If you think the U.S. strategy for Afghanistan is in a mess – take a look at ours.
IPCC vs the deniers: the next round begins
As greenhouse gas emissions continue to grow and the glaciergate debate fades, the IPCC is gearing up for another report, another round of controversey. It will take great care testing the science; will its critics? And what's the future of transport?
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday July 2
Gen. Petraeus confirmed as Afghanistan commander, saying it will get tougher (+ analysis); South Korea rejects talks with North; Merkel's presidential candidate squeaks in; Latin America bucks trend, forecasts 4.5% growth; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday July 2
Gen. Petraeus confirmed as Afghanistan commander, saying it will get tougher (+ analysis); South Korea rejects talks with North; Merkel's presidential candidate squeaks in; Latin America bucks trend, forecasts 4.5% growth; and more
Read MoreFrom Auckland to Wellington, it's all about the money
Forget the World Cup. Expenses and allowances are still the real football of the moment.
Read MoreGoudie sparks revolt - MP competence does matter
Opposition MPs walked out on the Law & Order Committee yesterday because of Sandra Goudie's poor chairing--John Key should take action; after all committee work is at the heart of an MP's job
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday July 1
Worries about nuclear treaty after spy arrests, as Russia says US law enforcement is "out of hand" (+ analysis); Turkey expresses frustration at Iran; New Aquino sworn in as Philippines president; German elections put Merkel's government at risk; and more
Read MoreG8/G20 leaves Canada a large hangover
The billion dollar protection fences are coming down now world leaders have left Canada, but the country has major headaches to deal with following mass arrests, suspension of civil rights and nothing really tangible to show for the outrageous cost of the G8/G20 summits
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday June 30
US arrests Russian spies, rattling relationships with the Kremlin (+ analysis); Iran sets conditions on further nuclear talks and reserves right to defend ships; Protests in Spain and Greece as loans run out; Google backs down on China site; and more
Read MoreG20: the return to austerity and its effect on NZ
The rest of the world is about to start reining in all those stimulus packages that took the edges off the recession. That could be really good for New Zealand, or really, really bad
Read MoreRight-Wingers are Hard-Assers - True or False?
If we went back several centuries and peeled away all the legislation which forced us to care for each other, would mankind be voluntarily philanthropic and benevolent?
Read MoreHow Kevin Rudd won and lost Australia
Rudd's remarkable run in power was driven by state politics, factions and Wayne Swan; and it was those same forces that brought him down
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday June 29
G20 fails to settle on plans for bank regulation (+ analysis); Obama urges continued spending while summit leaders vow to cut deficits; South Korea promised US FTA by November; Germany comes under pressure to start buying; and more
Read MoreSmoking bans and crime: post hoc ergo propter hoc
Banning smoking in prison stops crime. The Daily Telegraph says so. It must be true.
Read MoreThe yellowcake story: gone by lunchtime, but was it unlawful?
“Gone by lunchtime”… If only the same could be said of the debate that wouldn’t die: carbon tax vs emissions trading
Read MorePigs at the trough and wannabe thespians
After a Fiji holiday, the MPs' spending scandal looks incredibly tame; plus university reminiscences
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World News Brief, Friday June 25
Obama says Afghanistan strategy will remain, but McChrystal is gone; strategists rethink Afghanistan strategy; China arrests 10 "hardcore terrorists"; Julia Gillard is Australia's first female Prime Minister; Iran is ready for fuel sanctions; G8 in Canada open to developing nations
Read MoreAfghanistan: Leaving the Labyrinth
President Karzai has lost his preferred commander – General McChrystal falls on his sword – and New Zealand’s commitment to Afghanistan has not changed. Does anyone know what’s really happening in the labyrinth?
Read MoreGay adoption: redux
The High Court has just said that straight de facto couples jointly can adopt a child. Great - now what about the rest of the community?
Read MoreA policeman's lot is a happy one ...
Would electing a serving police officer be a valuable addition to a local authority, or a threat to our very constitution? Whatever your view, you're too late ...
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