1/ Serbian withdrawal from Kosovo has begun. Bombing stops for first time in 79 days. Laughter from soldiers. Yugoslav military left to ponder the futility of the last 79 days. Javier Solana announcing end to bombing. Marines arriving on the beaches. Tony Blair says "we must not rest" till the refugees return and then "we will be able to say that good has triumphed over evil".

2/ British troops arrive for peacekeeping duties. As Serbs depart ominous signs of looting and burning of Kosovo homes.

3/ Nato planners planning the route into Kosovo. Paratroopers and Gurkhas are expected to go in first to secure mountains. Nato battle groops expected to get through mountains on day three of the occupation.

4/ Milosevic says his army held Nato at bay for 11 weeks. Celebrations in Belgrade. State television says they have won a victory. Milosevic said the President had not surrendered Kosovo. 570 soldiers lost in the

5/ Frank Grover leaves the Alliance to join the Christian Heritage Party. Says his intentions are honourable. He will look at legislation on an issue by issue basis. The CHP is not going to seek any taxpayer support though it can claim $70,000 if it wishes.

6/ Asian Economic Crisis on the wane. Japanese growth for the first time since crisis struck. More tourists in South Island. Japan over its longest recession since WWII. Risk of premature declaration of risk say some economists however.

7/ Microlight crashes near Featherston killing the pilot.

8/ Secondary teachers agree to new employment contract.

9/ John Hikuwai fined $7000 for customary fisheries breaches.

10/ Flu epidemic about to hit North Island. 1000 Aucklanders have succumbed to virus already. Epidemic expected to spread. Rate of infection already higher than at peak last year.

© 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.

CONTACT ALASTAIR THOMPSON

• Mobile - 021707044
• Twitter - @althecat
• Google+

• Linkedin
• Facebook
• Email - alastair@scoop.co.nz