Media tycoon Rupert Murdoch threw twitter into a flap with a controversial comparison between US President Barack Obama and Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson.

Any pretence that Russia's heightened involvement in Syria's messy civil war would focus on destroying the Islamic State has evaporated very quickly.

The lengthy time-frame for considering the trade pact ensures its opponents will have plenty of time to lobby Congress.

A journalist reporting for Lebanese TV channel Al-Mayadeen was allegedly hit in the face with a stun grenade mid-report.

After the completion of exhaustive TPP talks in Atlanta, Trade Minister Tim Groser sounded anything but elated as he talked down the phone at 3 am.

New Zealand was given a mafia option, one it couldn't refuse - agree to the restrictions or else.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully has launched a broadside against Russia and the Security Council in New York this morning.

PM John Key will use his address to the UN to again call for reform of the Security Council, in a week in which its failings have been on display.

Prime Minister John Key has ruled out promising more troops for UN peacekeeping missions but will not rule out specialist support such as intelligence.

Kiwis have been "caught up in the net" of a harsher policy and are likely facing tough conditions in deportation centres such as that on Christmas Island, Australian Human Rights Commission president Gillian Triggs says.

Jeb Bush is entering a critical phase of his Republican presidential campaign, with top donors warning that the former Florida Governor needs to demonstrate growth.

A high-profile lawyer has rubbished Queensland's anti-bikie laws, saying they are totally useless and nothing more than a political stunt.

David Cameron has said lurid allegations about Oxford University initiation are "nonsense" and "completely untrue".

In 2008, Barack Obama flipped the script when he openly embraced hip-hop - as the 2016 election nears, however, this relationship is all but gone.

Catalans vote today on the de facto referendum for their independence from Spain.

Nothing less than a multifaceted strategy is required to address both the political causes and the military symptoms of the rise of Isis, writes Robert Patman.

Imagine being David Cameron's public relations adviser, writes Paul Thomas. "How did this come about, according to the book? I mean, was it a dare? Did he trip?"

Hillary Clinton has begun an effort to convince voters that she is "fun" and a "real person".

Political parties - especially those that position themselves to the left of centre - in countries like ours will watch with interest what happens to the British Labour Party's new leader.

Australia's new Prime Minister has received a boost from a respected opinion poll, but the fallout lingers from a bitter party battle as the leader he ousted attacked the credibility of his new....

In promoting Scott Morrison to Treasurer new Australian PM Malcolm Turnbull has put his faith in someone to turn around the nation's fortunes.

The American political parties are urging wealthy backers to give them 10 times more money than was allowed in the last presidential election.

Three months ago it was all just a big joke. Donald Trump? Get out! Surely The Apprentice can't be rating that badly?

Turnbull's coup against Abbott this week proves that while modern prime ministers still survive or perish based on the support of their colleagues.