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As Parliament rises ahead of the general election, broadcaster Duncan Garner is asking what the coalition Government has delivered since taking office in 2023. His latest podcast raises questions about public spending, the cost of living, supermarket competition and the reforms still awaiting implementation. Report by eLocal · Three years after National entered government promising economic recovery, tighter public spending and changes to the…

In his final speech of the 54th Parliament, Winston Peters set out what he says New Zealand First achieved in government and challenged his political opponents over their records. His address also raised questions about how public spending, health decisions and national infrastructure should be judged by their effects on New Zealanders Report by eLocal · In Parliament’s adjournment debate on 23 September, New Zealand First leader Winston Peters…

Parliament has passed legislation to replace the Resource Management Act after 35 years, opening the way for a new planning system designed to reduce costs and make development more predictable. Economic modelling points to substantial potential gains for New Zealand, although the benefits will depend on how the new laws are implemented Report by eLocal · New Zealand has reached a major milestone in reforming the rules governing land use,…

Trump is too afraid that even the briefest US aid cut-off window to Ukraine as punishment for Zelensky’s attacks against Russian refineries would be exploited to break through the front and lead to eternal speculation that he secretly helped Putin win the most significant conflict since World War II Zelensky has made a fool out of Trump by continuing to bomb Russian refineries despite Trump earlier claiming to have brokered a deal whereby…

Barbara on Trump’s UN day: nation-state vision vs Lula’s globalism, Shield of America vs narco-terror, and peace moves on Ukraine and Iran while Europe talks war. Media obsesses over desk bans; he closes on AI as industrial renaissance, not apocalypse. Barbara Boyd · This Wednesday update argues President Trump used his UN General Assembly speech to indict globalization and mass migration, contrasting his “nation state” vision with Brazil’s…

In this opinion, Dr Vernon Coleman recalls meeting young men who were prepared to die rather than lose the only home and community they knew. He draws on that experience to argue that military power alone cannot defeat people determined to defend their country and dignity. Applying the lesson to Iran, Coleman contends that Donald Trump misunderstands the resolve of those he seeks to overpower. Note: The following extract is taken from Vernon…

Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says a ceasefire without a negotiated settlement is unacceptable to Moscow, while Ukraine and 51 other countries call for an immediate, unconditional truce. At the UN General Assembly, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian accuses the US and Israel of double standards and alleges US war crimes. Meanwhile, reports from Ethiopia say Tigrayan forces have seized the region’s main airport, suspending flights.

Ukraine says it has struck a major Russian oil facility near Moscow. The reported attack comes amid concerns about diesel availability and refining costs, but the extent of the refinery’s damage and any resulting disruption to fuel supply remain unclear. INR Report: Based on reporting by Tyler Durden for ZeroHedge , published 21 September 2026. · What Happened at the Moscow Refinery? · ZeroHedge reports, citing Bloomberg, that Ukrainian drones…

As Western governments commit billions in financial and military support to Ukraine, the contributor questions whether they are giving sufficient attention to pressures at home. Drawing on political developments in Britain, Germany, France and the United States, this opinion examines public concerns about living costs, strained services and government spending, and asks how leaders should balance overseas commitments with domestic priorities. El…

President Donald Trump used his address to the United Nations General Assembly to defend his administration’s economic and military record, outline its approach to Iran and reaffirm US national sovereignty. His speech also addressed Ukraine, Venezuela, Greenland, international institutions and artificial intelligence, raising questions about the direction of American foreign policy and its implications for New Zealand. INR Report: Based on…