New Zealand MPs are so keen to be seen to be "doing something" about cyber-bullying that they are about to pass a poor piece of law that will do something terrible
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World News Brief, Wednesday June 24
US-China talks on trade, cybersecurity and climate change begin in Washington DC; UN opens human rights office in Seoul; suicide bomber kills 35 in Nigeria; nearly 1000 migrants picked up off Libyan coast in one day; and more
Read MoreTime to have that talk on euthanasia Parliament keeps saying we need to have
Parliament - or, at least, a committtee of Parliament - is finally getting the chance to allow the public discussion of end of life choice that (most) everyone says is needed in the wake of Lecretia Seales' court case. Will it now do its job?
Update: Yes. Yes it will.
Read MoreAnother little Conservative politician train wreck...
The advent of another self proclaimed family-values politician facing a morality-linked comeuppance may be compelling to watch, but the reality is it is no longer a surprise.
Read MoreExplaining the New Zealand economy to a Latin American
The following response to three questions (in italics) was published in a prestigious Uruguayan weekly newspaper Brecha. It may be of interest because I am responding to the Latin American economic debate which is slightly different from the New Zealand one (but only slightly). Sorry for the included material necessary for an audience outside New Zealand. Thankyou. Nicola, for checking the translation from Spanish.
Read MoreThey
We're told it is inevitable that a boat carrying asylum seekers will one day arrive in New Zealand. This is one imagining of that meeting.
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday June 19
Pope urges action on climate change; Hong Kong votes down electoral reform package; Japan to lower voting age from 20 to 18; Islamic State works to expand influence in Afghanistan; Chad launches air attacks on Boko Haram; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday June 18
EU membership at risk for Greece; Hong Kong debates electoral reform; Australia and China sign free trade agreement; Palestinian government to dissolve; Swiss investigators look into FIFA accounts; and more
Read MoreWhy can't we all just get along?
There may be a question mark as to whether the Manurewa Cosmopolitan Club is acting unlawfully in stopping Sikh men from eating at its restaurant. But there's no question that it is acting stupidly.
Read MoreA most "awkward characterization" of "biological wiring"
Canada's top General has attributed a climate of sexual abuse within his forces to a bit of the old boys will be boys. He called it biological wiring. It all boils down to a telling insight.
Read MoreIwi and Auckland housing - the tune is changing
It looks like Nick Smith and the National Government may be doing what they should have done from the outset - talking to Auckland Iwi about how they can be the developers of housing on the Crown's land in Auckland.
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday June 16
US counterterrorism raid targets senior militant in Libya; nine arrested in Hong Kong explosives plot; five new cases of MERS in South Korea; senior Taliban leader killed in Peshawar; Greek debt talks collapse; and more
Read MoreWhat Is Left For the Left?
Those on the left of politics have a choice between defending their past achievements or taking up the challenges which face us.
Read MoreWhat Is Left For the Left?
Those on the left of politics have a choice between defending hteir past achievements or taking up the challenges which face us.
Read MoreTrans-Pacific deal just leaking... or is it sunk?
President Obama has made a Trans-Pacific Trade deal is top eocnomic priority, but his own party has stared him down and now the entire deal hangs by a thread
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday June 11
US to boost numbers in Iraq; South Korean President postpones visit to US due to MERS; China rejects calls to release Nobel Peace Prize winner Liu Xiaobo; suicide bomber attacks Luxor in Egypt; African countries set up free trade zone; and more
Read MoreLive sheep exports: I'm grumpy
Make no mistake - the live export of 53,000 animals from Timaru to Mexico is worth getting grumpy about
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday June 10
Group of Seven leaders agree on carbon goal; Aung San Suu Kyi to visit Beijing; South Korea confirms seventh MERS death; Mexicans elect first independent governor; UN presents unity plan to Libya; and more
Read MoreWhere to next for aid in dying?
The Seales v Attorney General decision was a pretty comprehensive legal loss for proponents of aid in dying. But it is by no means the last word on the matter.
Read MoreWaste not, want not... why we throw away good food
Food is being thrown away in huge amounts. Is it because we've just made it too darned cheap? And what New Zealand could do...
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