Director for the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, speaks with us about the advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice last week on states' legal obligations in the face of climate change. The ICJ's landmark ruling has provided unprecedented clarity on the binding legal duty that states have to take action on climate change, including with respect to the production, licensing and subsidy of fossil fuel production. Read the full advisory opinion here, and find out more about the case here.//

Acknowledgement of Country HeadlinesProtests against public housing redevelopmentSuburban Rail Loop East criticised on housing impactsGippsland communities demand mining companies pay for Latrobe River waterEelam Tamils rally for genocide accountabilityUpdates from GazaDeclassified Aus releases more evidence of Labor supplying weapons for genocide  We listen to Inez's live reporting as well as rally speeches and chants from the Toll Holdings - Stop Driving Genocide Rally, which occurred last week Thursday 17th of July. During the rally, a small group of protestors spoke about how the military supply chain supporting israel's genocide in Palestine includes numerous 'australian' logistics firms. Multiple ‘australian' companies, including Toll Holdings, have been identified transporting weapons for export to the United States where they are used to drive the genocide in partnership with weapons manafacturers such as Thales. Toll has also been a key partner in supporting the Australian Federal Police, fossil fuel companies' destruction of Indigenous land, and in the logistics apparatus enabling human rights abuses in offshore detention on Manus Island and Nauru. Find out more about Toll's complicity by visiting https://tolldeath.noblogs.org/, For Autonomy Destroy Australia on Instagram, and via this post. The track you can hear in the background of the rally recordings is Tahiyati by acclaimed Palestinian lyricist Haykal. We play part one of Race Matters' (FBI Radio) Kanaky Rising episode, which originally aired on 23 Feb 2025. In this episode, Ethan and Shareeka spoke to Roscoe, a special rapporteur for Radio RATA, a decolonial media, culture and mutual aid network operating across the Pacific. Roscoe has been pivotal in establishing networks and connections with the Indigenous people of Kanaky (so-called New Caledonia) in their fight against the French occupation to reclaim their land. Through his work we learn that colonial systems are not the only thing that can duplicate and expand borders -- so can Indigenous knowledge and solidarity. A special thank you to Ethan Lyons and Shareeka Helaluddin for sharing this audio with us. Listen to Race Matters from 10-11AM on Sundays on FBI, and follow them on Instagram.Race Matters played some of our Beyond the Bars programming last week - listen to 'Radio for Alchemy' here. Race Matters also broadcast a more personal interview with Thursday Breakfast's Inez last year - listen to 'The Sacredness of Anger and Uprising' here. Content note: this interview includes discussion of experiences of mandatory offshore detention, which may be distressing to some listeners. For support, you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the Suicide Callback Service on 1300 659 467. Laura John, an Associate Legal Director at Human Rights Law Centre, and Leila, who spent years detained in Nauru while seeking asylum in Australia, discuss the ongoing injustice of mandatory offshore detention upheld by the Albanese government. This regime has affected thousands of people seeking asylum, subjecting them to both the trauma of offshore processing and the violence of indefinite visa uncertainty. Leila, who fled to Australia with her mother, is using a pseudonym in this interview to protect her identity. Jorge Jorquera joined us to discuss community resistance against the punitive, anti-homeless 'Melbourne Model' that has just been adopted by the City of Maribyrnong. The 'Melbourne Model' involves the use of bylaws and local laws officers to remove people deemed "undesirable," and has been described as a "war on the poor." Jorge is Coordinator of Borderlands Cooperative, a lifelong socialist activist, and a former City of Maribyrnong Councillor. Stay up to date with the fight against the ‘Melbourne Model' in Maribyrnong by following Jorge on Instagram. Songs All My Life - J-MILLA

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Headlines1. New colonial accords finalised in the French parliament to push their colonial project in Kanaky forward.2. Women and girls at the centre of the worsening homelessness crisis.3. The Handala Freedom Flotilla is intercepted by the Israeli military in international waters.Segments1. We played a segment from the Tuesday Hometime show of July 15th. 3CR presenter Jan Bartlett interviewed Nic Maclellan, a journalist with Islands Business, as he pulled apart Macron's so-called historic agreement regarding New Caledonia and the Accords which have recently been passed in French Parliament and will be put to a referendum in so-called New Caledonia in 2026.2. We played a speech from the Kanaky uprising anniversary held at Camp Sovereignty in May this year. The speaker is Rosco from Radio-Rata, who spoke to the reality of the Indigenous Kanak people on the ground in so-called New Caledonia, and their experience and voice of resistance against France's ongoing colonial rule.    3. We played a speech from Samim Moslih at yesterdays Free Palestine rally held outside the state Library. Samim is a community advocate and former independant canididate for the seat of Calwell.     4. We played another speech from yesterdays Free Palestine rally. The next speech is from Angelica Panopoulos, a former Greens Mayor and Councillor at Merri-Bek Council.Songs1. Tiken Jah Fakoly - Plus rien ne m'étonne2. SOVEREIGN (K-OTIC 1, DARAH, FELON, TEILA, TRIKS, KAIYU)3. Kuzich - Innervisions4. Juman - Pearl

The latest news from Melanesia.

