Judge slaps down Arizona's immigration laws, sets up debate for midterms (+ analysis & ruling); Britain and Pakistan trade insults over Afghanistan; Russian spy service gets more power; Japanese oil tanker damaged – terrorism or wave?: and more
Read MoreCarter commits 'death by cop', gifts Goff his biggest opportunity
In what may be the most amateurish coup attempt ever, Chris Carter has killed his own career in a way that ensures none of his colleagues could ever back him. Unintentionally, he's made Phil Goff's leadership more secure and given him a fresh opportunity
Read MoreCrown pastoral land: LINZ explains everything
Land Information New Zealand is a bit of a misnomer: the information, when I asked them for it, seemed in short supply. But inadvertently, they explained quite a lot
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday July 29
US admits losing billions of Iraqi dollars as it frets about lack of government (+ analysis); France "at war with al Qaeda" after engineer killing; Japan reaches out to skilled migrants; New BP boss reckons no more oil will flow into Gulf; and more
Read MoreWikiLeaks are no Pentagon Papers
The dauntingly large cache of documents detailing the increasing futility of war in Afghanistan doesn't deliver anything new... but gives cause for concern and puts the heat on the rather dubious ally, Pakistan.
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday July 28
WikiLeaks papers show repeated signs of Osama bin Laden since 2003; Pentagon hunting for whistleblower who leaked documents to WikiLeaks; US and South Korea join on third day of military manouvres to warn off North Korea; North Korea has not responded with promised retaliation; $17 billion loss for BP; and more
Read MoreJust who are you calling powerful, Mr Hide?
Have politicians forgotten just who really holds the power in a democracy?
Read MoreOffshore oil: never mind the gap
Gerry Brownlee, in his haste to scrape the bottom of the oil barrel, is showing some disregard for Maori that is not mana-enhancing
Read MoreThe Happiest Writer on Pundit
David Young is happier even than Sue Bradford and Deborah Coddington were to leave parliament. More satisfied than Nicky Hager was when Don Brash stepped down. He is chirpier even than… Tim Watkin.
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday July 27
Afghanistan war log revelations – more civilian deaths, Iran and Pakistan aiding Taliban, increasing use of remote-controlled drones; US and South Korea begin military exercises despite threats; Khmer Rouge jailer jailed; BP set to announce new CEO; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday July 23
Petraeus to step up counter-insurgency strategy in Afghanistan as Republicans express doubts; North Korea warns off US and South Korea; Kosovo's independence ruled legal; Bernanke says economic outlook is "unusually uncertain"; and more
Read MoreDisgraceful conduct, not murder...
The first Canadian soldier to have been charged with murder on the battlefield has dodged that bullet, but been found guilty of disgraceful conduct. Why? What did he do?
Read MoreUniversal pension: universally fair?
What the Retirement Income Policy and Intergenerational Equity conference told us about selfish generations, and raising the age of pension entitlement
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday July 22
US to impose new sanctions on North Korea, may enter "dangerous new period"; Chinese floods kill over 700; BP chief expected to resign within weeks; Insurers put squeeze on Iranian shipping; and more
Read MoreBut is it Art? No, it's Child Abuse
How the 20th century New York pop art brigade and its middle class sexist followers are too hypocritical to stand up and identify child abuse when they see it
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday July 21
Afghan president Hamid Karzai gets support for plan to take lead on Afghan security; US and Korea plan major naval exercise; British PM David Cameron to make first White House visit; EU considers tougher Iran sanctions; and more
Read MoreSchedule 4: So what do the Nats stand for now?
The government says it's backdown on mining is evidence that it listens. But the question left is whether there's any policy Key and Co. will fight to the death for? And where's that step change coming from now?
Read MoreSoftware: to patent or not to patent?
The government's decision to change the patent law regarding software has got techies and lawyers up in arms. It's out of kilter internationally and raises questions about the select committee process
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday July 20
US government fears BP-capped oil well may be leaking (+ analysis); 50 die in Iraqi bombings; Pakistan and Afghanistan hammer out trade deal as US re-commits to pull-out; China becomes world's largest energy consumer; and more
Read MoreDoing the time warp with National – can the Left do better this time round?
In the face of National's employment law and welfare reforms, how will Labour and the unions respond?
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