The two brothers named by French authorities as chief suspects in the attack on the Charlie Hebdo newspaper in Paris were on the U.S. no-fly list.

Classmates of the youngest man identified as a suspect in yesterday's deadly Paris shooting say he was in class at the time of the attack.

The Maori Party distanced itself from former candidate Derek Fox after he controversially blamed the victims of the Paris terror attacks for their deaths.

Holding signs and posters aloft, more than 200 people gathered at a vigil in Wellington last night to "share their sorrow" following the Charlie Hebdo massacre in Paris.

Kiwi cartoonist Dylan Horrocks has spoken of the shock among the tight-knit global cartooning community following the massacre at Paris magazine Charlie Hebdo.

Questions surround people dressed as Buddhist monks who are targeting tourists and shoppers in Queen St to solicit cash donations for a Thai temple.

God's message arrived in an unusual form for new Cardinal-elect John Dew. He was sleeping when he was woken by several beeps from his cellphone about 3am.

The Pope has named 15 new cardinals from Africa, Latin America and Asia to reflect a change in church demographics - and among them is NZ's John Dew.

Pope Francis has put a spring in the step of the Catholic Church since his election nearly two years ago. But now the backlash has begun.

In 2013 Pope Francis had a lot to celebrate. Not only was he named Time magazine person of the year, but was also awarded the title of Esquire's best-dressed man.

The dangers of working too hard and succumbing to gossip can be found in every office - including the administrative body of the Roman Catholic Church.

Captured Yazidi girls in Iraq are killing themselves to escape rape and torture at the hands of Isis (Islamic State) militants holding them prisoner.

The Marsden Cross is known to most of us only as a photograph. It is on a remote northern shore in the Bay of Islands, not as accessible as Waitangi or Russell.

A New Zealand manager accused of insulting Buddhism in a promotional poster for a bar in Rangoon, Burma, has pleaded not guilty to three charges.

New Zealand Muslims were brought to tears by a social media display of solidarity in Sydney during the Lindt cafe siege.

Destiny Church has amassed a $20 million empire in cash, property investments and other assets as a result of its tax exempt status, accounts show.

A Wellington man facing up to two years in a Burmese prison after he allegedly insulted Buddhism only moved back to the area in October with his partner and baby daughter.

Employers are changing the way they run Xmas parties to cater for more diverse workplaces, including an increase in Muslims who don't eat ham or drink alcohol.

Parliament's Speaker David Carter today announced that the traditional prayer he uses to open daily sittings of Parliament will remain as is, with its Christian references.

Destiny Church-affiliated charities received nearly $6million in donations in the last year after self-appointed Bishop Brian Tamaki demanded churchgoers give generously.

For Hannah Tamaki it must have been the week from - you'll pardon the expression - hell.

Self-appointed bishop Brian Tamaki was immensely proud of the money raised by his self-created Destiny Church this week. He asked parishioners to put their tithings on stage.

It's not easy being a member of the Swiss Guard. There's the silly uniform to wear, and occasionally you might have to step in and risk your life to save the boss.