Did you know MPs are considering making it an offence, punishable by a fine of up to $20,000, to wear a green ribbon in your hair on election day? If you think this is silly, you'd better tell them so ... soon.
Read MoreEmbrace the Iranian thaw...for now at least
How ironical for the 2013 UNGA which showcased the first thaw between Iran and the US in 34 years, to wind up in New York today with a full on excoriation from Israel. All it did was reveal Israel's anger that diplomacy may yet solve the Iranian nuclear stand-off.
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday October 2
US government on partial shutdown; Japan to raise sales tax by 3 percent; South Korea displays new missiles designed to combat North Korea's arsenal; chemical weapons inspectors head to Syria; unemployment up in Germany; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday October 1
US government on verge of shutdown over healthcare reform; US won't cut force in Korea; Tony Abbott to meet with Indonesia's president over asylum seekers; Italian PM seeks vote of confidence; protesters take to streets in Sudan; and more
Read More80% of countries use torture – New Zealand is one
The Corrections Department removes opiate pain killers, ritalin, and even anti-depressants from prisoners. It uses a 'mimimum dental services policy'. This causes intense suffering for thousands of prisoners. So does it amount to torture?
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday September 27
UN Security Council representatives to meet with Iran's foreign minister; China's central bank pumps $27 billion into the economy; Tokyo to consider reducing corporate tax; "modern slavery" claim over deaths of workers readying Qatar for soccer World Cup; US faces another debt limit deadline; and more
Read MoreThe Herald's post-2014 election fantasy
Some nameless person at the New Zealand Herald thinks either Labour or the Greens may have to support National after the 2014 election. And that person gets a salary to write this sort of stuff!
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday September 26
US and Iran step closer to peaceful resolution; Chinese legal activist goes missing on way to human rights training course; North Korea may be close to developing nuclear warhead to fit missile; mass starvation feared in Syria; former pope denies abuse cover-up; and more
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The America's Cup -- building boon or boo-hoo?
There has been heaps of hype around the America's Cup, but beyond our national ego and sporting competitiveness, there is one very practical reason to hope Emirates Team New Zealand can somehow pull one out of the bag
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday September 25
Obama and Iranian president Hassan Rouhani to address UN General Assembly; China bans exports of possible weapons components to North Korea; limits on foreign workers in Singapore; Egypt bans Muslim Brotherhood activities; Russia accuses Greenpeace of piracy; and more
Read MoreGo West young Cunliffe... & South, North or East. The regions are calling
David Cunliffe's shadow cabinet reshuffle has been seen as quite measured and Cunliffe himself says it puts Labour on a war footing. But perhaps the most telling appointment has gone largely unremarked
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday September 24
Mall security measures reassessed in wake of Kenya terrorist attack; Bo Xilai sentenced to life in prison; typhoon kills 25 in China; dozens dead in attack on Pakistani church; Obama calls for new action on gun violence; and more
Read MorePut me on the board! Put me on the Cadillac board!
The incentives the Government is dangling before prospective investors in Meridian Energy show just how much pressure its "Mixed Ownership Model" policy is under.
Read MoreAnother four easy pieces
Starting with wearing the niqab in court, moving to messing up prisoner disenfranchisement, passing through justifying yet more limits on election day activity, and finishing with a new theme song for Apple.
Read MoreKeep calm and love your hijab
Quebec's minority separatist government is dividing the province with its proposal to regulate religious symbols worn by public servants - a so-called Charter of Quebec Values. Like almost everything it has done in one year in office, this too is a shambles.
Read MoreTo Cunliffe the spoils – so don't spoil the chance
David Cunliffe has been given a shot – a better shot than he might have had – so which direction will he take and can he switch out of primary-mode quick enough?
Read MoreFive Challenges for David Cunliffe
We only need to look across the Tasman to see what David Cunliffe should do now.
John McTernan’s ‘Five Things the Australian Labor Party Needs To Do Now’ and Julia Gillard’s piece on ‘Power, Purpose and Labor’s Future’ should be compulsory reading.
Here are a few thoughts for the To Do list:
Why I voted for Shane Jones
World News Brief, Friday September 13
US and Russia work on deal to dismantle Syria's chemical weapons programme; North Korea may have restarted nuclear reactor; Japan raises sales tax to ease country's debt; suicide bomber kills 35 in Iraq; teachers clash with police in Mexico; and more
Read MoreHitting the wall -- housing debates & political narratives
On The Vote Metiria Turei of the Greens and National's Sam Lotu-Iiga both slipped up, and in doing so showed where their parties are potentially weak in Election 2014.
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