1. THE BIG SNOW: The force is back with them in Southland but there is still a political chill in the air. Only a handful of remote houses are now still without power. One family has been without water and power since Friday night. They are still waiting. Customers upset they are talking to customer service operators in the North Island. Another snow front is due to hit tomorrow.

2. BIG SNOW: Gibston Family survive using an old coal range. Kids suffering from cabin fever. Cute pig shown eating in snow.

3. EAST TIMOR: Outbreak of violence in East Timor leads to evacuation of New Zealand police. Militia attacks an aid convoy and beats drivers and chases westerners. All NZers have been evacuated to Dili. Head of UN in East Timor has condemned the violence. Numerous East Timorese injured in the attack and at least five are still missing.

4. PETER ELLIS APPEAL: Court of Appeal considers Peter Ellis appeal for the second time. The cornerstone of the case has always been the children’s evidence. Ellis’s Lawyer questions the evidence and says that parents and jurors were too quick to believe the children’s evidence. Judith Ablett Kerr says the children were questioned so often that they started to say what the questioners wanted to hear. Ablett Kerr also said the jury was unfair and had people with a predisposition towards finding

5. PETER ELLIS APPEAL: Peter Ellis’ Mother Live: We have been here a number of times before but I suppose you want to remain hopeful. Mother says she and Peter want a unanimous court decision to acquit. Peter has remained with the same firm stance because he always knew he was innocent.

6. SCOTT WATSON TRIAL: Almost all the boatowners at the Furneaux Lodge party have now given evidence.

7. HIGH SCHOOL FIRES: Several fires at Bayfield High School in Dunedin.

8. HIT AND RUN: Auckland police claim a deliberate hit and run has led to a man fighting for his life.

9. MOVIE ROBBER: Man uses replica Gloch pistol to rob $20,000 from a cinema complex.

10. ALL BLACKS IN CUSTODY: Fracas in a Canberra nightspot for All Blacks Craig Innes, Walter Little and Carlos Spencer. Innes was apparently punched by a patron and the team was asked to leave. They are then reported to have jostled with police before being taken to the police station and kept in protective custody. This morning the players and team were spoken to by management. The three players are all being considered for selection to play the Barbarians.

© 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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