The latest news from Melanesia.

 His Week That Was – Kevin Healy, Former National Director of Veterans For Peace in the US, Mike Ferner talking about his activist life culmination in the recent 40 day fast for Palestine, Nic Maclellan, journalist with Islands Business pulls apart Macron's so-called historic agreement regarding New Caledonia, James Hita, Communications and Advocacy Coordinator with Deep Sea Mining Campaign talking about the latest push for DSM, and Part 4 of the webinar with Palestinian activist Ahmed Alabadla, journalists Wendy Bacon and Yakov Aaharon explaining the role of the Zionist lobby in Australian media and politics (Find Ahmed's discussions on the Palestine Justice Movement YouTube channel, and his radio program Pulse of Palestine on Radio Skid Row). Head to www.3cr.org.au/hometime-tuesday for full access to links and previous podcasts

Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/786 Presented By: Fish The Fly, Stonefly Nets, On DeMark Lodge, Visit Idaho.  BoneFishing in Hawaii might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of saltwater adventures, but for Marine veteran Mike Bressler, it's become both a calling and a way of life. In this episode, we head to the island of Oahu to uncover what makes Hawaii's flats fishery so unique—and so challenging. From bonefish (known locally as ō‘io) to golden trevally, Mike shares what it's like to guide in one of the Pacific's toughest but most rewarding destinations. Whether you're planning a DIY trip or dreaming of landing a 10+ pound bone, his insights are packed with practical value. We talk about everything from how to master casting in Hawaii's relentless trade winds to how moon phases affect bonefish behavior.  Mike also opens up about building his homegrown “Bone Lodge” for guests, the cultural realities of fishing in local waters, and why he takes veterans out monthly for healing on the flats. This episode is more than a fishing guide—it's about patience, local respect, and finding purpose through saltwater fly fishing. Notes with Mike Bressler on Bonefishing Hawaii 2:03 - Mike Bressler explains that while bonefish are active year-round in Hawaii, spring and summer bring peak action. The largest fish stay on the flats during the winter spawning season, starting around November's full moon. Still, Hawaii is a tough fishery—constant trade winds and challenging conditions make it a true test for any angler. As Mike puts it, “If you can get good out here, you can be good anywhere.” 3:15 - Mike Bressler is based on the island of Oahu, Hawaii's most visited island, known for its iconic Waikiki, but also home to quieter country towns like Hau‘ula, where Mike lives. He explains that bonefish—locally called ‘ō‘io (pronounced "oyo")—can be found all around the island, from beaches to flats. While flats fishing is preferred, Mike notes he has even spotted bonefish from the shoreline. In addition to bonefish, the waters also host various trevally species, including bluefin, golden, and the rare giant trevally, though bonefish remain the main attraction for visiting anglers. Click here for more information. 5:46 - Retired Marine Mike Bressler discovered Oahu's bonefish flats during a COVID quarantine on Ford Island. Now based in Hauʻula, he guides anglers year-round, with peak season from October to December. Windy conditions and remote flats make boat access and strong casting skills essential. 09:06 - Mike Bressler emphasizes that handling Hawaii's wind starts with mastering the double haul and sidearm cast. He recommends aiming for at least a 40-foot cast under the wind and leading the bonefish, not landing the fly on their head. Sometimes, a short flip of the fly is all that's needed, as long as it's placed ahead of the fish's path. 9:49 - Mike Bressler explains that Hawaii's largest bonefish are most active from October to December, as they begin their deep-water spawning cycle around full moons. He advises avoiding fishing three days before and after a full moon since fewer fish are found on the flats during that time. 12:29 - Mike Bressler and his wife host guests at their private rental, the Bone Lodge, a freestanding Airbnb-style unit that comfortably accommodates couples, small families, or fishing buddies. He offers customizable half-day and full-day guided trips, often using his 18-foot Kayo Boatworks skiff—weather permitting—to pole clients across the flats in search of bonefish. Click here to learn more. 16:36 - Mike Bressler explains that while fall offers peak conditions, big bonefish are still catchable in May. These “home guard” fish are older, resident fish that tend to stay shallow and fight with brute weight rather than long runs. Hawaii's bonefish can reach impressive sizes—Mike has landed 12-pounders and knows of fish near 14, with the state record sitting at 15.7 lbs on conventional tackle. He also notes rumors of even larger bonefish—up to 20 pounds—coming from remote areas like New Caledonia. 18:17 - Mike Bressler shares that while bonefish populations are improving globally, Hawaii faces unique conservation challenges. Bonefish are considered a local delicacy, and with no regulations against harvesting them, locals often use nets or hook-and-line to catch them. Although enforcement is limited due to resource constraints, Mike hopes increased awareness will lead to better stewardship of the fishery. 20:51 - Mike Bressler starts most guided trips around 6:30–7:00 AM, timing for sunlight to spot fish while walking the flats and watching for signs of life like turtles or goatfish that indicate bonefish are nearby. Rather than tailing fish, anglers are taught to look for “Heineken backs”—a green shimmer just under the surface as bonefish move in with the incoming tide to feed. 24:31 - Mike Bressler shares that many first-time anglers struggle to spot bonefish, as their green shimmer is often mistaken for similarly colored reef fish. He recommends multi-day trips to learn proper sight-fishing technique—walking slowly, pausing often, and watching for subtle signs like nervous water, much like stalking prey in a hunt. 26:40 - Mike Bressler explains that while guiding, he positions himself based on the angler's casting hand and wind direction, often spotting bonefish 10 to 50 feet—or even 50 yards—away. He coaches clients to observe the fish's movement like a grazing animal, place the cast ahead of it, and use a slow strip to trigger a bite, reminding them never to trout set, but to keep stripping steadily for a clean hookup. 