The death of a New Zealander serving in the British Army in Afghanistan is "very sad", Prime Minister John Key says. The soldier is understood to be John "Jack" Howard.

The New Zealand soldier killed in Afghanistan while serving with the British Army is understood to be John "Jack" Howard. Private Howard had been patrolling in the Nad 'Ali district of Helmand province when he was shot.

NZ troops were forced to step in for ineffective Hungarian troops in a neighbouring Afghanistan province, a leaked diplomatic cable says.

Comments made about China's dominance in Asia by Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd could prove embarrassing to Canberra.

Army chief Major General Rhys Jones will replace Lieutenant General Jerry Mateparae as chief of the NZ Defence Force.

Police and soldiers charged into Rio's most dangerous slum at daybreak to arrest a leading drug lord.

John Key says leaked cables from the US Embassy in Wellington, which form part of this week's massive Wikileaks release, "could cause some embarrassment".

What the international media is saying about North Korea's latest act of aggression.

The Defence Force may only be able to save up three quarters of the $300 million touted after the release of the white paper, Defence Minister Wayne Mapp said today.

A woman whose family was terrorised by two drunken sailors says she does not want to see the men thrown out of the New Zealand Navy.

A Nelson woman whose family was terrorised by two drunken sailors wants to meet them face-to-face, and says they should not be thrown out of the Navy.

Trigger-happy Australian soldiers have been warned not to fire their weapons so much.