Dozens killed in sixth day of Homs crackdown; Arab League to return to Syria, perhaps with UN observers; Analysis – so what should be done with Syria?; Greeks government parties reach austerity deal, EU ministers meeting to discuss; Israel and US disgree on Iran threat; Amensty claims Russia & China breaking arms embargo in Darfur; Further improvements in Burma?; and more
Read MoreAsset sales – Where are Mum and Dad’s shares?
Iwi may be steaming over the Government’s plans to convert State-owned enterprises into “Mixed Ownership” businesses - but so will the country’s “Mum and Dad” investors when they find out what the iwi are being told.
Read MoreYou can't put Key on the radio ...
Putting the Prime Minister on the radio for an hour to show listeners what a nice guy he is "appears to encourage or persuade voters to vote for a political party or the election of any person at an election". Who'd a thunk it?
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday February 9
Euro Bank makes US$14 billion concession – if Greece agrees to austerity deal (+ analysis); Argentina accuses UK of "militarising" south Atlantic and takes Falkland's claim to UN; South Korea to make weapons for Saudis in new deal; CIA boss considers Burma trip; Protesters back Maldives' first democratically elected PM
Read MoreAnd then nothing turned itself inside-out
Seeing as no-one really seems to know what is happening in the US Republican nomination race, I thought I'd chip in my $5 million Super PAC worth of thoughts.
Read MoreStorm in a baby's bottle
Yet again parents are coddled to within an inch of plausability, this time over breastfeeding
Read MoreHappy Waitangi Day (and why protest is good for us)
Another national day, another chance for us to feel out who we are as New Zealanders. And another day of protest. But those who condemn the protests should stop whining and stop to think what really matters to us as a nation
Read MoreLawnmower Treasury says it's time for a trim
Treasury's advice to Bill English is nothing if not clear – it's time to cut. So does its briefing to the incoming minister make its case? Or rather miss the point entirely? What do you think...
Read MoreSyrian slaughter continues as Russia stonewalls at the UN
Diplomacy is failing Syrians as Russia rejects the latest UN Security Council draft resoltuion aimed at stopping al-Assad's brutal crackdown on his own people. Russia's threat of veto is within UN rules, but a rising Syrian death toll is a consequence that's tough to justify.
Read MoreWho wants more State support for more “commercially attractive” TV?
New battle-lines are being drawn between New Zealand’s major free-to-air television networks and NZ On Air as the networks seek more State support for “commercially attractive” local programmes.
Read MoreWho wants more State support for more “commercially attractive” TV?
New battle-lines are being drawn between New Zealand’s major free-to-air television networks and NZ On Air as the major networks seek more State support for “commercially attractive” local programmes.
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday February 2
International pressure builds on Russia to back Syria sanctions as violence continues; US opens door to North Korea – if it mends ties with the south; NATO report claims Pakistani link to Afghan Taliban; Romey regains lead in primary race with Florida win; Julian Assange goes to court; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday February 1
West and Arabs unite to force al-Assad to step down – Russia says no (+ analysis); EU leaders agree to cede Budget powers to Brussels – UK and Czech Republic say no; Who wants to talk to the Taliban now?; Atomic Energy Agency approves Japanese stress tests; China crackdown on Buddhist monastries; and more
Read MoreIf it's just a symbol, why do you care?
Is John Key being advised by Auckland law graduates?
Read MoreMurdered between the mosque and the mall
Canada's justice system has confirmed (again) that there is no such thing as an 'honour killing', but (again) rejection of this twisted, controlling, patriachal notion of honour comes way too late for the latest four victims...all from one immigrant family.
Read MoreCrafar Farms deal ticks the boxes – but where does it end?
The Crafar farms sale is a canny deal with undoubted benefits for New Zealand. So why the fuss? Because each sale of productive land offshore raises questions about our future economically and as Kiwis
Read MorePay rises in the Garden (city) of good & evil
Chrischurch City Council CEO Tony Maryatt gets a 14% pay rise to $540,000 when people are still using toilets in the street? Where's the spirit of the blitz? Because true leadership speaks of sacrifice
Read MoreLaneway Tickets to give away
In which you give us your name and address and we perhaps give you a great day out on Monday, January 30
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday January 26
State of the Union: Barack Obama wants economy "built to last", takes on inequality; Analysis: Speech begins Obama's re-election campaign and how Washington is broken; Japan reports rare trade deficit for 2011; Egyptians return to Tahrir for first anniversary of anti-Mubarak uprising; US Navy Seals op in Somalia rescues aid workers, kills pirates; At least two dead in China-Tibet clash; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday January 25
Saudi Arabia withdraws from Gulf Cooperation Council--Arab League to meet today to decide whether to abandon the mission; Chinese open fire on Tibetan protesters; EU to ease sanctions on Burma; EU finance ministers reject Greek private debt deal; US defends NATO bombing mistake; and more
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