29:16 - Mike Bressler explains that a trout set often pulls the fly out of a bonefish's mouth, while a strip set keeps the fly in the zone, allowing the fish to hook itself through steady tension. He adds that Papio, or juvenile trevally, sometimes rush in and steal the fly mid-strip, earning their nickname as “thieves” on the flats. 31:24 - Mike Bressler shares that while bonefish are the main target, golden trevally are considered the “unicorn” of Hawaiian flats—rare, elusive, and highly prized. Unlike their aggressive GT cousins, golden trevally feed on crabs, mantis shrimp, and baby octopus, making them a challenging and exciting catch that can grow to over 15 pounds. 32:53 - Mike Bressler emphasizes using a slow, smooth two-foot strip to keep the fly close to the bottom, imitating natural prey like crabs and mantis shrimp. He teaches anglers to let the fly sink fully, clear slack for direct connection, and make gentle, quiet adjustments—since bonefish, like snipers, will spook if prey behaves unnaturally or the line is moved too aggressively. 37:00 - Mike Bressler prefers a 12–14-foot leader built from 40-30-20 pound sections, finishing with a Rapala loop knot and adjusting to 16-pound tippet on calm days to reduce visibility. For gear, he recommends a 9-foot 8-weight rod paired with a sealed drag reel, 150 yards of backing, and Cortland's Redfish Tropical fly line, which he trusts for its durability against coral-heavy flats. 39:46 - Mike Bressler prefers natural, flash-free flies for Hawaii's bonefish, favoring subtle patterns like his variation of the “Spam and Eggs” fly, heavier Crazy Charlies, and shrimp-style flies made from materials like Arctic fox, raccoon, and EP fibers. He believes the key to success is imitating local prey like mantis shrimp and crabs, which have no reflective qualities, reinforcing his philosophy that “less is more” when it comes to fly materials. Watch this for more information. 43:08 - Mike Bressler shares that the most effective fly colors for Hawaiian bonefish are browns, tans, blacks, and occasionally a translucent orange, matching the natural hues of local mantis shrimp on the flats. While some mantis shrimp in other regions show vibrant rainbow-like colors, Mike notes that the shrimp in Hawaii's flats are smaller, subtler, and adapted to their muted, sandy environment, reinforcing the importance of natural tones when fly tying. 44:59 - Mike Bressler advises that while Oahu is ideal for DIY bonefishing with walkable flats and public shoreline access, islands like Moloka‘i should be approached cautiously due to cultural sensitivities—locals may challenge visitors fishing near their homes. For Maui or Kaua‘i, DIY anglers should use satellite imagery to identify promising flats and focus on incoming tides, which provide better access and more time on the water without needing a boat. Enjoy a breathtaking view of Moloka‘i. 48:35 - Mike Bressler notes that while bonefish are present on the Big Island, it's the one place in Hawaii he hasn't personally landed one, and he primarily guides out of Oahu, where conditions and access are more reliable. He encourages anglers to book at least a half-day with a guide—not just for learning spots, but to understand the local waters, tides, and fishery culture—emphasizing that for him, guiding is a passion rather than a livelihood, unlike many full-time guides who depend on it to make ends meet. 51:21 - Mike Bressler highlights a major step forward in Hawaiian conservation with the new non-resident fishing license requirement, which began in April and helps fund efforts like coral restoration through DLNR. While no major bonefish-specific conservation group currently operates in Hawaii, Mike stresses the importance of ethical fish handling, reef awareness, and hopes for future support from organizations like Bonefish & Tarpon Trust to expand research and protection efforts in the islands. Get more information here. 55:04 - Mike Bressler reflects on the historical weight of living and guiding near Pearl Harbor, noting its deep connection to his 24 years of service in the Marine Corps. As part of giving back, he offers free monthly guided fly fishing trips to fellow veterans, believing strongly in the mental clarity and healing that comes from time on the water—something he says benefits anyone going through stress, not just those who've served. 59:20 - As the episode wraps up, Mike Bressler offers heartfelt encouragement to new and seasoned anglers alike, reminding them that the real reward in Hawaii isn't just the bonefish but the experience of being on the water in such a stunning place. He expresses support for Project Healing Waters, offers to help veterans get out and fish, and leaves listeners with a simple message: come out, enjoy the island, and if you catch a fish, that's just the bonus. You can find Mike Bressler on Instagram and visit their Website here. Top 8 Bonefishing Tips from Hawaii Guide Mike Bressler 1.  Hawaii's constant trade winds make it essential to learn the double haul and sidearm casting techniques to effectively reach bonefish in tough conditions. 2.  Approach the flats like a hunter—move slowly, pause often, and avoid sudden steps that could alert fish via vibrations in the water. 3. Bonefish in Hawaii often appear as a glowing green shape, like a Heineken bottle, moving through the water. Training your eyes to spot them is key. 4. Mike recommends fly patterns with no flash, using natural materials like Arctic fox, raccoon, and EP fibers to mimic mantis shrimp and crabs. 5. Strip Set—Never Trout Set. When a bonefish eats, maintain a steady, long strip to hook the fish. Lifting the rod (a trout set) often pulls the fly right out of their mouth. 6. Mike's go-to leader build includes 40-30-20 pound sections, prioritizing strength to manage coral-heavy flats and powerful runs from big fish. Bonefishing Hawaii Videos Noted in the Show Conclusion with Mike Bressler on Bonefishing Hawaii Mike Bressler's journey is more than one of saltwater success—it's about service, purpose, and patience on the flats. Through the relentless wind, subtle bites, and shimmering backs of elusive fish, he teaches us what it means to listen to the ocean, move with intention, and respect the waters that feed our souls. What's your biggest challenge when sight-fishing on the flats? Tell us in the comments or on Instagram. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/786

