National is certainly on the offensive with its employment and welfare reforms, even proposing a law change specifically to benefit producers of The Hobbit; but it faces a new mood of resistance and dissent
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday October 22
US announces largest arms deal in its history... to Saudi Arabia (+ analysis); Chinese economic growth slows... to 9.6 per cent; US officials to warn named Iraqis about new Wikileaks release; China fails to stall Darfur report showing it broke embargo; and more
Read MoreYou let your gown to the ground, but I'm not waiting around until the kiss-off
“Fonterra fears cow cubicles could mar brand,” eh?
Fonterra’s been happily ‘feedlot farming’ indoors in China for nearly three years, and raising their calves in cages. Um, so remind me again … what was it they said, last December, about the ‘cubicle’ farms?
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday October 21
Afghan election found to be riddled with fraud as NATO pushes for Taliban talks (+ analysis); Tories introduce biggest British cuts since WWII (even the Queen suffers); Days of violence see 33 dead in Karachi; China denies trade restrictions; and more
Read MoreFive Years After Society's Destruction
The first civil unions occurred in 2005. Five years later, as we're overtaken on gay marriage rights by Argentina, Mexico, and other countries: did we fight the right battle?
Read MoreTold you so
That old adage about lovers of sausages and the law? It's true.
Read MoreThe foreshore and seabed - a case study in law and politics, rules and symbols
The new law on the foreshore and seabed is not just about legal rules. Its a symbol, and that's what everyone is fighting about.
Read MoreGovernment stuck in the (foreshore) sand. Again
As ACT and the Maori Party kick sand in each other's face over an amendment that changes nothing, we get a good look at the politics of perception and National's misery in trying to hold its coalition partners together
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday October 20
Geithner vows not to devalue US dollar, easing fears of 'currency war' (+ analysis); Over a million join protests against French pension cuts as fuel shortages bite; China increases interest rates due to real estate fears; US pressures Turkey on Iran sanctions; and more
Read MoreA public submission, to the biodiversity Guardians
As Convention on Biological Diversity parties meet to hammer out new resolutions, having failed on most of the old ones, UK paper the Guardian is compiling a list of action points, and demanding, you know, action
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday October 19
France and Germany invite Russia to summit in hope of rebuilding EU & security relations; India plans $6 billion arms purchase as Obama urges more open market; Iran hosts al-Malaki, urges al-Sadr deal; Xi Jinping on track to lead China; and more
Read MoreWould it be OK if God was a Capitalist, then?
In the midst of the most heart-warming story of the year, why must we argue over whom to thank – capitalism or God? Can't we have it both ways?
Read MoreFighting dirty, dairy’s udderhand tactics
In the latest skirmish, the Mackenzie cubicle dairy applicants — or, as they prefer to say, ‘covered farms’ — have turned an apparent setback into a tactical mini-triumph
Read MoreIt's not discrimination if it happens to them
Te Papa took a beating for suggesting Maori cultural values are a reason to treat genders differently. So what happens when Parliament legislates that Maori must be treated differently?
Read MoreWhy does Te Papa hate women so much (and other outraged thoughts)
I'm outraged at the outrage created by the outrageous position taken by that outrageous institution, Te Papa.
Read MoreDodging bullets (or is that ballots?)
New Zealand's great voting fraud story looks to have died - for now, anyway.
Read MoreA New Zealander no more?
Beneath the facade of our supposedly tolerant, modern and multicultural society, lies a seething undercurrent of bigotry, racism and ignorance
Read MoreNorway's one-fingered salute to China
The Nobel Peace Prize committee awards this year's prize to a Chinese dissident, and China responds
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday October 8
US apologises for missile strike that killed Pakistani soldiers but criticises military; Pakistani ISI pressuring Taliban to reject peace talks, say reports; US turns to Iraq to help repair its economy; Questions over Bangkok bombings – was it the Red Shirts?;
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