Huge changes are being made to early childhood education under the cover of the earthquake, as the government warms up for welfare reform
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday March 9
Qaddafi continues to attack own people, Libya slides into civil war; Obama nominates new ambassador to China; Japan to test stealth fighter plane; prisoners riot in Yemen; Obama formalises indefinite imprisonment for suspected terrorists at Guantanamo Bay; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday March 8
Qadaffi loyalists mount counteroffensive, retake towns; UN estimates 200,000 refugees have fled Libyan violence; Bahrain protesters beg US for support; Japanese PM refuses to resign despite losing foreign minister; Robert Gates considers longer mission in Afghanistan; and more
Read MoreSolid Energy defi(n)es sustainability in Southland
Putting Solid Energy’s own definition of sustainable business practice to the test, on the ground in Southland
Read MoreTickets to WOMAD
We have two three-day passes to WOMAD to give away
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday March 4
Libyan rebels regain oil port of Brega, then face airstrikes (+ analysis); 90,000 refugees pour into Tunisia; Egypt military appoints PM with opposition support; Phillipines air force sees off Chinese boats; Battles flare in South Sudan; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday March 3
Battles rage in Libya as Qaddafi recaptures oil town and promises to fight to the end; Analysis of US military options and how this impacts on Iran; Iranian police outmuscle protesters; In Asia, journalists covering protests beaten in China and South Korean activists try to seed revolution in the North; Pakistani minister murdered; and more
Read MoreFarrar and Cactus appoint themselves taste police
How soon is too soon to ask the government how it intends to pay for rebuilding Christchurch? A spat has broken out on the blogs about where politics starts and stops, but who's kidding whom?
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday March 1
Sanctions and international negotiations begin to support Libyan protesters (+ analysis); Medics say six dead in Oman rallies; Chinese authorities shut down talk of 'jasmine revolution'; US defence boss warns of land wars in Asia; and more
Read MoreReluctant Keynesians shaken into spending - again
The earthquake will ask some tough questions of all politicians this year - What will they cut? How much can they borrow? Either way, the government's austerity plans are on hold
Read MoreMeet James Shaw, Wellington Central Green candidate
In the Wellington Central electorate, Green candidate James Shaw is challenging Green stereotypes. “Give up your old prejudices,” he says, because it takes all kinds to save a world, including kinds like him
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday February 25
Qaddafi loyalists gather in Tripoli; North Korea could be on the brink of major food shortages; Yemen president protects protesters; Obama and the Marriage Act; Assange to be extradited to Sweden; and more
Read MoreRebstock report a little ripper
From eugenics to workfare, the Welfare Working Group report released on Tuesday has the potential to destroy lives, hopes - and our welfare system itself
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday February 24
Qaddafi clings to power despite erosion of his government; mediators sent to help end border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia; Christchurch earthquake continues to make international headlines; Saudi king returns after health scare promising billions in pay rises; American stoush over collective bargaining spreads; Greek protests against austerity measures turn violent
Read MoreHow a new news was born of tragedy
Until mother nature threw her fury at New Zealand three times in six months, wall-to-wall news was something for other countries. TV networks however are creating a new media world live on your screen, right now
Read MoreSometimes an emergency really is just an emergency
I know everything is political. But not every political decision is partisan.
Read MoreKia kaha, Christchurch
Outside Wellington railway station this morning is a love note to Christchurch. I thought that Christchurch needed to see it.
Read MoreKyrie, eleison
There isn't much I can say about Christchurch's pain that we don't all know already. So this is a post about something a lot less important - politics.
Read MoreMackenzie developments, and Trust
High country farmers and Ministers are defending private property interests in the Mackenzie Basin, while speaking the language of collaboration and trust — with a capital T
Read MoreObama: all talk and no action on Palestinians' human rights
The United States' veto of a draft resolution condemning Israel's continued illegal settlement construction has exposed the Obama administration of kowtowing to Israeli pressure and thereby paying lip service to human rights in the Middle East. Bad timing big boy.
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