The US will not ask New Zealand to send more troops to Afghanistan as part of Barack Obama's final surge, its new ambassador to Wellington says.

US Ambassador David Huebner should fit in just fine in New Zealand: he loves rugby and drinking beer and wine.

One pager message sent on September 11, 2001 reads "Please call me I need to know where you are," from an office worker an hour after the attacks.

Turners & Growers chair Tony Gibbs has been accused of colluding with foreign powers and undermining our trade policy in his attempt to break up the kiwifruit exporter Zespri.

Michelle Obama urges women not to choose men simply because they are "cute".

Michael Moore claimed he helped Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez write a UN speech over a bottle and a half of tequila.

One of Obama's aides has run into controversy by revealing the extent to which his campaign manipulated the media.