A city betrayed: a New Zealander on the devastation in Beirut

The blast that took at least 171 lives in downtown Beirut last week was the latest in a long line of official failures that have pushed the Lebanese people to the brink of despair, writes Kirsten O’Regan.  As I began this essay, my partner was trying to fall asleep in our Beirut apartment. He had … Read more

The Bulletin: Concern from the Cook Islands over travel bubble

Good morning and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: Concern from the Cook Islands over travel bubble, inquiry clears Iain Lees-Galloway of any spending impropriety, and Oranga Tamariki facing further damaging report findings. A draft agreement on a travel bubble with the Cook Islands is close to being finalised, the PM revealed yesterday. Stuff reports it … Read more

The Bulletin: IPCA, police at odds over officer not charged

Good morning and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: IPCA and police at odds over decision not to charge officer, Canterbury DHB in crisis, and Shane Jones job creation claims disputed. The Independent Police Conduct Authority has issued a call for charges for an officer who used excessive force in the course of a … Read more

Tough choices ahead for Syrian refugees effectively barred from NZ

New Zealanders have shown they care about the terrible situation refugees have found themselves in. But for so many people languishing in camps, they currently have no chance at all to make it here, writes national director of World Vision New Zealand Grant Bayldon. As we sit on cushions inside Khelfa’s plastic tent drinking thick black … Read more