April 20, 2025

How China took over the world’s rare earths industry

New Zealand Blog News Service Apr 20, 2025

New York Times: China’s rare earth dominance leaves US vulnerable amid export halt.http://dlvr.it/TKGtkK

Tory Whanau may have to sell Wellington mayoralty to make ends meet September 20, 2024
Tory Whanau has revealed that she’s struggling so much financially that she may have to part with her beloved mayoralty, that of New Zealand’s capital city, if she’s to fund her ever-diminishing lifestyle. Whanau was elected to lead Wellington in 2022, winning an overwhelming victory against the incumbent mayor: the evil version of Jason Gunn. […]
Ben Uffindell
Ukrainian militia receives defective shipment of pagers that just send and receive messages September 18, 2024
There’s been a major setback for one Ukrainian-backed militia on the Russian border, after the group ordered a large shipment of pagers to use as improvised explosive devices. The plan was to litter the pagers throughout abandoned homes and buildings in hopes of wounding Russian soldiers. But upon arrival of the shipment, routed through the […]
Ben Uffindell
Government directs Te Puni Kōkiri to conduct Māori Language Week in English September 17, 2024
The coalition government has issued a directive to Te Puni Kōkiri, the Ministry of Māori Development, instructing them that – in the interests of clear communication – they are to conduct this year’s Māori Language Week primarily or exclusively in English. The directive is in line with the Government’s policy – signaled when they came […]
Ben Uffindell
Government celebrates fact that New Zealand’s healthcare is so good people are queuing up for it at 5am September 17, 2024
At yesterday’s post-cabinet press conference, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, flanked by his Health Minister Shane Reti and someone we can’t independently verify was a real sign language interpreter, announced that he had some positive news for the country. “Alright team, I’m just going to hand over to uh, Dr. Shane, because I think he’s got […]
Ben Uffindell
Heartwarming: Thoughtful driver uses indicator to tell you what they’ve just done September 17, 2024
It’s 4:10pm in the morning, and you’re in the middle lane heading north on the great southern motorway of our nation’s capital, Auckland. There are no cars directly in front of you, but quite a few in the lane to your left. Suddenly, without warning, a black ute enters your lane, cutting in front of […]
Ben Uffindell
NPC teams will now be allowed to actually use the Ranfurly Shield in play September 17, 2024
Following decades of controversy, the governing body of New Zealand rugby, New Zealand Rugby, has ruled that the team currently holding the Ranfurly Shield may once again use it in play during the National Provincial Championship (NPC). The ruling restores the utility of a prize that for many years was rendered merely symbolic, after the […]
Ben Uffindell
Police say they won’t respond to bomb threats anymore as ‘it’s never anything’ September 16, 2024
Police Commissioner Andrew Coster says that New Zealand’s police force will no longer respond to bomb threats, in an attempt to cut costs and redirect police resources to less boring activities. Coster said that threat response and bomb disposal was a “fairly obvious” area for downsizing, as bomb threats are “never anything”, a “huge waste […]
Ben Uffindell
Air New Zealand flight attendant named CEO after one year on job November 30, 2021
New Zealand’s national carrier, Air New Zealand, has expressed great enthusiasm in announcing its new CEO today: 51-year-old Nathan Guy, a flight attendant who has spent about 1200 hours on the job. Guy joined the company as a fresh-faced, wide-eyed flight attendant serving now-reduced domestic routes in November of 2020, and has since spent a […]
Ben Uffindell
National Party board denies it unanimously agreed to Collins’ Faustian bargain with Satan November 26, 2021
National Party president Peter Goodfellow is today issuing a strong denial on behalf of the party’s board, saying they did not, at any point, agree to the Faustian bargain that National leader Judith Collins struck with the Evil One, Son of Perdition, the Devil Satan himself. When Collins became the leader of the National Party […]
Ben Uffindell
Super Saturday recap: Patrick Gower doesn’t know what he’s supposed to do October 16, 2021
It was Aotearoa’s first national day of action in over ten years, the first since 2010, when Prime Minister John Key tried to inspire us to clean up our nation’s berms. It didn’t work. Today, New Zealand’s berms are worse than ever. But history is not destiny, and other cliches. Today, we tried again, this […]
Ben Uffindell

ODT quiz: December 31 December 30, 2025
Test your local and general knowledge by taking the Otago Daily Times quiz for Wednesday, December 31.
‘Making things happen’ in sport December 30, 2025
Southlander Malcolm McKee’s efforts volunteering in sport and the community have been recognised in the 2026 New Year Honours. PHOTO: ELLA SCOTT-FLEMING A lifelong sporting and community volunteer says he is most proud of what he has made happen, as a whole, and that it carries on.
Revolutionising cancer treatment December 30, 2025
Photo: supplied When she was younger, Caroline Oliver’s father told her she should not go to university, as she would just end up getting married and having children.
Most proud of Plunket service December 30, 2025
Photo: supplied Queenstown woman Ella Wilson says she wanted to cry when she was found out she had been recognised in the New Year Honours list, for her work in the community and theatre.
‘Betterment of the community’ not done in hopes of award December 30, 2025
Photo: Oamaru Mail/Otago Daily Times Douglas Brenssell is a community man through and through.
New pub owners get locals’ support December 30, 2025
Cantabrians Jeanette Ellis and Russell Lilley are the proud new owners of the Luggate Hotel. PHOTO: OLIVIA CALDWELL In the two weeks they have owned the Luggate Hotel, Cantabrians Jeanette Ellis and Russell Lilley have changed the menu, opened the restaurant, hired staff and purchased a courtesy coach.
Olivia Caldwell
Another year in sport ... to the letter December 30, 2025
England Lionesses forward Chloe Kelly controls the ball against China at Wembley in London in November. Photo: Getty Images Another weird, wild, whacky and wonderful sporting year is in the books.
Influencing both racing and road safety December 30, 2025
Tony Quinn smiles after receiving an unexpected CNZM. PHOTO: SUPPLIED Talk with Tony Quinn and family, contributing to society and quality public toilets dominate the chat.
Fishing equipment seized by ranger December 30, 2025
Otago Fish & Game officer Cole Briggs holds rods seized during compliance checks and angler surveys on Lake Dunstan this week. PHOTO: SUPPLIED Three anglers had fishing gear seized by Otago Fish & Game rangers on Lake Dunstan on Monday.
Holding on to hope December 30, 2025
The countdown to any new year comes with mixed emotions.

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April 20, 2025

How China took over the world’s rare earths industry

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