With the seizing of an oil tanker by Iran in the Strait of Hormuz today as a presumably tit-for-tat escalation for British seizing an Iranian ship, and the U.S. Navy harassing their coastline, we are in for a senseless and dangerous political escalation.
ANZ is complaining that the Reserve Bank wants it to hold additional capital in case of a run on the banks.
Stuff has published details of a sweetheart deal where David Hisco bought the ANZ owned property they were living in for a greatly reduced price. But was this good investigative work or a leak from within ANZ?
An expensive advertising campaign suggesting that Christopher Luxon could be the next Prime Minister after the 2020 election has appeared.
The former head of ANZ and the current owner of John Key’s Omaha property, David Hisco, has left the employment of the Bank in somewhat newsworthy circumstances.
With the United States – China trade war well underway, the sick chaos of Brexit is shrinking the U.K. economy and slowing much of Europe’s economy, and smaller economies such as that of Mexico in the crosshairs through further politically manufactured trade disputes, the second half of this year looks for New Zealand nowhere near as rosy as the first half.
Grant Robertson has announced there will be a relaxing of the fiscal responsibility rules, although not until after the next election.
Donald Trump’s trade war with China is way, way bad for New Zealand.
The Government has announced that there will be no Capital Gains Tax. It’s a shame, but it’s good politics.
As we prepare for ANZAC Day, the Kapiti RSA has been viciously attacked for wanting to show solidarity with NZ’s Muslim community. Maggie writes about what that means and suggests who we really are.
David Seymour’s Private Member’s Bill on euthanasia is back for debate in Parliament. Maggie looks at one of the great social issues of our time.
TS regular Maggie with an excellent analysis of the challenges facing men in a society in transition and what that means for the fight against racism.
The former leader of various NZ neo Nazi groups reckons the kiwi far right are being driven underground. TRP argues they will instead look for another home.
Radio stations around the world are banning the music of Michael Jackson. What have his records done wrong?
Christchurch police have been ordered to carry guns until a wanted man is arrested. Is this a dry run for the permanent arming of our cops?
Expert comment suggests that a capital gains tax will redress inequality, improve the economy and make housing more affordable.
National is engaging in hysterical levels of hyperbole in its response to the Tax Working Group’s reform package.
In the UK, 3 Conservative MP’s have now aligned themselves with the 8 dissenting Labour MP’s in the ‘Independent Group’. What does this mean for both parties and how will it affect Brexit?
Unionist and former MP Darien Fenton takes issue with a major weakness in our law. That’s the ability of guilty bosses to just ignore the rulings of the Employment Court. Can’t pay? Won’t pay!
It has been alleged that a potentially vital piece of evidence in the Pike River mine fatality that may show the cause of the explosion may have gone missing.
Westpac Bank has agreed to become an accredited living wage employer which means that its contractors as well as its staff are to be paid a living wage.
The Working Group on Wage Bargaining reform has reported back. Good news for the working poor, bad news for the filthy rich.
Does the West Coast Regional Council actually exist? Te Reo Putake’s submission on the Zero Carbon Bill says the science is unproven.
The Trump shutdown is over, as the doofus President waves the white flag. And in Florida, his trusted advisor Roger Stone is led away in handcuffs to face charges of lying to the Mueller enquiry. Good times, people, good times!
The young racist who was filmed smugly grinning at a native American elder has put out a statement justifying his actions. Trump will be proud. Bigly proud.
Five years on how are the benefits from the Mixed Ownership Model privatisation process the last Government engaged in working out?
In an opinion piece in Stuff National Spokesperson on climate change Todd Muller has cast doubt on National agreeing to a political consensus on climate change.
Wikileaks has tried to silence media organisations on behalf of Julian Assange. Why is a ‘transparency’ organisation opposed to free speech and have they made things worse for the Aussie hacker?
UPDATE: The list has been leaked. Link in post.
Welcome to TS’s Sunday think piece. It’s a blank sheet, a tabula rasa, waiting for your thoughts on the future and How To Get There.
Elizabeth Warren has announced that she will be seeking the Democratic Party’s nomination to be the 46th President of the USA. With the Republicans unsure about whether Trump will run again due to the difficulties of campaigning from Federal prison, the Presidential election should be a shoo in for the Dems. Warren is just the first; there will be many more candidates who will see this as the opportunity of a lifetime.
* not a real union.
China has apparently been sprung hacking hundreds of western businesses and Government agencies, including some here in NZ. Should we be worried?
A Hawkes Bay man has been charged with slavery and human trafficking. Why are we surprised?
Air New Zealand has provoked industrial action from its workers by trying to wind back wages and conditions at a time it is making near record profits.
The Government is planning changes to the Reserve Bank Act to require it to seek full employment. Maybe it is time for a dramatic change to its powers so that it has the regulatory powers to properly deal with the Australian banks.
Dan Bidois this week in Parliament confirmed what we have always known, that National want there to be no unions around.
