Australia

In a time of globalization, the renaissance of cultural nationalism is remarkable. Classical countries of immigration, such as Australia, Canada and the United States, have been joined for the first time by the countries of western Europe in this strong global tide towards citizenship testing.

People assume that politicians are simply terrified of Rupert Murdoch. But chiefly they have allowed and encouraged the rise of the Murdoch empire because it protects them from authentic, principled, unpredictable journalism

A Labor leadership coup, a knife-edge election, a hung parliament, a cliffhanger aftermath - Australian politics have been through a three-month whirlwind. Peter Browne maps an extraordinary period and assesses the prospects of the new Labor-led coalition government.

New rumours of xenophobic reprisals after the World Cup send foreign migrants fleeing in South Africa. A new Amnesty International report slams endemic sexual violence in Kenyan slums. A Sri Lankan government minister begins hunger strike to protest UN inquiry into war crimes. Fresh bombings kill more Shia pilgrims in Baghdad. Defeated candidates and supporters protest over ‘rigged’ presidential elections in Guinea. New Australian PM Gillard backtracks on Timor-Leste refugee processing centre. All this and more in today’s briefing...

Spanish government agrees to house former terrorist suspects. Sydney bomb plotters sentenced. Tymoshenko accuses Yanukovych of vote-rigging. British journalist arrested in Gaza. UN sends envoy to Burma. All this and more in today's briefing.

Iran raises nuclear tension with missile test launch. Israel reacts angrily to Tzipi Livni arrest warrant issued by British court. US jail to hold 100 Guantanamo inmates. Amnesty International condemns Australia’s asylum policies. Danish police tear gas climate protestors. All this and more in today’s security update.

Kevin Rudd’s apology to the 'Forgotten Australians' highlights the difficulties of dealing with Britain's imperial past while promoting a positive view of 'Britishness'

China launches crackdown in Xinjiang region. Iran urged to accept nuclear proposals. Karadzic attends trial for first time. Fiji lashes out at Australia and New Zealand. All this and more in today's update.