1Today President Obama warned of a deep economic crisis as America moves towards its first ever debt default. He blames his political opponents for the stalemate saying they're insisting on steep budget cuts which hurt ordinary Americans while the rich remain unscathed. Defaulting would mean no money for social security and veterans pensions among other services.

2The high and increasing rate the New Zealand dollar is trading at, in response to the US crisis, is hurting exporters but benefiting imports and there is debate about how much the Reserve Bank should intervene.

3A fuel tax increase of 3-and-a-half cents a litre over the next two years is on the cards, after the release of the Government's transport funding plan. Increases are to pay for new state highways but this is criticised as placing too much emphasis on roads.

4Towns and cities across Norway have been holding remembrance ceremonies for the 76-people who were killed by gunman Anders Behring Breivik. Breivik's father says he should have killed himself.

5Business News

6Auckland Transport has been spending more than a penny on an upgrade of Karanagahape Road's bus shelters, but instead they're in danger of being a pit stop for people with weak bladders because of a two-metre gap behing the shelter. The gap may also cause safety problems as people could hide there.

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8New Zealand's monthly trade figures rebounded in June but at least one economist believes the boost to the economy from exports may have peaked. The country managed an improvement hast month, an improvement on the deficit in May.

9Hundreds of Queenstown ski field workers who were relying on food parcels to survive only three weeks ago, are now working furiously after the biggest snow storm in years.

10An experienced tramper, Chris Boater, who was stranded for three days with his wife Sally in Canterbury's high country in freezing weather, will lose his big toe to frost bite

11Manu Korihi News, including; Questions about the economy, education and jobs have dominated the first public hui held by Auckland Council's Independent Maori Statutory Board; Three iwi forging a relationship with Fijian communities say they have desire to get involved in Fijian politics; Te Arawa's Federation of Maori Authorities has taken a major step forward in a plan to develop ancestral lands, by appointing a resident scientist; The founder of a trades-focussed education centre says Maori students are thriving under its guidance.

12More on our top story tonight, with the Kiwi dollar hitting a new high of 87 US cents in concert with the US debt crisis. In the US both parties are saying they want a reasonable outcome to raising the debt limit and are continuing to debate the method.

13The Problem Gambling Foundation says people in Christchurch are turning to gambling to combat stress after the city's major earthquakes, with a large increase in spending on pokie machines. However it is suggested that people are turning to gambling facilities as there is so little else open now.

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15Motorists could be hit with a fuel tax hike of 3-and a half cents a litre over the next two-years to help pay for new roads and upgrades. It is expected the oil companies will pass this on to motorists.

16New Zealand's International Climate Change negotiator says one of the key targets the world agreed on to tackle global warming may not be reached.

17The Canterbury Regional Council will continue to test water, fish and sediment in Lake Opuha near Timaru even though initial tests have found no evidence that agricultural chemicals had been buried under the lake.

18Business News, including; Analysts say further details about Telecom's proposed split has confirmed what they had already suspected, as the phone giant gears up to be part of the government's ultra fast broadband plan.

19Local councils have been given more money to maintain and replace their roads, but in return, the Government wants proof that they're doing the work as cheaply as possible. But costs are being criticised as sometimes planning requirements cost more than doing the work.

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21Members of the Labour Party and its youth wing held a moment's silence and released balloons on Parliament's steps today to remember those who died in the Norway attacks. The main killings were at a youth camp organised by the Norwegian Labour Party.

22In Norway, a court has detained the self confessed gunman for eight weeks while police continue to investigate.

23Manu Korihi News, including; Auckland Council's Independent Maori Statutory Board has held its first public meeting - and people wanted to know what could be done about education and jobs; The Maori Affairs Minister, Pita Sharples, says legislation maybe the answer for Kohanga Reo to stop being labelled as early childhood centres; Anger over accusations of financial mismanagement at the Hiona Marae is likely to spill over when the Waikato-Tainui parliament meets next month; An iwi health provider says it can see lights in the eyes of Maori mental health patients, now that they're getting more help.