Are national parks the things we have when we can’t find anything else to do with them? The Denniston mining proposal is like the Schedule 4 mining proposal, with bonus snails
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday August 11
Global markets go down, up, then down again in quest for answers (+ analysis); US Fed looks to offer assurances and break panic; Cameron says police in "fightback" after more English violence; Koreas exchange fire; Syria rejects Turkey's peace overture; and more
Read MoreDavid Parker in Epsom – stepping up or giving up?
David Parker has been touted as a future Labour leader, so what does his decision to stand in Epsom tell us about his ambitions?
Read MoreThe battle for London is on...
The British government, caught off guard and on holdiay, has announced it will meet violent mobs head on with plastic bullets, water cannons and other policing methods required to bring the next Olympic city under control...but for how long?
Read MoreGovt moo-turn, adidas and a fair share
Oscar Wilde warned against knowing the price of everything, but the value of nothing. This week we've seen the government realise the value of milk and opt to find out the price, while adidas know the price of a rugby jersey, but not the value...
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday August 10
Dow Jones takes steepest dive since Dec 2008; gold now a record US$1770 an ounce; experts fear policymakers do not have the financial or political clout to combat a second global recession; Chinese inflation at 6.5 per cent; US wants talks with North Korea to decide how to search for US soldiers killed there during the Korean War; 16,000 police will be on London streets to combat riots, says Cameron; US pledges $105 million for famine relief in Horn of Africa; and more
Read MoreAfter Farrar: Laffer laughter
And when poodles armed with noodles in a fiscal muddle scuffle, they call this a fiscal-feudal muddled poodle Laffer laughter ever after addled prattle battle
Read MoreWorld news Brief, Tuesday August 9
G7 leaders pledge to support financial markets in wake of US debt downgrade; the European Central Bank buys up Spanish and Italian debt; US dollar continues to weaken against other major currencies; China calls for "international supervision" of US dollar and says the country must live within its means; Syrian forces attack Eastern city of Deir al-Zour; efforts to recover US Army helicopter shot down in Afghanistan, killing 38, hampered; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday August 5
UN talks tough on Syria, but falls short of concrete action; Syrian tanks keep up bombing of Hama (+ analysis); Bank of Japan intervenes to drive down Yen; China calls Japanese criticism of its naval growth "irresponsible"; Somali famine spreads to new areas; and more
Read MoreNever argue with a fool, onlookers may not be able to tell the difference
There's an old saying in politics – that explaining is losing. Which is why it's best to have nothing to do with Viscount Monckton's search for publicity
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday August 4
Hosni Mubarak pleads not guilty to corruption and murder charges, but protesters want more; Court appearance high point so far of Arab Spring; Thousands protest for Papua independence after 21 deaths; US allows aid even into rebel areas of Somalia; Calls for restraint as South Korea-Japan tensions grow; Italy in crisis talks; and more
Read MoreDunne: All snow related sports to be banned
Kronic must go because it might hurt some people who think taking it is fun. A good start, but how about we deal with the real problem our nation faces?
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday August 3
US Congress raises debt ceiling at the 11th hour, avoiding default; commentators call a victory for the Republicans, but stock markets fall regardless; Syrian forces shell Hama for a third day; Somali refugees starve as rebels block escape; Chinese police shoot Uighurs accused of attacks; Trilateral AfPak talks; and more
Read MoreNorway's terror - Lessons learned?
Left- and right-wing politicians and commentators in Europe are grappling with the lessons to be learned from the terrorist attack in Norway -- and what it means for debate about immigration.
Read More7 thoughts on Media, science, and sustainable dairy
When science joins journalism, good things happen, as Mike Joy and Stephen Sackur showed. It was a big media science story, that should have been a bigger economic one: how to reconcile dairy’s growth industry with our “100% pure” brand
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday August 2
Obama and Congress agree debt deal – plan is long-term but no new taxes; Markets respond positively, but downgrade still predicted (+ analysis); Deal a victory for smaller government; Assad storms Hama, at least 80 dead; North Korea agrees to resume six-party talks; Ethnic violence in China pre-Ramadan; and more
Read MoreWhat are you prepared to sacrifice for our kids?
Sacrifice isn't a popular word, but the government green paper on vulnerable children poses some tough questions for all of us. For one, if we're to really help the worst off, are we prepared to stop judging them?
Read MoreThe debt that binds us
Americans may think that they are not in as much economic trouble as Greece but perhaps they should take a closer look, particularly if they factor in the game of chicken their politicians are playing with their futures.
Read MoreThe Rich List: A pat on the back, but national treasures?
The NBR's Rich List today begs us to celebrate the richest of the rich for, well, being rich. Me, I'd like a broader definition of success if it's all the same
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday July 29
Investors look for alternatives to US bonds – find little that looks safe; House set to vote on doomed Republican plan; what a default would do to America; China's naval plans spark neighbourly concern; NATO takes over Kosovo border after trade squabble; Half a million Ivorian refugees too afraid to go home; and more
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