NZ First’s Future – Israel Bombing – Yacht Betting – Australian Republic – Indian Cyclone – University Fees – Lower Hutt Robbery

NZ FIRST’S FUTURE: NZ First leader Winston Peters says comments from the PM on his party are just a threat. Peters says he will support whoever gets the most votes on confidence and decide what else he does on a case by case basis. Shipley has said she may hold another election rather than rely on such support and allow Peters to hold the country to ransom. Peters says this is just a threat.

ISRAEL BOMBING: Three simultaneous bomb blasts in Tel Aviv Israel this morning. The blasts came on the eve of final status talks between Palestinian and Israeli peace negotiators.

YACHT BETTING: Team NZ will meet with legal advisers today to see if it can stop the TAB offering sports betting on the Louis Vuitton Cup. Team NZ is sponsored by the Lotteries Commission and is concerned that they may be upset about the development.

AUSTRALIAN REPUBLIC: Bob Hawke says there is a clear majority for a republic following a referendum in which a republic was defeated. He says he wants another vote.

INDIAN CYCLONE: Officials in India expect to find many more deaths as they clean up the province of Orissa following a super cyclone. The army is assisting with the distribution of food and medicine. Thousands of dead cattle are lying around.

UNIVERSITY FEES: Auckland Uni is expected to approve 11% fee rises today. Victoria Uni is expected to approve a 15% rise. NZUSA says it is more bad news for students.

LOWER HUTT ROBBERY: Three men are due to appear in court today following an attack on a Lower Hutt man in his house.

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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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