Today's Morning Rush is brought to you by Lauren Priestley
Good morning and welcome to today's edition of Morning Rush. Everything you need to know, including the latest, breaking news, sport, entertainment, traffic, travel and weather information. Share your news tips and photos at #MorningRushNZ or morningrush@nzme.co.nz
8.53am: And that's us for this morning. We're wrapping up a little bit early but will be back with Morning Rush at 6am tomorrow. Thanks for joining me.
8.51am: Here's a story to leave you with that's being going great guns this morning - Jarryd Hayne's NFL advice on how to overcome a rookie mistake in front of millions. Check it out.
8.47am: Before we wrap up for the day, here's the stories we will be following: The tank explosion that killed one man in South Auckland - A post-mortem is expected to be completed today and we'll have the latest updates as they come in. More rugby madness as the World Cup edges closer - we'll have what it means for the All Blacks and the teams we're up against. And we'll have the latest in breaking news, all on nzherald.co.nz
8.36am: In a move which suggests that World Cup organisers have a sense of humour, France has been assigned a hotel in the modest London borough of Croydon - and they're not too happy.
France's captain Thierry Dusautoir looks from a window after a press conference at the Selsdon Park Hotel and Golf Club in Croydon. Photo / Getty
8.33am: Expect a mixed day in Auckland today - cloudy periods and showers with a high of 14C. A bit clearer in Wellington today with clouds and a high of 14C as well.
8.29am:Elton John claims Vladimir Putin phoned him after the musician requested a meeting to discuss Russia's anti-gay environment - but Putin's spokesman has denied the report. Here's the story.
Lorde and Taylor Swift are both nominees in the MTV Europe Music Awards. Photo/AP
8.00am: Did you see the video of Kiwi soul singer Tangaroa Te Tai - still wearing his work boots and safety vest - wowing X Factor Australia judges? You don't want to miss it. Check it out here.
7.56am: The latest from the university campus shooting in Mississippi: A 20-year-old New Zealand student has spoken of the terror she felt in a barricaded classroom at Delta State while a history professor was shot dead. Here's the exclusive.
7.42am: Drive times have eased off after a bit of congestion in Wellington - while in Auckland commuters are looking at a 45 minute drive from Oteha to the city.
7.38am: A Chinese firm has emerged as a contender for a half stake in Dunedin-based Silver Fern Farms by offering to invest $261 million in the company. Here's the story.
7.34am: The "bromance" between John Key and Malcolm Turnbull is the subject of Rod Emmerson's cartoon today - with a little Red Peak shout-out thrown in.
7.30am: Police suspect gangs are "running" groups of Christchurch's windscreen washers and using the money they make to buy drugs and alcohol, Newstalk ZB reports. They're asking for the council to give them authority to seize equipment.
7.26am: Need to brighten up your Wednesday? This vid of a Brazilian toddler distracting her father from cutting her toenails has gone viral.
Check out the video from Marcelinha Dos Santos Iwama here:
7.22am: Looking pretty free-flowing in the capital. Drive times: 22mins from Melling - CBD; 20mins from Tawa-CBD; 10mins from Cobham Drive-CBD.
Ma'a Nonu during All Blacks first full team training session, held at the teams base The Lensbury, Teddington, Middlesex, London. Photo / Brett Phibbs
7.10am:French authorities are searching the Indian Ocean for apparent debris spotted by a jet pilot near where a wing part from the missing Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 was discovered. Here's the story.
6.57am: News for Christchurch drivers this morning. Traffic signals are now operational at the intersection of Main Rd and Bridle Path Rd alongside the Ferrymead Bridge - drive with care.
The Wesley College site will be transformed into a 'liveable town'. Photo / Chris Johnston
6.50am: A professor at Delta State University who was a suspect in the fatal shooting on campus this week has been found dead, the NY Times reports. Another professor, Dr Ethan Schmidt, was shot dead in his office.
6.47am: The safety of driving on the beach has been thrust into the spotlight after the death of four men in a crash on Muriwai Beach on Sunday. What are your thoughts? Here's today's big read.
The wreckage of a four wheel drive vehicle is loaded onto a tow-truck on Muriwai beach. Photo / Supplied
6.40am: A new approach has been introduced to analyse how social spending could be done better - by screening youngsters under the age of 17 throughout the country. Read more about the initiative here.
6.37am: What's your morning commute looking like? We've got no reports of any accidents or breakdown hampering traffic in the main cities so far. Here's the latest drive times for Wellington:
6.28am:Max Key has joined a team of graduates helping young Kiwis gain entrance into institutions like Cambridge, Oxford and Harvard - find out what he's up to here.
Max Key has been employed by educational consultants Crimson Consulting. Photo / Facebook
6.24am: Pretty warm out there for most this morning - with Dunedin currently hitting the country's high of a whopping 15.9C! The coldest spot isn't too shabby either - Hastings at 4.5C.
6.13am: Prime Minister John Key and Labour leader Andrew Little will sit down to discuss adding another flag to the referendum finals - Red Peak. What are your thoughts?
Red peak.
6.10am: Ordinary Kiwis who have done extraordinary things will be celebrated at the Pride of New Zealand Awards ceremony tonight. Good luck to all those unsung heroes nominated.
6.07am: Yesterday's toasty weather is set to continue today - enjoy!
6.03am: Big news from overnight - police and WorkSafe will continue investigating a fatal explosion at a South Auckland industrial site yesterday. A man's body was seen flying through the air and debris was strewn for hundreds of metres in the blast. Here's the latest.
A large tank exploded at a south Auckland hazardous materials recycling business yesterday. Photo / Nick Reed
6.00am: Morning all! It's Lauren here, bringing you the latest news this morning plus catching you up on what you missed overnight.
