1A grass roots campaign for a living wage is taking hold. Now both the Auckland and Wellington City Councils have agreed to investigate a $5.00 pay increase for employees and contracted workers on the minimum wage. Campaigners hope central Government and businesses will follow.

2Greenpeace has spearheaded protests at Russian embassies around the world to try to free 28 Greenpeace activists detained in a Russian prison and charged with piracy after an Arctic protest. Protests were also held in Wellington where family and friends of the two New Zealand men being held spoke to the crowd.

3The Green Party wants to change the law to make it easier for people to sell surplus electricity they may generate from solar panels back to the national grid.

4Hamilton Police officers were despatched to find a stolen police car early this morning after it was stolen during a routine stop.

5The second anniversary of the Rena disaster has been marked with the unveiling of a sculpture.The legal wrangling continues over the wreck and its removal.

6There is no hope of finding any further survivors from the African migrant boat that capsized off the coast of Italy. Up to 300 people are feared drowned. Italy's Prime Minister has called for an urgent meeting with the European Council in a bid to establish humanitarian corridors for migrant boats.

7A New Zealand designer has created a device that allows the user to take 3D photos and videos with their smartphone.

8Heavy rain is causing more problems at a big slip on State Highway 6, causing motorists to be diverted nearly 1000 kilometres through Arthur's Pass, and leading to a big downturn in business for locals in Haast and Makaroroa.

9It is the fourth day of the partial shut-down of the United States Government, the result of a dispute about President Barack Obama's healthcare policy. So far, neither the President, the Speaker of the House nor the Republicans are budging.

10China's One Child policy has left a couple distraught after an alleged forced abortion six months into the pregnancy.

11One-third of women murdered in New Zealand are killed by their husband, boyfriend, partner or an ex. The White Ribbon Organisations says many more lives will be cut short unless New Zealand takes a hard line against domestic violence.

12Voters have one more week to have their say in local body elections, but so far this year's turn-out has been the lowest on record.

13The Shepherds Bush Walkabout Pub - a long-time haven for Kiwis and Aussies in London - will close down tomorrow, a victim of London's booming property market.