Power Crisis – Israel Bombing – Air Force – Teresa Cormack – Zimbawe – Northern Ireland – National Economic Policy – East Timor Elections – Iran Floods – West Coast Gold Mine

POWER CRISIS: Auckland’s largest electricity retailer has warned customers they may get just 48 hours notice of a price rise, unless consumption falls quickly. Nationwide savings rates achieved last week have dropped off over the weekend.

ISRAEL BOMBING: A Palestinian suicide bomber has killed himself and wounded 15 near the port of Haifa in northern Israel. Meanwhile a Palestinian girl has died in a gunfight with soldiers.

AIR FORCE: The Defence Minister says that even though the airforce is facing a difficult period at present with job losses, it will eventually stabilise after the transition is over.

TERESA CORMACK: The detective heading the Teresa Cormack inquiry says it is speculation to say that more than one person is being sought in the inquiry. Meanwhile a lawyer for the prime suspect in the case says he doesn’t know if his client will ever recover completely from what has happened. The man suffered brain damage in an attack from a member of the public.

ZIMBABWE: Reports from Northern Zimbabwe talk of continued destruction and looting of white owned farms. Independent Zimbabwe and foreign journalists have been unable to travel to the area. Locals say it is really bad.

NORTHERN IRELAND: The IRA’s political ally Sinn Fein says the brief suspension of the Stormont Government may have jeopardised last week’s arms deal.

NATIONAL ECONOMIC POLICY: The National Party is adopting a more pragmatic economic policy after a weekend meeting. Spokesman Bill English says that the previous policy of telling people what it won’t do has lost it some credibility with business. Now National will keep a close eye on Labour policy and see which bits of its policy work.

EAST TIMOR: The maximum number of NZ troops will be available for patrol during August 30th elections in East Timor. The prognosis for the election is good says the commander.

IRAN FLOODS: Flash floods sweeping North East Iran have killed several. The storms come as much of the country is suffering a severe three year drought.

WEST COAST GOLD MINE: The Forest And Bird Society is making a last ditch attempt to stop the Government allowing a gold mine on West Coast to go ahead on DOC land. Conservation Minister Sandra Lee is expected to make a decision within two weeks.

© Scoop Media

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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