Topic: New Zealand

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Briefing
Gay marriage laws around the globe

There is no national gay marriage legislation in the pipeline in the US, however, numerous countries around the globe already recognize same-sex marriage or the right to civil unions. Here’s the breakdown by region.
Top 5 ways to save on your summer vacation

If you're pining for a summer vacation but worried about costs, consider how Wayne and Pat Dunlap of Del Mar, Calif., managed to tour 51 countries over two years, marvel at the Egyptian pyramids, scale a New Zealand glacier, and visit Laotian Buddhist monks all for less than $100 a day. "We often stayed at guesthouses and hostels, ate at local family restaurants, took public transportation, and in some cases, traveled on cruise ships offering reduced rates," says Mr. Dunlap, author of the travel book "Plan Your Escape." This year amid price worries and higher summer airfares, especially to Europe such ingenuity could prove essential. Here are five cost-cutting strategies that can help:
International Women's Day: How it's celebrated around the globe

International Women's Day has served for more than a century as a day to honor the achievements of women globally. Here are some ways people are celebrating:
Kim Dotcom: Are such Internet sensations pirates or hactivists?

Copyright law and its enforcement have dominated the news lately, first with the Internet blackout protests against SOPA, and more recently with the arrest of Kim Dotcom in New Zealand. Here are five international file-share players who have been targets of copyright enforcement.
Thirty ideas from people under 30: The Entrepreneurs

They are explorers and activists, artists and educators, farmers and faith leaders – even mayors. And they have trenchant suggestions on how to improve the world.

All Content

Sky actually falling, report scientists

A study of clouds over the last 10 years has found that their altitude has been declining, perhaps offsetting some global warming.
Stir It Up!
King Cake cupcakes

Cupcakes inspired by the traditional Mardi Gras King Cake.
The Simple Dollar
Social Security benefits: How to prepare for the tax hit

Social Security income triggers big tax for newlyweds. How do you cope? See question No. 2 on Social Security and taxes in the reader mailbag. 
Documents reveal Koch-funded group's plot to undermine climate science

Documents leaked from the 'free-market' Heartland Institute reveal payments to prominent climate-change deniers, a plan to create a fossil-fuel-friendly curriculum for Kindergartners, and efforts to 'keep opposing voices' out of the media.
Why a Saudi blogger faces a possible death sentence for three tweets

Hamza Kashgari's tweets on the prophet Muhammad's birthday have resulted in charges of blasphemy, apostasy, and atheism – and Saudi Arabia appears to be making an example of his actions.
Malaysia sends Saudi home, where he's threatened with death for a tweet

A Malaysian lawyers' group blamed Malaysia for handing Hamza Kashgari over to the Saudi authorities 'on a silver platter.' Mr. Kashgari allegedly insulted the prophet Muhammed on Twitter.
Europe's Internet revolt: protesters see threats in antipiracy treaty

Anger over proposed antipiracy treaty ACTA was expected to bring thousands to Europe's streets today. Supporters say it will better protect intellectual labor, while opponents see free speech threats.
Global News Blog
Malaysia may repatriate Saudi who faces death penalty for tweets

Saudi writer Hamza Kashgari fled Saudi Arabia after a trio of tweets about the prophet Muhammad brought death threats. Malaysian police apprehended him en route to New Zealand, where he was to request asylum.
Kinect for Windows: Can a video game toy become the future of PCs?

Microsoft's Kinect for Windows will add motion controls to laptops and desktops.
Kim Dotcom, Megaupload founder, denied bail appeal

The denial means that Kim Dotcom must remain in jail until his first hearing in a US extradition request, scheduled for Feb. 22.
'Supergiant' amphipod discovered in deep sea near New Zealand

'Supergiant' amphipod: An expedition from the University of Aberdeen has yielded rare specimens of a giant, pale crustacean living 4 miles beneath the ocean surface.
Horizons
Megaupload given two more weeks to deal with user data

Megaupload has negotiated a 14-day reprieve for troves of data stored on the site. But that doesn't mean Megaupload users will see their files anytime soon. 
Stocks fall. Greece weighs on markets.

Stocks are down in Asia and Europe ahead of a key European summit. S&P futures are also lower. Investors shun stocks as concerns linger about Greece's long-term solvency.
Tiger Woods edges closer to top in Abu Dhabi tourney

Tiger Woods shot a three under par 69 Friday in the second round of the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship and is now two shots off the lead.
Kim Dotcom: Are such Internet sensations pirates or hactivists?

Copyright law and its enforcement have dominated the news lately, first with the Internet blackout protests against SOPA, and more recently with the arrest of Kim Dotcom in New Zealand. Here are five international file-share players who have been targets of copyright enforcement.
Kim Dotcom, Megaupload founder, joked of hacker past

Kim Dotcom, once convicted of insider trading, sent introductory e-mails to neighbors joking that he could help them with insider trading and tax fraud. Kim Dotcom went on to point out he had since reformed and started Megaupload.
If feds can bust Megaupload, why bother with anti-piracy bills?

A growing battle over copyright on the internet came to a head this week as digital protests scuttled two anti-piracy bills, police arrested Megaupload's millionaire filesharing pirate, and hackers brought down the Department of Justice website.
Global News Blog
US files charges against Megaupload in 'largest copyright case'

US prosecutors say that the video-sharing site Megaupload.com cost the US entertainment industry $500 million. Online activists worry the US case could stifle Internet freedoms around the world.
Department of Justice closes piracy conduit. Is SOPA needed?

Department of Justice conducted a two-year investigation of MegaUpload before closing it down. So why does the Department of Justice need new antipiracy laws like SOPA?
Feds shut down file-sharing website Megaupload

An indictment accuses Megaupload.com of costing copyright holders more than $500 million in lost revenue from pirated films and other content.
Laura Dekker close to completion of solo round-the-world sail

Laura Dekker set sail on her own back in 2010. Now on the final leg of her journey, Laura Dekker is scheduled to finish on the Caribbean island of St. Maarten.
Thirty ideas from people under 30: The Entrepreneurs

They are explorers and activists, artists and educators, farmers and faith leaders – even mayors. And they have trenchant suggestions on how to improve the world.
Africa Monitor
Oh snap! Bungee jumper plunges into Zambezi River at Victoria Falls

The Australian survived, but tourists who assume that extreme venues in Africa are safe may be fooling themselves.
Stefan Karlsson
Yearly roundup of world currencies: The yen, the rupee, and everything in between

How 14 of the world's largest currencies fared against the dollar in 2011.
Quadrantid meteors and 11 other big skywatching events of 2012

What lies ahead sky-wise for 2012? Joe Rao, SPACE.com Skywatching Columnist, selected what he considers to be the top 12 "skylights" for this coming year,