Allied air strikes protect anti-regime rebels, but Qaddafi forces repel advances (+ analysis & multimedia); Electricity back on at Fukushima plant, but cooling systems not working; Military leaders switch sides in Yemen; Obama holds up Brazil as model for protesting states; and more
Read MoreNuclear policy meltdown
Assuming nuclear-generated power for New Zealand is a non-issue, what should be our stance on it globally?
Read MoreDon't let our youth go to waste ...
I'm nearly 40. I'm working on my grumpy old man persona. Bloody young people and their goshdarnit ways ...
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday March 18
Helicopters and water cannon turned on Japanese nuclear plant, putting workers at risk (+ analysis); Millions without power as 9000 still missing and death toll tops 5000; US backs Libya no-fly zone, warning bombings would be necessary; Violence spreads in Cote d'Ivoire; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday March 17
Nuclear crisis grows with further damage to reactors (+ analysis); Japanese Emperor makes rare public appearance to urge "hope"; China postpones nuclear projects; Pakistan court frees CIA's Raymond Davis; Violent crackdown in Bahrain; and more
Read MoreThere's glory for you!
There'll be a lot of silliness before National's foreshore and seabed law gets passed. Here's my contribution.
Read MoreImagining a green manifesto
The Greens’ policy platform needs as much rebuilding as any other party’s, to make it strong and sustainable
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday March 16
Japanese PM warns of "very high" radiation leak risk; Nuclear industry faces renewed scrutiny amidst crisis; Nikkei loses sixth of value in two days; China to avoid exchange rate negotations at G20; Iran angry as foreign troops enter Bahrain, Intelligence reports question Afghan surge, one year on; and more
Read MoreEnough Already - The Rozzers' Powers Need Curbing
The Police have more than enough laws to fight crime, it's just that they're not using them effectively. The two old parties - National and Labour - can just stop giving them more legislation. When did you ever hear the Rozzers say, "Thank you very much, we have enough power now."?
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday March 15
Second explosion at nuclear plant in Japan; two thousand dead found on the shores of Miyagi prefecture; Bank of Japan pouring $183.17 billion into markets to ease economic impact of quake; China has overtaken the US in manufacturing output--US was number one for 110 years; Saudi forces to intervene in Bahrain; Crowley resigns from US State Department after criticising treatment of WikiLeaks suspect Bradley Manning; and more
Read MoreLetter from Pahaoa
There is a sign at the end of the road to Pahaoa. "LEAVE ONLY FOOTPRINTS," it says, and there were two sets of footprints on the beach: mine, going out, and coming back. I climbed a rock, and sat on it. Hours passed, a whole afternoon, I realised later, in what seemed like minutes.
I took these photographs, hardly daring to hope that they would capture how it was at Pahaoa, on Friday afternoon, but they do. I came home with something better: a quiet mind.
Read MoreJust like the pictures, the quake debate goes on
A Pundit debate about media ethics winds up on telly... So is my argument "spurious"? Has the media overstepped in reporting the Christchurch quake? Some new thoughts...
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday March 11
NATO meets to discuss Libya no-fly zone as counterattacks intensify (+ multimedia); Yemen President promises "parliamentary system", but protesters remain defiant; Indonesian terror trial resumes; Dalai Lama to hand on political role; Wisconsin on verge of finally passing anti-union law
Read MoreOf Diplomats and Dictators
Libya's 'Mad Dog' has learnt from Tunisia and Egypt that capitulating is for pussies, not real leaders, and his stance has delivered the biggest diplomatic headache since the Bosnian war.
Read MoreBaby farms & welfare mums
Huge changes are being made to early childhood education under the cover of the earthquake, as the government warms up for welfare reform
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday March 9
Qaddafi continues to attack own people, Libya slides into civil war; Obama nominates new ambassador to China; Japan to test stealth fighter plane; prisoners riot in Yemen; Obama formalises indefinite imprisonment for suspected terrorists at Guantanamo Bay; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday March 8
Qadaffi loyalists mount counteroffensive, retake towns; UN estimates 200,000 refugees have fled Libyan violence; Bahrain protesters beg US for support; Japanese PM refuses to resign despite losing foreign minister; Robert Gates considers longer mission in Afghanistan; and more
Read MoreSolid Energy defi(n)es sustainability in Southland
Putting Solid Energy’s own definition of sustainable business practice to the test, on the ground in Southland
Read MoreTickets to WOMAD
We have two three-day passes to WOMAD to give away
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday March 4
Libyan rebels regain oil port of Brega, then face airstrikes (+ analysis); 90,000 refugees pour into Tunisia; Egypt military appoints PM with opposition support; Phillipines air force sees off Chinese boats; Battles flare in South Sudan; and more
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