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சுதந்திர நாடாக அறிவிக்கவேண்டும் என்று கோரிக்கை விடுத்துவந்த New Caledonia பிராந்தியத்திற்கு புதிய அதிகாரங்களை வழங்கப்போவதாக பிரான்ஸ் அரசு அறிவித்துள்ளது. இந்த பின்னணியில் New Caledoniaயின் வரலாற்றையும், அது எதிர்கொள்ளும் பிரச்சனைகளையும் விளக்குகிறார் ஊடகத்துறையில் பல ஆண்டுகளாக பணியாற்றும் இரா.சத்தியநாதன் அவர்கள். அவரோடு உரையாடுகிறார்: றைசெல்.

Our resident constitutional expert Bruce Fein joins to make the case for impeaching the Supreme Court AND the President, and what we—as citizens—can do to make it happen. Then we welcome Lori Wallach of Rethink Trade to evaluate Trump's tariff policy. Are these trade deals bringing manufacturing back to the US? Or is Trump just using tariffs as a cudgel to punish countries that annoy him?Bruce Fein is a Constitutional scholar and an expert on international law. Mr. Fein was Associate Deputy Attorney General under Ronald Reagan and he is the author of Constitutional Peril: The Life and Death Struggle for Our Constitution and Democracy, and American Empire: Before the Fall.This has real consequences for you people all over the country because one of their shadow docket decisions (without explanation or hearing) briefs just very recently said that Trump can fire all these people in the IRS or the Education Department or EPA and get away with it. And, in fact, paralyze the workings of his (statutorily-established-by-Congress) Cabinet Secretary and Department…So this is devastating to your health, economic safety, environment, workplace safety, education, all kinds of things that are being ridden into the ground.Ralph NaderIn my judgment, the court has basically abandoned its role as a check on executive power…It's actually become an appendage of the executive branch. Nothing placing any kind of serious or material handcuff on what the President can do on his own. And the President is taking full advantage of that.Bruce FeinLori Wallach is a 30-year veteran of international and U.S. congressional trade battles— starting with the 1990s fights over NAFTA and WTO when she founded the “Global Trade Watch” group at Public Citizen. She is now the director of the Rethink Trade program at the American Economic Liberties Project, and a Senior Advisor to the Citizens Trade Campaign.What these guys are doing [with Trump's tariff policy] it's basically trying to build a house with just a hammer—we are against saws; we are against screwdrivers; we do not actually believe in nails, no other tools; we will just hammer a bunch of wood. And as a result, we're going to make some noise and we're definitely going to break some things, but we're not actually building a new redistributed trade system—which we could.Lori WallachBest that we can tell, the dynamic is something like: Trump is so engaged in the fun and chaos—fun (from his perspective) and chaos of throwing tariff news around like a lightning bolt that he really is not taking advice about it from people who know how you could use tariffs to try and ostensibly achieve the things he promised. He's just enjoying throwing around tariffs.Lori WallachNews 7/18/25* Last week, Elon Musk's pet AI program – Grok – began identifying itself as “MechaHitler,” and spitting out intricate rape threats and sexual fantasies directed at individuals like liberal pundit Will Stancil and now-ex X CEO Linda Yaccarino. This week, Musk rolled out Grok's new “sexy mode” which includes a visual avatar feature depicting the artificial entity as a quasi-pornographic anime-esque character who can flirt with users, per the Standard. So, naturally, the Trump Defense Department awarded xAI, the parent company behind Grok, a $200 million contract. According to CNN, “The contracts will enable the DoD to develop agentic AI workflows and use them to address critical national security challenges.” It is unclear how exactly the entity calling itself MechaHitler will accomplish that.* In local news, a special election was held in Washington DC's Ward 8 this week, seeking to replace corrupt councilmember Trayon White. White was implicated in an FBI bribery investigation and was expelled from the council in February. Yet, because of the splintered opposition, White pulled out a narrow victory on Wednesday, winning with 29.7% of the vote compared to his opponents' 24.3%, 23.7% and 22.3% respectively, per WTOP. In 2024, DC Voters approved a ballot measure to implement ranked-choice voting, which could have helped prevent this outcome, but it has yet to take effect. The DC Council could vote to expel White again more or less immediately; if not, they would likely wait for his trial to commence in January 2026.* Turning to foreign affairs, Israel has bombed the Syrian capital of Damascus, killing three and wounding 34, in strikes primarily targeting the Syrian Defense Ministry headquarters, per NPR. Israel's attack comes amid tensions between the new, post-Assad Syrian government and the Druze minority in the Southern Syrian city of Sweida. The government claims the Druze violated a ceasefire reached earlier in the week and Syrian troops responded; a new ceasefire deal has been reached and the office of interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa issued a statement reading, the “rights [of the citizens of Sweida] will always be protected and…we will not allow any party to tamper with their security or stability.” Stéphane Dujarric, spokesman for United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, said in a statement that the U.N. chief “condemns Israel's escalatory airstrikes,” as well as reports of the Israeli military's redeployment of forces in the Golan Heights. As journalist Séamus Malekafzali notes, “Damascus is now the 4th Middle Eastern capital to be bombed by Israel in the past 6 weeks, alongside Tehran, Beirut, and Sana'a.”* In more news from Israel, the Knesset this week sought to expel Palestinian lawmaker Ayman Odeh, leader of the Hadash-Ta'al party. According to Haaretz, “The vote was triggered by a Likud lawmaker after Odeh published a social media post in January, saying that he ‘rejoices' over the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners.” However, the motion failed to reach the 90-vote threshold, meaning Odeh will remain in the legislature. Six members of Yair Lapid's Yesh Atid party voted for the motion, but not Lapid himself. The United Torah Judaism party did not back the motion. Haaretz quotes Hassan Jabareen, an attorney, director of the Adalah Legal Center and legal counsel for Odeh, who said, “The overwhelming support for this initiative – from both the coalition and the opposition – reveals the state's intent to crush Palestinian political representation...This was not a legitimate legal process, but rather a racist, fascist incitement campaign aimed at punishing Odeh for his principled stance against occupation, oppression and Israeli violence.” Senator Bernie Sanders celebrated the failure of the motion, writing “Israel's far right tried to expel Ayman Odeh, an Arab Israeli opposition leader, from the Knesset because of his opposition to Netanyahu's war. Today, they failed. If Israel is going to be considered a democracy, it cannot expel members of parliament for their political views.” This from the Middle East Eye.