It’s been exclusively men, so far, who have been trying to persuade me of my flawed understanding of rape politics since I posted about the issue, and Willie and JT, on Friday. Left wing bloggers Giovanni Tiso and Egonomist just tweeted that I’m ‘crazy’ and my views ‘embarrassing’.
Roast Busters horror reveals ugly politics
The horrible truth that young men have been allowed to carry on raping under the watchful eye of the police is bad enough. The story has also picked the scab off some ugly politics.
Read MoreRoastBusters, resilience and the reappearance of Bullshit Castle
The Roastbusters club has again exposed police failings when it comes to sexual assaults. Sadly, that's hardly news and the police response to the revelations shows why
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday November 8
Nuclear talks begin among six world powers and Iran; rural businesses in China take to the web; Taiwan and Singapore sign free-trade agreement; Ireland heads towards final bailout review; historic gay rights bill before US Senate; and more
Read MoreThou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people
Apparently multiple complainants about sexual offending by men who then brag about it on the internet isn't enough to get before the courts. But there'll be no hesitation in prosecution if you dare to make a pretend poster criticising the Police's attitude towards such crimes!
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday November 7
Germany wants answers over UK role in US spying; homemade bombs cause of explosion outside Communist Party office in China; Indonesia's GDP lifts slowly in face of inflation; lower petrol prices in US boost consumer confidence; general strike brings Greece to a halt; and more
Read MoreConfessions of a crack-smoking mayor
Toronto's Rob Ford takes the cake - well in his case the rock - in current mayoral scandals following his blubbering confession that while he has smoked crack cocaine while hammered, he's still by far the best person to run the city. Really?
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday November 6
Humanitarian missions in Syria hampered by lack of funds; Thai PM defends political amnesty bill; China to begin releasing cotton stockpile; batles rage in Congo despite cease-fire; jailed punk rock singer reportedly headed to Siberia; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday November 5
Morsi's trial adjourned until January; South Korea unwilling to meet with Japan unless Tokyo apologises for World War II crimes; 19 sailors killed in North Korea naval exercises; doctors aided torture at US military prisons; Mali arrests suspects in murder of French journalists; and more
Read MoreCalling New Zealand's Jeff Bezos - NZ Listener for sale
Is there anyone out there with a spare few million and a heart for the public interest? If so, maybe there's still a deal to be done with the NZ Listener
Read MoreArise, Sir Douglas
What defines a man's life? Is it the titles he holds, the wealth he accumulates or some other symbol of status that his contemporaries hold in high esteem? And how do we decide if those symbols of status are still deserved?
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday November 1
Egypt continues crackdown on Muslim Brotherhood; Asian governments demand explanation for US surveillance; Bank of Japan says country will reach inflation target in 2015; Syrian chemical weapons equipment destroyed; Russia targets Dagestan insurgents; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday October 31
Iraqi PM wants US weapons; North Korea accused of "gross human rights violations"; Assad regime reportedly using starvation as tactic; Obama orders NSA to curb spying on UN headqurters; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday October 30
Obama administration considers ending surveillance of allied heads of state; China suspects Tiananmen Square crash a suicide attack; North Korea at work on missile launch site; India raises interest rates to curb inflation; US intensifies efforts to capture Joseph Kony; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday 29 October
Syria meets deadline for declaring chemical weapons facilities; Chinese newspaper withdraws support for reporter accused of fabricating stories about manufacturing company; Japan warns China about maritime activities near disputed islands; Georgia's ruling party wins elections; fresh controversy over NSA phone-tapping; and more
Read MoreI am in earnest — I will not equivocate — I will not excuse — I will not retreat a single inch — AND I WILL BE HEARD
Does the right to free speech extend to shouting at a woman to take off her burqa in a supermarket? If not, why not?
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday October 24
Obama and Sharif to meet in Washington; Manila backtracks on South China Sea accusations; NASA lifts ban on Chinese scientists attending conference; China and India sign border agreement; Spain ends two-year recession; and more
Read More"Nothing to hide, nothing to fear"
It's a shame the "Tui Billboard" meme has well and truly jumped the shark (as, indeed, has that latter meme itself), because John Banks' "nothing to hide, nothing to fear" line is a prime contender.
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday October 23
Syria policy creates rift between US and Saudi Arabia; China intends to maintain power over Tibet; North Korea has 130 hovercraft in water, leader has observed training sessions aimed at South Korea; Bahrain boosts supply of tear gas; Obama admits frustration at government health insurance site; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday October 22
France demands explanation for NSA tapping Frenxh phones; China seeks to clarify scope of government debt; China and South Korea plan consultative body to address North Korea's nuclear programme; Ukraine close to signing shale gas deal with Chevron; vigilantes defeat Boko Haram; and more
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