An update on the latest news and results from RNZ's sports team.

Wellington City Council has spent more than $600,000 on a website for the capital's new library. Figures seen by RNZ revealed the total cost of designing and building the website was $596,000 plus a bill of $72,000 for a year of hosting the website and maintenance. Wellington City deputy mayor Ben McNulty spoke to Guyon Espiner.

The latest news from the United States with correspondent Laura Taglianetti in New York.

An update on the latest news from RNZ's rural team.

The latest news from RNZ's business team.

Waikato University International Law professor and defence commentator Al Gillespie discusses Defence Minister Chris Penk's comments about nuclear propulsion with Guyon Espiner.

Heartland Bank has announced it will buy TSB for $620 million, creating a new bank called TSB Heartland Bank. Could this mean more competition? Dr Claire Matthews, head of the School of Accountancy, Economics and Finance at Massey University spoke to Guyon Espiner.

The top stories and other headlines at midday

The All Whites are facing midfield injury setbacks with Ryan Thomas and Joe Bell ruled out of their upcoming warm-up matches. Across other sports, the Super Rugby Pacific playoffs are locked in following a final-round ladder shake-up, the Warriors narrowly lost 20-18 to the Panthers in a top-of-the-table NRL clash, and pole vaulter Imogen Ayris secured a career-best Diamond League silver in Rabat.

Ashley Andersen knows what romantasy readers want - because for years she's been one herself.