Hundreds of thousands of anti-government protestors gather in Kiev; South Korea expands air defense zone; Japan's GDP growth revised downwards; Afghanistan seeks closer ties with Iran; leaders head to South Africa for Mandela memorial; and more
Read MoreConstitutional review - timidity means little grist for the mill
If Andrew's constitutional blog leaves you wanting more, you won't be disappointed by this post and its attempt to spark some debate
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday December 6
US and China discuss North Korea, East China Sea air defense zone; Thailand's economic outlook darkens; dozens killed in Yemen bombing; India continues to resist WTO deal; and more
Read MoreWhat the constitutional review said (and what I said it would say, revisited)
The Government's seemingly never-ending constitutional review has finally delivered its report. Which is a good excuse for me to go back and test how accurate my predictions about its content were.
Read MoreCunliffe's folly
Tweeting who to vote for at a by-election on the day the poll is being held is silly, but it isn't exactly the worst thing that any politician has ever done. Hell, it may not even be illegal.
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday December 5
Joe Biden meets with Xi Jingping in effort to ease tensions between China and US; Thai protestors support former deputy PM; UN considers sending forces to Central African Republic; Vatican refuses to cooperate with sex abuse probe; and more
Read MoreJohn Banks and the lumpy mattress of deceit
Who knows whether John Banks will be found guilty next year, only the courts can decide. But in the court of public opinion, a trial is as bad as a conviction
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday December 4
Anti-government protestors storm Thai PM's compound; Biden works to ease tensions between Japan and China; Kim Jong-un fires his uncle and has two of his aides executed; poverty facilitates return of polygamy in Kazakhstan; number of US banks falls to record low; and more
Read MoreNext year's public law exam question is here somewhere ...
Three important public law developments fell on the one day. That makes posting a bit of a challenge!
Read MoreOrganise to Win
Of six by-elections since 2008, only one, Mt Albert, looks anything like Christchurch East in the scale of the Labour result.
It's no coincidence those two seats had similar results: They were planned and run on the same organisational template. None of the other by-elections were.
Read MoreDeal or no deal II: The economic arguments aren't all pro-oil
Is this government's commitment to oil a bit like investing big in New Zealand Post? And what will our children make of the choices we're making now?
Read MorePalestinians pay for Iran deal
Israel's Prime Minister Netanyahu has been knocked back into his place by the world's most powerful countries.... including his key friend the US, so what does he do? He takes out his anger on the Palestinians of course
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday November 28
US ignores China's new airspace defense zone; Thai protests extend beyond Bangkok; Germans agree on "grand coalition" government; Microsift to ramp up encryption efforts to stop NSA intercepting traffic; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday November 27
Japan-China air zone rift deepens; China to place limits on interbank lending; Scottish government publishes blueprint for achieving independence; France to send troops to Central African Republic; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday November 26
Iran deal draws mixed reactions; Japan and China in airspace dispute; protesters march through Bangkok demanding PM's resignation; Egypt passes law to regulate protests; Swiss vote against executive pay cap; and more
Read MoreDeal or no deal? New Zealand's oil & gas choice offers great risk & reward
The drilling and the protesting has begun... But amongst all the rhetoric, scaremongering and promises of outrageous fortune, lies a prety simple question we should all be asking
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday November 22
France urges West to stand firm on Iran's nuclear programme; Australia-Indonesia spying row continues; elderly US tourist detained in North Korea; US and Afghanistan reach security agreement; fracking approved in Botswana but not used; and more
Read MoreNew boundaries = new strategies for major parties
One new seat added in Auckland. But that single proposed seat has ramifications that will ripple across the city with some surprising winners and losers
Read MoreNow in the second year of Nebuchadnezzar's reign, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams
Alan Titford's feet of clay have been shown to all the world. But could he have been Northland's mayor?
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday November 20
Iranian diplomat killed in twin suicide bombings in Beirut; bad loans at Chinese banks have tripled in past six years; Philippines rebuild could cost $5.8 billion; Al Shabab bombs Somali police station; Russian judge releases Brazilian Greenpeace activist; and more
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