Claims accused drug ring leader used SkyCity casino as his office to plan P deals; Indian bomb blasts renew safety concerns among NZ sports officials; seven-year-old girl trapped alone on train.
NZ Herald
Police say an accused drug ring leader used Auckland's SkyCity casino as his office to plan P deals and enjoy a "high-roller" lifestyle. The man is accused of being the central figure in a drug bust codenamed Operation Ice Age.
From India, claims that IPL players including Black Caps star Ross Taylor were pressured to play a match after bombs exploded outside an Indian stadium are being investigated by players' representatives.
Air New Zealand has started flying stranded passengers home from Los Angeles and Hong Kong if they can't wait at stopovers for the volcanic ash to clear over Europe.
Dominion Post
The Indian bomb blasts are said to have renewed safety concerns among New Zealand sports officials, particularly ahead of the Commonwealth Games. It's the same story for a team of teenage Wellington cricketers who are continuing to prepare for a trip to Bangalore, which includes three games at the affected stadium.
Tranz Metro is investigating how a seven-year-old girl became trapped alone on a train as it pulled out of Pukerua Bay on Saturday.
The Press
British youngsters stranded in Christchurch have escaped a return to school lessons this week because of the volcanic ash.
Passers-by foiled a sexually motivated attack on a 31-year-old woman in Christchurch early on Saturday morning.
Methven farmer Bruce Redmond has claimed New Zealand's first World Ploughing Contest title in 29 years, heading off competitors from 29 countries.
Otago Daily Times
Repairs to 16 kilometres of damaged main-line railway track between Clinton and Balclutha are expected to be completed by Wednesday afternoon. The line was damaged on Friday night when two coal wagons derailed just out of Clinton.
Dunedin police say an armchair set ablaze in front of a student flat on Leith St at the weekend was a senseless act of arson.
On a brighter note, Dunedin PaperPlus sold Saturday's $10.8 million winning Lotto ticket.
