US arrests Russian spies, rattling relationships with the Kremlin (+ analysis); Iran sets conditions on further nuclear talks and reserves right to defend ships; Protests in Spain and Greece as loans run out; Google backs down on China site; and more
Read MoreBarack Obama
World News Brief, Tuesday June 29
G20 fails to settle on plans for bank regulation (+ analysis); Obama urges continued spending while summit leaders vow to cut deficits; South Korea promised US FTA by November; Germany comes under pressure to start buying; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday June 17
Obama addresses nation on oil spill as BP agrees to $20 billion fund; EU calls for further sanctions against Iran and US extends sanctions against North Korea; Order restored in much of Kyrgyzstan; Is Mexico losing control in war against drugs?; and more
Read MoreStaying relevant II - NZ's nuclear potential
When Hillary Clinton does make it to New Zealand, we need to be talking nukes with her. The time is ripe for New Zealand to offer its support to Obama's crusade
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday December 31
Intelligence "chatter" from Yemen knew of airline plot; wildfires destory homes in Western Australia; China bites back over execution of Briton; US wants Afghan vote delayed for credibility's sake; and more
Read MoreEnough is enough: Copenhagen and too-convenient alcohol
The inconvient truth is that John Key always should have been going to Copenhagen and dairies should never have been selling liquor. So hooray for a change of heart on both
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday November 18
Obama calls for human rights, changes mind on Copenhagen; Pirates capture North Korean chemical tanker; IAEA demands "clarification" from Iran; Taiwan banks to open in China; and more
Read MoreA fuss about not much: the truth about a trade deal
New Zealand is once again in a tizz about a free trade deal with America. The reality state-side, however, is a long way from the rhetoric as a glance at the US media will tell you
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday November 12
Obama nears Afghanistan troops decision, advisers support 30,000; Chinese economic growth accelerates; Cambodia refuses to extradite Thaksin; new EU president to be announced next week; and more
Read MorePerhaps Key can compare himself to Obama after all
John Key was roundly mocked last year when he claimed that he and Barack Obama had a lot in common. However the early months of their respective administrations suggest he was onto something
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday September 15
Trade tiff between US and China; victims of needle stabbings get all-clear; Iran to meet with international community; Russia to fund weapons for Venezuela; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday July 3
New offensive underway in Afghanistan; Medvedev: Russia has a "special responsibility"; Neighbours give Honduras coup deadline; China reaches out to IMF; and more
Read MoreBaby boomers hold New Zealand hostage... again
The baby boomers are at it again, and this time it's the Super Fund they're twisting to their own advantage. I'm fed up living in the shadow of the spoilt generation
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday May 20
Tamil Tiger leader confirmed dead, civil war ends; ASEAN concern at San Suu Kyi trial; China to subsidise new car buyers; Obama imposes deadline on Iran talks; and more
Read MoreHavana good time... but what next for Cuba?
Fidel Castro has survived many US Presidents, and a trip to Cuba suggests he may outlive the Cold War as well as Obama re-thinks 50 years of failed sanctions
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday April 16
Barack Obama talks up US economy but newspapers report "continued fragility"; South Korea employment falls further; Thai police go after red-shirt leaders; Russia's Medvedev gives first interview; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday April 8
US to cut war spending, "direct challenge to military-industrial complex"; China urges restraint towards North Korea; Thai protestors trap PM in hotel; Raul Castro meets US lawmakers; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday April 7
Obama meets Turkish president; Russia and China wary of protesting N Korea rocket launch; what's behind protests in Thai capital; Baghdad bombings; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday April 2
Obama meets Brown while Sarkozy and Hu express hopes on eve of G20; Netanyahu sworn in as Israeli PM; Japanese business confidence hits record low; US-Russia talk arms reduction; and more
Read MoreBiking through the recession
Let's all ride our bikes merrily down the length of New Zealand, laughing in the face of the economic disaster that's made the rest of the world resort to actually doing stuff
Read More