New instability threats in Mali; China will surpass US as world's largest economy in 2020s; North Korea fixing technical problems with long-range rocket; Pakistan, Afghanistan and Turkey hold summit; Egypt braces for more violent protests; and more
Read MoreThe return to zero
I have no idea how the David Bain compensation bid is now going to turn out. But I don't see why that should stop me telling you about it
Read MoreCrusher Collins turns her vice on Power & Binnie
Justice Minister Judith Collins' silence on why she had sought a second opinion on the Bain compensation was prompting speculation she was shopping for a verdict. But who knew she's respond like this?
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday December 11
Egyptian president Mohammed Morsi gives army power of arrest; North Korea delays rocket launch; Japan's Liberal Democratic Party rules out forming coalition with Democratic Party of Japan; Afghan police chief killed in latest Taliban attack; Hugo Chavez's cancer returns; and more
Read MoreThe art of not predicting politics
Matthew Hooton has done a 180 degree turn on his prediction for the 2014 election. Yet the new prediction seems as risky as the last one
Read More2012 Apocalypse Edition: The Year of the Black Dragon
Political Notes from 2012: o'seas & domestic political rants of a purely existential nature - no strings attached version
Read MoreParliament's 'short term' thinking
Politicians seem to agree that three years is too short... but will anything be done about it now we've got MMP?
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday December 7
Egyptian protests turn violent; China warns Vietnam to stop oil exploration in South China Sea; former Thai president faces murder charges; Pakistan Taliban has new leader; Argentina files complaint over US limits on beef and lemon exports; and more
Read MoreSusan Couch's deserved victory
I didn't think Susan Couch would win her battle in court. I'm very glad she hasn't had to.
Read MoreBloggers v Journalists: Why can't we all get along?
In which I get things some off my chest about relations between bloggers and journalists and the coverage of the Labour Party conference
Read MoreWhy we don't need a new party-hopping law
We shouldn't use Brendan Horan's political execution as a reason to reintroduce bad law.
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday December 5
NATO foreign ministers expected to approve Turkey's request for deployment of Patriot missiles; Vietnam boosts patrols in South China Sea; official campaigning for Japanese election kicks off; Iran claims it captured US drone; Rwandans react to UK aid freeze; and more
Read MoreBible-bashing barbarism must end
Latest incident of young girl left kneeling in corner during Bible class reinforces need for urgent law change
Read MoreIt's called covering your backside
David Bain's claim for compensation is starting to look more and more like Charlie Brown's attempt to kick the football.
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday December 4
Judges in Egypt boycott referendum on Morsi's powers; North Korean missile now on launch pad; Chinese activist Chen Guangcheng urges Communist Party chief to effect political reform; Taliban suicide bombers hit US-Afghan air base; Europe to act on Israel's settlement actions; and more
Read MoreLeft and right neck and neck in poll of polls
The tide goes out slowly, but it does go out.
Read MoreOn privilege, absolute or qualified
The House of Representatives' Privileges Committee is considering whether or not public servants should be given free reign to defame completely innocent individuals to their Ministers. Well, that's an exaggeration ... but read on anyway.
Read MorePalestine's long overdue arrival
The world's recognition of Palestine is a symbolic, moral and real victory for Palestinians in their struggle to end the 45 year belligerent occupation and secure an independent state. Those who oppose such aspirations are out of step with the rest of the world, and its time they realised that.
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday November 30
Palestinians set to win indirect UN statehood; China considers attending US military drill in the Pacific; South Korea's top nuclear envoy in China to discuss North Korea's missile launch plans; Kosovo's former leader cleared of war crimes; Chavez in Cuba for cancer treatment; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday November 29
Egyptians protest President Morsi's expanded powers; China downplays row over passports; Thai president survives no-confidence vote; Pakistan tests ballistic missile; Spanish banks win EU bailout; and more
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