Philip Matthews

Interview with Brian Boyd about his link to Epstein

some emails in the new Epstein tranche from/to a Nabokov specialist (Brian Boyd?) that are a bit alarming. English profs not coming off great here. Although it is funny to respond to a rich person asking you to do a "Lolita project" by saying "I have to finish a biography of Karl Popper"

The 2026 Ockham Book Awards longlist is out - includes Jacinda Ardern, Dominic Hoey, Steve Braunias, Catherine Chidgey and Erik Kennedy @erikkennedy.com www.nzbookawards.nz/new-zealand-... #TheOckhams

Congratulations to @hendysh.bsky.social, whose book The Covid Response is on the longlist for the General Non-Fiction Award at the Ockham New Zealand Book Awards www.nzbookawards.nz/new-zealand-... 🎉

Earth Cancel Bologna Show Over Venue's Palestinian Flag Right now, drone-metal pioneers Earth are touring Europe. On Tuesday night (Jan. 27), Earth were slated to play at the Bologna, Italy venue TPO, which hosts cultural events as well as underground band...

Earth’s Bologna Show Canceled Over Band’s Objection To Venue’s Palestinian Flag - stereogum.com/2486859/eart...

4/10. A tough one.

Haven't had one in ages

As 90s as grunge and Jennifer Aniston

Okay. I’m convinced. We did need a covered stadium.

Book of the week: Progressive Dunedin vs narrow-minded Auckland

A new history of the famous Lloyd Geering heresy trial that pitted one New Zealand city against another, reviewed by Philip Matthews

Phantom Billstickers founder reveals terminal diagnosis, seeks assisted dying The Christchurch music promoter who founded one of New Zealand's leading poster companies says he is not afraid of dying, but is “afraid of living this way for much longer”.

The Christchurch music promoter who founded one of New Zealand's leading poster companies says he is not afraid of dying, but is “afraid of living this way for much longer”.

7/10, good questions

4/10

Why the cathedral needs to be revived as city’s beating heart OPINION: After the earthquake in 2011 I remember standing outside our broken cathedral with Mayor Bob Parker and saying to the world’s media, “the heart of our city has been broken. We will rebuild it.”

OPINION: After the earthquake in 2011 I remember standing outside our broken cathedral with Mayor Bob Parker and saying to the world’s media, “the heart of our city has been broken. We will rebuild it.”

Grateful Dead Founding Member Bob Weir Dead at 78 Bob Weir -- the guitarist and founding member of the Grateful Dead -- has died ... TMZ has learned.

Bobby Weir has died.....😢

www.tmz.com/2026/01/10/g...

Don McGlashan on music, ‘insane’ America and why he’s finally agreed to a documentary “Art doesn’t have boundaries,” McGlashan tells the Star-Times. “We make it because it makes us feel more alive. We truly believe that somewhere in the new thing that we’re writing there’ll be a spark that connects with somebody and will make them feel less alone.”

“Art doesn’t have boundaries,” McGlashan tells the Star-Times. “We make it because it makes us feel more alive. We truly believe that somewhere in the new thing that we’re writing there’ll be a spark that connects with somebody and will make them feel less alone.”

One of the coolest photos ever taken in New Zealand. RIP a true original.

I think it’s left over from a protest last year when he had red paint thrown at him

Distraught woman says ICE killed her wife in video after deadly Minneapolis shooting "They killed my wife," the distraught woman says, adding, "They shot her in the head." An ICE agent shot and killed a 37-year-old woman who was driving an SUV in Minneapolis on Wednesday. / Screenshot/@Breaking911

"They killed my wife. I don't know what to do," the woman says through sobs in the footage, with a damaged SUV visible in the distance behind her. "We stopped to videotape, and they shot her in the head," the woman cries. "We have a six-year-old at school," she says, almost unable to breathe, as a chaotic scene in which federal officers prevented at least one doctor who was on the scene from assisting the shot victim unfolds. "We're new here," the distraught woman says in despair.

You and your wife drop your 6-year-old off at school. You just moved here. You see ICE terrorizing your new neighbors. You film them, as is your legal right. Your wife complies with orders. She is then shot in the head. You still have to pick up your child later today.

This could be you.

Captain James X Cook

I am pleased to announce that the Interim Authorities in Venezuela will be turning over between 30 and 50 MILLION Barrels of High Quality, Sanctioned Oil, to the United States of America. This Oil will be sold at its Market Price, and that money will be controlled by me, as President of the United States of America, to ensure it is used to benefit the people of Venezuela and the United States! I have asked Energy Secretary Chris Wright to execute this plan, immediately. It will be taken by storage ships, and brought directly to unloading docks in the United States. Thank you for your attention to this matter! DONALD J. TRUMP PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Trump: “I am pleased to announce that the Interim Authorities in Venezuela will be turning over between 30 and 50 MILLION Barrels of High Quality, Sanctioned Oil, to the United States of America. This Oil will be sold at its Market Price, and that money will be controlled by me, as President”

Prominent activist targeted in ‘pathetic’ attack on property Signs were spray painted over, while ‘Nazi Scum’ was tagged on the pavement outside John Minto’s house.

John Minto’s home attacked www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/3609...

AI may have stolen my work, so I’m suing Big Tech (maybe) OPINION: I know nothing of AI. I can barely even spell it. But I am planning to sue it.

OPINION: I know nothing of AI. I can barely even spell it. But I am planning to sue it.

the second trump administration is like every jurassic park sequel where they inexplicably decide to rebuild the park and open it back up to the public except the tiny brained rampage monsters are running the united states government

Holiday brain, 4/10

Man linked to white nationalist group rams car off road in high speed chase Once arrested in a raid prompted by an Al Noor mosque threat, Sam Brittenden has returned to court over a drink-driving episode.

Once arrested in a raid prompted by an Al Noor mosque threat, Sam Brittenden has returned to court over a drink-driving episode.

Dune 3: Spice Up Your Life

7/10 stops on the road to 2026

My year in review