New Zealand Prime Minister John Key said the country will extend its troop commitment to Afghanistan for another year and then begin posting civilian development specialists to the war-torn nation.

The International Whaling Commission has proposed allowing the first legal commercial whale hunts in 25 years, ending an outright ban that had many exceptions.

THE absence from the country of Health Minister Mary Harney is only “adding to the information vacuum” surrounding unread X-rays and GP referral letters in Tallaght, and possibly other hospitals.

The dollar rose slightly higher against the euro in early trade, as analysts said activity appeared to settle down since the G7 meeting over the weekend.

Australian authorities have defended their decision to search the New Zealand Prime Minister for explosives at Sydney Airport last month.