China rebuffs criticism of its Copenhagen behaviour; Support for Japanese government plummets; Israel on verge of prisoner swap; Taiwan begins new round of negotiations with China; and more
Read MoreCapital work from markets taskforce makes good fertiliser
To grow strong businesses and more financially secure households, our capital markets need to be dug over and replanted. Last week's taskforce report offers a hoe with which the government can start digging
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday December 22
Iranian protests after Montazeri dies (+ what it means for the Green movement); Burmese court to hear Suu Kyi appeal; the end of Saab?; Pakistan government to defend corruption charges; and more
Read MoreNational Policy Statement: wholly happy cows
We need a national debate on cubicle dairy farming, and dairy farming in general – is it the backbone of this country, or the boil on our behind? And what's it worth to us?
Read MoreDon't blame me, I voted for Kodos.
Forget Solomon. Maurice Williamson has just displayed the wisdom of Kang.
Read MoreThe US president is not military accommodation
From the pet peeves file, I simply have to take a stand against this country's repeated sin against the 44th president of the United States of America
Read MoreDispatch from Copenhagen
What's Fun about a Summit to Solve Global Warming?
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday December 17
Obama moves on Guantanamo, Amnesty International says he's merely "changing the zip code"; US and Russia in nuclear breakthrough; Thai authorities seize North Korean weapons cache; Iran launches new missile; and more
Read MoreDo it because I said so, dammit!
Are you ready to maybe vote in a non-binding referendum on whether Parliament should treat such non-binding referenda as binding? Or, does your head hurt yet?
Read MoreFlags, constitutions, Fleetwood Mac, zeitgeists...
If we're starting to talk about Waitangi Day, the end of the year has arrived. So what will John Key and Phil Goff be reflecting on as they tuck into their Christmas pudding?
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday December 16
US and China square off at Copenhagen; Clinton lays out Obama's human rights agenda; Burmese opium growth funds arms sales; bombs in Mosul and Baghdad; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday December 15
Abu Dhabi in $10 billion Dubai bailout; Obama takes on Wall St; Turkmenistan and China complete pipeline deal; run-off now for Chilean presidency' and more
Read MoreIs Alan Bollard a man of his word?
The Reserve Bank governor has been jumping around on just when he intends to start raising interest rates. For a man who has people's homes in his hands, surely he has to mean what he says and say only what he means
Read MoreKiwi connections in Kabul embassy scandal
Sexual molestation rituals … illegal brothel visits … drunken brawls … unauthorized “cowboy” missions. That’s life for New Zealanders in the private security unit set up to guard the US Embassy in Kabul.
Conservative politics, liberal petrol: OIA papers on emission standards
Cabinet papers reveal the motor industry flip-flopping on car fuel economy plans and the government ignoring officials' advice as it abandoned new vehicle standards... Is this another example of political caution gone mad?
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Road-user charges exemption for light electric vehicles
Why I'm sick of the government trumpeting their championing of electric cars...
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday December 11
Obama accepts Nobel amid controversy; China attempts to cool its real estate market; North Korea and US agree that Six-Party talks should resume; Iraq reshuffles security forces; France and UK agree on bank reform; and more
Read MoreThe dark side of the Twilight phenomenon
The hit movies Twilight and New Moon – and the books they are basd on – have huge popular appeal but glamourise violent, dependent romantic relationships
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday December 10
Trouble at Copehhagen talks; Japan's growth not as good as forecast; Phillipines resumes talks with Islamic terrorists; support for Obama's Afghanistan troop plan; and more
Read MoreHave a heart: fixing broken criminals
Paroled murderer Richard Lakich needs a new heart, and Parliament is considering an ACC amendment that disentitles criminals. Are these hard choices, or heartless choices?
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