What defines a man's life? Is it the titles he holds, the wealth he accumulates or some other symbol of status that his contemporaries hold in high esteem? And how do we decide if those symbols of status are still deserved?
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World News Brief, Friday November 1
Egypt continues crackdown on Muslim Brotherhood; Asian governments demand explanation for US surveillance; Bank of Japan says country will reach inflation target in 2015; Syrian chemical weapons equipment destroyed; Russia targets Dagestan insurgents; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday October 31
Iraqi PM wants US weapons; North Korea accused of "gross human rights violations"; Assad regime reportedly using starvation as tactic; Obama orders NSA to curb spying on UN headqurters; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday October 30
Obama administration considers ending surveillance of allied heads of state; China suspects Tiananmen Square crash a suicide attack; North Korea at work on missile launch site; India raises interest rates to curb inflation; US intensifies efforts to capture Joseph Kony; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday 29 October
Syria meets deadline for declaring chemical weapons facilities; Chinese newspaper withdraws support for reporter accused of fabricating stories about manufacturing company; Japan warns China about maritime activities near disputed islands; Georgia's ruling party wins elections; fresh controversy over NSA phone-tapping; and more
Read MoreI am in earnest — I will not equivocate — I will not excuse — I will not retreat a single inch — AND I WILL BE HEARD
Does the right to free speech extend to shouting at a woman to take off her burqa in a supermarket? If not, why not?
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday October 24
Obama and Sharif to meet in Washington; Manila backtracks on South China Sea accusations; NASA lifts ban on Chinese scientists attending conference; China and India sign border agreement; Spain ends two-year recession; and more
Read More"Nothing to hide, nothing to fear"
It's a shame the "Tui Billboard" meme has well and truly jumped the shark (as, indeed, has that latter meme itself), because John Banks' "nothing to hide, nothing to fear" line is a prime contender.
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday October 23
Syria policy creates rift between US and Saudi Arabia; China intends to maintain power over Tibet; North Korea has 130 hovercraft in water, leader has observed training sessions aimed at South Korea; Bahrain boosts supply of tear gas; Obama admits frustration at government health insurance site; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday October 22
France demands explanation for NSA tapping Frenxh phones; China seeks to clarify scope of government debt; China and South Korea plan consultative body to address North Korea's nuclear programme; Ukraine close to signing shale gas deal with Chevron; vigilantes defeat Boko Haram; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday October 18
US government reopens after 16-day shutdown; Japan considers imposing more foreign tariffs; Nigeria expects to win seat on UN Security Council; Pakistani minister killed in suicide bomb; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday October 17
US AAA credit rating at risk; Japan to build 14 new power plants; Khmer Rouge war crimes tribunal nears end; Russian opposition leader released from prison; Iraq War claimed 500,000 Iraqi lives, study finds; and more
Read MoreTo the last I grapple with thee; from hell's heart I stab at thee; for hate's sake I spit my last breath at thee
A certain blogger whose name need not be mentioned in polite company may have wounded Auckland's mayor. But "retired accountant" (amongst other things) Graham McCready has sunk a pretty big harpoon into the side of John Banks. Now, can he wriggle off it?
Read MoreWell done, Eleanor Catton
A quick word of praise for Eleanor Catton. Hers is a story well worth following to its end.
Read MoreWhy Len Brown will still be Auckland's Mayor (and that's a good thing, too)
Len Brown's mistake was in making it impossible for us not to know he made it. We need more from our politicians.
Read MoreWho Len sleeps with is nothing to do with me or you
Is the new rule that anyone holding public office who has an affair must resign? Come on. That’s setting the bar ridiculously high. It would mean resignations in parliament and in councils across the country.
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday October 16
Senate nears deal to reopen US government; China pushes for regional trade deal; Northern Korean cyber-attacks have caused $805 million damage; Italian Navy rescues hundreds of migrants; Afghan provincial governor killed; and more
Read MoreThe unwritten rule re politics & sex: Does the Len Brown story write a new rule
Has a line been crossed by the reporting of Len Brown's affair? Are the private lives of all politicians now fair game?
Read MoreLen Brown: sex, lies and mandates
Len Brown is seriously damaged as Auckland mayor, but he's not the only one to have had his flaws laid out in public today. Problem is, his abuse of power puts his job at risk because of Bevan Chuang's council role
Read MoreAre the police losing our trust? A bit, and here's why
Thousands of New Zealanders voted this week that the police were losing their trust. Could it be because the police behave as if they're the pope? (And not in the 'without sin' sense)
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