Obama set on diplomatic path with Iran; dozens of Islamists killed in Philippines; Thai government plans to deploy 10,000 police officers on election day; female politician in India blames victims for rape; UN to sanction those suspected of war crimes in Central African Republic; and more
Read MoreThe hasty NZ flag debate – is this the time and place?
So, the ol' flag debate, eh? But is now really the time? And is the process John Key suggested really the best way forward? And as for the silver fern...
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World News Brief, Wednesday January 29
Ukraine's PM offers resignation; Thailand to hold general election; Japan raises tension over disputed islands -- in classroom; Sisi set to contest Egyptian leadership; India's central bank attempts to curb inflation; and more
Read MoreLabour's baby gamble & the return of universalism
Labour's opening ploy this election year combines heart and smarts, but the return of univeralism is fraught with political risk
Read MoreThe dark side of the rock star economy
Why is there this clamour for a rise in interest rates? Just what are we trying to achieve?
Read MoreNational & Labour offer same new years resolutions
National and Labour made very big , but very different announcements this week. However the political thinking behind them both was almost identical and was all about eliminating the negative
Read MoreKey's coalition list a sign of weakness for National, re-birth for Peters & Dunne
It was a day for two Comeback Kids, as John Key announced who he might dance with on election night and Winston Peters & Peter Dunne returned from the wings to take centre stage
Read MoreDotcom hasn’t been extradited because it’s not clear he broke the law
If the FBI’s case against Kim Dotcom is so strong, then why hasn’t he been extradited yet? Larry Williams and Cam Slater disagreed with me on Newstalk ZB tonight when I said he had to be accused of a crime that is also a crime (carrying a similar sanction) in New Zealand.
Read MoreThe death of an EDM dancer, well it happens a lot around here
Would Dotcom's "Party Party" have breached electoral law? Maybe yes, maybe no ... which is (for me) a shame.
Read MoreIf thou dost not want our grapples, make no show above the pitch
Graeme McCready is trying to mount Len Brown's head alongside Trevor Mallard and John Banks' on his trophy wall. I think his shots might miss, this time.
Read MoreThatcher's ghost still haunts - 1984 cabinet papers released
The release of UK cabinet papers from 1984 show that Margaret Thatcher lied about the number of mines she planned to close, and reveal her government's deep belief that a certain level of unemployment was not only necessary but good.
Read MoreAt what point does using government services make you a bludger?
Some households get so much back from the state that they're "effectively" not paying tax, says Bill English. Is that fair comment? And should we all be held to account for what we use in state services? Or just some of us?
Read MoreThe Common Good - parallels in the UK’s economy
The challenges faced by Labour in opposition here and in the UK are similar. Both face an economy that is entering a modest cyclical upswing, and right-wing governments wanting to claim it as their recovery.
Read MoreDebts and lies are generally mixed together
Fighting for your convictions is all well and good. Getting other people to pay for it isn't.
Read MoreHas National fixed the economy yet?
If, like me you've been trying to answer the question - 'Has National fixed the economy yet', I created a web site to analyse the data in detail:
Read MoreThe left must stand up to abuse
It’s time for the tolerant, open and compassionate left to stand up to vilification and abuse when it is practised by sections of the left.
Read MoreNo, we’re not the most secular nation in the world
‘Jesus is the reason for the season’, says the bumper sticker; not according to three out of four Kiwis who didn’t go to any church on Christmas day, or any other day for that matter.
Read MoreThe last post... for 2013, polls update & moments of the year
So what's 2013 been all about and where does it leave us? Here's my take... and Christmas wishes
Read MoreFirst they came for John Tamihere, and I did not speak out
Once again, the Sisterhood has dragged down John Tamihere. Look upon his fate, ye men, and ponder.
Read MoreDown 'n' out Brown & opening salvo of the 2016 race
Len Brown has been censured for the texts, the hotel rooms, the inappropriate reference and all the "fallout" of his extra-marital affair with a young appointee. But what's the political fallout going to look like and can he stand again?
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