Petraeus to step up counter-insurgency strategy in Afghanistan as Republicans express doubts; North Korea warns off US and South Korea; Kosovo's independence ruled legal; Bernanke says economic outlook is "unusually uncertain"; and more
Read MoreDisgraceful conduct, not murder...
The first Canadian soldier to have been charged with murder on the battlefield has dodged that bullet, but been found guilty of disgraceful conduct. Why? What did he do?
Read MoreUniversal pension: universally fair?
What the Retirement Income Policy and Intergenerational Equity conference told us about selfish generations, and raising the age of pension entitlement
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday July 22
US to impose new sanctions on North Korea, may enter "dangerous new period"; Chinese floods kill over 700; BP chief expected to resign within weeks; Insurers put squeeze on Iranian shipping; and more
Read MoreBut is it Art? No, it's Child Abuse
How the 20th century New York pop art brigade and its middle class sexist followers are too hypocritical to stand up and identify child abuse when they see it
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday July 21
Afghan president Hamid Karzai gets support for plan to take lead on Afghan security; US and Korea plan major naval exercise; British PM David Cameron to make first White House visit; EU considers tougher Iran sanctions; and more
Read MoreSchedule 4: So what do the Nats stand for now?
The government says it's backdown on mining is evidence that it listens. But the question left is whether there's any policy Key and Co. will fight to the death for? And where's that step change coming from now?
Read MoreSoftware: to patent or not to patent?
The government's decision to change the patent law regarding software has got techies and lawyers up in arms. It's out of kilter internationally and raises questions about the select committee process
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday July 20
US government fears BP-capped oil well may be leaking (+ analysis); 50 die in Iraqi bombings; Pakistan and Afghanistan hammer out trade deal as US re-commits to pull-out; China becomes world's largest energy consumer; and more
Read MoreDoing the time warp with National – can the Left do better this time round?
In the face of National's employment law and welfare reforms, how will Labour and the unions respond?
Read MoreHow to fix an election date
On Wednesday I argued that New Zealand should fix the general election date in law. Here's how it could be done.
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday July 16
BP well test delayed when leak found in line; BP could be banned from obtaining further offshore US drilling leases for seven years; China's economic growth slows; UN Command and North Korea meet about sunken South Korean warship; Argentina legalises same-sex marriage; and more
Read MoreJust dirty, not sexy: lignite to liquid fuel
Coal-to-liquid fuel feasibility studies are underway for lignite, the dirtiest coal, as the coal industry tries to dig itself out of a hole
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday July 15
Nuclear scientist heading back to Iran, hurting US intelligence (+ analysis); Israel resumes demolitions in East Jerusalem; Japanese PM gets reprieve in latest polls; How do you define a terrorist? Petraeus weighs in; and more
Read MoreJohn Key to announce the election date soon - I hope
New Zealand should fix its election date in law. Otherwise, John Key needs to tell us when the 2011 election will be held ... and soon.
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday July 14
Iranian nuclear scientist takes refuge in embassy – was he kidnapped or not?; BP successfully caps oil well; Kampala bombing signals the spread of Al Qaeda tactics; Chinese employers having to compete for workers; and more
Read MoreDragging Iran out of the Stone-Age
Global condemnation may have forced Iran to abandon plans to stone to death a woman 'convicted' of adultery, but don't count on it. The campaign to fight Sakineh Ashtiani's execution needs more recruits - now!
Read MoreOMGlee!
Does Glee’s swag of Emmy nominations make me any less tragic?
Read MoreAuckland mayoral race - room for one more?
As the field widens, a serious new candidate for the Auckland mayoralty may just be the ticket. But whether it's Brown, Banks or Candidate C, the result's likely to come down to just one thing, and it's got nothing to do with policy
Read MoreBut the time would have passed anyway
A stage full of actors at the height of their powers--what could be better? A review of Sean Matthias' production of Waiting for Godot
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