It's taken months, but we finally know that a backbencher gets a total package around $180,000. Revealing those sort of details is the only way to bring the rules and public expectation back into line
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday November 13
Ambassador says no more troops without improved governance; Thaksin accuses Thai leaders of "false patriotism"; Yemen says no to Iran military aid; Trade likely sticking point in Obama's China visit; and more
Read MoreMr Netanyahu, tear down this wall
While the world was focused on celebrating twenty years without the Berlin wall, perhaps it should have used the occasion to call for the breaching of Israel's wall which is contributing to the misery millions.
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday November 12
Obama nears Afghanistan troops decision, advisers support 30,000; Chinese economic growth accelerates; Cambodia refuses to extradite Thaksin; new EU president to be announced next week; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday November 11
Military tension between North and South Korea intensifies; analysts say North Korea provoked the clash; Obama administration promotes US military bases pact with Japan; Palestinian Authority could collapse; Maoist activists protest in Nepal; Democrats question healthcare reform costs in US; and more
Read MoreIdeology destroys energy efficiency
The former Greens co-leader questions why, given its "retrograde vision" for energy efficiency, the National Government wanted to collaborate with the Greens in the first place
Read MoreAfter the honeymoon, divorce: Greens break up with National
The Greens have walked away from part of their working arrangement with the government. Jeanette Fitzsimons revealed exclusively to Pundit a relationship breakdown in the energy efficiency and conservation portfolio
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday November 10
Iraq passes election law; Dalai Lama visits India; North Korean military takes control of economy; China pledges billions of dollars of aid to Africa; abortions rights activists plan to block US healthcare bill
Read MoreHide & Harawira: sorry should be the hardest word
Hide's apology is out of kilter with earlier statements and behaviour, while any apology from Harawira would deman both him and us. It's no wonder voters have a low opinion of these crisis-time converts
Read MoreHone Harawira, his wife and me.
HH, his wife and Me/ Fucked off to Paris to have a sight-see/ Too much beauty in one foul sweep/ And the brilliant sun made me blind on the beach/ So I made it back to confusion row/ Where encased in four walls my mind could cope/ We live in hope
Read MoreColourblind political science: mistaking Green for blue
Bryce Edwards has been blogging about the Greens’ abandoned social justice agenda, saying they’ve nothing to offer the left. Russel Norman says that’s “bullshit”
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday November 6
United Nations to pull half its staff out of Afghanistan (+ background); Australia's Christmas Island refugee detention centre compared to Guantanamo; International Court to investigate Kenyan violence; Israel and Syria dispute weapons ship; and more
Read MoreMums share far too much information
Mummy blogging is so yesterday—now new parents are posting their birth videos online
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday November 5
Protesters back on the streets of Tehran; Burma gets meeting with US officials; Price bubbles warning in Asia; Czech president signs Lisbon Treaty; Afghanistan bombing of British troops; and more
Read MoreParty Central can go jump in the water
For once Aucklanders seem to be realising the wisdom of patience. Queens Wharf is worth waiting for and shouldn't be buggered for the sake of the rugger
Read MoreNational veering left on asset sales?
Privatisation of state assets in 2011 looked like a safe bet... until yesterday when Bill English hinted at a 'run better' rather than a 'sell-off' strategy
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday November 4
Karzai's first post-victory speech; Taliban claim responsibility for disrupting election; North Korea bomb pressure mounts; Australia's economy recovers; Czech ruling on Lisbon Treaty; and more
Read MoreNick Smith tells two stories
The government’s made a liar out of Dr Smith in recent weeks. Is his lopsided mask slipping, or is he just a casualty, like the rest of us, of his more cynical conservative colleagues?
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday November 3
Karzai wins Afghanistan election through default; North Korea again seeks bilateral talks with US; Myanmar gas-and-oil pipeline; Pakistan bombing kills 30; CIT group bankrupt
Read MoreWhat next for the foreshore & seabed?
Recommendations on how to deal with the contentious Foreshore and Seabed Act go to Cabinet today and are due to be announced on Wednesday. Can the government both clear the hapu hurdle and pass the talkback test? And what is tipuna title?
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