I know there are few things more insufferable than hearing about a person's favourite television show, but you really, really, really need to watch The Wire
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday April 24
Pakistan paramilitary move against Taliban; Zuma set for South African presidency; Japanese to take on pirates; and more
Read MoreBirding at Lake Papaitonga
An hour or so north of Wellington, Buller Road runs west off SH1 to the birdwatching sanctuary at Lake Papaitonga
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday April 23
ANC could lose constitution-changing majority in South Africa; US to kick-start Mid-East peace process; South and North Korea talks falter; Taliban extend reach in Pakistan; and more
Read MoreIt's torture, stupid, and those who approved it could be liable to prosecution
The white collar guys who forumlated the US torturers' manifesto may be under the screws themselves as President Obama has now said they are open to investigation
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday April 22
Congress to Geithner: Where's the bailout money?; Chinese car-makers to go global; Russia looks to new European security plan; South Africa on verge of elections; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday April 21
US to re-write bank loan rules as lending continues to drop; North and South Korea in tense meeting today; Thais look to amend constitution; Israel pulls ambassador; and more
Read MoreSuper Fund wary of 40% home country bias: OIA
While the government wants the New Zealand Super Fund to invest 40% of its money in New Zealand, the Guardians' seem to pour cold water on the idea in their previously confidential briefing to Bill English
Read MoreAfghanistan – Our call-up papers arrive
World News Brief, Friday April 17
Indians go to the polls today, plus a backgrounder on India's political system; After 10 years Russia ends fight in Chechnya; China's GDP growth lowest on record; and more
Read MoreHavana good time... but what next for Cuba?
Fidel Castro has survived many US Presidents, and a trip to Cuba suggests he may outlive the Cold War as well as Obama re-thinks 50 years of failed sanctions
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday April 16
Barack Obama talks up US economy but newspapers report "continued fragility"; South Korea employment falls further; Thai police go after red-shirt leaders; Russia's Medvedev gives first interview; and more
Read MoreSquawking seagulls, lunatics, and lone sheep
Debate quickly degenerated into abuse as the steam started rising over the Government’s bklitzkreig plan to unite
World News Brief, Wednesday April 15
Pakistan commits to Islamic law in Swat valley as Taliban grows in Punjab; Thai protests subside; North Korea threatens to quit Six-Party talks; US changes Iran policy; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday April 14
Thai military clash with red-shirts; China plans ASEAN investment fund; Sri Lankan truce allows civilians to flee; Moldovan election recount; and more
Read MoreGetting Tied Up in Knots Over a Plastic Bag Tax
John Key shot down Nick Smith's idea of a plastic bag tax, much to the delight of the citizens of Palmerston North. But should he have given it a bit more thought?
Read MoreDecisions, dissent and the myths of collective cabinet responsibility
Pita Sharples attack on the Government's decision to drop Maori seats from Auckland's supercity proposals probably breached collective cabinet responsibility. So what?
Read MoreThe little gardener
Once upon a time, wrote Oscar Wilde, there lived little Hans the miller’s friend. Hans lived in a tiny cottage all by himself and worked in his garden every day—like the heroine of this story
Read MoreKiwi jobs for Kiwi workers
Sadly, New Zealand unions are delivering the same rhetoric as nationalist political parties worldwide
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday April 9
US seeks Indian support for "Af-Pak" strategy; Thaksin protests in Bangkok intensify; Somali pirates are back; Moldova expels Romanian ambassador; and more
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