America's latest political oddball is a Republican woman who declared masturbation is a sin and has dabbled in witchcraft.

Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen is battling for political survival.

US president Barack Obama says he doesn't care that the country's recession has been 'offically' declared over.

The leaders of Australia's two major parties have been given a wake-up call.

NZ oil and gas exploration will get a substantial boost in government resources, including funding to chase deep-sea methane hydrates that have yet to be commercially exploited anywhere in the world.

A John Banks impersonator who bemused followers online with oddball policies and flippant comments could soon be shut down.

Rodney Hide continues to cling to his leadership of embattled Act as a party insider and political opponents called for him to step down.

Liberal news satirist Jon Stewart is planning a "Rally to Restore Sanity" in Washington next month.

Act leader Rodney Hide says he will only step down if he considers it is in the party's best interests - and he doesn't.

Aucklanders have low expectations of their new super city council's performance.

Columnist Kerre Woodham finds herself in two minds about the teachers' strike.