So, a record deficit huh? The scene is being painted for a chop-chop Budget, but is our public debt really that bad? Let's take a look at our history...
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday May 17
IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn agrees to forensic examination for investigation into alleged sex assault on Manhattan hotel maid; Strauss-Kahn arrest has prompted fears in Athens that they have lost a powerful advocate for economic recovery; Chinese artist Ai Weiwei allowed visit with wife--the first contact with family or friends since his arrest six weeks ago; Japanese authorities say they will have shut down Fukushima nuclear reactors by the end of the year; Egyptian authorities turn on pro-Palestinian protestors; John Kerry to visit Pakistan for counter-terrorism talks; Mississippi floodgates opened to save Baton Rouge and New Orleans; and more
Read MorePrince Charles, won
Prince Charles – unwilling to let his son steal the whole show – almost atoned for a lifetime's embarrassing blurts and blunders, when he aired his passion for agri-culture, not agri-industry. Maybe he shouldn't be put out to pasture, just yet – or is that in fact where he belongs?
Read MoreThat's why flags are such ugly things
Why do our Supreme Court judges hate our glorious war dead so much?
Read MoreDear Don – An Open Letter
The world has changed dramatically since 2005. The Don Brash prescription for change has not. But his venom is now directed at National under Key and English instead of Labour under Clark and Cullen
Read MoreWhy Politics needs Science
What if those in politics could get past what's right and what's left to what's right and what's wrong? That's naive, of course, but it doesn't mean that science couldn't improve the way we decide those big policy questions
Read MorePeter Dunne gets his claws out and his cunning on
It's that time again, when Peter Dunne goes prowling for enough votes to survive another term. Except this time he's thinking bigger. Could it be 2002 all over again for the Centrist Saviour?
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday May 13
Qaddafi makes public appearance as rebels advance and NATO bombs Tripoli (+ analysis); At least 10 killed in Yemen protests; US Attorney General says bin Laden "not assassinated"; EU pledges open borders despite Denmark and Italy actions; Japan says early warning system saved lives in quake; and more
Read MoreCosta Rica: small feet and big smiles
In which my musing, about what would make a good life, is helped along by a good list. It sounds a lot like New Zealand
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday May 12
US and China reach "milestone" deal on market access, technology and defence; Clinton still labels China's record on human rights "deplorable"; Another cuty shelled in Syria crackdown; Bin Laden's son demands inquiry; More strikes in Greece as EU reviews bailout; and more
Read MoreChart of the day: Say something already! edition
Osama bin Laden and the Wild West
If the United States is so keen to espouse the virtues of good governance including the rule of law to others, then it is time for it to end its ‘Wild West’ mentality and practice what it preaches
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday May 10
Pakistan government to respond to Bin Laden raid, as US demands access to wives (+ analysis of Bin Laden's targets); Egyptian military partols streets after religious violence; Softer bailout terms for Greece and Ireland?; Bashir faces third trial; and more
Read MoreOn the stump, for a happy planet
If I were a politician, I’d campaign on four social, economic, and environmental issues — not necessarily in that order
Read MoreOsama bin Laden's death: the good, the bad and the hope for peace
Is bin Laden's death a chance for peace in Afghanistan, or merely an opportunity for the world to make the same mistake again?
Read MoreThe last photo shoot
US President Barack Obama has blocked the release of photo evidence of his al-Qaeda trophy because of its incendiary potential amongst terror extremists. He must now be hoping neither photo nor weighted corpse will surface any time soon.
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday May 6
US suspects Pakistan of harbouring bin Laden as Pakistan warns against future raids (+ analysis & multimedia); Syria protesters promise 'day of defiance'; Engineers enter Fukushima reactor for first time; Obama ready to pass trade deals; and more
Read MoreWhat Hone could have said instead
Hone Harawira's comments on Bin Laden's death were dumb. But they could have been smart.
Read MoreAfghanistan: Our Self-inflicted Wounds
Defence Minister Wayne Mapp and his Chief of Defence Force Rhys Jones stepped up their efforts this week to keep the gloss on New Zealand’s military involvement in Afghanistan. So far, they have succeeded in raising more questions than they have answered.
World News Brief, Thursday May 5
US and Pakistan bicker over bin Laden mission – aid in jeopardy as politicians try to spread blame; Palestinian factions unite, refusing to give even "a single inch of land"; EU looks to bring back border restrictions; Amnesty International reveals massive North Korea prison camps; and more
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