Articles by Kate Harrison
Opinion: Vote No on Measure V because sales taxes are regressive
Berkeley residents have repeatedly demonstrated their willingness to pay for public services, including significant tax increases approved in 2024. A No vote on Measure V is not a vote against police officers, firefighters, parks, libraries or other essential services. It is a vote against asking taxpayers for more money until City Hall addresses the underlying problem: a structural deficit caused by recurring expenditures that are growing faster than revenues.
Great Zimbabwe: the city of stone
Empires Atlas 1450 On the highveld of southern Africa stand the largest stone structures south of the Sahara — walls eleven meters high, built without mortar, by a Shona civilization that traded gold to the Indian Ocean. Colonial archaeologists refused to believe Africans built them. The stones disagreed. At a glance: c.
Australia's A$422bn resource peak: gold overtakes LNG as iron ore's reign ebbs
Key facts SYDNEY: Australia's resource and energy export earnings are forecast to hit A$422 billion in 2026–27 — about US$293 billion — up from A$403 billion last year and A$6 billion more than Canberra predicted in June.
The Chola: the tigers of the sea
Empires Atlas 848–1279 From the Tamil south of India, a dynasty of kings built temples as tall as mountains, cast bronze gods that still make viewers catch their breath, and — alone among Indian empires — built a navy that projected power across the Bay of Bengal to Southeast Asia.
The Indians: the subcontinent’s long memory
History · The Peoples From the drained streets of Mohenjo-daro to the world’s most populous democracy — five thousand years of a civilization that absorbed every conqueror and outlasted every empire. ← All history reports The Peoples c. 3300 BCE They have been farming the same plains for five thousand years, arguing about the same gods for three thousand, and voting — all one billion of them, together — for less than eighty.
Zulu: the empire of the iklwa
Empires Atlas 1879 One man’s military revolution forged a kingdom in a decade. Shaka’s Zulu — the short stabbing spear, the buffalo-horns formation, the standing regiments — redrew the map of southern Africa, then gave the British Empire one of the worst days in its military history.
Tonga: the empire of the Pacific
Empires Atlas 1865 The Pacific had its own maritime empire, and it sailed canoes. For nine centuries the Tu’i Tonga dynasty ruled a tribute network stretching from Tonga to Samoa and Fiji — the only Indigenous empire of Oceania, and the only Pacific state Europe never colonized. At a glance: c.
The Guptas: India's golden age
Empires Atlas 320–550 In a few generations, a family of north Indian kings presided over an explosion of mathematics, poetry, sculpture, and philosophy so rich that India still measures its classical age by it. Zero — the number that makes modern mathematics possible — was born here. At a glance: 320–550 · Capital: Pataliputra · Peak extent: northern India The empire in images The iron pillar of Delhi in 1858 — a Gupta monument raised under Chandragupta II, c.
Gold gains as October Fed rate-hike bets fade on soft US jobs data
Key facts Spot gold rose 0.4% to $4,158.17/oz by 0150 GMT Monday; December US gold futures gained 0.6% to $4,186.40. Reuters US payrolls added just 29,000 jobs in September, far below the 90,000 consensus; the prior two months were revised sharply lower; unemployment rose to 4.2%; wage growth slowed to 3.0% — weakest since May 2021. FNArena / ANZ Bank October Fed hike odds fell to 22% from 64% a week ago; a December hike is still priced at 87%, per the CME FedWatch Tool.
Rare tornado whips through small Australian town, caught on camera
Key facts A tornado tore through Ulladulla on the New South Wales South Coast shortly after 1pm local time on Saturday, 3 October 2026. BBC / ABC News Australia Residents filmed the funnel, including close intercept footage by Brad Collins and Wishaya La Spina, who recorded it from her car while sheltering with her baby.
The Photograph That Wasn’t: In Milwaukee, the G20 Admits It Can’t Govern Trade Anymore
Key facts “Severely disappointed” — the US G20 presidency’s verdict after a “handful” of trade ministers rejected the US push against excess industrial capacity in Milwaukee USTR Two — the number of countries, Mexico and Argentina, that signed the US-led statement on eliminating forced-labor goods from supply chains; the vast majority did not Reuters 16 trading partners under a second US “Section 301” excess-capacity investigation, spanning steel, autos, batteries, paper and semiconductors...
