Iran to enrich its own uranium – for medical purposes; War games suggest West won't stop Iran getting nukes; China goes after internet hackers; Karzai demands end to NATO raids as US-led forces prepares new campaign; and more
Read MoreSecond year blues – a failure of governance
As the Key administration prepares for the opening of parliament for 2010, where is the plan and wisdom required for good governance? And where's the opposition? Here's a report card – in plain language
Read MoreTwo flags flying – what does it all mean?
Seeing the tino rangatiratanga flag flying over prominent New Zealand landmarks will swell the pride of many Maori. But should a flag representing only one people only fly from government buildings? Is it exclusive? And what does it stand for?
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday February 5
NATO press release announces new attack plan (+ analysis); China refuses to revalue currency; Obama to meet Dalai Lama; Three US soldiers killed in Pakistan bombing; and more
Read MoreA dishonourable discharge for "too gay to fight"
The US has begun the long process of overturning law that required gay soldiers to lie about their sexual orientation. But overturning the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy promises to be a nasty, dirty fight
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday February 4
Iran tests rocket but offers olive branch on uranium; Largest ever drone attack kills 10 in Pakistan; Chinese inequality levels off; France bans Moroccan man over wife's veil; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday February 3
Debt could undermine American global influence (+ Davos analysis); China warns US off meeting Dalai Lama; Malaysian sodomy trial; New al Qaeda alliance in Africa; and more
Read MoreHow many years is an animal's life worth?
I have a pet. Being cruel to animals is wrong. But why put more people in jail for it?
Read MoreCubicle dairy farming: were the secret consents unlawful?
Don’t fire up the bulldozers in the McKenzie Basin just yet. Land use consents for cubicle dairy farms granted by the Waitaki District Council may need to be reheard
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday February 2
Obama announces Budget set to grow deficit before cutting it by 2013 (+ analysis); US to build missile shield in Middle-East; Nuclear powers stalling on non-proliferation; Taiwan to buy $6.4 billion in arms; and more
Read MoreKey lifts the SAS veil – a little bit
World News Brief, Friday January 29
Obama's first State of the Union address all about the economy; North Korea holding American man; Clinton calls for Yemen reforms; new Honduran President takes power; more economic gloom on the way; and more
Read MoreWho pays the price of tax cuts for the rich?
The Tax Working Group has concluded that it's just too hard to stop tax avoidance by the rich. Their solution is the tax equivalent of allowing doping in sport
Read MoreSummer’s ill wind and thunderclouds
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?
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