Arab League observers met by protesters in Homs as Syrian peace deal begins; At least 30 killed in clashes the day before (+ analysis); North Korea calls for for economic investment; World leaders label Nigeria Christmas bombings "cowardly" and "senseless"; More Russian protests draw out Putin; Brazil's economy now bigger than Britain's; and more
Read MoreThe Beehive Christmas list 2011 – Ho ho ho!
Lookee here, Santa has come early for all those boys and girls in parliament. So what did he bring the politicians? Did they get what they wanted – and what they deserved? Let's sneak a cheeky peak
Read MoreChange the end of the story for our abused kids - have your say on the Green Paper
How New Zealand is protecting its next generation clearly isn't working. Norm Hewitt, former All Black-turned-children's champion, is urging all New Zealanders to "say something" on the Green Paper for Vulnerable Children, and change the end of the story for 160,000 at-risk Kiwi kids
Read MoreA farewell to arms
The Occupy Dunedin camp has folded. Now a judge has told Auckland's version to do the same. So it goes.
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday December 20
Kim Jong-un announced as North Korea's leader after Jong-Il dies; US and South Korea "monitoring" events (+ analysis); Mass burial for 650 Filipino flood victims, hundreds still missing; Pakistan military tensions prompt Zadari return from Dubai; 13 dead after four days of Cairo crackdown; Playwright and President – Czech leader Havel dies; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday December 16
US declares Iraq war officially over, prepares to open largest US embassy in world; Over 100,000 Iraqis and 4,5000 US soldiers killed in conflict (+ timeline and analysis); Govt promises "punishment" after revolt in China over land seizures; Mexico tells off US and Europe as it takes over G20 rule; Human Rights Watch says Syrian commanders ordered "shoot to kill"; DRC opposition wants protect to protect election win; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday December 15
US and Russia at odds over ongoing conflict in Syria; more than 30 killed in Syria yesterday; Papua New Guinea has reinstated deposed Prime Minister Michael Somare--but he is not expected to survive a parliamentary vote of confidence; Chinese villagers in southern Guangdong province protest against local government over land grab; Egyptians vote in second stage of parliamentary elections; EU criticises election in Democratic Republic of Congo; and more
Read MoreConservation lands: resources, naturally?
All of the government’s signs are pointing the same way: relocating conservation and the Department of Conservation within the “natural resources” sector, the better to “streamline and simplify” its activities
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday December 14
US and Iraq negotiate post-war partnership just weeks from withdrawal; Obama warns Iran to respect Iraq's sovereignty; China has been cyber-spying, US intelligence claims; Over 5000 dead in Syria since Assad crackdown; "Holiday Man" working presidential bid in Russia; Canada pulls out of Kyoto after years of complaint; and more
Read MoreDavid Shearer's fresh start – 1) Keep it real
The election is over, so the work begins. Labour has its new face in David Shearer, but now has a mountain to climb to win 5-10% of National's voters over to its side (and a few back from the Greens). So how does it do that?
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday December 13
Medvedev submits to formal probe into Russian elections, but rejects new vote; Protesters call for Putin to stand down; India and China to join US in climate treaty; Cameron defends EU veto in parliament, but where's Nick Clegg?; Elections in Syria, but no-one shows up; South Korea starts 'Christmas tree war' against North Korea; and more
Read MoreThe post-election outlook on conservation lands
In preference to weeping, I try to count conservation blessings, and plan my new career as a lobbyist
Read MoreSpecial votes and the DPB parents factor
With the specials about to be announced, what are the ramifications for the new government? And what's likely to happen next?
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday December 9
Merkel & Sarkozy call for "new common legal framework" as crucial EU summit convenes; Leaders divided on "quick fix" vs long-term reforms; European Central Banks cuts rates to all-time low; US insists China a partner not "adversary"; Syria imposes blockade on Turkey border, while South Sudan responds to Sudanese bombing; Australia refuses to sell uranium to Pakistan; Putin blames Clinton for fomenting protest after Russian elections; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, December 8
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad denies ordering crackdown against protesters; UN says 4000 people have been killed during the nine-month government crackdown; China to make "extended preparations" for warfare amid ongoing territorial disputes in the South China Sea; US and South Korea in talks to revise 1974 nuclear power treaty; Pakistan's Zardari receives treatment for heart condition in Dubai; Greek parliament passes austerity budget; and more
Read MoreCharter Schools: Friend or Foe?
Area men, women panic as Key, Banks unveil December surprise.
Read MoreTowards a new theory of the Greens: transition times
The global green change needed is desperately urgent. Paradoxically, the fastest and best way to achieve it locally might be more tortoise than hare
Read MoreNational-ACT deal Part I - spending cap
This year's National-ACT supply and confidence deal goes futher than the previous one, prompting a lot of indignant questions about ideology, economic management and choice... and a few examples of hypocrisy
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday December 6
Merkel and Sarkozy meet over Euro crisis; US asks South Korea to cut trade ties with Iran; former Khmer Rouge official denies responsibility for killing two million during 1970s; Islamist parties win majority in Egypt; China commits to climate pledge; Peru declares state of emergency following protests at US-owned gold mine; and more
Read MoreLabour's leader: TV, weaknesses & the Obama factor
The battle for the Labour leadership was first waged in caucus (Shearer), then on TV (Cunliffe). This week it moves to the regions as remains tight. So who does John Key fear most? And why do I keep thinking of Obama & Clinton?
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