74: Conditions on board the troopship SS Arawa were stifling.

The Nigerian militant group Boko Haram has announced it is joining Isis by apparently releasing an audio statement swearing allegiance.

The Protected Objects Act plays an important role in safeguarding this country's heritage. But there will be times when the ministry should not be straitjacketed by the act.

The bravery of 14 NZ soldiers awarded the Victoria Cross during WWI have been commemorated by the UK government.

Labour is calling on the Government to buy the war medals of Kiwi “Dambusters” veteran Les Munro to keep them in New Zealand.

'It's not every day you get a note on behalf of the Russian President, Vladimir Putin.' Service medal arrives for brave Stan.

73: A legacy of New Zealand's wartime presence in England is still visible on the Salisbury Plains.

Les Munro's World War II medals could prove a visual inspiration and reminder to all young New Zealanders of the stuff that real heroes are made of, writes Peter Bromhead.

The mother of Mohammed Emwazi realised seven months ago that her son was the masked killer known as Jihadi John but failed to tell the authorities.

Prime Minister John Key says he is not aware of any suspected war criminals from the former Yugoslavia in New Zealand but says "I'm sure someone will look into it".

A Palestinian family of six sleep in one bedroom in a cramped, damp and mouldy three-room home.

Somehow the word 'American' makes it not only acceptable but epic, admirable, even glorious and certainly ordained by a Christian God, especially given that Clint Eastwood directed.

Prime Minister John Key says he is not aware of any suspected war criminals from the former Yugoslavia in New Zealand.

Labour leader Andrew Little told Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott in their private meeting that Australia's air strikes against Isis in Iraq make sense.

As many as one million people could flee Mosul in northern Iraq if the Iraqi Army, backed by US air strikes, seeks to recapture the city this year, aid agencies have said.

"Jihadi John" was able to flee the scrutiny of the security services despite being a member of a terrorist cell known to have links to the failed 21/7 attacks on London in 2005.

72: An illustrious New Zealand sportsman, winner of four Wimbledon singles titles, a dashing figure who was dating an American silent screen star, killed by a hit from a "Jack Johnson".

Bad news, peaceniks. If you oppose the deployment of NZ troops to Iraq, you are gutless, a coward, at least in the estimation of the Prime Minister, writes Toby Manhire.

There’s been widespread sceptism and outrage in response to the Government’s announcement that New Zealand troops will be sent to Iraq, writes Bryce Edwards.

In November Prime Minister Key referred to ISIL as a ‘game changer’ for New Zealand. I wasn’t convinced, especially as the government was focusing on the domestic aspect in seeking to justify increased surveillance powers.

The decision to commit NZ military contingent to Iraq is a case of misguided foreign policy.

Edmund Burke once said political decisions often involve a choice between intolerable and disagreeable options.

A senior US security official will visit New Zealand next month as part of a tour of the Asia-Pacific.

71: Frank Bullock-Webster took the long road to the Western Front.

I believe the decision to commit our troops to Iraq was made a long time ago, and was a decision our Prime Minister had to make for geo-political reasons that gave him little option, writes Dita De Boni.

Passions over the announced deployment of a New Zealand training mission to Iraq spilled over in Parliament again yesterday.

Herald political writer John Armstrong says the PM's decision to bypass the media when announcing his decision shows he is failing.