Pakistan governor Salman Taseer killed; member of Taseer's security detail responsible; US envoy will head to China for talks on North Korea's nuclear programme; Queensland flooding impact is huge--disruption of coal exports means loss of AU$100 million a day; Gbagbo to end military blockade; and more
Read MoreCalifornia goes back to the future
California has never been in bigger fiscal trouble. So who do voters choose as their new governor? Jerry Brown, aka 'Governor Moonbeam', the budget-conscious pol who was their governor 28 years ago
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday January 5
Iran invites diplomats to tour nuclear facilities--US not part of group; US wants more talks with North Korea; China ups nuclear power capabilities; three quarters of Queensland's coal fields closed due to flooding; Washington downplays turmoil in Pakistan; Republicans plan congressional investigations; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday January 4
Pakistan government loses coalition member and parliamentary majority as economy outewighs terrorism (+ Af-Pak analysis); US and Japan considered action against anti-whalers Sea Shepherd – Wikileaks; Coptic Christians protest after Egyptian bomb kills 21; Cote d'Ivoire negotiations; Brazil's first woman president takes office; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday December 29
Putin critic and oligarch convicted, drawing US condemnation and tipping Putin's return to power(+ analysis and Russia backgrounder); Double bombing in Iraq kills 17; African leaders tell Gbagbo to stand aside; South Korea president urges unity; and more
Read MorePeace to the Earth... maybe
We go into Christmas with the promise of fewer nukes, but threats of nuclear war being tossed around... and merry Christmas from Pundit
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday December 24
South Korea concludes biggest military drill in its history, preparing "merciless counter-attack" (+ analysis); Pakistan says no to US ops in tribal border regions; Russia looks to approve START; Israel military leader says war with Hamas inevitable; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday December 23
START looks set to pass in US, reducing nuclear stockpiles (+ analysis and background); South Korea launches new round of military exercises; Iran slapped with more sanctions after frosty meeting; Japan halves growth forecast; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday December 22
US Senate nears agreement on treaty with Russia to reduce nuclear arms; Democrats push through Republican opposition to START; tensions ease on Korea peninsula; Iraq's parliament will vote on cabinet; Islamists suspected in Kenya bombing; Venezuela passes internet law; and more
Read MoreEver get the feeling you've been cheated? Good night
Whether the resolution of The Hobbit fracas is good or bad, the way it got resolved looks pretty dodgy to me.
Read MorePoll of Polls: Plus Ça Change
Many polls. Much excitement. Little change.
Read MoreWhat I hope we've learnt from being leaky
The Supreme Court's ruling on leaky homes is both exactly right and terribly unfair. And it holds vital lessons for how governments govern and the foreshore & seabed
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday December 21
South Korea still on "high alert" after military exercises (+ analysis); Bill Richardson claims deal with North Korea to return nuclar inspectors; Iraqi government draws closer, but debates go on; Democrats look to sure up votes on new START; Thousands protest election in Belarus; and more
Read MoreCancún climate talks: hui or doey?
Delegates came home upbeat from the Cancún climate talks, although the Copenhagen Accord texts were hardly altered by the Cancún Agreements. Were there good reasons for optimism? Or were the “rounds of cheering and applause,” “at times near euphoria,” psychological symptoms of something else?
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday December 17
US withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan on track, says review; Australia's border policy under scrutiny following death of 28 asylum seekers; UN lifts sanctions on Iraq; US sues BP over Gulf oil spill; Swedish terror attack opens world to terrorists; and more
Read MoreAin't the new sound just like the old sound?
The Electoral Finance Act is dead. Long live the Electoral Finance Act.
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday December 16
Intelligence report says US has limited chance of success in Afghanistan; experts expect Obama policy review will allow a reduction in troops; South Korea holds drill to practise for nuclear bombing; asylum boat crashes into rocks and kills 27 off Christmas Island; Chavez asks parliament for sweeping new powers; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday December 15
US diplomat Richard Holbrooke dies; Holbrooke's death could have major impact on US efforts in Afghanistan and Pakistan; North Korea agrees to emergency meetings with China and other Six Party nations; South Korean general resigns over investment scandal; China to appeal WTO decision over tyre taxes; EU not ready to recognise Palestinian state; Obama health care plan suffers setback
Read MoreFear & loathing: Guns and Greg O'Connor, that is
The attack on Bruce Mellor shouldn't be linked with arming our police. Instead, we need to unload and ask whether more guns and more fear of the police is really the best way forward?
Read MoreFull of high sentence, but a bit obtuse: 2010, in review
2010 was all about one question: how, exactly, does one balance economic opportunities with environmental responsibilities? It was a 'politic, cautious' year
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