Thieves have hacked into payment machines at an Auckland carpark and stolen the credit-card details of thousands of people - possibly for years.

NZ climate scientists have criticised alleged hackers for "stealing" emails at the centre of a worldwide internet storm.

The city of Paris has been forced to pump taxpayers' money into the deflated tyres of its widely-copied, self-service, bicycle hire scheme.

A senior judge has vowed to crack down on a violent crime wave, which he says is sometimes "little more than sheer sadism".

Police believe the same brazen beanie-wearing bank robber is responsible for four hold-ups in the past few weeks.

Police are investigating the possibility that a gang of home invaders is operating in Hutt Valley.