A major new report has revealed that the numbers of refugees, asylum-seekers and internally displaced people worldwide has soared to 50 million for the first time since World War II.

The United States should launch targeted military attacks against an emerging "terrorist army" in Iraq if the security of the West is jeopardised, the former head of coalition forces in the country said yesterday.

Tom Sandford admits he has forgotten the details. Asked how he proposed to wife Carol 70 years ago, he pauses, before laughing heartily: "Oh, I can't remember."

It was once the emblem of United States military success in Iraq - the city where American forces defeated their adversaries twice.

The Sunni revolt led by Isis shock troops is getting ever closer to Baghdad, amid fears the capital itself might soon be engulfed by the violence.

The search for three teenagers who disappeared last week plunged Israeli-Palestinian relations into a deepening crisis yesterday.

Iraq's war of sectarian vengeance has its first pictures of record: images that show Sunni extremist fighters massacring army soldiers.

Tony Blair said Britain needed to take action in Iraq and Syria to stop a 'total disaster' that could see jihadist fighters returning to strike in their own country.

Nicolas Sarkozy thought it was a neat idea: sell Russia two advanced warships and open up a lucrative market for France's troubled armaments industry.

Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl, the US soldier held captive by the Taliban for almost five years, isn't emotionally prepared to reunite with his family.

Prime Minister John Key says the Government "lost contact" with a New Zealander who is believed to have been killed fighting in Syria.

Pakistan security forces relaunched their military operation at Karachi airport last night after gunfire was heard hours after all the attackers had been declared dead.

A veteran who was lucky to survive 60 missions in Lancaster bombers during World War II was present yesterday for the unveiling of new markings on a Lancaster now to be known as "a lucky aircraft".

"Sea," said King Canute, the 11th-century Danish King of England, "I command you to come no further!"

A New Zealander has been killed while fighting in Syria - the first Kiwi casualty in the civil war.

An alcohol ban at Gallipoli where New Zealanders and Australians gather every year to honour those killed in World War I is a step closer.

The man freed five years after being captured by the Taliban allegedly abandoned his post after growing disillusioned with America's wars.

A German auction house has for the first time made public its records from the Nazi era.

On the 70th anniversary of D-Day a book seeks to win recognition for young flyers who bravely took the fight to the enemy

The hand of history lies heavily on the beaches of Normandy, where next week the leaders of the World War II allies will pay tribute.

Prince Charles has compared Vladimir Putin to Adolf Hitler over Russia's actions in Ukraine.

The families of those killed in the September 11 terrorist attacks have expressed dismay at tacky souvenirs on sale at the newly opened Ground Zero memorial museum.

Young New Zealanders have been urged by Governor-General Sir Jerry Mateparae to visit the battlefields and cemeteries of Europe, not just Gallipoli.

This weekend around 40 New Zealand veterans will remember their fallen comrades at services to commemorate the anniversary of the Battle of Monte Cassino.