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.

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.

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,

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.

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.

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'.

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.

The tribulations of Chris Christie are multiplying amid questions about possible misspending of federal aid earmarked for victims of Super-Storm Sandy.

Iran will start dismantling parts of its uranium stockpile next week after details of an interim deal on its nuclear programme were finalised over the weekend.

It is an unlikely setting from which to launch a fightback against Egypt's new military rulers.

The French first lady Valerie Trierweiler was in hospital suffering from "depression" three days after a magazine reported that President Francois Hollande was having an affair.

Israelis paid their last respects to former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon yesterday as his body lay in state outside the Knesset.

The French president's woes have continued, as it emerged his girlfriend was rushed to hospital following claims he was having an affair with an actress.

In less than 24 hours, a Government banned a comedian and its President threatened legal action against a magazine that reported him having an affair with an actor.

A250-page dossier, detailing allegations of beatings, electrocution, mock executions and sexual assault, has been presented to the International Criminal Court.

He may be one of the world's richest men but American multi-billionaire Michael Bloomberg couldn't do much about Queenstown's unseasonable summer weather.