Or a lesson in picking one's battles
Read MoreSuper-City needs super-glue
The rush to reshape
Mining the Crown jewels
By all means, let’s have a conservation conversation about mining for minerals in Schedule 4 protected areas – without hysteria, or spin
Read MorePolitical capital and God: the smacking debate ain't over
John Key's rejection of the smacking referendum is yet another political cost being exacted by a law that few understand, and the fundamentalists are using that confusion to their advantage
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday August 28
Japan's LDP expected to lose power for first time in 50 years; new Japanese government could alter Pacific Rim alliances; Israel offers nine month settlement freeze; Dalai Lama to Taiwan; and more
Read MoreGreed is definitely not good
It's not just the less well-off who should feel aggrieved by fat cat salaries. One way or another, it's costing all of us
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday August 27
Neck and neck in Afghanistan election, vote-rigging alleged; new round of Korean family reunions; Cheney accuses Obama of failing America as probe widens; Iraq and Syria in diplomatic row; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday August 26
Report confirms "inhumane" CIA tactics, investigation launched (+ analysis, background and full report);
Read MoreScotland the Compassionate no match for wily Libya
Despite the best of intentions, Scotland has been made to look an idiot over the release of the convicted Lockerbie bomber on compassionate grounds. Al-Megrahi arrived back in Libya to a hero's welcome leaving the world asking why
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday August 25
Voter fraud in Afghanistan; situation in Afghanistan "serious and deteriorating"; North-South Korea meeting; new Pakistani Taliban leader; Netanyahu visits Europe; and more
Read MoreThe Smack is back
Political leaders like John Key and Phil Goff may think the new law on “parental correction” is working, but an overwhelming majority of voters do not. Words of comfort will not make the issue go away.
The Age of Stupid: a film too clever, and not clever enough
The converted will love this docudrama’s preachy tone. They chortle at the green in-jokes, and give it a round of applause. It has a message for New Zealanders, but will it reach a wider audience?
Read MoreWhat price democracy? Ask the brave Afghans
To understand the Aghan election we will need to re-think our idea of success
Read MoreGay adoption. Now that I have your attention ...
As far as I'm concerned, preventing gays from adopting is as morally repugnant as stopping mixed-race couples from marrying. But our adoption laws are a bit more complex, and outdated, than just this one issue
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday August 21
Afghans vote today; Bill Richardson and the North Koreans; Chinese children suffer lead contamination; bike bomb explodes in Baghdad; Lockerbie bomber released on compassionate grounds; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday August 20
Violence in Afghanistan ahead of election; North Koreans to attend Yonhap's funeral; China offloads some American debt; China-Australia natural gas deal; Baghdad bombings; and more
Read MoreCompetitive mothering, a non-contact sport
God, save me from the supermums
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday August 19
Mubarak at White House to discuss Mideast peace (+analysis); Obama speech: Afghanistan "a war of necessity"; UN to investigate Australian aboriginal laws; Thai protests demand Thaksin pardon; and more
Read MoreAfghanistan: What are we fighting for?
As
World News Brief, Tuesday August 18
Abdullah rally shows Afghani race is tightening (+ analysis); Adviser demands more troops in Afghanistan; Japan emerges from recession; Two Koreas agree family reunions; and more
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