* Sanders also made news this week by declaring that “Given the illegal and immoral war being waged against the Palestinian people by Netanyahu, NO Democrat should accept money from AIPAC – an organization that also helped deliver the presidency to Donald Trump,” per the Jerusalem Post. Sanders posted this statement in response to a video by Obama foreign policy advisor Ben Rhodes, who said “AIPAC is part of the constellation of forces that have delivered this country into the hands of Donald Trump…These are the wrong people to have under your tent...The kind of people that they are supporting, Bibi Netanyahu and Donald Trump, I don't want my leaders and my political party cozying up to these people.” Bernie's statement is perhaps the strongest stand taken by any American politician against AIPAC, Israel's front group in American politics and one of the biggest special interest groups in the country. AIPAC throws around eye-popping sums of money to members of both parties; to name just one example, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has accepted over $1.6 million from the group, according to Track AIPAC's Hall of Shame.* In a similar vein, last week we discussed the National Education Association's vote to suspend its ties with the Anti-Defamation League due to the ADL's shift in focus from Jewish civil rights to laundering the reputation of Israel. Since then, the ADL has sought to mobilize their allies to demand the NEA reject the vote. To this end, the ADL has sought the support of J Street, a liberal Jewish group critical of Israel, per the Forward. J Street however has rebuffed the ADL, refusing to sign the group's letter. Though they oppose the NEA resolution, J Street President Jeremy Ben-Ami issued a statement reading in part, “charges of antisemitism must not be wielded to quash legitimate criticism of Israeli policy...the NEA vote can[not] be dismissed as being driven by fringe ‘pro-Hamas' antisemitic activists.” Hopefully, more Jewish groups will follow the example of J Street and break with the Zionist orthodoxy of the ADL.* In other foreign policy news, the Guardian reports French President Macron has reached a deal with the leadership of the French “overseas territory” New Caledonia to grant the island statehood and more autonomy within the French legal system. New Caledonia is one of several UN-designated ‘non-self-governing territories.' France has exerted rule over the Pacific Island – over 10,000 miles from Paris – and its nearly 300,000 inhabitants since the 19th century. Last May, riots broke out over France's decision to grant voting rights to thousands of non-indigenous residents. This violence “claimed the lives of 14 people, [and] is estimated to have cost the territory…$2.3 bn... shaving 10% off its gross domestic product.” However, the Times reports indigenous Kanak independence activists reject the deal outright. Brenda Wanabo-Ipeze, a leader of the Co-ordination Cell for Actions on the Ground, who is currently detained in France, said, “This text was signed without us. It does not bind us.” The Times adds that, “The conservative and hard-right French opposition accused Macron of failing to ensure security in the territory. The left accused the president of imposing colonial tactics on a people who should be allowed self-determination.” It remains to be seen whether this deal will prove durable enough to weather criticism from so many angles.* Much has been made of Attorney General Pam Bondi's decision last week to not release any more information related to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation. A Department of Justice memo reads, “it is the determination of the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation that no further disclosure would be appropriate or warranted.” This has created a firestorm in the MAGA world, with many Trump supporters feeling betrayed as the president implied he would declassify these files if reelected. Now, Congressmen Thomas Massie and Ro Khanna have introduced the Epstein Files Transparency Act which would “force the House of Representatives to vote on the complete release of the government's files related to Jeffrey Epstein,” according to a press release from Massie's office. This resolution specifically states the files cannot “be withheld, delayed, or redacted” should they cause “embarrassment, reputational harm, or political sensitivity, including to any government official, public figure, or foreign dignitary.” The resolution is attracting support from some Republicans, but it is unclear how far this will go under Speaker Johnson, who maintains there is “no daylight between his position and that of Trump,” per the Hill. The position of congressional Republicans has been further complicated by a bombshell report in the Wall Street Journal documenting previously unknown details of the intimate relationship between the late pedophile financier and the president.* Meanwhile, the Trump administration is once again torching America's reputation abroad – this time literally. The Atlantic reports “Five months into its unprecedented dismantling of foreign-aid programs, the Trump administration has given the order to incinerate food instead of sending it to people abroad who need it. Nearly 500 metric tons of emergency food—enough to feed about 1.5 million children for a week—are set to expire tomorrow, according to current and former government employees with direct knowledge of the rations. Within weeks…the food, meant for children in Afghanistan and Pakistan, will be ash.” This cartoonishly evil decision paired with the “Big Beautiful Bill”'s provisions cutting food assistance for children in poverty, point to one inescapable conclusion: the Trump administration wants children to starve.* Finally, on the opposite end of the spectrum, Mexico News Daily reports the administration of President Claudia Sheinbaum is debuting a healthy, domestically produced and affordable staple for Mexican consumers – chocolate bars. “This ‘Chocolate de Bienestar' is part of the government's ‘Food for Well-Being' strategy, which aims to bring nutritious and affordable food options to consumers while supporting national producers, particularly those in the southern states of Tabasco and Chiapas — a region that has historically lagged behind other regions in several social and economic indicators.” The Sheinbaum administration is stressing the health benefits of chocolate, noting that, “Studies have shown that chocolate improves cardiovascular health via its antioxidants, provides energy, helps control blood pressure, improves cognitive capacity, satisfies hunger and lifts mood.” At the same time, the administration is seeking to minimize the sugar content “striking a supposedly healthier balance between natural cane sugar and the cacao itself.” This chocolate will be available in three forms:“Chocolate bar containing 50% cacao, and priced at…less than $1.Powdered chocolate with 30% cocoa, priced...$2Chocolate de mesa or tablet chocolate, with 35% cacao, priced at …$5”This has been Francesco DeSantis, with In Case You Haven't Heard. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