They Came for the Voter Rolls
Key facts More than 700 protesters were detained around Jantar Mantar on 2 October, including AAP leaders Atishi, Saurabh Bharadwaj, Sanjay Singh and Sanjeev Jha; student organisations AISA, SFI, NSUI and DYFI took part, and the Delhi Metro shut entry and exit at 12 stations.
Lithium's comeback trade: MinRes prices double in a quarter as guidance goes up
Key facts Mineral Resources sold 115,000 dry tonnes of spodumene concentrate at US$2,105/dmt in the quarter — a 92% jump in average realised price quarter-on-quarter — from 127,000 dmt of attributable production at Wodgina and Mt Marion. Fool Australia FY26 volume guidance was upgraded across the board: Onslow Iron to 17.7–19.4 million wet tonnes (7.2Mt shipped in Q3), Mining Services to 320–330Mt, and lithium output higher at both Wodgina (270–290k dmt) and Mt Marion (210–230k dmt).
A new mine opens in the Pilbara — built with Beijing
Key facts Rio Tinto (54%) and China Baowu (46%) opened the new Paraburdoo mine over the weekend, with initial capacity of about 25 million tonnes a year. Rio Tinto The investment totals roughly US$2 billion; Rio plans more than US$13 billion of Pilbara capital expenditure between 2025 and 2027. Rio Tinto Australia supplies around 60% of China's iron ore imports; the Hamersley region's reserves are valued in industry circles at up to US$6 trillion.
The RBA joins the hawks: a fourth 2026 hike takes Australia to 4.60%
Key facts The Reserve Bank of Australia raised the cash rate to 4.60% on September 29 — a fourth hike in 2026, the highest level since 2011. jmdmortgages; Bloomberg The decision was unanimous, and it names the cause plainly: the Middle East conflict is broadening, energy costs are rising, and inflation is above target. RBA statement; Reuters The economy is running at full capacity with inflation above target — the Bank is deliberately restricting spending to force inflation down.
Indian and Pakistani warships collide in the Arabian Sea
Key facts Pakistan's PNS Hunain (a 2,600-ton Yarmook-class corvette) collided with India's INS Kolkata (a 7,400-ton destroyer) on September 15 in the North Arabian Sea.Indian Navy; Pakistan Navy Pakistan says the collision occurred inside its exclusive economic zone during the SEASPARK-26 naval exercise; India says it was in international waters and blames 'unsafe manoeuvring' by the Pakistani vessel.Pakistan Navy; Indian Navy Both countries summoned each other's chargés d'affaires to lodge...
A drought in Sulawesi shakes the world's nickel machine
Key facts The Indonesia Morowali Industrial Park on Sulawesi — majority-owned by Chinese nickel giant Tsingshan Holding Group — notified tenant companies over the Sept 19–20 weekend to scale back nickel pig iron production after an El Niño-driven drought curtailed cooling water.
The Rare-Earth Truce: Greenland, Magnets, and the 60-Day Clock
Key facts Washington and Beijing extended their trade truce by just two months, to 10 January 2027 — far shorter than Beijing wanted. US Treasury China is falling short of its pledge to deliver 70% of agreed rare-earth shipments to the United States. US officials via Reuters China processes 75 to 85% of the world’s rare earths — the refining, not the mining, is the chokehold.
The Smelter Trap: Why Owning the Mine Is Not Enough
Key findings China holds roughly half of the world’s copper-smelting capacity — about 45 to 50%. ICSG The 2025 benchmark fee for smelting copper fell to $21.25 a tonne — a historic low that is bankrupting Western smelters. Fastmarkets Indonesia banned nickel-ore exports in 2020 to force processing onto its own soil. Indonesia’s Energy Ministry (MEMR) The Democratic Republic of Congo mines about 70% of the world’s cobalt. USGS China refines 55 to 65% of the world’s lithium.
