Latest from International Politics

Poll hints at stay of execution for Abbott

Liberal Party rebels were urged to "pull their heads in" yesterday after a second opinion poll within a week suggested that the Coalition's fortunes are improving.

Mugabe's 'obscene' 91st birthday party

Guests at Robert Mugabe's million-dollar birthday party were fed a young elephant, while a lion and a crocodile were also sacrificed as gifts to be stuffed.

Jihadi John linked to UK bombing plot

"Jihadi John" was able to flee the scrutiny of the security services despite being a member of a terrorist cell known to have links to the failed 21/7 attacks on London in 2005.

I don't back execution - governor

Jakarta's Governor has reportedly said President Joko Widodo is considering different views on the death penalty, including his own advice that it should be removed from Indonesia's laws.

Russian rebels pay with their lives

Boris Nemtsov is not the first Russian dissident to die in mysterious circumstances in recent years. These rebels also paid with their lives.

Offsiders deflect leadership challenge

Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and frontbencher Malcolm Turnbull have steered clear of increasing speculation that their Prime Minister could face another leadership crisis.

Allies fear killers won't face justice

Moscow police were yesterday hunting for the killers of Boris Nemtsov, the Russian opposition politician who was gunned down in the shadow of the Kremlin's towers yesterday.

Yet more misery for Abbott

For an hour or two yesterday, Australian PM Tony Abbott left the curse of his leadership troubles behind, only to have to endure the curse of the cricket at Eden Park.

Toby Manhire: Troops to Iraq - There are many ways to show guts

Bad news, peaceniks. If you oppose the deployment of NZ troops to Iraq, you are gutless, a coward, at least in the estimation of the Prime Minister, writes Toby Manhire.

Jeb Bush's wife's shopping spree causes setback

Jeb Bush's planned campaign for the Republican presidential nomination has suffered a setback with revelations that his wife Columba spent $42,311 in a single day on jewellery including a Bulgari diamond bracelet.

Australia tightens on foreign land buys

Australia has tightened the rules on foreign purchases of agricultural land and has reduced the ownership screening threshold to A$15 million from A$252 million.

Brit MPs in new 'cash for access' scandal

Two former British foreign secretaries offered to use their positions on behalf of a fictitious Chinese company in return for payment of NZ $10k a day.

Greece wins reprieve, decisions follow

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras began the task of selling domestically a provisional deal with eurozone partners to extend bailout funds after securing a reprieve.

Moscow gets junk rating by Moody's

Just over one month since its last downgrade of Moscow's credit rating, Moody's said Russia "is expected to experience a deep recession in 2015 and a contraction in 2016".

System let us down on siege: Abbott

Tony Abbott has flagged shifting the balance between upholding individual rights and ensuring community protection following a report into the Sydney cafe siege.

The PM, the dinner & the $25k donation

Electoral returns out next week will confirm that a National Party MP received $25,000 from a controversial businessman after Prime Minister John Key had a private dinner with him.

Fight against ISIS: Back to Baghdad

NZ troops are preparing to return to Iraq, a decade after Kiwi soldiers were last in the violence-wracked nation. On Monday the cabinet is expected to set the ground rules for the deployment.

Bryce Edwards: Is NZ being conned into war in Iraq?

The public could be wise to be sceptical or wary about politicians trying to manipulate them about the global fight against ISIS, writes Bryce Edwards.