Cautious response to Iran's pledge to send nuclear fuel to Turkey; China welcomes Iran's news; Thai government refuses to talk to Red Shirts until protest ends; Eighteen killed in Kabul attack; Iraq elections panel will pursue more bans; and more
Read MoreThe Way You Do the Things You Do
One of the great things about replacing the Privy Council with our own Supreme Court is that we get a lot more interesting decisions issued. This week alone has seen three.
Read MoreA week of apologies
The Prime Minister's sorry, the Rugby Union's sorry, Tuhoe is really sorry, and Tariana Turia is in high dudgeon
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday May 18
Gun battles across Bangkok as army cracks down (+ analysis); Iran concedes to international condition and agrees uranium swap; Euro hits four-year low; BP makes progress on oil spill; and more
Read More'We don't have to justify our money to anyone'... or do they?
The Hotchins are on holiday in Hawaii and the newspapers are feasting on their oppulent lifestyle. Their disconnect from ordinary New Zealanders is positively Gatsbyian
Read MoreThe other news from Europe
The drama in London this week meant that the Euro-zone crisis received relatively little coverage or commentary. It's big news – and what happens next could be even bigger.
Read MoreMokihinui and Stockton: all about the power
State owned enterprises Meridian and Solid Energy have gone feral down on the wild West Coast, where it's every man for himself and his hydro proposal
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday May 13
Karzai's visit to Washington; Thai army will seal off protest site; China's currency hit by European crisis; US warns Israel to stop demolishing homes in East Jerusalem; UK's new coalition government holds first cabinet meeting; and more
Read MoreIs Key's cannibal gag his Shrek moment?
Like Helen Clark before him, John Key has stepped into the middle of a Maori process and said, 'this far, no further'. But ignore talk of a "gaffe", this is carefully contrived politics
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday May 13
New British government to focus on emergency Budget, taxes and immigration cap (+ analysis); more school attacks in China; smiles all round as Karzai arrives in Washington; Thai government moves against Red Shirts; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday May 12
Markets fizzle as doubts grow about EU rescue package (+ analysis); Iraqi insurgents show strength as 119 die; Cameron is new British PM; BP to make second attempt to contain oil spill
Read MoreGordon Brown: My part in his downfall
So farewell to Brown, one of the great contradictions of post-war British politics and the man who never won an election. And hello to David Cameron, a new prince in troubled times
Read MoreMy virtual rain dance: water for urban gardens
Ratepayers are an easier target for councils than the enterprises making money out of water, and using most of it. It’s ineffectual and unfair, especially for those growing food
Read MoreNice hara-kiri Brownie!
Gordon Brown's falling on his sword after losing the British election may have made life more difficult for the Liberal Democrats as they chose between a party that is more in line politically or the party which won the largest minority. Winston Peters may be finding this awfully familiar
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday May 11
European Union agrees to bailout plan for Greece and others; explosive material found on sunken South Korean warship; Corazon Aquino's son leads in Phillipines election; Israeli-Palestinian peace talks begin; Britain waits for new government; and more
Read MoreDrilling for oil in Taranaki and goss at Paul Holmes' party
How Gerry Brownlee's mining blunder has put Nikki Kaye on the endangered species list and blown a hole in National's blue-green image; and notes from the year's best A-list party
Read MoreA Justice on trial?
Justice Bill Wilson's case is set to break new ground in front of a Judicial Conduct Panel. Let's all just wait for it to do its job.
Read MoreFlorida redux?
Could the United Kingdom's 2010 general election become the new Florida?
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday May 7
Fear of "contagion" spreads across Europe as Greek parliament passes austerity bill (+ analysis and background); High turnout reported in British election; Australia and India talk free trade; US turns to Pakistan for help in bomber case; and more
Read MoreSending the troops is one thing, keeping them there something else altogether
Funny how no-one has picked up on the fact that John Key's decision to consider extending the stay of NZ troops in Afghanistan is in direct contradiction to his own military chief, who says they have things to do back home
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