US Secretary of State John Kerry says settlement growth in Israel means the prospects for a diplomatic solution are being "narrowed".

McCully was reportedly warned of a "declaration of war" if the UN Security Council passed a resolution condemning Israel's continued settlements.

Israel bars Kiwi ambassador from entering the country in further fallout from the UN Security Council's resolution to condemn settlements in occupied territories.

Tens of thousands of people from east Aleppo as well as two Shi'ite villages in Syria's Idlib province have been evacuated.

New Zealand is increasing aid to those affected by six years of bloody civil war in Syria.

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.

First class passengers on Emirates night flights will be moisturised as they sleep by new pyjamas infused with sea kelp.

COMMENT: The situation is complex even for the people who live there, let alone us trying to understand it. None of our business.

Seven policemen, two Jordanian civilians and one Canadian tourist were killed on Sunday.

Four and a half years and hundreds of thousands of deaths later, the end of the rebellion in Syria is drawing near.

Some fares to London aboard one of the world's top airlines have dropped to equal a record low.

Syrian forces are arresting and forcibly conscripting civilians fleeing opposition-held areas of east Aleppo, relatives of detainees say.

A 15-year-old boy who tried to enter a football stadium wearing a suicide belt has spoken of the training he was given by Isis and his disappointment at failing.

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.

Syrian rebel groups have promised to continue their war by adopting the guerrilla tactics of assassinations, armed raids and roadside bombs.

An outspoken billionaire Saudi prince wants an 'urgent' end to his country's ban on women driving.

New Zealand's partnership with Jordan was never more important than it is today, says Jordan's King Abdullah II.

Woman arrested after alleging rape is told she's free to go after case collapses.

The US presidential election has become an object lesson in everything that ails a country long seen as a beacon of freedom and hope.

Thousands of residents poured out of eastern neighbourhoods of Mosul yesterday, the first significant wave of people to escape the city held by Isis.

The United Nations have said that at least 239 migrants have drowned this week in two shipwrecks off the coast of Libya.

More than 300 child soldiers, dubbed the "cubs of the caliphate", have reportedly been killed after being sent into battle.

Iran's supreme leader says the statements made by the frontrunners in the US Presidential race are proof of the destruction of human values in the United States,"

COMMENT: It is time to sober up. The superpowers are drunk on rhetoric, mistrust and posturing. They are dragging us all towards the brink.

Qatar Airways will start flying next year and is offering fares as low as $1455 from Auckland to Europe return.

Nick Jenkins discovers a friendly way to visit the turbulent Middle East.

Iraq has launched its biggest fight against Isis. PM Haider al-Abadi pledged to raise the Iraqi flag over Mosul once more.

A 22-year-old woman is to be hanged this week after being found guilty of killing the husband she says abused her.

Watch NZH Focus: A Kiwi face transplant surgeon has lead his team in transplanting two donor arms to a retired marine who lost all four limbs in Afghanistan.

A stalled free trade deal with Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries will be completed, Trade Minister Todd McClay has announced.