Euro debt crisis expands: Ireland debt downgraded to junk, fears for Italy as bond yields rise, and Eurozone officials plan emergency summit for Greece (+ analysis); China's growth slows; Pakistan spy chief heads to Washington after US cuts off aid; Thousands flee Nigerian city after religious violence; and more
Read MoreYou know what really grinds my gears?
In which your humble author vents his spleen indiscriminately about things that happen to be in the news.
Read MoreHow John Key tried to do a 'Reagan' on Labour, and failed
Labour was meant to have been caught in a fiscal trap, but with its capital gains tax it has wriggled free and got back on track
Read MoreGreed is good, as long as it's green
Green capitalism on a roll - Pure Advantage campaign and Green Growth paper launched last week - Green Party right in on the action, and making hay while the sun shines
Read MoreTax: Some facts (for a change)
John key says Labour's tax package will make high-income earners "not welcome in New Zealand". Where might they be more welcome than here?
Read MoreWorld News Brief Tuesday, July 12
US stalls over debt reduction talks--Republicans balked at Obama's tax increases; Australia to tax 500 biggest polluters; Chinese exports up 20 per cent in one year; Syrian forces raid city of Homs, killing one; drought in Somalia world's 'worst humanitarian crisis'; fears Eurozone crisis could spread to Italy, Europe's third-largest economy; and more
Read MoreAmerica's ugly, ideological hostage-takers
As the US hurtles towards debt default, there's a growing sense that Tea Party acolytes may well be prepared to deliberately tank the economy if it ensures a one-term Obama and future power for them. It is ugly ideology.
Read MoreBattle with geography slowly being won
It's been ten years since the Knowledge Wave conference. So has the world changed for you? Has technology and innovation swept you away? Or are we expecting too much, too soon?
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday July 8
Major budget talks in US--Obama meets Boehner; US$1 trillion could be saved by reorganising federal government bureaucracy, according to expert; South Korea will host 2018 Winter Olympic Games; Hong Kong media reporting that former Chinese president Jiang Zemin has died; Libyan rebels take Western town on way to Tripoli; North Korea bribed Pakistani military for information on nuclear-bomb making; Europeans angry at credit rating agencies for downgrading Portugal; and more
Read MoreDairy goes green
Fonterra is helping dairy farmers write good farm stories: tales that start with basic effluent compliance, and could end in best sustainability practice and bridging the gap between conservationists and farmers
Read MoreThompson's demise a bad omen for his old boys' club
Adieu Alasdair Thompson. But is one man's fall from grace a sign of a larger shift in the business world?
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday July 7
Assad launches another "ferocious" attack on Hama, while Amnesty accuses him of crimes against humanity; Qaddafi forces kill five in Misurata; Reports: Russian officials say Qaddafi may be willing to step down; Bitter irony – Somalis fleeing drought drown in Red Sea; Portugal's credit rating slashed to junk status; New Thai PM focuses on economy; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday July 6
Pakistani troops and gunships launch operation against own Taliban in border areas (+ analysis); Syrian forces make arrests in 'liberated city'; Thai election seen as loss for urban elite and military; US sends drone in Somalia, one dead; Japan Reconstruction Minister lasts only one week; and more
Read MoreHappy Feet vs Feet on Street
Emperor Penguin and Rugby World Cup provide convenient political distractions -- but 30th anniversary of 1981 Springbok Tour a timely reminder of the potential of people power
Read MoreThe elephant in National's room: Privatisation
Is the election race closer than assumed wisdom suggest? Those who say nothing's changed in the past few months are missing the political pachyderm staring them in the face
Read MoreWell, that was quick ...
The debate between supporters and opponents of MMP just ended.
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday July 1
EU promises support for Greece but pressure remains for further cuts; World markets rally on back of Greek vote, but solution only temporary (+ analysis); NATO airstrike kills Afghan militant leader; Taiwan's ex-PM charged with embezzlement; Egypt violence as anger with interim government surfaces; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday June 30
NATO helicopters required to end standoff in Kabul hotel, at least 21 killed; Afghanistan raid shows local forces taking a lead on security but also better organised Taliban; Greek austerity bill passes; Sudan ceasefire agreed; Former Thai seeks comeback despite corruption and terror charges; US wars cost well over US$3 trillion – was it worth it?; and more
Read More
Pulling the Teeth of the Tiger
Extracting information on military operations in Afghanistan from the New Zealand Defence Force is difficult at the best of times. The Christmas Eve NZSAS raid on the business premises of the Afghan Tiger Group in Kabul last year was not one of NZDF’s best times...
Read MoreYou can Vote for Change ... but why?
By all means let's debate the pros and cons of MMP. But it ain't going anywhere in November.
Read More