NATO bombing intensifies as Libya Contact Group creates fund to back rebels (+ analysis); International Court issues arrest warrant for Qaddafi on rape charges; Thousands fearing massacre flee Syria for Turkey; Militants' midnight raid on Pakistani post; Leaked report confirms Greece bailout; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday June 9
Yemen government agrees unprecedented negotiations as observers suggest transition underway; Tribesmen seize parts of Yemen's second city; Britain and France demand UN sanctions against Syria; Food crisis in east Africa demands urgent action; 97% of Afghanistan's GDP linked to foreign military and donors; China builds first aircraft carrier; and more
Read MoreThe repeated mention of K's innocence was becoming irksome to him.
Whatever Darren Hughes did or didn't do, it more probably than not wasn't criminal. Can we all move on now? ... thought not.
Read MoreWelfare crisis: The numbers tell their own story
How many beneficiaries does it take to make a crisis? And what does history tell us? When were benefit numbers at their worst? For all this and more, read on...
Read MoreIf Greens Address Right, What does that make New Act?
Following Sue Bradford's latest post, which indicates the Green's latest decision clearly signals they will align themselves with the right, it's difficult to restrain myself from saying 'I told you so'. But that there be dragons
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday June 8
Yemeni Vice President rejects offer to negotiate and keep Saleh from returning; Reports: Saleh has 40% burns and collapsed lung; Greece austerity measures questioned as it seeks second bailout; Opposition denies killing 120 security personnel in Syrian town; Thousands flee Chinese floods; and more
Read MoreGreens step to the right
The Green Party political positioning statement this weekend is a significant move to the right despite attempts to paint it otherwise, and a culmination of long internal party debate. The risk is that they may just be outwitting themselves
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday June 7
President Saleh leaves Yemen as opposition celebrate and truce holds (+ analysis); China promises peaces in South China Sea; Drones kill 18 militants in Pakistan borders; New Peru president promises more equality but makes markets nervous; and more
Read MoreTalking about process and dismissal
Labour has happened across a pretty nifty little parliamentary trick. But it's time to put it away, I think.
Read MoreDeepwater protection - too little, too late
Environment Minister Nick Smith has finally confirmed that
Deepwater protection - too little, too late
Environment Minister Nick Smith has finally confirmed that
Who needs a business case for Auckland rail?
After the 'battle of the business cases' this week over plans for an inner city rail loop in Auckland, the words of Sam Morgan offer some wisdom to luddite politicians
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday June 3
Yemen edges towards civil war as military and tribes rebel (+ analysis); Japan PM survives no-confidence vote, but promises to go; US Republicans demand plan for spending cuts; Drug Commission calls time on 'war on drugs'; and more
Read MoreLosing Sarah--meet the new Palin prototype, Michele Bachmann
Is it time to bid a fond farewell to Sarah Palin? We wish it wasn't so, but it seems there is a new wackadoo political force about to take centre stage in the US--Michele Bachmann.
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday June 2
Heavy fighting continues in Yemen; two more activists killed in Yemen; Japan underestimated impact of tsunami, say nuclear experts; Chinese government attempts to contain soaring consumer prices; Syrian Opposition rejects amnesty; 9/11 suspects charged at Guantanamo; Mladic arrives at the Hague; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday June 1
Civil war looming in Yemen; UN claims 50 have been killed in Yemen since Sunday; Moody's may downgrade Japan's credit rating; US Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Asian tour to emphasise US military's commitment to the region; Japanese employment rate has risen; Karzai demands end to airstrikes; and more
Read MoreJohn Key's heart of darkness
Key announces ministerial group to advance welfare reform – welfare to form key part of National's 2011 election campaign – beneficiary bashing to the fore, again
Read MoreAn economical economy
Ideas on how to restructure an ‘economy’ that means what it says: an economical, ecological economy that manages resources sustainably, and allocates them fairly
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday May 27
G8 leaders to meet in Deauville to discuss Libyan conflict, Middle East uprisings; French Finance Minister Christine Lagarde leading contender for IMF job; Australian policy on asylum seekers criticised by UN human rights commissioner; explosions in Chinese city of Fuzhou that killed two attributed to disgruntled farmer; Egypt eases Gaza blockade; US to cut troops in Pakistan; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday May 25
NATO warplanes bombed 15 targets in Tripoli; Libyan rebels will open diplomatic office in Washington DC; assessors say damage to Fukushima nuclear reactor worse than previously thought; US envoys in North Korea for humanitarian talks; Netanyahu says there can't be a return to 1967 borders, as suggested by Obama; more trouble in North Sudan; and more
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