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What appears to be a commercial arrangement to ease diesel shortages may carry consequences far beyond American fuel prices or November's midterm elections. In a wide-ranging interview with Lena Petrova, historian Dr Vladimir Brovkin outlines a potentially historic shift in US foreign policy, one that could reshape the Ukraine conflict, challenge NATO's strategic assumptions and alter the balance of power between the United States, Russia and…

Australia responded to the 2026 fuel crisis by temporarily reducing petrol and diesel excise, while New Zealand retained its existing fuel-tax structure. With fuel prices rising sharply, the comparison raises serious questions about government revenue, transport funding and who should bear the cost of international energy shocks. Report by eLocal · A Question Every New Zealand Motorist Should Be Asking · An Instagram video circulating online…

Treasury hit Bank of America with $1.2 billion in penalties for money laundering failures. Susan Kokinda traces the bank from Countrywide and the 1980s debt crisis to King Charles’ green finance club, and Bessent’s challenge to the IMF. Susan Kokinda opens with the more than $1.2 billion in penalties Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's Treasury imposed on Bank of America on October 13 for violating anti-money laundering and sanctions laws, among…

As New Zealand approaches the 2026 general election, Andy Loader questions the growing cost of government, the expansion of the public service and whether taxpayers can continue funding an ever-increasing bureaucracy. He argues that voters must distinguish essential public services from political promises that ultimately add to the national debt. How much does New Zealand owe in debt? · As of late 2026, New Zealand's net core Crown debt stands…

Donald Trump has accused Vladimir Zelensky of resisting efforts to end the Ukraine conflict, following criticism of Washington’s diplomatic engagement with Moscow. In France, opposition figures blame government policies for weekend unrest as protests and disorder spread across parts of Europe. Meanwhile, Israel’s Defence Minister has threatened a permanent military presence in southern Lebanon ahead of diplomatic talks in Washington, amid…

Labour has entered the 2026 election campaign promising restrictions on social media access for children under 16, a new digital regulator and stronger controls over technology companies. The proposal raises legitimate questions about protecting young people, but also about whether blanket restrictions can work without imposing new identification requirements and privacy risks on everyone. Report by eLocal · A Promise Made During an Election…

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In this opinion, Dr Guy Hatchard examines the retraction of a prominent Covid vaccine research paper following findings of fabricated data and falsified images. He questions the integrity of biotechnology research, raises concerns about possible links between mRNA vaccination and autoimmune disease, and challenges New Zealand health authorities to release comprehensive health data for independent scrutiny. His central argument is that public…

The Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal censured Catherine Simpson and suspended her registration for two months over offensive social media posts, but stopped short of ending her nursing career. Health New Zealand subsequently dismissed her for serious misconduct, according to the Free Speech Union, raising questions about free expression, professional standards and the limits of state employment power. Report by eLocal · !Registered…

Vladimir Zelensky accuses Donald Trump of making a mistake by engaging with Russia, after the US president suggested Ukraine needs new leadership. Russia’s foreign minister claims Zelensky is unwilling to negotiate peace and is determined to remain in power. Meanwhile, widespread unrest sweeps European cities, with more than 2,000 arrests reported. France sees some of the largest demonstrations, driven by anger over the government’s handling of…