Prime Minister Tony Abbott has warned Australians that the balance between freedom and security "may have to shift", given the current "troubling" and "darkening" security situation.

It’s important that the media are able to present the most accurate information about mental illness to the community. Below is a summary of brief facts about mental illness that media professionals can use within a story or use to provide context for a story.

Interview conducted by Dieter Bednarz

Iraqi politician Ahmad Chalabi played an infamous role in spurring the 2003 American invasion of his country. In an interview, he tells SPIEGEL about the rise of Islamic State, why the West misjudged the jihadists and whether it is time to cooperate with Assad.

The downfall of democracy starts with our idealisation of this form of government. It's a bit like love and marriage... Nothing is ever perfect. 

As I was dozing awake, I went, yet again, through the motions of global warming. A + B = C + (x)... Sorry, I am boring, aren't I?

Whistleblower Edward Snowden says New Zealand prime minister John Key has not been telling the truth about mass spying on citizens, just days before the country goes to the polls.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott has reassured Australians that everything possible is being done to protect them, a day after the terror alert was raised to high for the first time.

The decision to increase the alert level on Friday followed a spike in "chatter" detected in a sixfold increase in counter-terrorism operations during the past year.

Mr Abbott on Saturday repeated his assurance that the upgraded alert level did not mean a terror attack was imminent.

But it was designed to raise community awareness about the increased likelihood of a terrorist attack in Australia, with people urged to contact the authorities if they noticed anything suspicious.