Weather’s this summer’s talking point. But here’s the newsworthy bit: in the Wellington region, the weather’s been great
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday January 28
Yemen and Afghanistan peace conference opens in London as US lead secret ops in Yemen; North and South Korea exchange fire; signs of recovery in Japanese economy; State of the Union priorities: spending freeze and education; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday January 27
US deficit to be focus of tonight's State of the Union address; Iran opposition leaders back Ahmadinejad; France to ban veils when 'using publlic services'; Dalai Lama envoys in China for Tibet talks; and more
Read MoreWillie Apiata, the “Jesus gun” and other secrets
War hero Willie Apiata is back on the frontline. New Zealand troops are armed with so-called “Jesus guns”. Our troops are training Afghan soldiers and police in counter-insurgency operations. Now, why shouldn’t we know that?
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday January 26
US debates Haitian immigration; China accuses Google of being a pawn in America's "ideology war"; White House tries to whip up support for Bernanke; Greece "won't quit eurozone; and more
Read MoreThree strikes against the three strikes bill
Targetting repeat offenders makes sense, but the three strikes bill has fundamental flaws that undermine our judiciary and make us less safe. That's right, less safe
Read MoreCan London deliver us from the Taliban?
This week the countries bogged down in Afghanistan meet in London to set new goals for their international mission and Hamad Karzai's government. But against a growing Taliban insurgency and runaway corruption, can talk deliver tangibles?
Read MoreAdvice from Fat Elvis
We're nearly one-twelfth of the way into 2010, but if you're averse to new year's resolutions it takes that long to make them
Read MoreWillie Apiata: the photo the army published
The New Zealand Defence Force is going to talk to the Herald about its use of Willie Apiata's photo. Perhaps it wants to take the photos of him off its own website first?
Read MoreOutflanked by a Cosmo centrefold
The brain in the White House appears to have been outsmarted by the brawn of a nude centrefold, as Obama's filibuster-proof Senate number has been whipped away by a man once voted America's Sexiest Man. You couldn't make this stuff up.
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday January 22
Chinese growth tops 10% as Obama announces limits on US banks (+ analysis); Untreated wounds and disease now greatest risk in Haiti; Karzai offers land and pensions to retiring Taliban; China on Google complaints; and more
Read MoreCitizen involvement in the New Auckland
With postal voting for the new Auckland Council now less than eight months away, it seems that local boards will have some clout as they seek to represent the will of the people
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday January 21
Troops arrive in Haiti, work to open more airfields amidst aftershocks (+ analysis of what's next); Obama's healthcare plans at risk after Massachusetts loss; South Korea promises pre-emptive strike; Nigerian military enforce curfew, 4,000 displaced; and more
Read MorePrince Charming and the Temple of Doom
The saga of Prince William’s encounters with the natives of New Zealand during his first Royal overseas mission – to open one of the world’s ugliest buildings
Read MoreCubicle dairy farming: Labour’s legacy
Two of the three sites for which cubicle dairy farms are proposed were formerly Crown pastoral land, made freehold by the Clark government
Read MoreKa-boom: new taxes and transparency on their way
The Tax Working Group has set a new standard for transparency, so its report today won't exactly be full of surprises. That doesn't mean the political dynamite it contains will be any less explosive, however
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday January 20
World community ramps up 'sluggish' aid effort in Haiti (+ analysis); Japan Airlines bankrupt; Kabul on high alert after 20 co-ordinated suicide bomb attacks; US company to buy Britain's favourite chocolate; and more
Read MoreQuis custodiet ipsos custodes?
The Judicial Conduct Commissioner's preliminary inquiry into Justice Bill Wilson's conduct has begun. Did you notice how much our constitution has changed?
Read MoreOf God and Disasters and Televangelists
Reference to the wrath of God seems part of human nature in times of disaster, but the televangelists take it too far when perhaps they could be concentrating on helping rather than pontificating
Read MoreStaying relevant II - NZ's nuclear potential
When Hillary Clinton does make it to New Zealand, we need to be talking nukes with her. The time is ripe for New Zealand to offer its support to Obama's crusade
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