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Deported Family – Superannuation Fund – MMP Referendum – Treason Charges – Treason Charges - Middle East Violence – Kiwi Wins Nobel Prize

- DEPORTED FAMILY: Immigration Minister Lianne Dalziel blasted her staff over a botched dawn raid to deport a family of Filipino overstayers. The family has appealed to stay under an amnesty, and were waiting for their case to be heard. Today they were back in New Zealand, after flying to Malaysia and then flying back. This morning Ms Dalziel defended her staff, but this afternoon she blasted them for misleading her over the raid. Ms Dalziel said she has not instructed dawn raids, and said she specifically instructed her staff otherwise. The taxpayer will foot the bill for the family’s round trip. The future of the family is still uncertain.

- SUPERANNUATION FUND: The Government looks well on the way towards getting political support for its superannuation fund. Today NZ First pledged qualified support. Even bitter enemies are considering supporting the Government. The Government needs support from the Greens or NZ First get the scheme though the house, but it wants support from National to ensure the future of the scheme under future governments.

- MMP REFERENDUM: Jenny Shipley is calling for all New Zealanders to get two more votes on MMP. A select committee is reviewing MMP at the moment, but Mrs Shipley says this is not enough and has put forward a members bill.

- TREASON CHARGES: George Speight, leader of the Fiji coup in May, lost a legal bid to be released from prison, and was formally charged with treason today. Mr Speight returned to his island prison until he can be tried, the charges carrying a maximum penalty of death.

- MIDDLE EAST VIOLENCE: The United States is warning of devastating consequences if the violence in the Middle East between Palestinians and Israelis spreads to other areas in the region. While clashes continue, the violence has become more subdued. Israel has indefinitely extended a deadline for Palestinians to pull back. A nine-year-old boy was killed in clashes today, and an Israeli soldier was tortured and killed. The death toll over the past two weeks stands at around 100. The United States is still considering a new summit along the lines of Camp David to find a solution to the crisis.

- KIWI WINS NOBEL PRIZE: A New Zealander has won the Nobel Prize jointly with two colleagues for his discovery that plastic can conduct electricity with some modifications. He is only the third New Zealander to win the prize.

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