US troops yesterday found themselves battling heavily armed militants assaulting an Iraqi military headquarters in the centre of Baghdad.

The wild winds forecast for Canterbury tonight are unlikely to reach full force in Christchurch.

Safety first is the message authorities want to convey as many displaced locals face a second night away from their homes.

Some residents in the earthquake zone may be without power until the end of the week, says lines company Orion.

A formal curfew is now officially in place in the Christchurch central business district until 7am and those who breach it may be arrested, say police.

Police Commissioner Howard Broad has criticised the appointment of an officer - who was censured for trying to pass information to the Brad Shipton defence team - to a senior role.

An Australian soldier has been shot dead in a fierce firefight with Taleban insurgents.

The CIA has videotapes of a September 11 plotter being interrogated in a secret prison.

The Green Party wants to bring our most elite troops home from Afghanistan following reports of links to the torture of prisoners.

An Australian special forces soldier has become the 18th to die in Afghanistan after being shot in northern Kandahar.

In a warehouse packed with dignitaries and military officers, mourners today heard how NZ had lost a fine young leader, 28-year-old Lieutenant Tim O'Donnell.

The death of Lieutenant Tim O'Donnell in Afghanistan was a tragedy on a number of levels, the Governor-General told the slain soldier's military funeral today.