Amongst the news of crashes and weather, one story of immense significance to New Zealand has been widely ignored... The US has reviewed its defence priorities and is moving back into our neighbourhood big-time. This offers huge risks and opportunities
Read MoreUS-China relations
World News Brief, Friday December 9
Merkel & Sarkozy call for "new common legal framework" as crucial EU summit convenes; Leaders divided on "quick fix" vs long-term reforms; European Central Banks cuts rates to all-time low; US insists China a partner not "adversary"; Syria imposes blockade on Turkey border, while South Sudan responds to Sudanese bombing; Australia refuses to sell uranium to Pakistan; Putin blames Clinton for fomenting protest after Russian elections; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday August 19
Libyan rebels take control of oil refinery outside city of Zawiyah--they are now just 30 miles from Tripoli; Joe Biden begins visit to China to strengthen economic relations; Japan records trade surplus for second month in a row; UK pledges another $48 million to Somali famine relief; protesters in Madrid take to streets to demonstrate against Pope's US$72 million taxpayer-funded visit; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday July 19
In Britain, phone-hacking scandal focuses on police corruption and Cameron, while threat grows in the US (+ analysis); Surprise result in Euro bank stress tests; 1,000 Syrian troops with tanks surround rebel town; Yemeni al-Qaeda reaching into Somalia; UN tells Thailand and Cambodia to pull their heads in; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday May 12
US and China reach "milestone" deal on market access, technology and defence; Clinton still labels China's record on human rights "deplorable"; Another cuty shelled in Syria crackdown; Bin Laden's son demands inquiry; More strikes in Greece as EU reviews bailout; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday January 21
China admits it has much to do to improve human rights; Is it a shift in tone from President Hu? (+ analysis); Wikileaks banker fined then re-arrested; Who really killed Daniel Pearl?; Japanese debt reaches "critical point"; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday November 2
Leftist guerilla turned dour technocrat wins Brazil presidency (+ analysis); Clinton has China warning for Cambodia as she tours Asia-Pacific; US Fed to make crucial stimulus decision this week; What to do about Yemen?; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday October 27
Iran begins injecting fuel into its first nuclear reactor (+ analysis); China wary of growing anti-Japan mood; US mid-terms looks set to divide Congress further on deficit; India suspicious of getting too close to US; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday October 7
Attacks on NATO convoys bound for Afghanistan intensify as Pakistan washes its hands; Drone strikes linked to Al Qaeda Europe plot; UAE banks cuts off another of Iran's lifelines; China and US militaries learning to just get along; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday March 4
Greece cuts spending and increases taxes, but markets still wary; China sends message to US; Arab leaders support last crack at Israel peace talks; Afghan authorities threaten to arrest journalists; and more
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