Online Editor

It was sinking in yesterday that Southland has lost its best opportunity in nearly 50 years to take the Ranfurly Shield south, co-coach David Henderson said yesterday.

Throughout the 106-year history of the Port Chalmers to Dunedin Road Race, many athletes have either conquered or burned, and today's race will be no different.

Organisers are anticipating another record field in this year's Dunedin Marathon.

Police say a young man who was shot three times at his home in Papatoetoe early today was executed while walking up to his front door.

Sydney has shivered through its coldest August in 64 years.

A senior Fairfax journalist has hit out at the company's "brutal" staff redundancy plans, saying further bureau mergers and cuts were being considered.

Dargaville police say they are still investigating an incident in which a 19-year-old male was accidentally shot in the leg.

Police Commissioner Howard Broad has been criticised for his reluctance to take a zap from one of the Taser stun guns he is introducing to the police force.

A proposal in the Southland District Plan to rezone the town of Athol, north of Lumsden, has been rejected by the Athol Community Development Area sub-committee (CDA), after residents and ratepayers opposed the change at a meeting last week.

Olympic champions Rafael Nadal and Elena Dementieva showed their mettle at the US Open, overcoming early challenges to win in the start of what's expected to be a wide-open tournament.

A turn of speed over the final 1500m by James List (Ariki) won him the senior men's title in the Clyde to Alexandra road race on Saturday.

A commanding first-half display by the Otago Spirit set it up for a 38-24 victory over Wellington in the women's match at the University Oval on Saturday.

Three tries to Black Fern Carla Hohepa helped secure a valuable first up 38-24 victory for the Otago Spirit in the women's NPC rugby match at the University Oval.