Morning Report for Wednesday 13 July 2011

8:56 AM.Two small townships in Central Otago are battling for the record of New Zealand's coldest day. Audio

8:51 AM.The Wikileaks founder Julian Assange is back in court in London to appeal his extradition to Sweden, where he is wanted for questioning over sexual assault and rape claims. Audio

8:46 AM.The Maori Party says Maori are losing confidence in the police after the decision not to prosecute a police constable whose patrol car struck and killed a Northland teenager in July 2009; The… Read more Audio

8:41 AM.In the leadup to the killing of Osama bin Laden, the CIA organised a fake vaccination programme to get DNA from the al-qaeda leader's family. Audio

8:38 AM.An auditor travelling on an Air New Zealand domestic flight says he is aghast he was clearly able to read confidential redundancy papers being held by another passenger. Audio

8:34 AM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

8:28 AM.A brief update of movements in the financial sector. Audio

8:25 AM.Fresh off the back of plans by the Australian government to introduce plain-packaging for tobacco products, the Australian liquor industry has decided to add warning labels to alcohol. Audio

8:21 AM.As Christchurch starts the massive work of rebuilding the city, those responsible for the city's infrastructure are trying to work out how to make the basic services more resilient. Audio

8:18 AM.Some of the pupils at Wellington East Girls' College will be studying at the nearby boys' school next term, after earthquake risk closed the college's main block. Audio

8:16 AM.The Act Party is continuing it's renewal with another candidate, who has no prior ties to the party, being announced. Audio

8:12 AM.School principals say the NCEA is too much work for teachers, not students. Audio

8:09 AM.More details of how the geology of the Pike River coal mine affected mine safety will be heard on day three of the Royal Commission inquiry into last November's disaster. Audio

7:56 AM.The half-brother of Afghanistan's President, Hamid Karzai, has been shot and killed by his head of security. Audio

7:52 AM.Gordon Brown has attacked News International's newspapers as 'disgusting' for the way in which they obtained personal information from him. Audio

7:48 AM.John Key's firm rejection of a boatload of asylum seekers has been described as harsh, scaremongering and even an unwarranted attack by Amnesty International and the Labour and Green Parties. Audio

7:47 AM.The former Bridgecorp director Rod Petricevic is persisting in his efforts to have taxpayers fund his defence of fraud charges. Audio

7:44 AM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

7:40 AM.Petrol stations have raised fuel prices by up to four cents a litre. Audio

7:30 AM.Queenstown is this morning dusting itself off after a major dump of snow that brought chaos to the resort town yesterday. Audio

7:27 AM.It's been another rocky day for the euro, as financial markets remain concerned about the scale of the European debt crisis. Audio

7:20 AM.The minister of defence, Wayne Mapp, has relented and decided to pay the full costs of veterans wanting to attend Second World War anniversary celebrations. Audio

7:15 AM.Comments from chief executive of Solid Energy, Don Elder. Audio

7:09 AM.The union representing mine workers says changes to the way mines are inspected cannot wait until after the Pike River Royal Commission has completed its work, and need to be made immediately. Audio

6:47 AM.News from the business sector including a market report. Audio

6:38 AM.Solid Energy is investigating three safety lapses at the West Coast's largest underground coal mine. Audio

6:27 AM.The Maori Party's justice spokesperson says she's been deluged with calls from Maori angry that a police officer wasn't charged after his patrol car struck and killed a Northland teenager in July… Read more Audio

6:22 AM.News from the rural and farming sector. Audio

6:18 AM.The latest from the Pacific region. Audio

6:13 AM.Japan has used the International Whaling Committee annual meeting in Jersey to air its anger over the Sea Shepherd's high-sea protests. Audio

6:00 AM.Union calls for immediate changes to way mines are inspected; Solid Energy boss on fires at Spring Creek mine; Minister of defence relents on paying for veterans; European debt woes drag markets down… Read more Audio