UPDATED REPORT - 1.40pm

A Labour policy committee has voted overwhelmingly in support of a bill removing the defence of reasonable force for parents who physically discipline a child.

The Salvation Army has paid out compensation for the sexual abuse suffered at a Temuka children's home after former officer John Francis Gainsford was yesterday found guilty of over 20 rape and sexual indecency charges.

National MP Lockwood Smith says a police swoop on Labour MP Taito Phillip Field's offices and home show they are taking their inquiry seriously.

Victims of the bad-blood scandal are expected to receive up to $63,000 each as part of a landmark compensation deal.

A parliamentary select committee has recommended stricter conditions be imposed on the use of the fumigant methyl bromide after more than 1400 people signed a petition for it to be banned.

WASHINGTON: As United States military losses mount steadily in Iraq, a document issued by a group linked to al Qaeda spells out new goals for America's most determined enemies and calls for a media war against the United States.

Kiwis captain Ruben Wiki knows the first 20 minutes of tonight's Tri-Nations match will be explosive as four of rugby league's toughest and proudest front-row forwards lock horns at Jade Stadium.

Could New Zealand produce a home-grown Google? Web 2.0 is bringing a new wave of opportunity and pundits say our software industry now has the critical mass to capitalise. John McCrone reports.

Dumped One News presenter Judy Bailey says she was worth the $800,000 salary she negotiated with Television New Zealand.