Articles by Katharine Wroth

What will a conservative Canada look like?

While we were busy fretting about eco-terrorists, Canada went and had itself an e-lection.

Newly elected Conservative PM Stephen Harper is a likely Bush ally, says CNN, and aims to "move beyond the Kyoto debate by establishing different environmental controls." Meanwhile, the BBC doesn't pussyfoot: "[he] is known to be hostile to gay marriage and the Kyoto Protocol on climate change."

Sigh. On the other hand, the CBC reports that Harper "believe[s] it's better to light one candle than to promise a million light bulbs." So maybe he's into conservation after all.

It’s a rough winter down Russia way

Russia's energy woes -- and, by extension, Europe's -- continue as the country scrambles to deal with the coldest recorded weather since 1927.

As one story reports, cuts in exports "hit supplies across Eastern Europe and sparked criticism from both the European Union and the United States that Moscow was 'politicising' energy."

Um, takes one to know one?

How much can weary bleeding-hearts give?

This analysis of a Red Cross ad brings up some interesting points about altruism, competition, and people's increasingly limited time and focus.

That's all.

Ants are as smart as you

Anyone who had a childhood as boring idyllic as mine probably won't be surprised to hear the latest news from the world of science: Ants can teach each other by leading one another to food, etc.

But you might be surprised to know that it's the first proof of teaching among non-human animals. Really? I dunno, my dogs always seemed like they were up to something, the way they giggled and whispered in the corner.