Yelashgate - Nuclear Guinea Pigs - Power Stations - Kosovo - Italy Elections - Israel - Construction Legislation - Tourism Crisis In Dunedin

YELASHGATE: An Auckland Actor, John Yelash has revealed how much money he was paid by the Government for defamation. He was paid $55,000 for a defamation by the Prime Minister who mistakenly called him a murderer. Yelash now feels he has been further defamed in the way the agreement has been handled publicity over the payout. AG Margaret Wilson is surprised about this and says that Yelash has broken a confidentiality agreement.

NUCLEAR GUINEA PIGS: One of the former NZ soldiers who was involved in British Nuclear Tests says he supports legal action against the UK government. Five NZ officers and possibly another two observed the Australian tests.

POWER STATIONS: The Green Party is accusing the government of making a mockery of International environmental agreements by not opposing the construction of two new thermal power stations. The Environment Minister says that new measures to be introduced shortly will mean old thermal power stations are likely to be mothballed.

KOSOVO: NATO allies have agreed to let Yugoslav forces back into the most sensitive parts of a buffer zone around Kosovo. The forces will be allowed back from May 24th. The safety zone was created in June 1999.

ITALY ELECTIONS: Italy's General Election has been won by the centre-right alliance led by Mr Berlesconni. His opponent has now conceded. Mr Berlesconni will have a finely balanced majority in the Senate.

ISRAEL: The US has described as very disturbing a flare up in violence in the Middle East. Israeli forces have killed five paramilitary policeman and launched rocket attacks on Palestinian sources. The flare up comes on the eve of the anniversary of the creation of Israel in 1948.

CONSTRUCTION LEGISLATION: Legislation to protect sub-contractors from defaults by construction companies is being introduced this morning. Meanwhile the liquidator in the Hartner collapse will today meet with creditors for the first time.

TOURISM CRISIS IN DUNEDIN: The head of Tourism Dunedin says the city is headed into a crisis with insufficient flights in and out of the city. A solution is needed swiftly says the Tourism spokeswoman. Dunedin has lost 780 seats a day.

© 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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