President Obama has decided public prayer is not for him, stirring an unholy row with the Republican right. Meanwhile, the news delivers excellent examples of the dangers of mixing Church and State
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday May 8
"Health test" for US banks; North Korea speeds construction of missile test site; trilateral meeting "mostly symbolic; DRC cuts deal with rebels in Eastern Congo; and more
Read MoreWhere has all the money gone?
According to the Electoral Commission, the political parties received far less in big donations for the 2008 election than in 2005. So just how did they fund their campaigns?
Read MoreWell, there goes the neighbourhood
The government is to give the Auckland suburb of Tamaki an extreme makeover, but is it all good news for the folks who live there, or band-aid politics?
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday May 7
Trilateral summit; China military drill; NATO exercises begin in Georgia; Baghdad explosion kills 10; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday May 6
Georgian soliders mutiny as tension with Russia escalates; Chinese kicks out Mexicans; South Korean economy rebounds; Pakistan-Taliban truce seems close to collapse; and more
Read MoreMt Albert – the nearest place to Hell
At the best of times, by-elections are never pretty. These are not the best of times, and
The frugal elitist
When the going gets tough, the tough go to the mall and drink coffee
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday May 5
Just how buggered is Europe?; Asian giants rally round $120 billion fund; North Koreans threaten war. Again; Nepalese PM quits; Panama turns right after election
Read MorePurchase advisers: new dogs or old tricks?
National's decision to hire "purchase advisers" is another nail in the coffin of a neutral public service. Or is it?
Read MoreNational and the art of managing expectations
Pundit's latest poll of polls shows National cruising on a flat sea of likeability, overseas issues and carefully crafted PR. Even the 'dissent' is perfectly scripted
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday May 1
WHO says "community outbreaks" imminent while Mexico closes offices; How much will the pandemic cost?; Japanese economy shows 'green shoots' of recovery; Britain leaves Iraq; and more
Read MoreTrust the media. No, really
An attempt to promote an old-fashioned idea: that being a journalist is a good thing
Read MoreThere's no escaping the swine flu
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