Latest from International Politics

Toronto mayor admits he has smoked a lot of pot
Toronto Mayor Rob Ford admitted Wednesday that he has smoked a lot of marijuana.

Indigenous backlash could cost Labor seat
Last month, in the vast, remote Culgoa River region of New South Wales, the People's Council of the Murrawarri Republic assembled for the first meeting.

11,000 fake cops on payroll
A probe into policing in the troubled new country of South Sudan has uncovered 11,000 fake names on the payroll.

Dan Costa: Mood swings and happy voters
The link between ideology and happiness is dubious, writes Dan Costa, and demographics could play a greater part.

Parties try to outbid each other on infrastructure plans
Tony Abbott said he hopes to be an infrastructure prime minister who puts bulldozers on the ground and cranes into our skies.

Rudd keen to play the statesman
The Syrian crisis and plans to boost defence spending and shift elements of the navy to Queensland have driven national security to the centre of Rudd's election campaign.

Prince at centre of push against Assad
Prince Bandar bin Sultan has been gone from the capital for eight years.

US: Syria chemical weapon use 'obscene'
The US says chemical weapons had been used in an 'obscene' attack in Syria, and it has additional information about the attack it will make public.

Abbott makes bid for grey power support
With Labor nudging itself off the floor, Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has turned to one of his most significant power bases: restive baby boomers.

Tale of adultery, deception, death
Bo Xilai, formerly one of the most powerful and charismatic men in Chinese politics, has admitted that his wife left him because he cheated on her.

Rudd needs miracle to stop Coalition victory
Two weeks out from the September 7 election, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd needs a miracle.

Abbott's Labor pains on parental leave
Opposition Leader Tony Abbott's "signature" parental leave policy has turned around to bite him as he feels the first real heat of the campaign for the Sept 7 election.

British still trying to hush up role in coup
British diplomats tried to convince the United States to suppress "very embarrassing" details of MI6's role in the 1953 coup in Iran, documents have disclosed.

Forensic expert resigns before Bo trial
One of China's leading forensic scientists has quit, castigating the judicial system, as it was announced the trial of Bo Xilai will take place on Thursday.

Editorial: West must help Egypt to restore democracy
As unpalatable as the prospect was for the West, the Arab Spring was always likely to lead to Islamic governments.

Oz election: Opponents stretch truth
Glaring out from beneath heavy eyebrows, face deeply shadowed, Opposition leader Tony Abbott has become the lead face of Labor's new advertising campaign.

Poll has Rudd leading Labor to loss
Labor is heading for an election loss, with support for Kevin Rudd plummeting to new lows, the latest Newspoll shows.