Isarel holds activists while UN and EU call for full inquiry into raid on aid flotilla (+ analysis); Japanese PM under pressure to resign; Was South Korean warship sinking part of Kim Jong-Il succession plans?; Al Qaeda's "chief operating officer" believed dead; and more
Read MoreA fascinating Aussie election? Not an oxymoron
Political junkies take note--the leadership battle across the Tasman is about to get really interesting
Read MoreThe International Court of Justice: another whales’ tale
Australia’s ICJ proceedings look like the latest high stakes manoeuvre in a diplomatic poker game with Japanese whalers
Read MoreDown the rabbit hole
"Curiouser and curiouser!" cried Alice (she was so much surprised, that for the moment she quite forgot how to speak good English) ... . That little phrase might make an apt replacement for our Supreme Court's current moto, "Tuitui tangata, tuitui korowai".
Read MoreHere comes our “T” Party!
Yes, that’s “T” for Treasury – not Tea, as in the United States. But Treasury secretary John Whitehead’s step into New Zealand post-budget political cauldron could have a similar effect.
Read MoreFacing up to the Burqa ban
Quebec has waded in to the burqa fight, and while the legislation that will lead to a limited ban on full facial covering has been suspiciously suspended, the debate of persecution versus xenophobia rages on.
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday May 28
US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner in Europe to chide leaders over budget problems; Experts consider how eurozone crisis will impact US; North Korea breaks naval agreement with South Korea; US sticking to Iraq withdrawal timeline, says Biden; Pakistani Taliban leader may be dead; and more
Read MoreOur Son the Schnauzer, or The Hunt for Male Role Models
You could do worse for a role model than a big-hearted dog. If you are a young man, you could do much, much worse
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday May 27
Hillary Clinton urges international community to respond to sinking of South Korean ship; analyst says South Korea's "sunshine policy" towards North Korea is over; US-China economic talks end; Iran pushes fuel swap proposal; EU has bank levy proposal; and more
Read MoreIWC: stop whaling in-fighting, start protecting whales
Material for the International Whaling Commission’s next meeting, published on its website, answers some domestic questions and shifts the IWC focus from whaling to whales
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday May 26
Global markets fall and euro sinks amidst fears about Europe budgets and Korean tensions (+ analysis); Clinton piles pressure on China over North Korea; Thaksin Shinawatra wanted on terror charges; EU to introduce bank insurance levy; and more
Read MoreHow Labour might rouse the beast
A well-managed Budget could still cause political problems for National if the Opposition is able to re-connect with New Zealanders who don't usually vote... let alone go to the symphony orchestra
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday May 25
South Korea cuts off almost all trade to North as warship tension builds (+ analysis); America to "ensure readiness" of South Korean defence forces but China unwilling to take sides; Britain announces £6 billion in cuts; Iran says nuclear swap is a "breakthrough"; and more
Read MoreNZ's biggest mistakes: because we don't understand 'cause and effect'
A child learns young that if you cry loudly enough, you're more likely to get attention. Do A, and you'll probably get B. So why can't New Zealanders and our governments so incapable of figuring out the same truth?
Read MoreBudget 2010: Solid, Sensible – but Sustainable?
The worst thing about Budget 2010 is that was so predictable. What’s not so predictable is its sustainability
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday May 21
Global condemnation of North Korean torpedo attack on warship (+ analysis); Iran threatens u-turn on fuel swap; Mexico president heads to Congress to plea for immigration reform; Oceans warming since 1993 consistent with build-up of greenhouse gases; and more
Read MoreKate Wilkinson: Conservation’s lame blue duck?
Notes from Kate Wilkinson’s recent talk to a Christchurch tramping club raise real questions about the job she is doing as conservation minister
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday May 20
Thai military storms protesters encampment, sparks violent response; Taliban in "audacious" attack on Bagram airfield; Security Council members not impressed with Iran, push on with sanctions; South Korea accuses North Korea of sinking warship; and more
Read MoreBill English's smoke and mirrors: when good is bad
The Finance Minister will paint a grim tomorrow of high debt and cumbersome taxes to justify his agenda. The truth is something other, but hey, this year's Budget is taking us right down the rabbit hole
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday May 19
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
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