Saudi King to miss Gulf summit in Washington DC; 2000 refugees on way to Thailand rescued after traffickers allegedly abandoned ship; Pyongyang test-fires ballistic missile; Hollande visits Cuba; Turkish cargo ship shelled off coast of Libya; and more
Read MoreIs calling for a boycott of Israel a form of hate speech?
Us intolerant liberal types who favour using the power of law to put an end to the sort of intolerant words and deeds that we detest should look to Canada and ... ponder.
Read MoreParty of No vs Council of Go
At least that's how it should be. But the politics of Len Brown are undermining Auckland's growth as National plays politics with transport
Read MoreLeading the charge to develop a soil carbon policy
New Zealand's unusual carbon profile marks it apart from other countries trying to lower greenhouse emissions
Read MoreBarbarians at the Gates
Arts and cultural policy seems to be going backward at the moment. Why? Does it matter?
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday May 7
Obama to push for regional defense system in Gulf; China to impose harsher punishments for pollution; Japan and Philippines hold anti-piracy exercises in waters off Manila Bay; France expands spy powers; ferry between Florida and Cuba approved; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday May 6
Syria peace talks kick off in Geneva; Indian PM Modi to make first visit to China; South Korea and Vietnam sign free trade agreement; EU revises economic forecast upwards; and more
Read MoreThere's none so deaf as they that will not hear
The saga of family carers for the severely disabled is still being written, despite Parliament's attempts to put a full stop on it. It makes for a really interesting constitutional tale.
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday May 5
Afghan and Taliban leaders meet in Doha to negotiate cease-fire; China and Taiwan hold high-level talks; bodies found in Thailand thought to be from abandoned trafficking camp; thousands of migrants rescued from Mediterranean Sea; suicide blast rips through Damascus; and more
Read MoreHas New Zealand a Rock-Star Economy?
Why does the Minister of finance say this is is hardest budget ever? The economy may be doing moderately well, but it is by no means preforming outstandingly.
Read MoreWhen the numbers don't add up
Do the sums and read between the lines, and it looks like something has to give in this year's budget. And I think I know what it may be...
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday May 1
Nepalis protest slow delivery of aid; North Korea's nuclear reactor may be operational again; Japanese PM appeals to US to back TPP, citing 'deep regret' over World War II; French soldiers accused of sexually abusing refugee children from Central African Republic; another US presidential candidate announces run for White House; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday April 29
US and Japan announce new defense cooperation guidelines; Korean ferry captain sentenced to life in prison; EU urges Ukraine to reform, warns membership long way off; Baltimore riots lead to state of emergency; and more
Read MoreShould Environmentalists Care About Poverty?
Can an environmentalist focus solely on sustainability or are they drawn into wider issues such has how fairly the material product of the economy is distributed?
Read MoreHas John Key tugged off more than he realises?
John Key's hair-pulling raises questions about just what kind of player he is, and his interview on The Nation reveals a worrying lack of judgement and understanding of power
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday April 24
EU leaders meet to address migration crisis; China warns of North Korea's growing nuclear capability; Kim Jong-un will visit Moscow in first state visit since coming to power; Nigerian forces lead assault on Boko Haram stronghold; Pentagon to unveil new cybersecurity strategy; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday April 22
Two arrests related to Mediterranean migrant boating disaster; EU warns of possible ban on Thai seafood; Japan sets new train speed record; Morsi sentenced to 20 years in prison for violence against protesters; EU to file antitrust charges against Russian power giant; and more
Read MoreHolistic Financial Regulations
While the Reserve Bank may have startled everyone by asking the government to take a fresh look at taxation on investment housing, the recent statement by the Deputy Governor indicates that we are inching towards a more holistic approach to macroeconomic policy.
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday April 21
EU foreign ministers meet to assess escalating migrant crisis; Philippines alarmed by China's land reclamation efforts in South China Sea; Japan and US iron out outstanding TPP issues; China and Pakistan sign investment deals worth $46 billion; dozens of people with links to Greece's neo-Naxi political party go on trial; and more
Read MoreTaming the Auckland property market
The crazy Auckland property market needs reining in. Capital gains tax as a way of controlling house prices doesn't work overseas, but what about a land tax?
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