1A woman in her 30's was shot dead after she took a hostage in a Vodafone store and pointed a gun at officers in Whangarei.

2Smaller banks are first to cut interest rates after Reserve Bank slashes Official Cash Rate by full percentage point. Economist, Dr Ganesh Nana joins Mary with comment.

3National Would Fund 12-month Herceptin Course But a leading cancer specialist says it would be a mistake for National to direct the drug-buying agency Pharmac to fund a 12-month course of the cancer treatment, reports Karen Brown.

4Business News

5A child witness has told of seeing Nia Glassie being kicked in the head three times as hard as a rock.

6Irate Contact Energy shareholders say an attempt to raise director's fees is like pigs feeding at the trough.

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8Wholesale Bank Deposits Guarantees Finance Minister Michael Cullen says he'll not be rushed to offer guarantees, but decision will be made before election.

9National Party leader, John Key rejects claims his plans for KiwiSaver will disadvantage low and middle income earners.

10Obama continues to lead polls in Presidential race and is edging ahead in a handful of battleground states.

11Waatea News. John Key warning against Labour led government and coalitions.

12Heugh Chappell talks to Hawkes Bay's farming community about their belt tightening and other measures.

13Property analysts say 130-thousand homeowners owe more on their house than it's worth or are on their way there.

14Professional hunting contractors have been hired to carry out a pre-Christmas cull in the Waitakere Ranges.

15Some of the 20th century's greatest writers have been given a voice again - Wolfe, Conan Doyle, Steinbeck are now on CD.

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17Police Association says shooting of woman by Armed Defenders Squad in Whangarei this morning appears fully justified.

18Latest Political Polls How are the pollies polling? The election result no longer looks a foregone conclusion.

19While good news for new borrowers and those on variable rates, people with fixed rates will have to wait to see benefits.

20Contact Defends Directors' Fees Increase Chairman, Grant King says the increase gives the company the ability to provide for a range of possible future scenarios.

21Business News

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23Jacob Zuma , the man tipped to be South Africa's next president, still might have to face a court on corruption charges.

24The Indian government has voiced concern over what it says is a deteriorating humanitarian situation in Sri Lanka.

25Payments for drought stricken farmers will close at the end of the year with the government saying they're no longer necessary.

26As the finance markets continue to tumble around the world, the pursuit of the culprits is intensifying.

27Waatea News. Maori Council may be overhauled.

28Electoral Commission Complaints Decision About a range of complaints about NZ First failing to disclose donations it should have declared to the commission.

29International donors have pledged a higher-than-expected US$4.5-billion to help Georgia rebuild after its conflict with Russia.

30Observers say the likelihood of an Israeli strike against Iran's nuclear ambitions rises the closer we get to the US elections.

31Honour Killings in Britain Calls for tougher measures to be introduced protecting potential victims of what's described as honour-based violence.

32Scientists say they've found a drug which may repair damage to the brain caused by MS.