Washington abandons efforts on Israeli settlements in Gaza; experts say Gaza move is good for Obama; China chided for not using influence with North Korea; Kevin Rudd blames US for release of secret info, not WikiLeaks; Robert Gates makes surprise visit to Afghanistan; Ireland on strict budget
Read MoreWin tickets to snappy, funny play
If you want something for nothing... and a night out on Friday... all you have to do it have an opinion. And if you're reading this and don't have one of those, what on earth are you doing on this site?
Read MoreWhat the constitutional review will recommend - you heard it here first!
The Government has announced its review of New Zealand's Constitution. I'm announcing what it will recommend - except about thething that really, really matters.
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday December 8
US share market reacts well to US tax-cut extension; Experts predict much-needed US deficit cuts won't happen; Clinton warns North Korea to stop "provocative behaviour"; China-US relations "frozen", say analysts; New Iran talks planned; Julian Assange arrested on rape charge; and more
Read MoreThe ugly reality of US tax cuts
To the rich the spoils. A Republican refusal to continue unemployment benefits for millions of unemployed Americans unless millionaires and billionaires got to keep tax cuts has seen Obama compromise, and arguably outsmarted
Read MoreHeather Roy's done it again - why we shouldn't follow her back to the future
Heather Roy reckons our nuclear-free policy is stopping a free-trade deal with the US. Someone needs to tell her that the '80s are over, Reagan isn't president anymore and Iowa doesn't give a toss
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday December 7
Nuclear talks between Iran and world powers begin; Iran has shown no sign of willingness to make concessions; US accuses China of enabling North Korea to launch attacks on South Korea; US and South Korea make progress on delayed trade pact; Karzai arrests election officials; Bernanke hints at more economic help
Read MoreWhy Chris Finlayson needs a blogsite ...
If you find yourself calling people "clowns" or "paranoids" in the course of your day job, it's a good sign that you need to join the blogosphere.
Read MoreJames Hansen’s fee and dividend: our election year tax cut
Everybody except Nick Smith thinks the emissions trading scheme is dumb. Unhappy with mainstream climate change policy responses, environmentalists are looking elsewhere. Here’s a new idea, that we’ll hear more of in 2011: an election year idea, all about tax and cuts
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday December 3
US Fed's bailouts much more widespread than previously known, critics pounce; Euro powers say Iran must cooperate on nuclear programme; India looks to join France in IMF and governance reform; China criticises military exercises; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday December 2
US debt commission divided on austerity plan, struggles for consensus (+ analysis); Portugal PM says 'we do not need help'; Iran talks raise hopes, but will demand stiff terms; Chinese manufacturing growth eases jitters about Europe; and more
Read MoreWas I wrong about the CERRA?
The Regulations Review Committee thinks the Government is using the Canterbury Earthquake Response and Recovery Act appropriately. This is good news.
Read MoreThe ashes downstream of Pike River
The metaphorical Pike River post-mortem has started, without waiting for the Royal Commission and others’ findings, in some defiance of the truth, and the incendiary risks
Read MoreIncreased childcare costs reveal National's soft underbelly
Labour is going after National on early childhood education costs, and for once actually has the politics on its side and the government on the ropes
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday December 1
US insists Wikileaks won't harm diplomacy, yet other countries expected to clam up; Markets driven by Euro fears; Obama proposes Muldoon-like pay freeze for public sector; South Korea cancels military drill; and more
Read MoreFall-out from the Leak-Fairy
Those embarrassed by the torrent of Wikileaks documents claim the whistle-blowing site is endangering lives. But the threat in this historian's dream trove of information is really to the reputations of politicians and diplomats, and their secretive, opaque, patronising modus operandi
Read MoreDeepwater oil on Nature’s Coast
Two offshore spills in less than a month – but
World News Brief, Tuesday November 30
Wikileaks cables style Putin an "alpha dog", Karzai as paranoid and Merkel as risk averse (+ analysis); Portugal reaching crisis point as Ireland bailout fails to convince; North Korea to pay "a dear price"; Iranian nuclear scientist dies in bombing that echoes January death;
Read MoreIt's the South, stupid... geographical dyslexia Palin-style
Another botched foray into international affairs sees Sarah Palin mistakes North Korea as America's ally. A little 'refudiation' is required just days after Barbara Bush suggested it would be best for the beautiful Sarah to stay in Alaska.
Read MoreSubtle dangers in Paula Rebstock's sugar coated poison
The government Welfare Working Group's 'Options Paper' was released this afternoon. While Paula Rebstock says nothing is decided yet, its overall direction confirms my earlier fears. It could make the 1991 benefit cuts look like a picnic
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