Martin Place in Sydney CBD is in lockdown after gunmen took hostages at the popular Lindt cafe this morning.

Parliament has just passed legislation aimed at stopping would-be foreign fighters from leaving New Zealand to join Islamic State in Iraq.

US embassies have been told to prepare for violent protests ahead of a report into the CIA's use of torture.

The father of a teenager from Cardiff is thought to be the first Briton to have rescued his son from the jihadist group Islamic State.

Thirty-five people were killed and 150 injured when multiple explosions tore through the central mosque in Kano, police said.

The Government is legislating at breakneck pace to pass a bill it calls "Countering Terrorist Fighters Legislation".

Only in a topsy-turvy world would it be seen as rational to bring a posse of spies to heel by increasing their rights to snoop without a warrant, writes Brian Rudman.

The Government's controversial "foreign fighters" legislation allowing the recall of suspected New Zealand jihadists' passports and warrantless surveillance is set to pass its first reading.

The British Isis killer known as "Jihadi John" may have a body double, according to a new video analysis.

Urgent law changes being introduced to combat the threat of "foreign fighters" will be in place until 2018, as opponents question their 'short-term' nature.

Urgent changes to the law introduced to combat the threat of "foreign fighters" had been flagged by the Prime Minister as for short-term only.

We've had reports of abuse by Kiwis who think all Muslims are terrorists. I say to those responsible: when you scream at them as you drive by, you are terrifying them.

Much has changed in Iraq and Syria in the six weeks since the last Western hostage, Alan Henning, was beheaded.

The Islamic State militant known as Jihadi John has threatened to bring slaughter to the streets of Britain and the West in a new video announcing the murder of an American aid worker.

UK has received reports that notorious terrorist accused of killing two British hostages has been injured in an airstrike.

The former US Navy Seal who claims to have shot dead Osama bin Laden has gone from "hero to zero" and "put a bullseye on his back" after coming forward to take the glory for the killing.

John Key was playing to a vital international audience when he said that New Zealand has an opportunity to make sure the United Nations Security Council lifts its game.

Rob O'Neill under fire from fellow SEALs after he claimed he was the shooter who put three bullets into Osama bin Laden's head.

Aviation Security staff are on heightened alert following the raised terror threat level and on the lookout for a range of new risks.

Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee says any deployment of soldiers to train the Iraqi Army will not be the same as Afghanistan.

The Government has taken its time to decide New Zealand will not join Western allies in military action against the terrorist group that has taken over part of Iraq and Syria.

John Key has promised the SIS will get more powers and staff to respond rapidly to potential threats by NZ-based supporters of Islamic State.

The Cricket World Cup and the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings are being treated as potential terror targets by New Zealand and Australian Governments.

A video has emerged purportedly showing Isis fighters haggling over the price of captured Yazidi women during a "slave market day".

John Key says he wants anti-terror law changes to be in place before the Cricket World Cup as Australia issues Gallipoli travel warning.

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.