Latest from International Politics

Kathy Marks: Australia - land of the great pretenders

Australia has a Budget crisis and a debt that will crush generations to come. Or does it? It depends on who's in government, and how badly they want to save their own skin.

Sweeteners for small biz, families

Joe Hockey's and Tony Abbott's budget is top-heavy on sweeteners for small business and families, without the sour taste of a Medicare co-pay or easing back on age pensions.

Problem-child 'hidden' in Budget run-up

The defining image of this year's Budget, which is widely viewed as pivotal to the electoral future of Tony Abbott's Coalition Government, is the almost complete absence of Hockey in the run-up to today's announcement.

Christopher Niesche: Abbott faces dilemma

Tony Abbott and his Treasurer have two big problems to solve when they present the Australian Budget to the nation tomorrow night.

West snubs Putin's power parade

Tanks growled across Red Square and fighter jets streaked overhead as Russia celebrated the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II with a mass-ranked display of military might.

Editorial: UK election leaves much to be settled

New Zealanders have watched the British general election with a certain deja vu.

Britain must stay in the EU

Business leaders are preparing to fight to keep Britain in the European Union after David Cameron's election triumph set the stage for a referendum on membership of the bloc.

Amal Clooney to accuse former PM

Amal Clooney, the barrister wife of the Hollywood actor George Clooney, will meet with nine men who are bringing a legal action against the UK Government.

Leaders finish tour of duty at VE service

Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg carried out their final duty as party leaders hours after they were humiliated in the most unexpected election result in decades.

Dita De Boni: NZ yet to find voice on Security Council

It may well be that NZ on the Security Council has to pick its battles, or choose the lesser of two evils when it is deciding who to support, writes Dita De Boni.

Mark Lister: UK election sparks fears

The 2015 UK general election is almost upon us and it's shaping up as one of the most interesting and unpredictable contests in decades.

Result will endanger UK's global role

Britain will struggle to throw off its growing reputation as a bit player in foreign affairs and defence after tonight's elections, which are likely to result in a weak Government that will be....

Abbott keeps budget shears out of garden

Tony Abbott is all for cuts, but not - it seems - when it comes to the gardening at his official Sydney residence.

Nauru block on Facebook stirs protest

The tiny Pacific country of Nauru has blocked access to Facebook in a move criticised as a "dictatorial" attempt to stifle dissent.

Hung parliament on the cards

Despite claims that another Tory-led Administration offers security over chaos, senior party sources have suggested the governing of the country will in effect be on pause.

NZ's head of state should be a Kiwi

New Zealand should have a Kiwi as head of state, Labour leader Andrew Little said, just hours after the new royal princess was born.

Trade always trumps human rights

The Saudi Arabian visit was a return to the old Key model of jet setting, glad-handing and grandstanding, which we can now see has never worked, writes Paul Little.

Kim Jong Un refuses Moscow invitation

Kim Jong Un, the North Korean leader, refused an invitation to visit Moscow to mark the Soviet Union's victory in World War II because Russia refused to meet Pyongyang's demands for special treatment for the young dictator.