"Bugger," a senior official exclaimed. "Well at least the Aussies will be paying for the repair."

Most New Zealanders want Special Air Service (SAS) troops withdrawn from Afghanistan, a poll has found.

Israel yesterday described as baseless reported findings in a new book that it offered to sell nuclear warheads to South Africa in 1975.

In an attempt to take the pressure off bomb disposal officers in Afghanistan, combat engineers will now be tasked with blowing up many improvised devices rather than having to dismantle all of them.

A soldier was struck by a stray bullet while operating a standard-issue light machine gun late this morning.