GUN CONTROL: The government is to introduce its long awaited gun control legislation this month. All guns and their owners will have to be registered.

NORTHERN IRELAND: Northern Ireland peace pact hangs in the balance. The British and Irish PMs are in talks. Groups are at odds over disarmament and the end of violence.

APEC: APEC trade ministers say APEC is still relevant. Main agreement to push for a three year trade round at the WTO. Trade ministers backed away from regional tariff cuts proposed earlier instead choosing to pass on the proposals to the WTO round beginning later this year in Seattle.

MAORI CLAIM TO FREQUENCY: Tribunal report recommends that a proportion of high-band radio frequency be set aside for Maori.

REGISTRATION FEES: The LTSA is working to clear up confusion about new car registration fees which are not due to rise till today but which some claim they have already been charged,

TOURISM: Some tourism industry leaders fear the Tourism Board's global campaign is too little too late. No detail available at this stage. The campaign will be launched in Queenstown.

LAMB TARIFFS: Former US Secretary of Agriculture now lobbyist says that he still expects some tariffs to be raised against NZ lamb.

TIM FISCHER: Replacement is being sought today for Australian deputy PM Tim Fischer who yesterday stood down from the position.

TAURANGA FIRE: A fire which almost destroyed the Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Tauranga is being treated as suspicious.

WIMBLEDON: Boris Becker is out after being beaten by Pat Rafter. Jim Courier also beaten by Jim Henman. Venus Williams has made last eight as has Australian teenage sensation Jolana Docitch.

© 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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