America's decision to re-start training with the New Zealand military eliminates the absurdity that our troops could die alongside US soldiers, but not train alongside them. But what will the rest of the world make of it?
Read MoreElectoral finance reform: back to the future?
Stage two of National's electoral finance reform proposals is out—and it looks oddly familiar
Read MoreHow not to sell your nation to tourists
And you thought John Key's bit on Letterman was a sad attempt at scaring up tourists. In Denmark the state tourism organisation filmed a fake YouTube appeal in which a hot Dane woman admitted her fling with a foreign visitor produced a child
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday October 9
Taliban take responsibility for Indian embassy bombing in Kabul; court says Dow Jones defamed Singapore's founder; Pakistan rejects US aid; Nigeria's MEND to resume attacks; and more
Read MoreTobacco companies cry hypocrisy—with cause
For a non-smoker it is a tough call to lean in the direction of tobacco companies, but the latest fad in Canada—sue the tobacco companies to pay for the health costs of their products—seems, well, a tad hypocritical and smells of more than just smoke.
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday October 8
Obama rules out large troop reduction in Afghanistan (+analysis); Tensions rise in Jerusalem over Temple Mount; one million people flood-stricken in Philippines; Somali defence minister kidnapped
Read MoreBeing kind to the cruel: the animal welfare sentencing problem
Animal cruelty sentencing demonstrates a mercy not shown by the offenders to their furry victims. The offenders have something to say too, about all of us
Read MoreCoffee group dropout
Who wants to sit around and talk about nappies and gripe water anyway?
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday October 7
Pentagon to teach US troops Afghan culture; Kim Jong-Il willing to rejoin Six-Party talks; Taliban: international aid not in "the interests of muslims"; Israeli leader cancels UK trip fearing arrest; and more
Read MoreEarth Insurance: a way to prepare for the worst
We pay insurance on our car, homes and contents, so why not on our planet? Why aren't we preparing for the worst, for our grandchildren's sake?
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday October 6
Taliban attacks kill eight soldiers in Afghanistan (+America's strategic choices); Did Chinese Premier meet Kim Jong-Il?; Indonesia calls off search for quake survivors; Ireland ratifies Lisbon Treaty; and more
Read MoreKicking out the jams
Everyone is talking about economic recovery – but where is the transformation we were supposed to make?
The proverbial brewery piss up... in a coal mine
If you've struggled to gauge the direction of this government, on energy efficiency policy at least, its ad libbing days are numbered. But the lignite to urea fertiliser proposal is fool's gold
Read MoreAgainst Mike Moore, but in support of him too
If we're going to have to have a vote on MMP, we should begin talking about it honestly.
Read MoreDon't leave road safety to the sharks
The government doesn't intend to pass new road safety laws for another year, in which time another 400 people are likely to have died. Steven Joyce needs to see the light
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday October 2
Iran nuclear talks begin with "no compromise" vow (+analysis and background); hundreds die in Indonesia earthquake; Israel to exchange prisoners for video of solider; Obama tells big polluters to install monitors; and more
Read MoreImagine if Iran copied Israel
Iran goes into talks with the UN Security Council members, plus Germany, against a backdrop of various players lying and cheating and bullying—but at least staying within the nuclear rules...unlike Israel
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday October 1
Spies inside Al Qaeda weakening terror group (+analysis); Pacific tsunamis kill more than 100; Survivors angry with slow disaster response in Philippines; US talks with Cuban government and dissidents; and more
Read MoreGovernment girls dish it
Sarah Palin's memoir is rushed to print and another of Bill Clinton's ladies, oops aides, writes a tell-all
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday September 30
Iran: IAEA can inspect nuclear facility "soon" but we'll never abandon programme; Philippines seeks aid after flooding; Hamas welcomes Egyptian plan to reconcile with Fatah; NATO chief wants more troops in Afghanistan; and more
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