Libyan rebels finally enter Sirte with the help of air-strikes (+ analysis); Aid agencies warns of growing humanitarian crisis; Apple founder Steve Jobs dies – tributes flow; Merkel wants more capital to protect German banks; Former Japanese party leader on trial for false accounting; UNESCO clears way for Palestine to join; and more
Read MoreKeep Calm... and your head in the sand
Don't panic, Mr Mannering! The message being delivered by everyone from Europe's finance ministers to the Bank of England seems to be one of wartime stoicism. But is that enough?
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday October 5
Eurozone finance ministers refuse to approve more bailout funds to Greece without more austerity cuts (+ analysis on default); Euro bank stocks continue to slide; China warns of trade war with US; Suicide bombing in Somalia kills at least 70; US likely to pass long-awaited free-trade deals; Panetta criticises Congress on Palestine; and more
Read MoreSome praise for Parliament, rare though that may be
The Justice and Electoral Committee has done a good job on the issue of covert video surveillance. Mostly.
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday October 4
Greece won't make 7.6 percent deficit target, says prime minister; Greek government approves new austerity measures and a plan to force 30,000 public sector workers into early retirement; tribal fighting in Papua New Guinea leaves 15 people dead; International Criminal Court will investigate last year's election violence in Ivory Coast; US could gain $15 billion injection from trade pacts with South Korea, Panama and Colombia; and more
Read MorePolling update: Labour's loss is Greens' gain
Three new polls reinforce an unchanging overall political landscape and underscore a recent trend that is bad for Labour, good for the Greens, and bad for the left generally
Read MoreWhy the bad news isn't as bad as it looks
The double downgrade is exactly what the government didn't want eight weeks out from an election. But is it really so bad? Or does it speak to a larger narrative?
Read MoreThe truth behind the Don Brash strategy
What if Don Brash had an alternative motive for his tactics since his takeover of ACT? Is it all a cunning plan?
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday September 30
German parliament behind EU plan to increase eurozone's rescue fund; Slovakia expected to be biggest obstacle to enacting the eurozone rescue fund expansion plan; experts say Greek debt default is now inevitable; China has warned Asian countries not to hide behind US military backing; two Tibetan monks set fire to themselves to protest Chinese authority; violent incidents in Afghan war up 40 per cent this year; South Africa refuses visitor's visa to Dalai Lama; and more
Read MoreUpdated Poll of Polls – two myths exposed
The race to become the next government is effectively over, but there is intrigue in some of the secondary numbers
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday September 29
EU President says euro debt crisis "greatest challenge", proposes financial transaction tax; German parliament set to vote on second Greece rescue; Pakistan heaps praise on "all-weather friend" – China; Typhoon in Philippines leaves 21 dead; US and EU criticise Israel for 1100 more illegal homes; Second minister resigns over crackdown on Amazon road protests; and more
Read MoreThree cheers to becoming a Two Flag Nation
They're just wee flags squeezed onto car windows. But they symbolise something much more than rugby and something I hope will out live the Rugby World Cup
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday September 28
Greek and German prime ministers meet to discuss Greek's debt and implications for eurozone; Greek parliament expected to pass a new property tax to reduce budget deficit; Thai rebels target civilians; Australian government to allow women to serve in special forces and frontline combat units in next five years; Ahmadinejad visits Sudan, says like Iran it is victim of "powers of arrogance"; Russian finance minister resigns over Putin's planned return to presidency; and more
Read MoreFor law geeks only ...
I realise repeated posts on the issue of hidden video cameras is not a sure-fire way to increase traffic to this blog, but here we go again ...
Read MoreSeriously, politicians: What the hell?!
Why does our political landscape so often resemble open mic night at the local comedy club?
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday September 27
New eurozone rescue plan would write down 50 percent of Greece's public debt; Euro itself now under threat, say experts; Islamist militants ambush Filipino soldiers on island of Jolo; suspected suicide bomber attacks church in central Java; World Bank triples aid to Horn of Africa; French Left wins majority in Senate for first time in 50 years, threatening Sarkozy's re-election bid; and more
Read MoreThanks ... but computer says "no"
My prospects as a freelance fixer of public policy problems look distinctly unpromising.
Read MoreThe election campaign so far: Trevor one, Steven nil
With the Rugby World Cup brouhaha you'd be forgiven for forgetting there is an election soon. Mike Williams compares the performance of campaign managers Trevor Mallard and Steven Joyce
Read MoreACT says bye-bye Bosco - turns to the drug vote. Or not
ACT's John Boscawen reads the writing on the wall as the party tries to win over the lock 'em up crowd and the decriminalise drugs crowd at the same time
Read MoreShock, horror, naked political self-interest on display
Obama's dreaded 3am phone call may soon be to tell him Palestinians protesting for their freedoms, as their Arab neighbours are doing, have been mowed down at Israeli controlled checkpoints. What will he suggest to Netanyahu then?
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