Foreign Minister Murray McCully says the UN must do more to help small Pacific nations, and he's warned it risks losing its credibility over its inaction on Syria.

Alan Jones, the Australian radio host, has learned the perils of being loose-lipped at an ostensibly private function, after a secret recording of his jibe at the PM.

Former NZ diplomat Warren Searell called Damascus home until the Arab spring made life far too dangerous. This is his story.

In a key shift, the United States is lifting a ban on New Zealand navy vessels visiting US ports, and will remove obstacles to defence talks and exercises.

Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman says deepening military co-operation with the US won't endanger NZ's relationship with China, saying we can be friends with both major powers.

Zain Ali says it may be the perpetrators of violence who are the ones who have besmirched and dishonoured Muhammad.

A youngster from the Solomon Islands has taken on the future king of England in a show of football prowess - and won. "He was good, yes, but not as good as me," said Philemon Fatai, 13.

This morning Queenslanders will begin to digest the reality of the new conservative Liberal National Government - and it involves job losses and deep spending cuts.