She is the granddaughter of Caribbean immigrants to the US, who has just been appointed to a top job by New York's new mayor. He is the dashing star of Sherlock.

John Key says the Govt would throw its weight behind any bid by Helen Clark for the top job at the UN in 2016, but said it would be a tough ask for her to secure the post.

Massive corruption involving union officials, businesses, organised crime figures and bikies has been alleged in the Australian construction industry.

President Barack Obama is pushing for green reforms and an overhaul of immigration laws in his State of the Union address.

Former Prime Minister Helen Clark has been tipped as a possible candidate for the United Nations' top job, the UK's Guardian reports.

This year, while chairing the G20, Australia is in a unique position to help promote global growth, writes Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott. Economic growth is the result of global conditions as well as domestic policies.

Boris Johnson was yesterday named Honorary Australian of the Year at an Australia Day awards ceremony in the British capital.

The London barman who attempted a citizen's arrest on Tony Blair has been rewarded with a sizeable bounty for his efforts.

Tony Abbott has vowed turning asylum seekers' boats back to Indonesia, despite brutality claims and warnings of naval conflict.

There was one small break in protocol this morning at a major gathering of parliamentary speakers from around the world. And it was by an Aussie in red shoes.

Republican governor now says he's 'readier' for White House despite scandals.

Speakers from around the world will be welcomed at Parliament today in a huge powhiri - but there won't be any women in the front row,

The Syrian regime of President Bashar al-Assad has funded and co-operated with al-Qaeda in a complex double game even as the terrorists fight Damascus.

Tony Blair used his diplomatic skill to talk his way out of a humiliating citizen's arrest by a barman in a trendy east London restaurant.

Outraged by unprovoked "king hit" killings, increased rates of alcohol-fuelled violence and soaring hospital admissions, Australians have finally had enough.

Anti-government protests in Ukraine's capital escalated into fiery street battles with police.

A reply to last week's assessment of Ariel Sharon by Sydney writer Irfan Yusuf.

Nauru has effectively suspended its entire legal system, sacking its sole magistrate and barring its Chief Justice from entering the country.

Prime Minister John Key has revealed that US President Barack Obama approached him for their well-publicised game of golf.

Ministers and officials have different ideas on what was agreed at Trans-Pacific Partnership talks in Singapore, writes Jane Kelsey.

An Italian MP has “blacked up” to deliver a staggering anti-immigration rant in the country’s parliament.

Francois Hollande has made the French presidency look "ridiculous" with his scooter-driven nocturnal trips to visit his mistress, Nicolas Sarkozy was reported as saying.

Who's taking the brunt of the Hollande affair? In a very French twist, it looks like it's the jilted first lady - who's been hospitalised since she found out.

Campaigning for the French presidency less than two years ago, Francois Hollande pledged that in office he would be 'normal'.

Julie Gayet, the actress thought to be having an affair with French President Francois Hollande, is reported to be pregnant.

The FBI "most wanted" mugshot shows a tough, swarthy figure, his hair in a jailbird crew-cut.

Goal to correct education 'left-wing bias' looks to critics like political exercise.

Francois Hollande is facing the toughest hour of his presidency as his partner remains in hospital after news of his alleged affair with a glamorous actress.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott heads to the annual economic summit in Davos, Switzerland, next week to sell the world on Australia's priorities.