Austerity protests rage across Europe, and here in New Zealand a leading proponent of the free-market economy rethinks his stance
Read MoreC&R look creaky & rusty, and where's John Key?
Citizens & Ratepayers look to be on the ropes in the Auckland elections as voters tune in and the Prime Minister is notable by his absence
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday September 30
Protests against austerity spread across Europe (+ analysis); US officials express vague fears about terror plot aimed at Europe; China-Japan spat prompts ban on rare earth used in hi-tech industry; Two Koreas hold military talks; and more
Read MoreDoes Israel really want peace?
If Israel is serious about peace it would have extended the settlement construction moratorium. Instead it coldly snipped the brake cables on this haggling train wreck leaving it up to everyone else to prevent the derailment, while it sniggers all the way to the digger.
Read MoreWhat could have helped Nia
People knew Nia Glassie was in harm's way--someone almost always knows when a child is being abused. A new book tells what you can do to help
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday September 29
Kim Jong-Un made general, positioned for succession in North Korea (+ analysis); Tensions ease in Japan-China fishing boat stand-off; US Fed considers further stimulus; China seeks ancient links to Africa to shake off "coloniser" tag; and more
Read MoreThe Qantas Media Awards, TVNZ and reporting on Iran
Misleading media reporting is fuelling misperceptions of Iran, and even the BSA has recently backed me in that claim
Read MoreHigh country accord: save the Mackenzie country
Farmers and conservationists agree, the Mackenzie must be saved. In simple terms, the question is: should it stay brown, or turn green? Farmer Richard Peacocke and Forest & Bird discuss
Read MoreAn open letter to New Zealand's people and their Parliament
Twenty-seven academic experts in constitutional law have a warning about the legislative response to Canterbury's earthquake.
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday September 28
Israel's settlement moratorium ends, but Palestinians stay at the table (+analysis); China and US in game of chicken; Kim Jong-Il expected to name heir at massive meeting; Chavez's opponents make gains in Venezuelan elections; and more
Read MoreCERRA vs. NZBORA - or, when acronyms attack ...
Apparently the Canterbury earthquake emergency legislation is completely consistent with our fundamental rights and freedoms. Or ... is it?
Read MoreAll at sea: bladder kelp cutting, with Phil Heatley
“Wild kelp harvest is native forest logging of the sea”? Or just like “mowing the lawn”? It had marine science and conservationists in an uproar today, so what’s it all about?
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday September 24
Nuclear talks with Iran tipped to resume; Iran's Ahmadinejad is facing domestic challenges; US is reasserting itself in Asia as China and neighbours bicker; North Korea rearranges Communist Party in anticipation of succession by Kim Jong-Il's son; UN accuses Israel of war crimes; Obama announces US aid revamp; and more
Read MoreThe wobbly world of Fashion Week
It's odd. For an industry based on looking good, the fashion industry seems to know next-to nothing about presentation
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday September 23
China threatens retaliation unless Japan releases fishing boat captain detained in disputed waters; China has already suspended diplomatic ties with Japan; America taking bigger role in Asian security; US may apply sanctions to China unless value of yuan rises; Hillary Clinton encourages Arab aid to Palestine; France investigates al-Qaeda kidnapping; and more
Read MorePunitive political group-think rules... J'accuse too
The legislative failings exposed by Andrew Geddis this week also reveal a depressing political reality
Read MoreHere's my case ... what's yours?
In which the author tries to show why he is right ... so nyah, nyah, nyah.
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday September 22
Arab states arming themselves with $123 billion in US weapons; deal with Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait and UAE major boost to US defense industry; North Korean convention next week linked to Kim Jong-Il's succession plan; US concerned at estrangement between China and Japan; Turkey questions Iran sanctions; US recession longest since Great Depression; and more
Read MoreThe land that time forgot, and govt economics 101
Forest & Bird delivers a lesson in economical resource use — simplifying and streamlining, if you will — that doesn’t involve balancing the environment and the economy; and a reminder of the conservation job, put on ice for a quarter century
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday September 21
Low turnout, rocket attacks mar Afghanistan election (+ analysis); China-Japan relations deteriorate after fishing boat clash; BP's Gulf of Mexico well finally sealed; China pledges to keep Yuan low; and more
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