Opinion: North Carolina’s Agricultural Reputation Depends on Accountability
For years, I have encouraged my parents and siblings to buy certified organic meat. As the sole vegetarian in the family, it was a comfort to me that organic chicken breasts came from chickens raised with basic welfare standards. That is why I was so disturbed by the findings of Mercy For Animals’ latest undercover investigation of a North Carolina farm that supplies organic chicken to Costco.
They Transformed Their Dark, Dated 1939 House for $70K
They Transformed Their Dark, Dated 1939 House for $70K Adrienne Breaux Adrienne BreauxHouse Tour Director For more than 10 years, I've led Apartment Therapy's real home content, producing thousands of house tours from around the world. Currently, I live in my maximalist dream home in New Orleans, Louisiana, with my partner, a perfect dog, and a cute cat. Kate Harrison Kate Harrison Originally from Pembrokeshire, West Wales and currently living in the Netherlands.
This Visual Merchandiser’s Dutch Home Has Every Color You Can Imagine
This Visual Merchandiser’s Dutch Home Has Every Color You Can Imagine Adrienne Breaux Adrienne BreauxHouse Tour Director For more than 10 years, I've led Apartment Therapy's real home content, producing thousands of house tours from around the world. Currently, I live in my maximalist dream home in New Orleans, Louisiana, with my partner, a perfect dog, and a cute cat. Kate Harrison Kate Harrison Originally from Pembrokeshire, West Wales and currently living in the Netherlands.
Why employee happiness should be a leadership KPI
Leadership KPIs are often heavily focused around operational delivery and financial performance. But with team culture, engagement and happiness proven as the core elements that enable those outcomes, are we missing a trick by encouraging our leaders to prioritise the wrong things? Effective leadership is a powerful thing. Employees who feel supported and encouraged by their leaders are 74% more productive at work and 71% more motivated to go above and beyond their usual work duties.
This 1912 Amsterdam Butcher-Shop-Turned-House Might Be One of the Most Colorful Homes Ever
This 1912 Amsterdam Butcher-Shop-Turned-House Might Be One of the Most Colorful Homes Ever Cullen Ormond Cullen OrmondHouse Tours Editor I write about house tours (but I love a good kitchen and kids' room article). My work can be found across AT Media, including The Kitchn and Cubby. I’ve been writing about home-related topics for nearly five years and love seeing how people make their homes unique.
Everything you need to know about NbS
What are nature-based solutions and why are they important? Here's a quick intro. News and opinion Subject: Applying ecology Human impact Human influence Show tags Audience Type: Ecology for all Government and policy makers NbS? Not another acronym… Well, strictly speaking it’s an initialism. NbS stands for nature-based solutions. Erm? It’s like engineering with nature.
Eli Roth’s ‘Ice Cream Man’ Trailer Offers Stone Cold Thrills
Podcasts show Interviews Love UPS Why Isn’t Kat in ‘Euphoria’?
Eli Roth’s ‘Ice Cream Man’ Horror Movie Sets Wide Release for August
song composer Love Yellow Universities New ‘Supergirl’ Trailer Puts Krypto in Danger “Supergirl” is nearly here.The latest in the James Gunn-supervised DC Universe arrives in theaters on June 26. Ahead of its big screen launch, a brand-new trailer has debuted. film stars composer ICE Music Eli Roth’s ‘Ice Cream Man’ Horror Movie Sets Wide Release for August This summer, we’ll all scream for ice cream.That’s because Eli Roth’s “Ice Cream Man” is getting a wide theatrical release on Aug.
How ecologists are helping governments tackle the climate crisis
Too often, action to combat climate change comes at the expense of biodiversity. This is where ecologists come in. We can hold politicians to account to ensure they take the climate emergency seriously, while helping steer policies to account for the parallel emergency of biodiversity loss. Like many others, the Scottish Government has ambitious targets to reach net zero and reverse biodiversity decline.
Students turn closets into businesses
Gamedays at The University of Alabama are some of the most exciting days on campus, full of fans getting ready to cheer on the Crimson Tide in their festive gameday outfits. To get unique outfits for the nine home games of the season, some students turn to renting their outfits from other students. Typically, students dress up for football games with men wearing polos and women sporting dresses or other nice outfits.
