Top Stories for Wednesday 13 July 2011

Union calls for immediate changes to way mines are inspected; Solid Energy boss on fires at Spring Creek mine; Minister of defence relents on paying for veterans; European debt woes drag markets down; Queenstown starts to return to normal after dump of snow; judge says Bridgecorp boss okay to reapply for legal aid; petrol prices rise at some stations; and will a strong border protection stance be a vote winner for Key?