South Korea's decision to allow the introduction of covered bonds will help to diversify the Asia-Pacific regional covered bond market.

Sylvester Stallone says no civilian should have access to the big guns his characters use in action movies.

Government frontbencher Peter Garrett says the prime minister's decision to name the 2013 election date puts the pressure on the opposition to deliver more than just slogans.

The confirmation of John Kerry as United States Secretary of State is raising smiles in Europe, stirring memories of the days when America the Worldly-Wise engaged in European concerns and placed them at the top of its foreign agenda.

Australia will go to the polls on September 14 following yesterday's surprise announcement of what will effectively be the longest election campaign in the nation's history.

It was at the Inaugural Ball, in the shadow of a President, that I had just a little taste of life as a Washington bigwig.

Australia's Prime Minister Julia Gillard has triggered a new row within her party by axing a long-serving Senator to make way for an Aboriginal candidate.

Canada is investigating a claim by the Algerian Prime Minister that one of its citizens co-ordinated the terrorist raid at the Saharan gas plant.

If North Korea's new leader, Kim Jong Un, wanted to end the brutal and destructive tyranny his father and grandfather imposed on the country, he would need support from abroad.

Lupe Fiasco has been rushed off stage at a pre-inauguration concert for Barack Obama after performing an anti-war song telling the audience he did not vote for the President.

Beyonce stole the show at President Barack Obama's inauguration with an impressive rendition of the US national anthem.

When firebrand Republican senator Ted Cruz went on conservative Laura Ingraham's radio show last week, the topic of conversation swiftly turned to Barack Obama.

Scotland Yard has launched a full investigation into allegations that Conservative politicians were members of a paedophile ring which abused British children in care the 1980s.

Vowing to "put everything into this", President Barack Obama has unveiled the most sweeping proposals in 20 years to tighten gun control in the United States.

Editorial: British foreign secretaries have not been frequent visitors to New Zealand. When the relationship was so close that New Zealanders referred to the "mother country", they probably did not feel the need to visit.

Arnold Schwarzenegger has admitted he "felt like an ant" while grappling with political problems as Governor of California.

Editorial: A large number do not understand the consequences of not finding a job. They leave for Australia without realising they will not have access to most of that country's welfare safety net, including dole and disability payments.

Coal-fired power stations in Australia emit around 200 million tonnes of CO2a year. This does not include emissions from our coal exports.

New Zealand is unlikely to compromise on its protection plan for the Antarctic's Ross Sea at key talks this year.

Across Australia, the young and talented children of expatriate Kiwis find their careers stunted when they leave school, cut off from higher education and government apprenticeships by costs and policies.