An emerging unholy alliance between Israel, Saudi Arabia and the US is a key driver behind potentially the biggest arms deal in US history
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday September 17
Anti-American protest in Kabul turns deadly; protesters thought Florida pastor Terry Jones had carried out his Quran-burning plan; Japan may intervene in markets to lower value of yen again; US may impose tariffs on China; Gaza militants attack during peace talks; EU and South Korea have agreed to a trade deal; and more
Read MoreCanterbury's earthquake is worse than an infestation of zombies ...
In order to rebuild Canterbury after the earthquake, Parliament has given the government legal powers far wider than it would have if ravening undead hoards were to spread through our land.
Read MoreDavid Garrett and ACT: it's about forgiveness, even if you don't love me anymore
Prisoners used to get just the Bible to read in their cells. David Garrett might want to take a look at the parable of the unforgiving servant himself, as he looks for a way out of this week's mess... and what it all means for ACT
Read MoreEarthquake fascism and prostitution madness
Support from some Green and Labour MPs for conservative Manukau prostitution legislation is a real shocker
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday September 16
Japanese central bank intervenes to weaken Yen, boost exports (+ analysis); Pentagon speeds up plans to cut $100 billion; Karzai could get bigger anti-corruption role; French senate bans burqa; and more
Read MoreAustralian Tim Flannery tells us what he really thinks
Tim Flannery — professor, former Australian of the year, David Attenborough-acclaimed scientist and explorer, chair of the Copenhagen Climate Council — offers some free frank advice to New Zealand
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday September 15
Clinton optimistic of settlements deal as Israel-Palestinian peace talks resume (+ analysis); Japanese PM wins leadership vote; Iran struggles to sell oil as sanctions bite; Cuba lays off half a million workers, hinting at reform; and more
Read MoreThe law of necessity
To fix up the aftermath of Canterbury's earthquake, Parliament is going to give the Government almost complete control over our laws. That's maybe not such a good idea.
Read MoreSoil carbon: pay dirt, or dead duck?
Papers show an official abundance of caution persuaded New Zealand to downplay soil as a carbon sink, instead of bringing it into the ETS, as a carrot for farmers
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday September 14
Turkey votes for constitutional change, wins EU support, despite giving government more power over courts; US plans record US$60 billion arms deal with Saudi Arabia; Korans burned in US after all; China says trade trade surplus aren't intentional; and more
Read MoreWhat Lord Stern really thinks of our ETS
Lord Stern's visit to New Zealand last week didn't upset any apple-carts, but it again raised the question of whether or not New Zealand's ETS is a world leader
Read MoreFringe crazies with matches are dangerous
In a globalized world the nutters can't be left unchecked if they intend literally inflaming a major portion of humanity by burning their holy book, the Qur'an. The U.S. hierarchy had no choice but to play in Pastor Terry Jones' pyromania pit.
Read MoreFeeding a little life, with dried tubers
Distracting myself from August’s cruelty, and finding some sun
Read MoreAuckland CCO appointments - an invitation to corrupt
Rodney Hide's recent appointments ensure the new CCOs will be wide open to suspicions of corruption, justified or not
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday September 10
More troops sent to Afghanistan for Obama's surge; critics say Obama's strategy too costly; South Korea imposes Iran sanctions; Japan seizes Chinese fishing boat, relationship threatened; death of two American soldiers in Iraq "won't undermine mission"; Secretary Clinton defends US foreign policy; and more
Read MoreWill Pammy's bordello survive?
Equality in prostitution is fine principle, but are women the same as men when it comes to shopping for sex?
Read MoreWorld News Brief Thursday, September 9
BP releases report on US oil spill--points finger at Transocean and Halliburton; Japan to lower value of yen; tensions thaw between US and China; two US soldiers killed in Iraq; Obama unwilling to extend Bush-era tax cuts; and more
Read MoreDairy milking New Zealand
Big dairy’s effects on the biosphere, and all of our back pockets, are sucking the country dry — a net picture less positive than the PR paints it
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday September 8
Obama proposes $50 billion spend to create jobs; $200 billion tax cuts part of Obama's plan; Gillard wins in Australia with the slimmest of margins; Myanmar's military leader visits China; Iran not participating with nuclear inspections; Afghanistan freezes assets of borrowers at Kabul Bank; and more
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