In Tagata o Te Moana this week: Sam Kauona is again vying to become President of Bougainville. An agreement is signed that may end the political impasse in New Caledonia. Nauru gets closer to a controversial seabed mining deal. The NZ government in a fit of pique ignore Cook Islands 60th anniversary celebrations. All these stories and more from the RNZ Pacific team.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

In Pacific Waves today: New Caledonia deal: 'We need time'; Pacific health and police address drugs and HIV crisis; Back to the future for Tonga's Health Data; Deep sea mining continues to be scrutinised in Tonga. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

In Pacific Waves today: Still a lot of work to do following New Caledonia's 'historic' deal; NZ PM to be a no-show at the Cook Islands 60th celebrations; Australia hosts military exercise 'Talisman Sabre'. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

 His Week That Was – Kevin Healy, Author Dr Tim Anderson speaking about the recent history of conflicts in the Middle East and the role of the US and Israel in these conflicts. Nic Maclellan, journalist with Islands Business focusing of the meeting in Paris and the future of French colony New Caledonia. Also Sitiveni Rabuka's proposal for an Ocean of Peace for the Pacific and the 40th anniversary of the French bombing of the first Rainbow Warrior in Auckland Harbour, Part 2 of the country profile of Uruguay in South America with academic and broadcaster Sasha Gillies-Lekakis. Head to www.3cr.org.au/hometime-tuesday for full access to links and previous podcasts

In Pacific Waves today: New Caledonia signs 'historic' deal with France; Bougainville MP switching from women's reserved seat to Atolls constituency; Western Australia celebrates heritage listing; Free medicine on offer in PNG's East Sepik. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The latest news from Melanesia.

