Dairy Merger x 2 – Cancer Inquiry – Nelson Port Mediation – China Crisis – E-Sale Babies – Sex Crime Rises – Vietnam Vets – Paraglider Search

DAIRY MERGER: The Government says it is confident that regulations will provide sufficient safeguards for consumers and farmers if the Dairy Mega-Merger bypasses the Commerce Commission. Jim Sutton says regulations are comprehensive.

DAIRY MERGER: The designated deputy chairman of the proposed Global Dairy Company says that under the terms of the merger there will be more competition in the NZ domestic market.

CANCER INQUIRY: A woman who testified into the Gisborne Cervical Screening inquiry says she wants to see a strong properly organised screening programme to come out of the inquiry report which is to be released today. The report will be released at midday today in Gisborne.

NELSON PORT MEDIATION: After a draft mediation report was leaked yesterday, parties to the Nelson Waterfront dispute are trying to get the mediation process back on track.

CHINA CRISIS: US President George Bush says that US-China relations could go downhill fast if his spy-plane and crew are not given back soon. The President has written a letter to the widow of the pilot saying he feels sorrow.

E-SALE BABIES: A British couple have lost their bid to regain custody of twin girls they bought on the internet. The girls have been ordered to return to Missouri where the biological parents are seeking custody.

SEX CRIME RISES: Sex and violent crimes are on the rise, especially in Auckland. In Auckland sex offences are up 48% on the previous year. A police spokesman says that figures are distorted because three offenders were charged with 70 offences last year.

VIETNAM VETS: A delegation of Vietnam veterans met the PM yesterday to discuss improving services for veterans. They appear satisfied and say that the Government will now have to go away and do some homework.

PARAGLIDER SEARCH: The search for a missing Kiwi paraglider in Australia may be wound up today. Gene Paul Larsen hasn’t been seen for several days since he took off from Mystic Point.

© 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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