1. Escort left Google exec to die on yacht
An alleged high-end prostitute accused of injecting heroin into a Google executive on his yacht in Santa Cruz and leaving him to die when he overdosed appeared in court on Wednesday on manslaughter and heroin charges.
Alix Tichelman, 26, in handcuffs and a red jumpsuit, did not enter a plea and was appointed a public defender. She is being held on $1.5 million bail.
Surveillance footage from the yacht shows Tichelman gather her belongings, including the heroin and needles, step over the 51-year-old victim's body to finish a glass of wine and then lower a blind before leaving the boat, Santa Cruz police said.
2. Doco captures arranged marriage at Kiwi sect
A new documentary on the Gloriavale Christian Community on the West Coast follows the six-week courtship and marriage of one young couple, after leaders at the Lake Haupiri community opened the doors to a film crew.
Gloriavale - A World Apart will screen next week on TV2 at 9.30pm.
Pacific Screen Ltd producer-director Amanda Evans said she had a good relationship with the people of Gloriavale when they first met during their production of the 2009 series My God.
A couple kiss after getting married at Gloriavale. Photo / TVNZ file
Their approach to make the documentary was met with some consternation as the Christian community had experienced negative treatment by some media over the years, but Ms Evan said her approach was open-minded and unbiased.
3. Allergy upset spoils holiday flight
An Auckland man flying business class from London to Hong Kong says he was told he would have to go without an in-flight meal for his 11-hour trip because the airline could not cater to his peanut allergy.
Cathay Pacific staff told Mr Moore much of their foot contained peanuts - so wasn't suitable for him. Photo / supplied
Hong Kong-based carrier Cathay Pacific says it is unable to guarantee a peanut-free meal because peanut-based ingredients are widely used throughout the Asia Pacific region - and that passengers with allergies should bring their own food on board.
But Brian Moore said he had travelled on many airlines over the years, including Asian airlines - all of whom have been able to cater to his needs.
4. World Cup fan scores modelling gig
Axelle Despiegelaere snagged a modelling gig after cheering on her team. Photo / Facebook
This girl's team were sent packing, but the excited blonde Belgian fan walked away a winner from the World Cup.
Photos of Axelle Despiegelaere went viral after she was snapped supporting her country as they came up against Russia in Rio on June 22, according to Yahoo.com.
The 17-year-old was dressed up in black, yellow and red - her nation's colours - with face paint, horns and enthusiastically waving pom poms in the stands.
5. Sex case diplomat's accuser: I want an apology
The woman at the centre of a diplomatic incident and the victim of an alleged sex attack says Foreign Minister Murray McCully should resign.
Tania Billingsley, 22, said she was deeply unhappy her alleged attacker, Malaysian warrant officer Muhammad Rizalman bin Ismail, had been allowed to go back to Malaysia, after mixed messages from an official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Mfat).
In an interview with TV3's Third Degree, the Wellington resident said she had yet to receive a direct apology from Mr McCully about errors made in her case. By having name suppression -- automatically granted to alleged sexual attack victims -- lifted and speaking out, she was putting a "face" to the alleged victim.
- nzherald.co.nz, NZ Herald, APNZ, AP