1. AUCKLAND AIRPORT: More than a third of the shares in Auckland Airport are set to be sold following a decision by an Auckland City Council committee. Several other Auckland council's are also considering selling. Together the shares are thought to be worth $500 million.

2. WITNESS INTIMIDATION: The Lawton family of Invercargill who sold their house for less than a third of its value after giving evidence against the Mongrel Mob may be entitled to $30,000 in compensation.

3. KASHMIR: Indian politicians are warning of a war in Kashmir. Some politicians believe the Pakistan military are waging the war in Kashmir without the Pakistan PM's permission. Pakistan shares plummeted on news of worsening situation.

4. EAST TIMOR: Indonesia denies there is any agreement to delay the East Timor referendum by two weeks. The Indonesian foreign minister says the UN had no right to make such a decision.

5. PAYMENT CONTROVERSY: Dame Margaret Bazely will still not say what the quantum was of former fire service CEO Jean Martin's severance. Meanwhile no news from the NZQA on Dr Blackmur's offer to disclose all details of his credit card transactions.

6. DRUGS: Random drug testing as an alternative to suspension is being considered by a Northland School. Policeman says automatic suspension is unfair.

7. HIP SLIP-UP: Auckland surgeon in hip mistake has been cleared to restart operations on public patients. The mistake was a "clear case of medical error". Patients can choose another surgeon if they wish.

© 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.

CONTACT ALASTAIR THOMPSON

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