Tensions high in Israel after police find body thought to be missing Palestinian teen; hundreds of protestors arrested in Hong Kong; rioting Buddhists and Muslims clash in Burma; WHO calls emergency meeting on Ebola; final push for Iran nuclear agreement begins; and more
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It is time to end the Occupation, not take revenge
If the murders of teenagers on both sides of the deadly dispute over Palestine doesn't spur the international community to force an end to the unlawful occupation, what on earth will?
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday July 2
Japan eases restrictions on aiding allies under attack; demonstrators in Hong Kong rally for democratic reforms; Chinese military rally behind President after military leader forced from Communist Party; Israel vows retribution after teens' bodies found; French burqa ban upheld; and more
Read MoreAstride the eagle & dragon: John Key's Pacific paradox
As John Key re-writes the script for relations between New Zealand and the US, what are the implications for China and does this mean a return to automatic support for America?
Read MoreMemo to Labour: What about free education?
My two cents on the sort of dramatic policy Labour will need to win over voters. Think interest-free student loans and go from there
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday July 1
Iraq troops battle for control of Tikrit; North Korea proposes two Koreas suspend hostilities; senior military official expelled from China's Communist Party; MERS cases in Saudi Arabia triple; militia disarms in Democratic Republic of Congo; and more
Read MorePlenty of ironies in latest polls
The latest polls show that Colin Craig, Winston Peters and perhaps even the Maori Party have something in common... the need for Labour to do better
Read MoreLabour's sins of ommission
Where is the sense of urgency from a Labour party that doesn't seem terribly fussed about winning this election, or at least seems quite happy to leave it to potential coalition partners to get it over the line?
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday June 27
Iraq to form new government; US disbands counterterrorism operation in Philippines; South Korean PM's resignation rejected; West African ebola outbreak "biggest ever"; Lebanon reacts to multiple bombings; and more
Read MoreJustice Sisi style
The outrageous sham that Egypt's President calls independent justice should stand as a warning not just to journalists working in the country, but to Egyptians themselves. If Sisi can stare down world-wide condemnation, think how little thought he will give to anyone who has no international voice
Read MoreLabour's actions drowning out its words
Sssh. Don't tell anyone, but Labour's actually building a coherent plan for running the country. Unfortunately for them, no-one can see past its repeated mis-steps
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday June 26
Russia votes to stop using force in Ukraine; Chinese envoy visits Taiwan for first time; China plans global financial institution to rival World Bank; UK set to become first Western country to sell Islamic bonds; Libyans cast ballots for new government; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday June 25
John Kerry pushes for more conciliatory leadership in Iraq; Japanese PM Abe unveils economic reform package; another South Korean politician bows out of PM race in wake of ferry disaster; Syria hands over last of declared chemical weapons; Putin renounces right to use force in Ukraine; and more
Read MoreIt's not inequality, stupid
Child poverty strikes a chord across the political spectrum, but the left will struggle to make inequality a major election issue because most New Zealanders are just getting on with it
Read MoreAcronyms and secret handshakes no way to sell a trade deal
When it comes to signing trade deals there are two principles which should never be up for negotiation; the net benefit to your country has to outweigh any concessions, otherwise what’s the point? And you never trade away fundamentals, like the right to legislate to protect your environment, the health of your citizens, or your education system.
Maybe it was a bottle of Armand de Brignac Nebuchadnezzar Champagne ...
Donghua Liu's alleged donations to Labour need more scrutiny. But the Police won't be the ones to do it.
Read More'Frenemies' in war
America and Iran appear poised to co-operate in order to stymie the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria from taking over war torn Iraq and establishing a Sunni Caliphate which stretches across the border into Syria. It is a complicated mess.
Read MoreNational's self-serving hypocrisy on election year pamphleteering
Over the weekend an 8-page taxpayer-funded advertisement for the National party arrived in our letterbox (I've tweeted a picture). Page after page laid out in National's party colours and font, bursting with photos of the PM, and of MPs Hekia Parata and Chris Finlayson. Also someone called 'Paul Foster-Bell' is prominently pictured in it, but goodness only knows who he is.
Read MoreChildren's Commissioner calls for 50% benefit raise. Yes, you heard right...
A visitor from the Hawkes Bay, our very own Children's Commissioner, has just thrown a bomb into the middle of our debate on child poverty this election year... will anyone notice?
Read MoreDirty deal dancing - when Colin finally meets Key
Colin Craig has given up. Kind of. But by conceeding he can only win a seat with a deal, he's put the onus firmly on National and made John Key an offer the PM can hardly afford to refuse
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