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Labour Party leader David Shearer has dumped leadership pretender David Cunliffe from the front-bench to the back row of the Labour benches. Here’s TV3’s coverage: http://www.3news.co.nz/Shearer-reaffirmed-as-Labour-leader-Cunliffe-demoted/tabid/370/articleID/277431/Default.aspx Shearer front-footed brewing discontent over his leadership by calling for his MPs to openly endorse him at today’s special caucus meeting.  Shearer used the caucus endorsement as a springboard to demote party darling David Cunliffe. …

Auckland Law Professor Jane Kelsey says TPP critics will welcome Thailand’s participation, as it will make an already complex deal even more difficult to conclude and bring Thailand’s well-informed analysts, politicians and NGOs into the multi-country campaign to stop the TPP”. Kelsey said the Thai government’s announcement that it wishes to join the Trans-Pacific partnership negotiations during a visit byPresident Obama …

Labour leader David Shearer is pushing a ‘New Direction’ for New Zealand – with the behind scenes help of broadcasting guru Ian Fraser. His speech at the Labour Party conference was applauded by delegates. Shearer talked of two paths that lie ahead for NZ. “One path leads to disappointment, decline and constant struggle ..That’s our country’s current path, the one …

John Key gives no quarter to The Nation’s Rachel Smalley on Kim Dotcom. Courtesy: Frontpage

Labour Party MP David Cunliffe won’t confirm whether he will support David Shearer when the Labour Party caucus votes on its leadership in February next year. Speaking this weekend on TV3’s “The Nation” Cunliffe said: “I haven’t given it any thought”. “I’m not prepared to discuss individual remits, whatever they are. “I’m a very strong supporter of the organisational review. …

Israeli military says its “Iron Dome” defense system intercepted 13 rockets fired from Gaza on Wednesday in what appears to be retaliation for Israeli airstrikes that reportedly killed 10, including the commander of the Hamas military wing. The Israeli military said the some 20 airstrikes were part of a major offensive dubbed “Operation Pillar of Defense,” Reuters reports. “All options …

Israel has chosen to attack Gaza in order to avoid reaching a longer-term peace settlement than was being negotiated with the help of Hamas’ military leader Ahmen Jabari, who was assassinated in an Israeli attack Wednesday, says Israeli activist. Israeli peace activist Gershon Baskin spoke to RT confirming that Ahmen Jabari was involved in peace settlement negotiations with Israel and …

US Senator Roy Blunt  weighs in on Fox News.

Former CIA Director David Petraeus stoked the controversy over the Obama administration’s handling of the Libya terror attack, testifying Friday that references to “Al Qaeda involvement” were stripped from his agency’s original talking points — while other intelligence officials were unable to say who changed the memo, according to a top lawmaker who was briefed. Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., told …

As the world’s most populous nation unveils its new leadership, China’s political masters now face the unenviable task of addressing a slowing economy, rampant corruption, environmental pollution and deteriorating relations with some of its neighbours. The FT’s Beijing correspondents outline some of the challenges faced by China’s new generation of political leaders.