Russell Crowe – Margaret Baxter – Multiple Jeopardy - Mt Horrible Fire – MP’s Air Points – Macedonia – Submarine Wars

RUSSELL CROWE: Kiwi Russell Crowe has won the Best Actor award at tonight’s Oscars. In his speech he paid tribute to relatives, to NZ, Australia, the UK and America.

MARGARET BAXTER: Police have today publicly detailed how they believe Wellington woman Margaret Baxter was killed. They say she was run over, raped, stabbed 35 times and then struck over the head with piping.

MULTIPLE JEOPARDY: The Justice Minister wants a law change which could allow people to be tried more than once for the same crime. A case in which witnesses lied to enable a murder accused to get away with murder is cited. Some lawyers are skeptical about the plan.

MT HORRIBLE FIRE: Firefighters are hoping high winds will not restart a fire near Arthurs Pass. The fire on Mt Horrible was fought all day long by firefighters. Tonight there are concerns about wind of up to 150kmh restarting the fire.

MP’S AIR POINTS: The Green Party is complaining to the Auditor General about the way MPs have allowed themselves to keep airpoints they earn while serving as an MP. Green Party Leader Rod Donald says it is dubious that public servants have been banned for doing the same thing. Speaker Jonathan Hunt says the rule was unenforceable. ACT voted to allow the keeping of airpoints. MPs travel cost $6.3 million last year.

MACEDONIA: Fierce fighting continues in Macedonia. In some of the heaviest fighting so far Macedonia’s army has taken positions above Tetevo. Macedonia’s Slavs cheered as troops climbed the hill towards the rebels. Advancing troops were attacked by snipers. Macedonia’s government is desperate.

SUBMARINE WARS: A rapid fire apology from the Chief of Defence Force has calmed the PM. Statements from defence over the weekend said NZ’s Orions have found several submarines. The PM says she meant no enemy subs had been found. The PM denies demanding an apology. The Opposition reads the defence force apology a different way.

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Alastair Thompson

Scoop Publisher

Alastair Thompson is the co-founder of Scoop. He is of Scottish and Irish extraction and from Wellington, New Zealand. Alastair has 24 years experience in the media, at the Dominion, National Business Review, North & South magazine, Straight Furrow newspaper and online since 1997. He is the winner of several journalism awards for business and investigative work.

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