Austere, tough, and cockroach-like in her ability to survive political fallout, yet in her 28-year Parliamentary career Helen Clark inspired a legion of loyal staffers
Read MoreCanadians ask why their soldiers died to protect extremist laws
The 116 Canadian soldiers who have died in Afghanistan were not sacrificed for the sake of interfering with women's rights
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday April 2
Obama meets Brown while Sarkozy and Hu express hopes on eve of G20; Netanyahu sworn in as Israeli PM; Japanese business confidence hits record low; US-Russia talk arms reduction; and more
Read MoreAfghanistan – what is the new govt's strategy?
President Obama is in Europe this week to sell allies on a new strategy for
World News Brief, Wednesday April 1
Clinton offers Iran "reconciliation"; China to launch new stock exchange; Britain troops being withdrawal from Iraq; Arab leaders host Latin presidents; and more
Read MoreSo much rubbish: a story in search of some facts
Our politicians seem incapable of giving us straight facts on the serious matter of waste reduction. If only MPs would talk more rubbish...
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday March 31
Pakistani police target of bombings; Pakistani turmoil explained; South Korea opposes retaliation to rocket launch; China to re-open Tibet's borders; and more
Read MoreNational's big test: A 'brave budget' with no tax cuts
Unless the G20 saves the world or the recession suddenly does the u-turn, National has only got a month before it must bite the bullet and cancel next year's tax cuts
Read MoreCommunity Chest: Reasons to celebrate
Happy birthday Micah and happy anniversary to Pundit
Read MoreJust how far should "self-defence" stretch?
Virender Singh's time in the limelight raises the question – just what should we be allowed to do to "defend" ourselves?
Read MoreHarold Wellman, who moved the Southern Alps
Scientists planning to drill deep into the Alpine Fault to understand more about faults and earthquakes can thank Harold Wellman for discovering the fault nearly 70 years ago
Read MoreTax relief needs to benefit charities, not you and me
Finance failures – our $6 billion blame game
Speak English to Me: No Affectations Please.
Electronic media, television in particular, are marred by detestable mannerisms from unprofessional presenters
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday March 24
"Moment of truth" for US bad bank; China to "show flexibility" on protectionism; Likud and Labor begin coalition talks; world's cheapest car; and more
Read MoreThe PM and the eternal dilemma that will reveal him
John Key wants to cut taxes, maintain spending and not saddle future generations with debt. But no country can cut its revenue and increase expenditure at the same time, so conflicted Key faces a hard choice
Read MoreNational News Brief, Monday March 23
Just "one or two" companies on board for nine-day fortnight; government to allow workers to cash in fourth week's leave; Kiwis believe in climate change; and Dunedin has a new mall
Read MoreWaiting for something to happen
What are you meant to do when you've ticked off your to-do list and the baby still hasn't arrived? Make up stuff to do.
Read MoreIt's not easy being Green
Green is the new black, but if the Green Party wants to attract mainstream voters it must confront its daggy image and cliquey mentality
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday March 20
US Fed stuns investors with 'new money' plans; Chinese government says no to Coke; Obama administration looks to double Afghan security force; and more
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