Much has been gushed about the rise of Aaron Cruden into the All Blacks ranks as the heir apparent to first five-eighths Dan Carter.

Gourmet food and an army pedigree are an unlikely mix, but the union sure tastes good, writes Michelle Coursey.

The threat of terrorism and piracy has put a stop to a New Zealand-based bid to jetski from London to Auckland.

Expectations are low for latest talks on Israeli and Palestinian conflict.

Dubai's Burj al-Arab hotel serves up a sensory feast like no other, writes Geoff Cumming.

The body of a Lt Tim O'Donnell and two of his injured comrades will fly back to NZ later today, the Defence Force says.

The body of slain NZ soldier Lieutenant Timothy O'Donnell and his two wounded colleagues may be home as early as Saturday evening.

Kerri Jackson ponders whether Dubai is the perfect long-haul stopover.

You can't run and nor can you hide in a Syrian bath house, explains JJ Somerset.

A Palestinian man who masqueraded as a Jew to have sex with a Jewish woman has been convicted of rape "by deception" and sentenced to 18 months in prison.

Syria has forbidden the country's students and teachers from wearing the niqab - the full Islamic veil.

Fifteen lucky poker players are headed from Auckland to Queenstown this week for a chance to strike it rich.

The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, is battling to control his coalition as he heads for a showdown with his hardline foreign minister, Avigdor Lieberman.

Jill Worrall avoids the tourist throng by following an ancient Nabatean path to the Monastery at Petra.

Kiwi volunteers hoping to take part in a Gaza aid convoy have been told by organisers they could be putting their lives in danger.