Intelligence report says US has limited chance of success in Afghanistan; experts expect Obama policy review will allow a reduction in troops; South Korea holds drill to practise for nuclear bombing; asylum boat crashes into rocks and kills 27 off Christmas Island; Chavez asks parliament for sweeping new powers; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday December 15
US diplomat Richard Holbrooke dies; Holbrooke's death could have major impact on US efforts in Afghanistan and Pakistan; North Korea agrees to emergency meetings with China and other Six Party nations; South Korean general resigns over investment scandal; China to appeal WTO decision over tyre taxes; EU not ready to recognise Palestinian state; Obama health care plan suffers setback
Read MoreFear & loathing: Guns and Greg O'Connor, that is
The attack on Bruce Mellor shouldn't be linked with arming our police. Instead, we need to unload and ask whether more guns and more fear of the police is really the best way forward?
Read MoreFull of high sentence, but a bit obtuse: 2010, in review
2010 was all about one question: how, exactly, does one balance economic opportunities with environmental responsibilities? It was a 'politic, cautious' year
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday December 14
UK security forces search Luton property related to Stockholm bombing; experts fear bomber may have been one of al-Qaeda's "lone jihadists"; US homegrown terrorism on the rise; WikiLeaks cables reveal Australia feared being pulled into nuclear conflict; Netanyahu says no chance Jerusalem will be divided; Ivory Coast suspended from African Union until Gbagbo gone; and more
Read MoreDivine intervention and the Key welfare agenda
Comments from the Prime Minister suggest that the government's willingness to act tough on welfare may go a lot further than many expect
Read MoreStop Whining and Suck It Up
If you want to know why the wine industry's up the creek without a paddle, just look to those at the top. Join the Wine Institute of NZ Inc and stuff up a good thing.
Read MoreChina's Nobel Own-Goal
A clearly worried China has scored an own-goal with its ridiculous and abusive reaction to the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to its national 'dissident' Liu Xiaobo. The embarrassment should last for some time.
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday December 10
WikiLeaks supporters bring down Swedish government's website; cyber attackers also crashed MasterCard and Visa sites; there are now 1000 mirror sites that contain WikiLeaks information; democracy activists are under house arrest in China in advance of Liu Xiaobo receiving Nobel Peace Prize; China and North Korea have reached "consensus" on defusing Korean peninsula tensions; complicated maths to sort Iraqi cabinet; anti-drug group for Afghanistan
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday December 9
Washington abandons efforts on Israeli settlements in Gaza; experts say Gaza move is good for Obama; China chided for not using influence with North Korea; Kevin Rudd blames US for release of secret info, not WikiLeaks; Robert Gates makes surprise visit to Afghanistan; Ireland on strict budget
Read MoreWin tickets to snappy, funny play
If you want something for nothing... and a night out on Friday... all you have to do it have an opinion. And if you're reading this and don't have one of those, what on earth are you doing on this site?
Read MoreWhat the constitutional review will recommend - you heard it here first!
The Government has announced its review of New Zealand's Constitution. I'm announcing what it will recommend - except about thething that really, really matters.
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday December 8
US share market reacts well to US tax-cut extension; Experts predict much-needed US deficit cuts won't happen; Clinton warns North Korea to stop "provocative behaviour"; China-US relations "frozen", say analysts; New Iran talks planned; Julian Assange arrested on rape charge; and more
Read MoreThe ugly reality of US tax cuts
To the rich the spoils. A Republican refusal to continue unemployment benefits for millions of unemployed Americans unless millionaires and billionaires got to keep tax cuts has seen Obama compromise, and arguably outsmarted
Read MoreHeather Roy's done it again - why we shouldn't follow her back to the future
Heather Roy reckons our nuclear-free policy is stopping a free-trade deal with the US. Someone needs to tell her that the '80s are over, Reagan isn't president anymore and Iowa doesn't give a toss
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday December 7
Nuclear talks between Iran and world powers begin; Iran has shown no sign of willingness to make concessions; US accuses China of enabling North Korea to launch attacks on South Korea; US and South Korea make progress on delayed trade pact; Karzai arrests election officials; Bernanke hints at more economic help
Read MoreWhy Chris Finlayson needs a blogsite ...
If you find yourself calling people "clowns" or "paranoids" in the course of your day job, it's a good sign that you need to join the blogosphere.
Read MoreJames Hansen’s fee and dividend: our election year tax cut
Everybody except Nick Smith thinks the emissions trading scheme is dumb. Unhappy with mainstream climate change policy responses, environmentalists are looking elsewhere. Here’s a new idea, that we’ll hear more of in 2011: an election year idea, all about tax and cuts
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday December 3
US Fed's bailouts much more widespread than previously known, critics pounce; Euro powers say Iran must cooperate on nuclear programme; India looks to join France in IMF and governance reform; China criticises military exercises; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday December 2
US debt commission divided on austerity plan, struggles for consensus (+ analysis); Portugal PM says 'we do not need help'; Iran talks raise hopes, but will demand stiff terms; Chinese manufacturing growth eases jitters about Europe; and more
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