As we approach Waitangi Day, it's worth considering that New Zealanders are not (contrary to popular belief) uniquely plagued by self-doubt
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World 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 MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday November 24
North Korea attacks South Korea--two marines killed; New York Times reports new nuclear facility in North Korea; some experts speculate Kim Jong-Un is trying to win support from the army by showing toughness; Australia to supply Japan with minerals known as 'rare earths'; Iran assembly tries to oust Ahmadinejad; Taliban leader in secret talks was imposter; Cowan responds to calls for snap election in Ireland
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday July 7
Obama and Netanyahu finally meet after Gaza aid flotilla scandal; Israel to allow more consumer goods into Gaza; Thailand emergency rule extends to one-third of country; Julia Gillard proposes East Timor as centre for processing asylum seekers; Biden leaves Iraq following meetings; Somali president asks UN for help
Read MoreThe International Court of Justice: another whales’ tale
Australia’s ICJ proceedings look like the latest high stakes manoeuvre in a diplomatic poker game with Japanese whalers
Read MoreThe business lobbies' dangerous hot air
The cowardice of the business lobbies are on display for all to see as they try the same old ETS stalling strategy. It's just dumb management
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday March 26
Russian leak: US and Russia to cull hundreds of nuclear warheads under new treaty (+ analysis); EU on verge of Greece debt package; Chinese telco takes on Google; Dubai finds more money for Dubai World; and more
Read MoreSeventh State debate: The Shortland St Effect
We opted out of Australia in the 1890s, and although some at the time hoped we'd have another chance at Australasian union, that was our one and only shot. Our distinctive New Zealand voice is now pulling us further away from our neighbours than ever before
Read MoreWho'll come a waltzing Matilda with me?
Why should we bother trying to catch up to Australia when we can just become Australia?
Read MoreOne very public assassination
As Israel launches a public relations campaign to try and improve its damaged international reputation, its own spy agency Mossad is at the centre of a diplomatic row following a high profile assassination of an enemy of Israel in a Dubai hotel
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday February 24
EU condemns Hamas hit as Israel refuses to co-operate with British inquiry; Google re-enters talks with China; Has senior Taliban leader been arrested?; Australia plans new face scan for visitors; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday December 3
Obama outlines Afghanistan plan; Australian government will reintroduce rejected climate change bill next year; Philippine mayor charged with mass murder; NATO pledges 5000 extra troops for Afghanistan
Read More2025 taskforce report: If lions ran the circus...
The muddle-headed 2025 taskforce report recommends policies that would not only drive more New Zealanders across the ditch, they would fail to catch Australia's GDP growth.
Read MoreNew Zealand Inc IS our foreign policy
John Key's trip to the US can be defined by a single line on Letterman... we come as friends and we really, really like you. Now let's do some business
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday August 25
Voter fraud in Afghanistan; situation in Afghanistan "serious and deteriorating"; North-South Korea meeting; new Pakistani Taliban leader; Netanyahu visits Europe; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday August 20
Violence in Afghanistan ahead of election; North Koreans to attend Yonhap's funeral; China offloads some American debt; China-Australia natural gas deal; Baghdad bombings; and more
Read MoreThe DJ Bill English tax re-mix
While the media was focused on other stories, Bill English quietly killed off National's tax cut policy this weekend. But that doesn't mean we can take our eyes off our tax system
Read MoreTo folate or not to folate?
Food Safety Minister Kate Wilkinson's apparent inability to back out of the decision to add folic acid to New Zealand's bread shows the problems with trying to merge New Zealand and Australia's markets
Read MoreEmissions reduction: talking hot air
The Emissions Trading Scheme Review Committee is deliberating—and lobby pressure is building towards Copenhagen, where international emissions reduction targets will be debated. That’s heavy weather up ahead
Read MoreBiking through the recession
Let's all ride our bikes merrily down the length of New Zealand, laughing in the face of the economic disaster that's made the rest of the world resort to actually doing stuff
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