New Zealand Herald

nzherald.co.nz — Keep an eye on the Sundae Sessions in June for exclusive performances from OPOSSOM, recorded for nzherald.co.nz

nzherald.co.nz — A small team of Kiwi scientists has landed a stellar role in the world's first private flight to the International Space Station. As SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon space craft blasted off from Cape Canaveral last night - making history with the first commercial unmanned flight to the station - Professor Sergei Gulyaev and his team from AUT University's Institute of Radio Astronomy and Space Research were tracking its position from a radio astronomy observatory at Warkworth.

nzherald.co.nz — Schapelle Corby may be allowed out on day release later this year even if she is not granted parole. It has been revealed that the convicted drug smuggler may be allowed to take part in an Indonesian prison program of "asimilasi", or assimilation, designed to allow well-behaved inmates reintegrate with society.

nzherald.co.nz — The creator of Alf is launching a comeback for the TV alien puppet - and he hopes to have a movie greenlit in the coming months. Alf, an alien from the planet of Melmac also known by the name Gordon Shumway, crash landed onto TV screens in 1986 and ran for four seasons and 102 episodes until 1990.

nzherald.co.nz — A millionaire businessman at the centre of a political scandal has been found not guilty of immigration fraud charges. William Yan - also known as Yang Liu and Yong Ming Yan - pleaded not guilty to four charges relating to false declarations on immigration papers in 2001 and 2002 and one of using false written statements to get citizenship.

nzherald.co.nz — A driver was stunned to see 12 bicycles strapped to a car travelling over Mangere Bridge. Craig Stewart took this picture as he travelled to the airport on Monday morning. Mr Stewart, an analyst at Verto, said: "I couldn't believe what I was looking at and thought I was in Cambodia where I would expect to see this - but not in New Zealand."

nzherald.co.nz — The family of slain Auckland teenager Christie Marceau are bracing themselves for a double serve of heartbreak as the man charged with kidnapping and later murdering the 18-year-old fights for separate trials.

nzherald.co.nz — Home Brew perform State Of Mind from their self-titled album that debuted at No. 1 on the New Zealand album charts. This is the fifth of seven songs performed at York Street Studios for the Sundae Sessions.

nzherald.co.nz — Fifty MPs have disclosed free Rugby World Cup tickets and hospitality as gifts in the latest disclosure of financial interests. Overall, 16 members of Parliament got free Rugby World Cup tickets from the casino company Sky City last year, according to the new Register of Pecuniary Interests.

nzherald.co.nz — One of the lawyers for Megaupload founder Kim Dotcom says New Zealand needs to stand up to US agencies. Dotcom's lawyers are seeking a judicial review of the legality of the search warrants used by police who raided his mansion on behalf of the FBI.

nzherald.co.nz — Tax rules will be tightened around high income earners who rent out assets for some of the year such as holiday homes and yachts, Finance Minister Bill English indicated this morning. The move to tighten the law regarding "mixed use assets" was foreshadowed in last year's budget.

nzherald.co.nz — The man accused of murdering North Shore teenager Christie Marceau also faces two other charges - one of assault with intent to commit sexual violation and another of threatening her with grievous bodily harm. Akshay Chand, 19, appeared briefly in the High Court at Auckland this morning where his lawyer Mary-Anne Lowe entered not guilty pleas on all counts.

nzherald.co.nz — A shoplifting 3-year-old and a 4-year-old boy who "recklessly" discharged a firearm were among preschoolers who fell foul of the law last year. Police records detailing the country's youngest and oldest offenders over the past few years showed a 3-year-old boy was warned after being caught shoplifting last year, while in 2009 a 3-year-old girl was apprehended and also warned for wilful damage.

nzherald.co.nz — A Briton faces a lifetime in prison after he was found guilty of strangling his New Zealand girlfriend and his parents were convicted of covering up the murder. Elliot Turner, 20, was told he will be given a life sentence after killing Emily Longley, 17, in his bed during a jealous rage at his parents' 350,000 pounds house.

nzherald.co.nz — A former Boston University student who was ordered to pay $US675,000 for illegally downloading and sharing 30 songs on the internet says he will continue fighting the penalty, despite the US Supreme Court's refusal on Monday to hear his appeal. Joel Tenenbaum, 28, of Providence, Rhode Island, said he's hoping a federal judge will reduce the amount.

nzherald.co.nz — Labour MP Shane Jones has spoken publicly for the first time on his granting citizenship to a Chinese businessman against official advice, saying he stands by his decision. It comes as Prime Minister John Key accused Labour leader David Shearer of being "hypocritical" in demanding Act leader John Banks be sacked while accepting his own MP Shane Jones' word he had acted properly in the case.

nzherald.co.nz — Police have charged a 31-year-old unemployed Whanganui man with the murder of veteran journalist Derek Round. The man was charged earlier this morning and is due to appear in the Whanganui District Court later today. Detective Senior Sergeant Dave Kirby said the charge was a "significant step" but the inquiry into Mr Round's death was continuing.