Karzai's first post-victory speech; Taliban claim responsibility for disrupting election; North Korea bomb pressure mounts; Australia's economy recovers; Czech ruling on Lisbon Treaty; and more
Read MoreNick Smith tells two stories
The government’s made a liar out of Dr Smith in recent weeks. Is his lopsided mask slipping, or is he just a casualty, like the rest of us, of his more cynical conservative colleagues?
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday November 3
Karzai wins Afghanistan election through default; North Korea again seeks bilateral talks with US; Myanmar gas-and-oil pipeline; Pakistan bombing kills 30; CIT group bankrupt
Read MoreWhat next for the foreshore & seabed?
Recommendations on how to deal with the contentious Foreshore and Seabed Act go to Cabinet today and are due to be announced on Wednesday. Can the government both clear the hapu hurdle and pass the talkback test? And what is tipuna title?
Read MoreDogs' breakfast, paws for thought
What pets eat determines the size of their ecological paws. Is the resulting footprint a crime worthy of capital punishment, or have the professors miscalculated?
Read MoreOf rules and principles, right and wrong
When is it enough to just follow the rules? The escapades of Rick Barker and Bill English raise some quite gnarly questions.
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday October 30
Iran to cooperate on nuclear programme (+ analysis); Sri Lankan refugees refuse to leave Australian customs ship; Obama requests province-by-province report on Afghanistan; Europe debates Tony Blair's EU ambitions; and more
Read MoreAll grown up now: our very own evangelical cult, or something close to it
Brian Tamaki convinced 700 men to "pledge allegiance" to him at a Destiny Church conference. Makes the tithing and chastity rings look pretty harmless, doncha think?
Read MoreTamaki the "spiritual father" goes from mad to bad
Brian Tamaki's new "covenant" with male church members crosses a dangerous new theological line and tilts towards a messiah complex
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday October 29
More than 90 killed in Pakistan car bomb as Clinton arrives (+ analysis); Australia rejects asylum seekers; Merkel wins German election; US and China seek to build military ties; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday October 28
Al-Qaeda group claims responsibility for 155 deaths in Baghdad; ASEAN leaves Buram unresolved; Tensions flare in Iran; Chinese military growth 'minimal', says general; and more
Read MoreWhy is the Pope on the poach?
The Pope's cunning plan to bring conservative Anglicans back into the Roman fold has prompted a deluge of tricky questions, and sent a sure message to Catholics that they can forget any little gifts of modernity under this year's Christmas tree
Read MoreGovt decision that cost us $100 million
As global stockmarkets climb and climb, the New Zealand Super Fund has hit an all-time high and this year enjoyed its most profitable month ever. So why was it again that the government cut contributions?
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday October 27
Officials arrive to inspect Iranian nuclear sites; Bombings in Baghdad kill 132; East Asian nations urged to coordinate currencies; US senate to finalise healthcare bill; and more
Read MoreAre we heading for ACC, RIP?
John Key has finally decided to spend some political capital, by moving towards privatisation for ACC. Sad that he isn't spending it on productivity, wages and the things he claims are his top priorities
Read MoreNot in the loop: a festival of film for a labour-free weekend
I’m trying, not quite successfully, to kick the climate change habit. After 24 hours’ film immersion, political satire In The Loop loses the battle to the message movie Home
Read MoreFrom Power to the people
So far, Simon Power is doing the right thing by the people and their constitution. Rodney Hide? Not so much
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday October 23
Iran agrees to export enriched uranium; Executives at Chrysler, AIG, Citigroup and others get 90% pay cut; China posts nine percent growth; Abdullah Abdullah commits to run-off; Guinea massacre prompt EU arms embargo; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday October 22
US Supreme Court intervenes in Guantanamo closure (+ analysis); Pakistan closes schools and universities fearing further attacks; Tensions in Japan-US military ties; Britain and France charter plane to expel refugees; and more
Read MoreThe king of fraud capitulates
Afghanistan's Hamad Karzai has faced up to the unpalatable reality that he did not win the August election, and must now front up for a run-off in two weeks time. How can Afghan citizens, so widely defrauded the first time, be convinced to go through it all again?
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