Hamas vows to escalate violence in Gaza; Australian courts put stop to government's plan to hand over asylum seekers; Japanese PM Shinzo Abe meets John Key to talk about free trade; Ukrainian army prepares for showdown with pro-Russia separatists; 60 Nigerian women and girls escape Boko Haram; and more
Read More‘Vote Positive’ means sound positive too
Labour’s new election slogan is a challenge for the party to focus exclusively ‘on the positive things that matter to Kiwi families’, as the PR promises.
That means rejecting the rhetoric that has New Zealand going to hell in a hand basket, and avoiding negative distractions that make Labour look like the party of dead trees, slow trucks and extinct birds
Read MoreOn John Roughan's confusions
John Roughan's column on why paying "voluntary" school fees is a good thing confuses me. I think that's because it is very confusing.
Read MoreJohn Roughan: I already am contributing, thanks
It feels good to pay for your child's education, says the columnist. Yes, and I already am, I reply
Read MoreSorry, but ill-discipline still hounds Labour... Sorry
Mallard's moas and David Cunliffe's mangled apology are signs that Labour's still slipping off-message too often... and sometimes not even accidentally
Read MoreLet's all just take a deep breath ...
People are starting to demand someone's - anyone's! - head over the Muhammad Rizalman bin Ismail diplomatic immunity escapade. What's the rush?, I say.
Read MoreFighting the last war
Jock Anderson still just can't get over the fact that "leftie protestors" are allowed to burn flags as a form of protest. And it's all because of those meddling judges ... .
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday July 3
Tensions high in Israel after police find body thought to be missing Palestinian teen; hundreds of protestors arrested in Hong Kong; rioting Buddhists and Muslims clash in Burma; WHO calls emergency meeting on Ebola; final push for Iran nuclear agreement begins; and more
Read MoreIt is time to end the Occupation, not take revenge
If the murders of teenagers on both sides of the deadly dispute over Palestine doesn't spur the international community to force an end to the unlawful occupation, what on earth will?
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday July 2
Japan eases restrictions on aiding allies under attack; demonstrators in Hong Kong rally for democratic reforms; Chinese military rally behind President after military leader forced from Communist Party; Israel vows retribution after teens' bodies found; French burqa ban upheld; and more
Read MoreAstride the eagle & dragon: John Key's Pacific paradox
As John Key re-writes the script for relations between New Zealand and the US, what are the implications for China and does this mean a return to automatic support for America?
Read MoreMemo to Labour: What about free education?
My two cents on the sort of dramatic policy Labour will need to win over voters. Think interest-free student loans and go from there
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday July 1
Iraq troops battle for control of Tikrit; North Korea proposes two Koreas suspend hostilities; senior military official expelled from China's Communist Party; MERS cases in Saudi Arabia triple; militia disarms in Democratic Republic of Congo; and more
Read MorePlenty of ironies in latest polls
The latest polls show that Colin Craig, Winston Peters and perhaps even the Maori Party have something in common... the need for Labour to do better
Read MoreLabour's sins of ommission
Where is the sense of urgency from a Labour party that doesn't seem terribly fussed about winning this election, or at least seems quite happy to leave it to potential coalition partners to get it over the line?
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday June 27
Iraq to form new government; US disbands counterterrorism operation in Philippines; South Korean PM's resignation rejected; West African ebola outbreak "biggest ever"; Lebanon reacts to multiple bombings; and more
Read MoreJustice Sisi style
The outrageous sham that Egypt's President calls independent justice should stand as a warning not just to journalists working in the country, but to Egyptians themselves. If Sisi can stare down world-wide condemnation, think how little thought he will give to anyone who has no international voice
Read MoreLabour's actions drowning out its words
Sssh. Don't tell anyone, but Labour's actually building a coherent plan for running the country. Unfortunately for them, no-one can see past its repeated mis-steps
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday June 26
Russia votes to stop using force in Ukraine; Chinese envoy visits Taiwan for first time; China plans global financial institution to rival World Bank; UK set to become first Western country to sell Islamic bonds; Libyans cast ballots for new government; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday June 25
John Kerry pushes for more conciliatory leadership in Iraq; Japanese PM Abe unveils economic reform package; another South Korean politician bows out of PM race in wake of ferry disaster; Syria hands over last of declared chemical weapons; Putin renounces right to use force in Ukraine; and more
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