Obama's new budget promises trillion dollar cuts as "down payment" (+ White House statement & op-eds); Iran leaders call for execution of protesters; Berlusconi will stand trial for under-ge sex; Philippine peace talks; and more
Read MoreIran's theocracy terrified of democracy... again
Hillary Clinton has called Iran's Mullahs for what they are – hypocrites, as their faux support of the Egyptian revolutionaries has been unmasked for the forked tongued, self-serving garbage that is is
Read MoreWould a poll of any other words smell as sweet?
A dinner-time phone call from a Tory pollster sparks some thoughts about the wording of political questions and the biases that appear between the words
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday February 15
Egyptian protesters return to Tahrir Square as military makes plans (+analysis); Riot police block pro-Egypt protests in Iran; Algeria to end emergency law after 19 years; China's trade surplus drops due to rise in commodity prices; Chinese economy overtakes Japan; and more
Read MoreThe last Pharaoh is gone
Mubarak has finally been forced out of office by the will of the people. Egypt's revolution has triumphed...and while the party will continue for some time, there's a major workload ahead for the military ruling council which is now in charge.
Read MoreWhy the Halberg judges got it wrong
The All White's performance at the World Cup was most certainly not the most excellent sporting achievement of 2010. And God help us if it represents the future of football in this country.
Read MoreMubarak's one-fingered salute
Egypt's old military dictator is trapped in a parallel universe where he thinks he can still reward and punish his own people as if they still fear him, tell them to go home as if they will obey him, and then sic the military on them to break them.
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday February 11
Mubarak refuses to step down despite strikes and international pressure; Doubts over Suez Canal could push up price of oil; Iran opposition leader arrested for planning Egypt-like protests; India and Pakistan to resume peace talks; Chinese hackers and more
Read MoreThe proposed Regulatory Responsibility Bill shouldn't be enacted
Why the Government’s proposed Regulatory Responsibility Bill is ill-founded, constitutionally radical, and likelyto hurt democracy.
Read MoreDavid Cameron's true colours perhaps?
David Cameron has thrown an unnecessary and quite frankly perplexing incendiary into Britain's multicultural conundrum. It is difficult to fathom why he's done it... unless of course he can't wait til the royal wedding for a much needed distraction
Read MoreThe RMA road map: infrastructure crossroads
To help the government’s goal of “building infrastructure for growth”, the foundations of the Resource Management Act are being quietly reviewed, without a scrap of evidence that infrastructure is being impeded by the current law
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday February 10
Egypt protests gain ground as workers join in (+ analysis of Pakistan comparisons, US dilemma); North-South Korean talks collapse on first day; Berlusconi refuses to stand down despite evidence; US Patriot Act fails vote; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday February 9
Leaders promise term limits as tens of thousands return to Egypt's streets (+ analysis and background); North and South Korea hold talks about talks; Suu Kyi asks West to rethink Burma sanctions; Hague in Tunis says changes must be "irreversible"; and more
Read MoreGoodby patience... and goodbye Hone Harawira?
Rush, rush rush... if only the protagonists in the Maori Party squabble could taiho they may find a way to reconcile. But the political timetable is pushing them towards division
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday February 8
Egyptian protesters maintain Mubarak must go as "opaque" negotiations begin (+ analysis of regional unrest); AOL buys Huffington Post in online mega-merger; Thai and Cambodian soldiers exchange fire over temple; Julian Assange faces extradition; and more
Read MoreAnd now the storm-blast came, and he Was tyrannous and strong
"Day after day, day after day, we stuck, nor breath nor motion; As idle as a painted ship Upon a painted ocean." Could this be Hone Harawira's parliamentary fate?
Read MorePolling trends are bad crystal balls
When a pundit says "if this trend continues to the election," stop listening
Read MoreSeeing the Forest for the Trees
An examination of the strange suggestion, spread by the Green Party, that our native ecosystems are at a greater risk than those of any other country on Earth except for Burma.
Read MoreA bit of shameless self promotion...
We're going to have a constitutional review, with these results. But here's some other thoughts on the matter ...
Read MoreWho was wise this week?
The summer surge of politics continued this week with more big calls being made, especially by National, Labour and the Maori Party. But what do they mean? And where do they lead?
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