Which actor played Cyclops in the X-Men movies? Which actor played Cyclops in the X-Men movies? Are you smarter than a robot? Test your brains with the Herald’s afternoon quiz. Be sure to check back on nzherald.co.nz for tomorrow’s morning quiz.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (left) views the launch of a Hwasong-18 intercontinental ballistic missile on December 18. Kim's speech comes ahead of a year that will see pivotal elections in South Korea and the United States. Pyongyang has now ruled out the possibility of unifying with South Korea, and the country must fundamentally change its principle and direction toward South Korea, Kim said. The move raised regional tensions and sparked fresh sanctions from the US, Australia, Japan and South Korea. The apparent success also came after Russian President Vladimir Putin promised to help North Korea build satellites.

Queues at Wellington Airport this morning after flights were cancelled. Photo: RNZFlights in and out of Wellington Airport have been delayed, as high winds cause headaches for New Year's Eve travellers. Four flights were diverted including three forced to return to Auckland and Christchurch, and a flight from Nelson which was diverted to Palmerston North. The MetService has issued a strong wind warnings for Wellington until 4pm on Sunday, forecasting gale north westerlies gusting 120km/h in exposed places. Orange weather warnings are in place for the Marlborough Sounds, Wellington, Wairarapa extending south of Greytown and parts of Canterbury.

Take our Herald Summer Quiz and see how you do. Photo / Arthur UdenHow many riders are there in a polo team? Take our Herald Summer Quiz and see how you do. Test your brains with the Herald’s summer quiz: A 20-question challenge released at 12pm over Christmas and New Year’s. To take this quiz make sure you are registered and logged in to your NZ Herald account.

Stuffed mini peppers with ricotta and pancettaMakes 20Not only are these stuffed baby peppers pretty in colour, they are quick to create. 200g ricotta2 tsp lemon zest2 tsp chopped thyme leavesSalt and pepper10 mini peppers, halved Advertisement Advertise with NZME. 100g butter, cut into cubesPinch salt1 egg1 Tbsp olive oilTomatoes24 cherry tomatoes1 Tbsp thyme leavesSalt and pepperFilling390g tin white beans1 clove garlic1 Tbsp lemon zest2 Tbsp olive oil2 Tbsp lemon juicePreheat an oven to 180C. To make the pastry, place flour and butter into a food processor and blitz until fine breadcrumbs form. For the filling, place the beans, garlic, lemon, olive oil and lemon juice into a food processor.

Chada said that when he returned to the lot, his truck was gone. But when the truck appeared in the exact same spot just four days later, the owner thought perhaps he was "going crazy all over again." What's even crazier, though, is that the thief not only returned the vehicle in perfect condition, but they also returned it with an apology note and some gifts for Chada's child. Focus: Cafe owner’s stolen truck returned with sorry note | nzherald.co.nz youtu.beSome people on social media felt the thief made up for the initial infraction with the safe return of the vehicle, plus a note and presents to boot. @nzherald/TikTok@nzherald/TikTok@nzherald/TikTok@nzherald/TikTokDespite the return of the truck, Chada said the vehicle is staying put at his home while police complete forensic testing as the case is still being investigated.

Rico Syme [Source: Stuff.co.nz]Rico Syme shares the same dream as many others – to come and play in Fiji. Syme, who is from New Zealand is Australian legend David Campese pick for the McDonald Coral Coast 7s. Article continues after advertisementThe 24-year-old is determined to learn a lot from the tournament, having heard a lot about it. Being picked by Campese for such a prestigious tournament is a humbling moment for Syme. The Coral Coast 7s will kick off on the 19th of January at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka.

Te Reo Wickliffe-Heta. Photo: Supplied/ NZ HeraldA 24-year-old woman has been charged with assault after a man was found dead in a Hamilton driveway. Police have named the homicide victim as Te Reo Wickliffe-Heta. In a statement, Detective Senior Sergeant Terri Wilson today said the arrested woman would appear in the Waikato town's district court. “Initial inquiries indicate that he had earlier been involved in an incident at another property on Sundown Cres,” an earlier police statement said.

But basic psychology teaches us that we generally prioritise risk aversion over risk taking. Certainly not most of those making predictions at the start of the year. How do you think our economy (housing, agriculture, tourism, education, to name the key sectors in decreasing size) will fare in 2024? And of course there is the small matter of bragging rights on your 2023 predictions. This article is to encourage you to record your 2024 predictions.

Only days into the start of the government and we have seen nationwide protests from Maoridom and senior Maori leaders speaking of the people rising up. Speaking of rising up, it is going to be interesting to read the final police investigation into the abysmal Allan Hall investigation. Police knew something was seriously wrong with Alan Hall’s murder conviction and police knew evidence had been deliberately altered and hidden. So, everyone click on this link and support the petition to create change. So yes 2024 is shaping up to be a busy one for SJA and an interesting one in politics.

Just about every beach in Auckland is deemed unsafe for swimming today after Friday’s heavy rain washed sewage - including human faeces - into the ocean. Just four beaches on the Waitematā Harbour in mainland Auckland are safe for swimming today after Friday's downpours, the Safeswim website shows. Safeswim says a wastewater overflow means swimming at these beaches poses a “very high risk of illness”. Photo / Dean PurcellThose who are desperate for a dip at the beach today have a small list of safe spots where they shouldn’t get sick. On Waiheke Island, Palm Beach and Onetangi are safe for swimming but Oneroa and Sandy Bay are both red-flagged.

Which country has eight of the world's 10 highest peaks? Photo / APWhich country has eight of the world's 10 highest peaks? Photo / APAre you smarter than a robot? Test your brains with the Herald’s morning quiz. Be sure to check back on nzherald.co.nz for today’s afternoon quiz.

On the bright side, if you thought 2023 was bad, it ain’t nothing on what will go down in 2024. Advertisers want online stats, not radio diary, newspaper poll or TV box stats which were always more art than science. Globally, September 2023 was the warmest September — and the largest monthly anomaly of any month — since records began in 1850. The Ministry for the Environment has advised New Zealand is on track to meet the first (2022-2025) carbon budget. Include their tax loopholes and we have a class war without any of the class language oxygen to describe it.

Gael Monfils recently shared a heartwarming picture of him and his daughter celebrating the holiday season, along with a touching message of gratitude and hope. Monfils’ 2023 season was a mixed bag of highs and lows, as he battled with injuries and form. Monfils married fellow tennis star Elina Svitolina in July 2021. In his Instagram post on 29 December, Monfils shared a heartwarming picture with his 14-month-old daughter Skai standing side-by-side in front of a twinkling Christmas tree. This will be Gael Monfils' third appearance in Auckland.

Photo: SuppliedA New Zealand drug testing agency says its services saves people's lives. Drug Foundation executive director Sarah Helm said the availability of drug testing and early warning systems have been vital in preventing harm and fatalities. Spearin and Helm echoed the same sentiment that during the drug testing service, most people will say it is the first time they have had an honest conversation with anyone about drug use. But the demand for drug testing services remains more than their capacity, especially over the New Year's period. Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-FarrellySaving lives, changing conversations"We absolutely know that we've saved lives with the work that we've done," said Helm.