In a Western world fast embracing a darker view of Islam, a German sports hero has suddenly fallen from heights it took a lifetime to achieve.

COMMENT: How backwards does that make us, to lag behind America in drug policy? Writes Raybon Kan.

Nearly one in two Americans support Donald Trump's block on some immigrants

It was a chilling prediction issued as part of a propaganda video intended to fuel hatred between Muslims and the West.

A Doomsday Clock, which symbolises the current threat of global annihilation, is expected to be moved closer to midnight by scientists.

The gunman who killed 39 people during an attack on a nightclub in Istanbul during New Year's celebrations has been caught in a police operation.

Despite its distance from world trouble spots, New Zealand has a valuable role to play, says Bill English.

A gunman reportedly wearing suicide vest filled with gasoline and gunpowder and shouting "Allahu Akbar" opened fire in a Spanish supermarket.

Prime Minister Bill English says there are limits to what authorities can do once people leave the country, following the death of a former NZ student alleged to be involved in a terror attack.

The gunman behind the Istanbul nightclub terror attack has been identified. His wife, who's been detained, has expressed her shock at his links to Islamic State.

Islamic State has claimed responsibility on Monday for a New Year's Day mass shooting in a packed Istanbul nightclub that killed 39 people.

Turkish authorities are hunting a lone gunman who opened fire at one of Istanbul's most popular nightclubs, killing 39 and wounding 70.

Two bombs have exploded in a market in central Baghdad killing dozens and wounding many more

A truce aimed at ending the bloody five-year war in Syria has been announced. But what does it mean?

Jailed at a migrant reception centre for minors on the isle of Sicily the boy who once drank alcohol - and never went to mosque - suddenly got religion.

A chilling video shows two young girls - aged 7 and 9 - being embraced and kissed by their parents before being sent on suicide missions in Damascus.

The prime suspect sought in the deadly attack on a Berlin Christmas market was the subject of a terrorism probe in Germany earlier this year.

Policeare desperately hunting a "violent and armed" suspect, as the Berlin attack exposes gaping holes in Germany's security system.

Berlin police storm disused Tempelhof Airport used as refugee camp in the wake of Christmas market attack, while truck driver identified as young Pakistani.

A top ally of Vladimir Putin claims secret services of a Nato country is "highly likely" to have been behind the assassination of ambassador Andrei Karlov.

A boy dubbed "The Kindergarten Bomber" is accused of planting a nail bomb near a Christmas market in Germany.

COMMENT: A number of lessons can be learned from Belgium. This is particularly true for NZ where the problem of Islamic extremism is much more manageable.

John Key returns from an overseas trip tomorrow after tumultuous week of affairs. Audrey shares an insider's view of the Prime Minister's week.

Having to attend a work Christmas party may have been the motive for Syed Rizwan Farook's shooting spree that killed 14.

New Zealand is leading a bid to get UN Security Council members to agree to resumption of a ceasefire in Syria.

The sister of the San Bernardino shooter has spent months trying to adopt her niece, but so far is only allowed to see her in six-hour regular visits.

The targeted killing of Abu Mohammad al-Adnani was the biggest in a string of successes against high-value targets.

The suspect in a knife attack at Ohio that injured 11 people posted an online rant shortly before he drove his car into a crowd and began stabbing people.

COMMENT: The event is worth being reminded of because this sorry chapter shows this country is indeed a blip on the radar screen by the French.

A far-Right extremist has been told he will never be released after being convicted of murdering British Labour MP Jo Cox.