Radio Therapist Shortages – China Crisis – Qantas – Prison Payout – Meat Labels – UK Immigration Sentencing – Mental Health Study – Lake Omapere

RADIO THERAPIST SHORTAGES: The Government is to make it easier for overseas radiation therapists to work here because of a shortage. The Health Minister says the Minister of Immigration has agreed to fast track immigration applications. Meanwhile medical schools are being called upon to raise awareness about the profession.

CHINA CRISIS: Diplomats in Washington and Beijing are working around the clock to find a resolution to the spy plane impasse. Today President Bush himself used the word “regret” about the lost Chinese plane and pilot.

QANTAS: Qantas has confirmed it is holding talks with its NZ namesake about a possible buy-out. Aviation writer Les Bloxham says that Qantas has too much to lose to allow Qantas to go under. Meanwhile Qantas NZ is operating as usual.

PRISON PAYOUT: The Department of Corrections has made a payout to an inmate who claimed he was illegally searched at Paparoa Prison. The department is refusing to say how much was paid, and why a payment was made.

MEAT LABELS: MAF will have a new electronic labelling system in place by July which will help it crack down on forged meat labels. Brian Lynch from the Meat Industry Association says every safe guard needs to be in place.

UK IMMIGRATION SENTENCING: A court in South East England has jailed a truck driver for 14 years for the manslaughter of more than 50 Chinese immigrants who died in a refrigerated container on his truck. A Chinese interpreter was also jailed for six years.

MENTAL HEALTH STUDY: A study has found the first ever links between childhood psychosis and delusions and adult schizophrenia. The finding opens up lots of possibilities for early intervention.

LAKE OMAPERE: The trustees of Lake Omapere say that a Maori Affairs Select Committee report on the lake is very encouraging. The trustees have spent $50,000 on grass carp so far. The report recommends cleaning up the lake this winter.

© 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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