From pumpkins to parties: How Tuscaloosa celebrates Halloween
Halloween is just around the corner, and Tuscaloosa has begun gearing up for a week full of spooky adventures and activities. For those who prefer to avoid the jump scares and creepy costumes, the Chasing Freedom 5k Halloween Night celebration offers two days of access to live music, food trucks, trick-or-treating and a 5k race. The event starts Friday at 5 p.m., where participants can come and enjoy a variety of live music and food trucks with their friends or family.
A look into season 34 of ‘Dancing With The Stars’
The Crimson White is the official student newspaper of The University of Alabama. The CW publishes continuously online, with an email newsletter distributed on Monday and Thursday throughout the academic year in addition to special gameday newsletters in the fall. The CW has proudly served the UA campus since 1894. To receive The Crimson White newsletter in your inbox each Monday and Thursday, sign up below.
Study spot survival guide: A look into on-campus libraries
The Crimson White is the official student newspaper of The University of Alabama. The CW publishes continuously online, with an email newsletter distributed on Monday and Thursday throughout the academic year in addition to special gameday newsletters in the fall. The CW has proudly served the UA campus since 1894. To receive The Crimson White newsletter in your inbox each Monday and Thursday, sign up below.
All at sea? Priority actions for effective protection of marine ecosystems
Today, the alliance Wildlife and Countryside Link (WCL) have published their annual assessment of the progress made towards meeting the UK’s commitment to protecting 30% of land and sea for nature by 2030. According to WCL’s analysis, just 6% of land in the UK is effectively conserved for nature. Yet the picture for marine environments is even more concerning. The report does not offer a figure for how much of our seas are effectively protected.
Biodiversity net gain isn’t perfect but we need it
For as long as humans have built homes, we have created habitats for other species too. But, as research published in Journal of Applied Ecology shows, new homes provide fewer niches for wildlife. House sparrow numbers in the UK, for example, fell 71% between 1977 and 2008 because of changes in our built environment. These impacts extend to our gardens and streets too.
Nature, farming & food
At a glance: Farmers are willing to shift to nature-friendly farming practices with the right support When advocating for for dietary change, we must recognise the cultural factors which shape both what farmers produce and what people choose to eat Evidenced solutions for food systems change are out there, the question is how to scale out best practice as part of a just and rapid transition We need investment in genuinely interdisciplinary research which brings together the natural and social...
A Dreamy Renovated 1920s Home Has a Secret Guest Room Hiding in the Garden Shed
A Dreamy Renovated 1920s Home Has a Secret Guest Room Hiding in the Garden Shed Adrienne Breaux Adrienne BreauxHouse Tour Director For more than 10 years, I've led Apartment Therapy's real home content, producing thousands of house tours from around the world. Currently, I live in my maximalist dream home in New Orleans, Louisiana, with my partner, a perfect dog, and a cute cat. Kate Harrison Kate Harrison Originally from Pembrokeshire, West Wales and currently living in the Netherlands.
5 Celebrities With Bipolar 1 Who’ve Opened Up About Their Struggles
Having a mental health condition such as bipolar 1 disorder can feel isolating. You might not know anyone else with your diagnosis, which can make it seem like no one around you truly understands what you’re going through. But you’re not alone. Researchers estimate that 37 million people around the world are living with bipolar disorder. That means many others know what it’s like to face the highs of mania and lows of depression. Famous people are no exception.
Summer fashion: The hottest styles this season
With nearly a month left of the spring semester, students have begun adapting their wardrobes to the summer weather. Whether students are attending class, planning a summer trip or hanging out on campus, the rising temperatures create the perfect time to experiment with a couple of fashion trends this summer.
This Dutch Home Is Full of Vibrant Color — And Has an Unforgettably Shaped Door
House Tours Home Type Homes This Dutch Home Is Full of Vibrant Color — And Has an Unforgettably Shaped Door House Tours Home Type Homes comments We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
Built in the 1930s, This Former Shop’s Now a Vibrantly Colorful, Creative Home
House Tours Home Type Homes Built in the 1930s, This Former Shop’s Now a Vibrantly Colorful and Creative Home House Tours Home Type Homes comments We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
‘Devil in the Family’ reveals dark truth behind family YouTube channel
Content warning: This story contains references to child abuse that some readers may find disturbing. The three-part documentary series “Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke” debuted on Hulu on Jan. 27. This series is the first time Ruby Franke’s husband and two eldest children have spoken on camera in-depth to reveal the truth about the abusive events leading up to her arrest in August 2023.
