The US midterm elections are about to take place, but what are they, and what is likely to happen? Nick Sheppard answers the key questions.

A Hawke's Bay Muslim man has come out in support of terror group Isis, and is trying to spread his beliefs through social media.

Despite clocking up more than 1000 flights in his time as President, Barack Obama still lopes up Air Force One's steps with his trademark bounce, exchanging banter with journalists and the public....

He has been called "a scaly old dude" by former US President George W Bush and derided as a "sick old man" by Zambia's opposition, but yesterday Dr Guy Scott assumed a rare title: Africa's only white leader.

A 'massive mystery explosion' shook residents outside of London, before two RAF jets reportedly escorted a Russian-made Latvian cargo jet into Stansted airport.

Everything hinges on a deal on agriculture and automobiles between the US and Japan, writes Jane Kelsey. Despite intense negotiations for more than a year, they remain poles apart.

British PM David Cameron's security detail is under investigation after a passing jogger ran right into him.

Clinton was in North Carolina to urge support for Kay Hagan, but it is clear that 'she's taking a second chance for herself': Hillary Clinton is going to run again.

Pro-European parties look to have swept Ukraine's first parliamentary vote since the revolution that toppled Viktor Yanukovych's Government in February.

Canadian politicians have praised the quick thinking of a security chief, believed to have shot the gunman who opened fire in Ottawa's Parliament today.

The New Zealand High Commission's building in Canada is in lock-down following a deadly shooting a couple of streets away in Ottawa this morning.

Prime Minister John Key has laid out his Government' agenda for the next three years, with housing and the fight against terror groups at the top of the list.

Former Australian prime minister Gough Whitlam has died, aged 98. The AAP looks at his legacy and the myths and passions surrounding his fall.

Keith Locke writes: New Zealanders are right to be concerned about the rise of the Islamic State (Isis), but our best contribution would be to provide more humanitarian support.

PM John Key said New Zealand helping to train Iraqi troops was among the options the Government would consider when ruling on its contribution to the fight against Isis.

Presidents, they're just like us - their credit cards get declined.

It arrived back at a California air base after dark. Only the eagle-eyed would have spotted the snub-nosed spacecraft gliding out of the black sky.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully says winning a seat on the United Nations Security Council does not mean New Zealand is committed to military action in Iraq.

New Zealand's appointment to the UN Security Council will afford a number of benefits, and also open up a raft of complexities to navigate.

NZ winning a seat on the UN Security Council 'proves small countries have a role to play' says the Prime Minister, as his Foreign Minister expresses relief.

If New Zealand becomes a member of the UN Security Council early tomorrow, hoping to get a pay-off for the hundreds of thousands of dollars in schmoozing we've done to get there, let us see how much of an independent voice we will retain.

PM John Key appears to have been misinformed by the Defence Force about the nature of a Washington meeting of the United States-led coalition to defeat Islamic State.

NZ's national threat level in response to risk posed by foreign fighters and Isis has risen and John Key says the Govt will advance ''urgent'' law changes in response..

Ed Miliband has moved to contain rising panic over the right-wing UK Independence Party's threat to Labour in Britain by pledging a raft of hard-headed measures to ensure that migrants "earn the right" to state benefits and face stiff English language tes

Prime Minister John Key is considering NZ's role in the fight against Isis, and has been accused of scaremongering.

Three of North Korea's senior officials travelled to South Korea at the weekend for the first time in five years.

Pro-democracy protesters are continuing demonstrations in Hong Kong, with riot police responding with tear gas. What set it all off?