Your daily news in under three minutes. At Al Jazeera Podcasts, we want to hear from you, our listeners. So, please head to https://www.aljazeera.com/survey and tell us your thoughts about this show and other Al Jazeera podcasts. It only takes a few minutes! Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube.

The latest news from Melanesia.

The latest news from Melanesia.

RNZ Pacific Editor Koroi Hawkins on New Caledonia, Fiji offers troops and cybersecurity warning.

THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION BATTLES THE PRC FOR OCEANIA.  4/4: Voyagers: The Settlement of the Pacific by  Nicholas Thomas  (Author) https://www.amazon.com/Voyagers-Settlement-Pacific-Nicholas-Thomas/dp/1541619838/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3TWNZZ00KO4TU&keywords=NICHOLAS+CLARK+VOYAGERS&qid=1674136652&sprefix=nicholas+clark+voyagers%2Caps%2C124&sr=8-1 The islands of Polynesia, Melanesia, and Micronesia stretch across a huge expanse of ocean and encompass a multitude of different peoples. Starting with Captain James Cook, the earliest European explorers to visit the Pacific were astounded and perplexed to find populations thriving thousands of miles from continents. Who were these people? From where did they come? And how were they able to reach islands dispersed over such vast tracts of ocean?  In Voyagers, the distinguished anthropologist Nicholas Thomas charts the course of the seaborne migrations that populated the islands between Asia and the Americas from late prehistory onward. Drawing on the latest research, including insights gained from genetics, linguistics, and archaeology, Thomas provides a dazzling account of these long-distance migrations, the seagoing technologies that enabled them, and the societies they left in their wake. 1873 NEW CALEDONIA

The latest news from Melanesia.

The latest news from Melanesia.

The latest news from Melanesia.

Iran strikes Israel following a second round of Israeli strikes, Nigeria grants a posthumous pardon to activist Ken Saro-Wiwa, A French court frees a New Caledonia independence leader, A report suggests that Israeli spyware was reportedly used to target European journalists, Sen. Alex Padilla is forcibly removed from a Kristi Noem press conference, Kilmar Abrego Garcia pleads not guilty to human smuggling charges, A court of appeals allows Donald Trump to regain control of the National Guard in LA, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirms the U.S. has Panama and Greenland invasion plans, Credit Suisse reportedly ignored early warnings about its Greensill partnership, and scientists grow human hearts in pig embryos for 21 days. Sources: www.verity.news

The latest news from Melanesia.

The latest news from Melanesia.

The latest news from Melanesia.

France's overseas territory of New Caledonia is facing a growing crisis. The number of healthcare workers has dropped dramatically, particularly since the unrest of May 2024. In response, authorities are offering incentives – such as annual contracts and free accommodation – to attract doctors and nurses back to the island. But in the meantime, volunteers are stepping in to train locals in basic medical care, as clinics and hospitals across the island remain closed due to staff shortages. Our France 2 colleagues report, with FRANCE 24's Guillaume Gougeon.

In Pacific Waves today: Questions remain over voting eligibility in New Caledonia; Locals near Manawanui sinking still seeking answers; Moana Pasifika regroup after brutal loss to Chiefs. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

This week on Tagata o te Moana: No solution yet to New Caledonia's political impasse. Polio is again on the rise in Papua New Guinea. The New Zealand Budget delivers substantial cuts to the Ministry of Pacific Peoples and work is underway to improve the response to ciguatera poisoning. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

In Pacific Waves today: PNG polio outbreak 'no cause for panic' - expert; Conflict in West Papua intensifies; New Caledonia's political future remains unclear; Tonga kava growers look for solutions. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

One year after deadly violence broke out in New Caledonia, there's still no solution in sight for the French territory's political future. Lydia Lewis reports.

Nick and Ciarán talk to Nic Maclellan about New Caledonia, imperialism in the Pacific and France's strategy in the region Nic Maclellan is a correspondent for Islands Business magazine (Fiji) and a contributor to Pacnews and other Pacific islands media. He has published widely on French policy in the Pacific and is co-author of 'La France dans le Pacifique – de Bougainville à Moruroa' (Editions La Découverte, Paris) and 'After Moruroa – France in the South Pacific' (Ocean Press, New York and Melbourne). His latest book 'Grappling with the Bomb' (ANU Press) – a history of British nuclear testing in Kiribati – was shortlisted for the EPAA “Scholarly Book of the Year” in 2019. Find our guest on https://x.com/maclellannic HOW TO SUPPORT US: https://www.patreon.com/cornerspaeti HOW TO REACH US: Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/cornerspaeti.operationglad.io Twitter https://twitter.com/cornerspaeti Instagram https://www.instagram.com/cornerspaeti/ Julia https://twitter.com/KMarxiana Rob https://twitter.com/leninkraft Nick https://bsky.app/profile/lilouzovert.bsky.social Uma https://bsky.app/profile/umawrnkl.bsky.social Ciarán https://bsky.app/profile/ciaran.operationglad.io

