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.

President Barack Obama's ready resort to "fiscal cliff interruptus" does not address the US' entrenched economic problems. It is simply a stop-gap measure that does not face up to America's basic problem of spending far more than it earns.

As Presidents cannot seek more than two terms, the political focus will inevitably be beyond them. This overall domestic policy context means Obama, like other 2nd-term Presidents in the post-war era, is likely to turn his focus towards foreign policy.

Cabinet documents released today reveal the diplomatic, political and military agonies Australia tried to balance because of New Zealand's non-nuclear policy.

Markets in this region yesterday shrugged off the threat of economic disruption from the looming "fiscal cliff" in the United States.

President Barack Obama's victory in November was the climax to an abrasive election season in which both sides raised about US$2 billion ($2.4 billion), a US record. Much was spent on negative TV advertising and get-out-the-vote strategies.

On Saturdays, Hobart's Salamanca Place hosts a market visited by thousands of locals and tourists.

And so this is Christmas, and what have you done, New Zealand business?

Egypt's Islamist-backed constitution received a "yes" majority in a final round of voting on a referendum that saw a low voter turnout.

France is discovering that, when it comes to wealthy taxpayers, you win some - and you lose some.

Vice president Mahmoud Mekki's resignation was announced with more than five hours to go of voting in the second and final phase of a referendum on a disputed, Islamist-backed constitution.