This week the agonies of Syria and much of the Mid-East came sharply home to Oz, where the reps of 60 countries met in Sydney for Interpol's inaugural global security and counter-terrorism convention.

Kiwis, regardless of political leanings, can applaud the fact that Helen Clark has been touted internationally as the next Secretary-General of the UN.

A US Congressman who threatened to “break” and throw a journalist off a balcony has defended his actions.

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.

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.

A majority of voters want NZ to keep out of any conflict that could flare up in the East China Sea.

'I sat where I was told.' A senior Australian politician has brushed off her minor breach of Maori protocol at the opening of a conference at Parliament.

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.

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.

Critics of Olympics say a third of budget is being siphoned off by Putin's friends.

Defector says idealists indoctrinated in Syria to carry out terror attacks in West.

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

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.

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.