New Zealand police have recovered a diamond-encrusted green Fabergé egg after keeping a six-day watch over the thief accused of swallowing it. The 32-year-old allegedly gulped down the egg late last week from a store in the country's largest city, Auckland, but was arrested before he could flee. The alleged loot was a limited-edition, Fabergé egg pendant inspired by the 1983 James Bond film Octopussy. Central to the film's plot is a jewel-smuggling operation that involves a fake Fabergé egg. | C

The Auckland Sky Tower has taken a direct hit from a lightning bolt this lunchtime. A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for several areas in northern Auckland, including Rodney, Gulf and Albany. A severe thunderstorm watch remains in force for Northland, Auckland, Great Barrier Island, Coromandel Peninsula, Waikato and Bay of Plenty. The storms are expected to include torrential downpours, with up to 40mm of rain falling in an hour, which can lead to slips and flash flooding. Wind gust