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Leading Headlines

$9m fraud: Seven charged

Two women and five men have been charged this morning over an alleged mortgage fraud scheme involving over $9 million.

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UK attack victim a model soldier

Lee Rigby, of 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers. Photo / AP

The soldier brutally murdered in a suspected terrorist attack in London was a popular 25-year-old ceremonial military drummer, machine gunner and a father.

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High Commissioner's weekly rent $7500

Former Speaker Lockwood Smith. Photo / Mark Mitchell

New Zealand's new High Commissioner in London has been put up in high-end accommodation in Kensington costing $7500 a week.

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Weather experts predict polar blast

Winter looks set to arrive on schedule as weather experts predict a southerly polar blast to ice the country early next week.

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Care provider 'seriously dysfunctional'

There were also allegations of patients being physical assaulted by other patients and staff members, and of a sexual assault between patients. Photo / Thinkstock

A damning report of the country's only Kaupapa Maori intellectual disability residential care provider has found the organisation is "seriously dysfunctional" and recommended…

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Men appear in court over burns death

Two men charged with murdering a Christchurch man who died in hospital from serious burn injuries have been remanded in custody after appearing in court today.

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Gregor Paul: Clinical Ali knew it was time

Ali Williams ends his test career having played 78 matches for the All blacks. Photo / Sarah Ivey

Timing hasn't previously been a strong point for Ali Williams, but his decision to retire from tests is indisputably perfect, writes Gregor Paul.

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Demand for free law service skyrockets

Canterbury University students are volunteering their services at community law offices. Photo / Geoff Sloan

Post-earthquake demand for free legal service at Community Law Canterbury has skyrocketed, making the legal centre the biggest of its kind in the country.

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NZ meat hold-up in China continues

Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy. Photo / Paul Taylor

New Zealand sheep and beef meat is still held up at the Chinese border and officials say the documentation required to get the ball rolling only arrived in China today…

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MRP shares went to just a few - Greens

Minister of Finance Bill English, Minister for State Owned Enterprises Tony Ryall and NZX CEO Tim Bennett at the listing of Mighty River Power. Photo / Getty Images

The Green Party says that shares sold in the recent float of Mighty River Power went to only a small group of investors - and claims of widespread 'mum and dad' ownership…

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Obama defends drone strikes

US President Barack Obama has defended America's controversial drone attacks as legal, effective and a necessary linchpin in an evolving US counterterrorism policy.

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NZ at Noon: Vandals target hospital staff

Hawke's Bay Hospital car park. Photo / Glenn Taylor

Stories making headlines today include hospital staff targeted by vandals and an outbreak of food poisoning in Whangarei.

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Ferry, water taxi collide in Auckland

One of the damaged vessels at Auckland's waterfront. Photo / Greg Bowker

A man has been taken to hospital after a collision between a ferry and a water taxi near Princes Wharf at Auckland's waterfront.

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Science

Scientist: Challenges will help NZ

Professor Sir Peter Gluckman. Photo / NZ Herald

The Prime Minister's chief science adviser says a hitlist of 10 big issues for our top brains to tackle will be "transformational", despite criticism that they lack…

'Dream' software boosts power of DNA

The ESR technology has caught the attention of forensics experts in the United States. Photo / Dean Purcell

The new software, called STRmix, has the ability to unscramble DNA found at crime scenes from up to four people - giving results that were previously not possible.

Opinion

Politics: Is the media dominating Parliament?

In his political round-up, Bryce Edwards asks: "Is our Parliament too dominated by ex-journalists and broadcasters?"

Super City RIP - blame the parents

The sun rose on the Super City 2 years ago. Now it seems doomed. Photo / Brett Phibbs

It would seem suicidal for a government to declare war on a third of the population. But that seems to be exactly what the Key Government is doing, writes Brian Rudman…

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