Russia and China sign 30-year natural gas deal; Thai military attempts to mediate between political rivals; Chinese PM argues Asian security problems should be handled by regional players; flooding in Balkans exposes landmines; US to reveal legal justification for drone strikes; and more
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World News Brief, Tuesday May 20
Libyan army deploys militias to Tripoli; Vietnam deploys security personnel to quell protests; South Korean Coast Guard to be replaced by new safety agency in wake of ferry disaster; little progress in latest round of Iran nuclear talks; five Soma mine officials arrested; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday May 15
UN special envoy to Syria resigns in frustration; anti-China mob sets fire to foreign-owned factories in Vietnam; Japan reconsiders constitutional use of force; Afghan Taliban appoints new commander; Nigeria ready to negotiate for return of schoolgirls; and more
Read MoreRaising kids with grit, not high test scores
We are right not to get too bogged down in educational rankings, but we mustn't ignore their obvious warnings
Read MoreGoodluck with the big smiles now Jonathan
Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan has been shamed by desperate parents, a horrified nation and world celebrities into accepting sophisticated international aid in the search for more than 200 Nigerian schoolgirls kidnapped by the Islamic militant group Boko Haram. That he waited so long is criminal.
Read MoreThe Taurima affair: when good reports go bad
The Taurima report paints a slear portrait of a fine journalist who lost his way, but then goes on to make a recommendation that is oppressive and should be resisted
Read MoreSomething To Dü
In a shameless piece of self-promotion, I'd like to tell you about an event I'm coordinating at the start of next month. Some of you might even like to come along to it ... .
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday May 13
Pro-Russia separatists claim victory in referendums calling for greater autonomy for two Ukrainian states; ASEAN refrains from criticising China over South China Sea clashes; Thai protest leader calls for interim prime minister to be replaced; Boko Haram release video claimed to be abducted girls; Indians vote in final phase of election; and more
Read MoreA taxonomy of scandal
A scandal can be distinguished from a controversy. Immigration policy became controversial in the 90s, the foreshore and seabed in the 2000s. Even though there were bungles, and offensive views and policies were aired, the underlying issue was always sharp disagreement over core values and policies.
In a scandal, the underlying issue is wrong-doing.
Read MoreI'm right, Winston's not, so there
NZ First wants to charge straying MPs $300,000. I say they can't do it. Winston says I'm wrong. Where does the truth lie?
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday May 8
South Africans head to the voting booths; Thai court orders PM to step down; Chinese e-commerce conglomerate to go public -- worth more than Amazon; Boko Haram takes 11 more girls, Putin signs restrictive "blogger law"; and more
Read MoreWhy the Collins case is about then, not now
The timelines are damning, the hits this week revealing. But in the end none of it matters, because it all comes back to that dinner and what we knew months ago
Read MoreThe drink driver's a bloody idiot - but his judges are clearly insane
An alcoholic 58 year old man with twenty convictions for drink driving has been disqualified indefinitely but keeps getting his licence back.
Read MoreExile is a dream of glorious return
New Zealanders who stay overseas for too long don't get a vote. Is that right?
Read MoreWilliamson questions remain, especially for police
This weekend saw some rare political courage from an MP on the slide, but it can'tstop the questions
Read MoreAre we approaching a political tipping point?
On their own, the odd golf game, visa waiver or dinner doesn't shake public confidence in a government. Until something happens that pulls the threads together and puts them in a new light... Enter Maurice Williamson...
Read MoreIt is the evil things that we shall be fighting against ... and against them I am certain that the right will prevail
Judith Collins wants to go to war with the media. That probably is ... not wise.
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday May 2
Children killed in Syrian airstrike on school; Uighur terrorist attack on train station in China; UNESCO criticises Australian decision to allow dredging of Great Barrier Reef; 60 percent of eligible voters turn out for Iraqi election; IMF approves $17 billion loan for Ukraine
Read MoreMr Joyce claimed nine mistakes in David Parker's interview. None stacked up.
If Steven Joyce is right that David Parker told ‘nine lies’ about the economy on The Nation last weekend, then he must believe the economy is already in full boom; growth has peaked and needs to be slowed; exporters are whingers; the hot New Zealand dollar is nothing to worry about; that not selling enough products to the world to pay for all the things we buy from other countries isn’t a problem - hell, we’ve been doing it for forty years - let’s do it for another forty!
And there is no housing bubble in Auckland - David Parker made it up.
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday April 30
EU sanctions 15 Russian and Ukrainian political and military figures; North Korea conducts live-fire drill near border with South Korea; Chinese president visits home of Uighur separatists; Iraqi PM seeks third term; Nigerian military negotiating release of schoolgirls abducted by Boko Haram; and more
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