Battle of the dorms: Julia Tutwiler
Freshman dorm selections for the fall 2025 semester will begin in May. Julia Tutwiler Hall is an option for incoming female freshmen and comprises over 600 double-occupancy dorm rooms, each with a private bathroom and two built-in wardrobes. While there is no kitchenette in these dorms, each room has a microwave and mini fridge, and each floor has two communal kitchens.
HARRISON: Stop gaslighting us, Liberals. The carbon tax isn’t going anywhere
It’s an old PR adage, but alive and well in the Ottawa bubble — particularly when it comes to the Liberals’ attempts to rid themselves of their carbon tax baggage. And there’s lots of luggage to dispense with. Mark Carney, who appears to be the most likely successor to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, has been a longtime champion of a carbon tax. He’s called it a model for others around the world to follow.
Battle of the dorms: Presidential Village
For many freshmen, a dorm quickly shifts from being just a place to sleep to the place they will make friends, memories and routines that will stick with them for the rest of their college experience. Dorms in the Presidential Village are some of the most sought-after places to live. “Presidential Village I and II filled the quickest during freshman room selection last year,” said Alicia Browne, director of housing administration.
Battle of the dorms: The Riverside community
With the Feb. 3 housing application deadline quickly approaching, incoming freshmen are tasked with one of the most stressful parts of becoming college students: selecting their dorm. Whether one is concerned about the dorm’s location, style or atmosphere, a contentious debate arises about which dorm is the best at the University. There are six different dorms that offer suit-style dorm rooms, including Presidential Village, Lakeside and Riverside.
Culture Pick | Shari Franke’s ‘The House of My Mother’: A powerful story of resilience
The eldest daughter of the infamed 8 Passengers family, Shari Franke, published her memoir “The House of My Mother: A Daughter’s Quest for Freedom” on Jan. 7. In an incredibly inspiring story showcasing her resilience, Franke reveals the truth about the abuse she suffered alongside her siblings at the hands of their mother. Popular YouTube channel 8 Passengers followed a seemingly picture-perfect couple, Kevin and Ruby Franke, as they raised their eight children in Utah.
Falling into style: A guide to fashion this fall
As temperatures have slowly begun to drop and leaves have started changing color, many students are taking the opportunity to switch up their wardrobes. This fall presents the perfect opportunity to reinvent and transition wardrobes for the season. Whether one decides to incorporate fall tones into their outfits or throw on a cardigan to complete a look, fall offers a chance to refresh looks and embrace the chilly fall air with style.
The Menendez brothers: Students weigh in on the upcoming hearing
Lyle and Erik Menendez’s murder case has experienced an upsurge of public attention after the release of the TV series “Monsters” on Netflix Sept. 9. The resurfacing of the Menendez case has prompted debate over the brothers’ initial sentence. On Aug. 20, 1989, 18-year-old Erik Menendez and 21-year-old Lyle Menendez murdered their parents, José and Kitty Menendez, in their own home.
Networked “Smart” Chargers Pose a Bigger Security Risk Than Companies Realize
As more companies embrace home charging as a practical solution for their electric vehicle (EV) fleets, the risks associated with installing or using networked charging systems at employees' homes demand careful attention. Networked "smart" chargers may seem convenient and cost-effective, especially when the hardware is free or subsidized through grant and rebate programs.
Networked “Smart” Chargers Pose a Bigger Security Risk Than Companies Realize
Meet Leading Electric Vehicles & Charging Solution Providers As more companies embrace home charging as a practical solution for their electric vehicle (EV) fleets, the risks associated with installing or using networked charging systems at employees' homes demand careful attention. Networked "smart" chargers may seem convenient and cost-effective, especially when the hardware is free or subsidized through grant and rebate programs.
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