Welcome in for another edition of the Morning Espresso from the SDH Network, brought to you by Oglethorpe University, Atlanta's premier undergraduate learning experience and soccer powerhouse.The USMNT finished fourth in the Concacaf Nations League after losing 2-1 to Canada in the consolation match in Los Angeles on Sunday. The team did not improved their performance from the semifinal loss to Panama and now the Gold Cup is far more important this summer for Mauricio Pochettino and this group. Canada was the better team in this match, which is even more impressive considering that they lost Alphonso Davies to injury early on. Alistair Johnston was outstanding, Jonathan David was excellent throughout, and they took control after a strong USMNT start and played with a chip on their shoulder throughout. The USMNT did not have that chip on their shoulder and they're in this weird spot where they are good enough to see teams do what Panama did to them on Thursday, sit back deep and soak up pressure and put numbers behind the ball. However, they're not good enough to straight up outplay teams on their level. And yes, Canada is on their level. No idea how they will fare as the underdog against teams that are among the best in the world. They'll see all of these sorts of teams in the World Cup next summer and there's a lot of work to do between now and then. Plenty more thoughts in the video.Atlanta United earned a draw on the road in Cincinnati in a gritty performance during the international break. Losing Tristan Muyumba to injury made it even more difficult, as did conceding twice in quick succession in the second half. However, they battled back and created an opportunity that led to an own goal. The 2-2 felt fair, even if Atlanta will feel like they were good enough to win on the day. Nashville and Chicago have won three in a row in MLS after slow starts in the first couple of matches. Austin won yesterday, even if they were extremely wasteful in front of goal and let San Diego hang around. New Zealand qualified for the World Cup by defeating New Caledonia 3-0 in the Oceania qualifying final. They're back in the tournament for the first time since 2010. New Caledonia will have one chance to reach their first World Cup via the inter-confederation playoffs next year. Information is coming out about the U.S. bid for the 2031 Women's World Cup and it could see multiple games being played in multiple Concacaf countries. Great article from Henry Bushnell of Yahoo Sports over the weekend with the latest. Excited to see how everything comes together with the bid. Plenty more stories from a jam-packed Espresso in the video. Enjoy!More Espresso on Wednesday on the SDH Network, presented by Oglethorpe University.

Welcome in for another edition of the Morning Espresso from the SDH Network, brought to you by Oglethorpe University, Atlanta's premier undergraduate learning experience and soccer powerhouse.Disappointing night for the USMNT who lost 1-0 to Panama on a stoppage time goal from Cecilio Waterman. Panama's 5-4-1 gave the US fits, and there wasn't enough urgency to find answers or take risks. Mauricio Pochettino said afterwards that the US shirt wasn't enough in games like this, he said you could feel the difference in the hunger shown by the two sets of players, and he said the US needed to take more risks going forward. That's not easy to change overnight, and I'm really curious to see the response in the third place game against Canada on Sunday. Mexico will face Panama in the Nations League championship match on Sunday after a 2-0 win over Canada on two goals from Raul Jimenez. The top six teams in South American World Cup qualifying should be fine to qualify. Paraguay is unbeaten in 7 after their 1-0 over Chile. Brazil needed a stoppage time winning deflected goal from Vinicius Junior to beat Colombia. Then, Raphinha needed to prevent Vini from getting a time-wasting yellow card as he was subbed out which would have had him suspended from the Argentina match on Tuesday. Was he trying to get suspended? It looked bizarre.South Korea, Iran, and Australia should be the next teams from Asia to earn qualification to the World Cup after their results yesterday. New Zealand will face New Caledonia for the Oceania qualifying spot after both won their semifinals. Denis Bouanga scored twice for Gabon in their win in African World Cup qualifying. The door has cracked open for Nigeria who has struggled mightily so far after Benin could only manage a draw, Nigeria faces Rwanda and can pull to within two points of qualifying with a win. Mozambique moved into a qualification spot with a win, but Algeria could jump them with a win today. The New York Pancyprian Freedoms became the 6th team to pull off a cupset in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, winning a penalty shootout with FC Cincinnati 2. England starts their World Cup qualifying journey today, hosting Albania. England are unbeaten in their last 31 World Cup qualifiers and have never dropped points to Albania. The highlight of the qualifiers is tonight as Uruguay hosts Argentina in one of the world's oldest rivalries. More Espresso on Monday on the SDH Network, presented by Oglethorpe University.

Preview: Colleague Cleo Paskal of FDD describes the confrontation between Beijing and Paris over the New Caledonia and French Polynesian colonies. More later. 1906 NEW CALEDONIA