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INDEPENDENT NEWS
As PM Jacinda Ardern returns from a triumphant tour to Britain and the capitals of Europe, her officials have probably begun to assess what the more substantive gains from the trip might have been. Most of the chatter has been about potential trade deals – so lets just assume for the moment that bilateral trade deals between big and small countries are a good thing, despite the perils they pose to the smaller party. Currently, Britain is so involved with its Brexit nightmare that there seems little prospect of any substantive early progress on an FTA with Britain. In any case, New Zealand should be wary of being the first cab off that particular rank. ... More>>
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New Zealand Politics
HiveMind: Fair Enough? How Should New Zealanders Be Taxed?

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Gordon Campbell: On Thompson + Clark & Russia’s World Cup

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Gordon Campbell: On The GCSB’s Security Hang-Up With Russia

So our GCSB has chimed in, alongside its British, Australian and US allies, with warnings about a “fresh wave” of Russian cyber attacks, although the warning has been curiously framed. More>>

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PM's Europe Trip: CHOGM & Bilateral Meetings

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is in Europe for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in London and meetings with counterparts in Paris and Berlin. More>>

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Addressing Climate Change: No New Offshore Exploration Permits

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Road Safety Summit: Actions To Improve Identified

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Business, Science & Tech
Land Report: Issues With Soil Degradation

An environmental report released today has found we are damaging and losing our soils and our native plants and animals. More>>

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Water Quality Report: Cause For Optimism

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IMF Report On NZ: Positive Economic Outlook

Minister of Finance Grant Robertson has welcomed the IMF’s Concluding Statement, released following its annual visit, which provides an independent assessment of the strength of the New Zealand economy. More>>

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Comment
Gordon Campbell On Labour’s Timidity:

What an odd post-Cabinet press conference that was yesterday, from PM Jacinda Ardern and Finance Minister Grant Robertson ... More>>

Gordon Campbell: On The Prevailing Media Narratives About The Govt Coalition

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RNZ Explainer: Why You Should Care About Cambridge Analytica

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Gordon Campbell: On The (Looming) Nurses’ Strike

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Gordon Campbell: On A Trade War With China

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Gordon Campbell: On Credibility In Politics

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World
Gordon Campbell: On The Chemical Weapons Attack (and Response) In Syria

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North Korea: CTBTO Statement On Disarmament

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Pacific Moves: China, Vanuatu And Australia

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Diplomatic Madness: The Expulsion of Russian Diplomats

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Lifestyle
Joseph Cederwall Review: NZSO Plays Zappa

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Let The Games Begin: PM Sends Best Wishes To Athletes

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Scoop Review of Books: Martin Edmonds' The Expatriates

This book is an extension of, and tribute to, the life’s work of James McNeish. Without sacrificing any degree of authorial independence, the result is gracefully written, handsomely produced, and likely to propagate many further works of its kind. More>>

Max Rashbrooke Review: The King's Singers and Voices New Zealand

To be good at one thing is impressive; to be so versatile across a range of genres is truly exceptional. More>>
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