Grey Power Problems For Nats - Inflation - Napier Sentencing - Car Crash - Youth Corruption - Immigration - Olympic Games - Rugby World Cup

GREY POWER PROBLEMS FOR NATS: Grey storm clouds are closing in on National. National is in a spat with Grey Power's North Shore branch. PM is very disappointed that the Minister of Senior Citizens was not acceptable to Grey Power. The absence of the government was exploited by the Alliance with the use of the "chicken". The party cannot risk a repeat of today.

INFLATION: Inflation is running at just over 1%. But while it is lower than expected it is not expected to stop interest rates rising.

NAPIER SENTENCING: Lengthy sentence for a Napier man has been jailed for 11 years for attacking a teenager and the 76-year-old neighbour who tried to rescue the teenage girl. This is the accused's second sentence for attempted rape. The victim's father is pleased with the sentence - but would like it to be longer.

CAR CRASH: A grieving mother whose son died while driving drunk has admitted that she has since been caught drunk driving herself. The mother of the young man who died in an accident admits her son was responsible for the accident that killed three others as well. One passenger in the accident survived - he had a seat belt on.

YOUTH CORRUPTION: Guilty pleas from two men who lured a 14-year-old into drugs and prostitution in Christchurch.

IMMIGRATION: The Immigration Minister says he is not inclined to release 8 hunger striking refugees. The Immigration Service says they do not believe claims from the men that they will be tortured if they are sent home. The prisoners were visited today by a group of politicians and lawyers.

OLYMPIC GAMES: Olympic Games organisers in Sydney have made a groveling apology for the way in which they handled the ticket sales for the Sydney Olympics. The apology is a huge turn-around. People who received 3rd choice tickets are being offered a refund.

RUGBY WORLD CUP: John Hart has sprung a dramatic selection surprise putting Byron Kelleher into the World Cup Rugby semi-final on Monday morning NZT at Twickenham. Kelleher has been a super-sub for most of the tournament so far. His selection has not surprised his Super 12 coach. Kelleher himself says he wants to bring "excitement" to the team. Justin Marshall's supporters are philosophical about his dropping. Hart says it is not a decision he made lightly. Hart says that he will decide after Monday's game who will play in the final.

© 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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