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Washington wakes up to oil-spill crisis
Questions are sure to be raised about a self-policing system that trusted a commercial oil operator to take care of its own mishap.

<i>Fran O'Sullivan</i>: Mid-point of first term is time for Key to get serious
Nowhere is there an over-arching narrative that spells out exactly what sort of New Zealand Key wants to leave behind.

Kindness kills when aid prolongs wars
Humanitarian help has become a huge industry, buffering corrupt regimes and perpetuating war, claims the author of a new book.

Tongan official quits over 'interference'
Attorney-General John Caughi has accused the Tongan govt of trying to curb an independent judiciary and attempting to interfere with the Princess Ashika inquiry.

Thai protesters storm major hospital
A major hospital has evacuated patients and suspended all but emergency surgery.

Beneficiaries and pensioners lose $430m
The Govt has cancelled pumping $430m into superannuation, tax credits and benefits that would have, in effect, been compensation for higher tobacco taxes.

Samoan ruler asked for help - accused scammer
Passport scam accused Gerard Otimi says the Government is "neglecting" the 140,000 overstayers he claims are in New Zealand

'I have nothing to hide' - fake passport accused
A man accused of selling fake passports to overstayers has seized upon the UN's indigenous rights document as a means of defence.

South Asia becomes centre of violence
Increases in terror attacks in Pakistan and Afghanistan triggered a spike in the number of civilians killed or wounded there last year.