Clinton optimistic of settlements deal as Israel-Palestinian peace talks resume (+ analysis); Japanese PM wins leadership vote; Iran struggles to sell oil as sanctions bite; Cuba lays off half a million workers, hinting at reform; and more
Read MoreUncategorized
The law of necessity
To fix up the aftermath of Canterbury's earthquake, Parliament is going to give the Government almost complete control over our laws. That's maybe not such a good idea.
Read MoreSoil carbon: pay dirt, or dead duck?
Papers show an official abundance of caution persuaded New Zealand to downplay soil as a carbon sink, instead of bringing it into the ETS, as a carrot for farmers
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday September 14
Turkey votes for constitutional change, wins EU support, despite giving government more power over courts; US plans record US$60 billion arms deal with Saudi Arabia; Korans burned in US after all; China says trade trade surplus aren't intentional; and more
Read MoreWhat Lord Stern really thinks of our ETS
Lord Stern's visit to New Zealand last week didn't upset any apple-carts, but it again raised the question of whether or not New Zealand's ETS is a world leader
Read MoreFringe crazies with matches are dangerous
In a globalized world the nutters can't be left unchecked if they intend literally inflaming a major portion of humanity by burning their holy book, the Qur'an. The U.S. hierarchy had no choice but to play in Pastor Terry Jones' pyromania pit.
Read MoreFeeding a little life, with dried tubers
Distracting myself from August’s cruelty, and finding some sun
Read MoreAuckland CCO appointments - an invitation to corrupt
Rodney Hide's recent appointments ensure the new CCOs will be wide open to suspicions of corruption, justified or not
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday September 10
More troops sent to Afghanistan for Obama's surge; critics say Obama's strategy too costly; South Korea imposes Iran sanctions; Japan seizes Chinese fishing boat, relationship threatened; death of two American soldiers in Iraq "won't undermine mission"; Secretary Clinton defends US foreign policy; and more
Read MoreWill Pammy's bordello survive?
Equality in prostitution is fine principle, but are women the same as men when it comes to shopping for sex?
Read MoreWorld News Brief Thursday, September 9
BP releases report on US oil spill--points finger at Transocean and Halliburton; Japan to lower value of yen; tensions thaw between US and China; two US soldiers killed in Iraq; Obama unwilling to extend Bush-era tax cuts; and more
Read MoreDairy milking New Zealand
Big dairy’s effects on the biosphere, and all of our back pockets, are sucking the country dry — a net picture less positive than the PR paints it
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday September 8
Obama proposes $50 billion spend to create jobs; $200 billion tax cuts part of Obama's plan; Gillard wins in Australia with the slimmest of margins; Myanmar's military leader visits China; Iran not participating with nuclear inspections; Afghanistan freezes assets of borrowers at Kabul Bank; and more
Read MoreThe gods are not at all pleased with Jim Anderton or Bill English
While the Finance Minister will worry about long-term implications, the earthquake is good news for a lot of New Zealanders facing tough times, especially Bob Parker
Read MoreClean drinking water is a basic human right
Is our government signalling a green light for the further privatisation of water services?
Read MoreOn New Chums Beach
The calls to save New Chums Beach risk snatching defeat from the jaws of conservation victory, by romanticising pristine examples. Surely we can do better
Read MoreZeroing in on the high country problem
In which, after two months chasing High Country Ministers and their officials round in a circle, I realise they’re telling me something after all
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday September 3
Middle-East peace talks begin as "partners in peace" meet in Washington; Crucial independent sides with Labor in Australian negotiations; China urges jumpstart of six party talks on North Korea; Recession cuts illegal immigration to US; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday September 2
Obama ends Iraq war stressing "huge price" paid by US as al-Maliki hails Iraqi freedom (+ analysis); Greens do deal with Gillard; Chinese manufacturing rebounds, easing Asian economic fears; Four dead as Hamas targets peace talks; and more
Read MoreThe South Canterbury Finance principle - saving us from the brutal market
The payout to South Canterbury Finance investors is NZ Inc. in action - the public represenatives acting for the greater good. But if we're willing to rescue those deemed too big to fail, why not do the same for the little guy?
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