At least 70 killed in latest Syrian protests; Arab League to suspend Syria, despite foreign minister warning against "dangerous step"; Italy bond yields again top 7%; Gillard wants to sell uranium to India; Calls for Burmese political prisoners to be released; Libyan tribal tensions grow after Qaddafi; and more
Read MoreUncategorized
PM's referendum comments unwise and manipulative
John Key's decision to speak out against MMP smells of partisan greed and hubris. It also raises questions for women, Asian and Pasifika voters and about what his tactics have been all along
Read MoreIt's the little things that really don't matter
You can kiss an issues-based election campaign goodbye.
Read MoreIt's all about 2014
Natural and international disasters have absolved National of the usual competency tests, but do New Zealanders really want a single party majority government?
Read MoreThe Conversation
Here's my suggestion to politicians. If you want to plot the takeover of the world without people finding out about it, don't do it in a Newmarket Cafe.
Read MoreHow bad is it in Europe?
Italian bond yields have risen above the critical seven percent mark. So where does this leave Italy and what can the rest of Europe do?
Read MoreLucky, lucky Peters. But can Winston win?
Winston Peters wins the oxygen of media attention and gets back in the game. But do we really want him back? Or has his time passed?
Read MoreTime for a pre-emptive strike on Israel's itchy trigger
A pre-emptive strike on Iran will blow apart the Middle East, and Israel will suffer long and hard. Don't do it.
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday November 11
Greece appoints economist as new PM promising to pass EU package; Italy may follow suit with its own technocract PM; Italian bond yields soar; Asian markets fall over EU uncertainty; China posts massive trade surplus as imports fall; IAEA report says Iran building nuclear weapon; Iran condemns report while Russia rejects santions call; Palestine expected to lose Security Council vote on statehood; and more
Read MoreEpsom: ACT dependent on political welfare
The Epsom candidates' debate last night drew out the bizarreness of a race where the frontrunner would rather lose and the ACT candidate is rallying behind the leader of another party. At least the unacknowledged presence in this race was finally discussed by name
Read MoreWhat did you do in the 2011 campaign, Grandad?
It hasn't been the most scintillating of election campaigns, but is it really necessary to rate the sex appeal of our politicians in an effort to enliven proceedings?
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday November 10
Italy's borrowing rate passes 7 percent; investors say Italy may be next domino to fall in European debt crisis; Chinese inflation falls for third consecutive month; South Korea to resume humanitarian aid to North Korea; flood relief in Pakistan drying up but need still great; opposition candidate boycotts polling in run-up to Liberian election; and more
Read MoreThe Greens' double digit strategy
The Greens' success could be down to Labour's struggles or a sign of the times. But it could also be down to a carefully crafted game plan that seems to be pushing all the right buttons
Read MoreSome quick legal advice for Dave Cull
Dunedin's police will not be moving to evict the Occupy Dunedin protest. Good on Dunedin's police.
Read MoreThe battle for Tamaki Makaurau
Organisation will be key to winning the Maori seat on the Auckland isthmus. But guest Pundit Morgan Godfery says even Labour's well-oiled turn-out machine will find Pita Sharples tough to topple
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday November 9
Berlusconi wins budget vote but loses majority; Italian PM meets with ministers as allies urge him to resign; Bonds hit new high; Australia set to get carbon tax; US to use APEC to pressure China on yuan; Syrian forces enter Hama; Syrian protesters call for intervention in Hom "disaster area"; and more
Read MoreNo doubt the precogs have already seen this
If you know someone very well might do a bad thing in the future, then why wait until they do it before punishing them?
Read MoreIs it the right time to sell assets? Lessons from the past
Even if you think it's smart to stimulate the sharemarket and create some capital, is it the right time to sell portions of our state assets? It's a telling question and you'll be surprised who asked it
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday November 8
Greeks to form new government which will implement EU plan for sovereign debt; calls for Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi to resign due to debt crisis; 500 dead in Bangkok flood; Indonesian government to increase defense budget by 35 per cent in response to China's growing military influence; Iran on brink of developing nuclear weapons; China and Pakistan to strengthen ties; and more
Read MoreSpreadsheet Troopers: The Battle Rages On
National aggressively points the finger at Labour while admitting $2.6b in mistakes under its breath.
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