After a year of elision and mishap, John Key's government has hit its stride
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday March 5
Iraqi elections to determine who leads after US withdrawal underway (+ analysis); China grows defence budget, but at smaller rate; German militants sentenced for planning "monstrous bloodbath"; Turkey and Brazil could undermine Iran sanctions; and more
Read More'Voluntary' sterilisation – the crime that seems fine about speaking its name
Sterilsation is again being recommended as a solution to bad parenting. It's obscene, stupid and is another stigma attached to struggling parents by those devoid of compassion
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday March 4
Greece cuts spending and increases taxes, but markets still wary; China sends message to US; Arab leaders support last crack at Israel peace talks; Afghan authorities threaten to arrest journalists; and more
Read More"Our liberty cannot be guarded but by the freedom of the press"
Just what is there in Whanganui's water that makes people there act like morons?
Read MoreThe Battle of Porta-loo
At the next election New Zealanders will decide whether or not to keep MMP or replace it with something else. So what does history tell us about our voting system and why did we change to MMP?
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday March 3
Chile seeks international aide following earthquake; curfew in Chile to protect residents against looting; China wants stronger response to Iran's nuclear efforts; North Korea admits currency reform last year a failure; Clinton to visit Argentina; and more
Read MoreAuckland heads for a "Toyota Moment"
Auckland is heading for a real “Toyota Moment” – a head-on collision into the reality of out-of-control growth, with Rodney Hide in the crash dummy’s seat
Read MoreOne very public assassination
As Israel launches a public relations campaign to try and improve its damaged international reputation, its own spy agency Mossad is at the centre of a diplomatic row following a high profile assassination of an enemy of Israel in a Dubai hotel
Read MoreDead set on destruction
Who says impending destruction can't have a good soundtrack?
Read MoreThe Heatley Question
You can argue 'til the cows come home about the rights and wrongs of Phil Heatley's resignation, but at the end of the day it's the perception of meanness that people will remember
Read MoreJohn Key’s broken promise, on National’s parks
Key promised no state assets would be sold or partly sold in the first term of his government. But that’s in effect what’s happening, to our biggest state asset of them all
Read MoreWorst ... resignation ... ever!
Probably not. But Phil Heatley's decision to fall on his sword over two bottles of wine is an awfully extreme act of contrition.
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday February 25
Second Taliban leader captured by Pakistan, but has the ISI really changed?; China's Communist Party's rules to tackle corruption; EU warns Turkey over coup claims; Ill Nigerian president returns home; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday February 24
EU condemns Hamas hit as Israel refuses to co-operate with British inquiry; Google re-enters talks with China; Has senior Taliban leader been arrested?; Australia plans new face scan for visitors; and more
Read MoreMixed signals as confidence slips
John Key and Bill English are sending out mixed signals about the next government budget while public confidence in New Zealand’s economic recovery wanes. Why?
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday February 23
NATO airstrike hits women and children, McChrystal apologies (+ analysis); US envoy refused meeting with Suu Kyi; Iran to build ten more nuclear plants; Lufthansa pilot strikes ground 800 flights; and more
Read MoreReserved For Natives Only – Whites Out
A decision by Mohawk leaders to evict all non-aboriginals from the Kahnawake reserve just outside Montreal has fueled the racism debate, and begs the question of when the preservation of bloodlines can or ought to be justified.
Read MoreHow to run a referendum
The question and process for the 2011 referendum on MMP have been announced. It's all good.
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday February 19
Taliban holds its ground as troops pour into Marja; Obama meets Dalai Lama; Ukranian election results suspended amidst fraud claims; Syria comes in from the cold in talks with US; and more
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