Obama now has to deal with plague and pestilence to add to his 100 days of crises, and swine flu is proving no complacent little piggy
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday April 30
First swine flu death outside Mexico; five year-old Mexican boy identified as first infection; North Korea threaten nuclear tests; Pakistan troops kill 50 Taliban militants; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday April 29
WHO says it's "too late" to contain swine flu, plus Q&A; US and China firms sign trade deals; Hamas-Fatah talks resume; Sri Lanka blocks UN; and more
Read MoreSuper Fund: the pros and cons of contributions
A month out from the Budget, the government is facing a legacy-defining choice about the Superannuation Fund. Do you think it should continue its contributions, or suspend them?
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday April 28
Swine flu special: WHO declares "international concern", history, Q&A, plus interactive graphic; Japanese economy worst since WWII; Obama wants to send aid to Hamas; and more
Read MoreA fox in charge of the henhouse?
Animal welfare law seems to be an ass. Only you can fix it
Read MoreSuper-City – the shape of things to come
Official papers released by Local Government Minister Rodney Hyde show his blitzkrieg plan for
Why everyone should watch The Wire. Really.
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