2. MH17: Black box data revealed
Black boxes recovered from downed Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 in rebel-held east Ukraine show shrapnel from a rocket explosion caused the passenger jet to crash, a Ukrainian security official said.
International investigators "indicated that data from flight recorders show that the reason for the destruction and crash of the plane was massive explosive decompression arising from multiple shrapnel perforations from a rocket explosion," said Andriy Lysenko, spokesman for Ukraine's National Security and Defence Council.
Data from the doomed airliner's black boxes was decrypted in Britain after being handed over to Malaysian officials by pro-Russian rebels controlling the crash site of MH17.
Investigators leading the probe in the Netherlands, which lost 193 citizens, refused to confirm the latest information from Kiev, saying that they were "waiting to get a more complete idea of what happened."
3. Decile 1 school scammers abandon appeal
A former principal and her husband who scammed $30,000 from a decile one school have abandoned their appeal after a judge told them they may be jailed.
Colleen Margaret Gray, 66, and Bruce Kenneth Gray, 65, siphoned the money from Mayfield Primary School in Otara, using it on overseas trips and lavish meals between 2005 and 2007.
After initially denying the offending, the pair pleaded guilty to a total of 15 fraud charges midway through an Auckland District Court trial.
In May, Colleen Gray was sentenced to a year's home detention. Her husband received a 10-month term.
The pair disputed the sentence and the case was briefly heard at the Court of Appeal this morning.
4. Star coach promises a fight over sacking
Kevin Fallon. Photo / Michael Craig
Players on a top Auckland college football team are said to be planning to boycott games - and even threatening to leave the school - after their coach was sacked.
Kevin Fallon, the former All Whites coach, has been involved with Mt Albert Grammar School's football teams and academy for 18 years. His involvement has led to almost 30 local and national titles.
Late last week, Fallon was told he was no longer needed. His departure follows an alleged sideline incident involving an opposing school, the facts of which are disputed.
The decision has left players gutted. "The kids are just really upset," said a parent who wanted to remain anonymous. "They adored Kevin."
Fallon told the Herald that being sacked after 18 years was hard and legal action was now likely.
5. Elderly man attacked, two teens shot
An elderly man has been attacked and two teenagers shot during a home invasion in Waikato overnight.
Police and ambulance staff were called to a geriatric hospital in in Thames about 8.20pm after the victims ran there for help, Detective Sergeant Martyn Hughes said.
A 73-year-old man and a 17-year-old young woman were at home when a vehicle pulled up the drive, he said.
The man went outside to see who it was and was attacked by three men wearing balaclavas who took him back inside.
A short time later an 18-year-old friend arrived at the house and he was also held at gunpoint by the men.
"At some point a shotgun has gone off inside the house and the intruders have fled the property," Mr Hughes said.
- nzherald.co.nz, NZ Herald, APNZ, AFP, AAP
