IRRADIATED FOOD. The government is to allow the sale of irradiated food. New Zealand has had a moratorium on irradiated food since 1989. ANZFA has now agreed to allow irradiated food. Health Minister Wyatt Creech says all irradiated food will be labeled.

ASIAN RAIN: A series of storms in the far east has left hundreds dead in the Philippines, Vietnam and Thailand. Floods in Philippines kill at least 40. Several provinces declared calamity areas. China also worried with more rain forecast.

WATER RUCKUS: An Auckland City Council meeting was adjourned last night and police called to silence some Water Pressure protestors. Protestors vow to continue to boycott Watercare Services charges after some concessions - but not enough - made.

NATO: Nato has formerly named UK's George Robertson as its next Secretary General. Robertson says the appointment is a great honour.

MARLBOROUGH MARINE FARMS: Rush of applications for new marine farms in the Marlborough Sounds. 150 applications have been lodged for new farms following the lifting of a ban. Applications were made before the Magic Mussels discovery and controversy. Eight Maori Tribes are going to court today to challenge the lifting of the marine farm moratorium.

DAIRY BOARD ON CER: Dairy Board says extended CER would benefit New Zealand dairy producers - particularly expansion into South America. 75% of South American exports are dairy exports.

HOME INVASION: Horrifying home invasion case in which man broke into house, tied up parents, drank alcohol, ransacked the place and then set it alight.

CRICKET: NZ Cricket Coach Steve Rixon says he might bring Chris Harris into the team for the coming test.

QUEEN MOTHER: Queen Mother has been celebrating her 99th birthday in her own way - mingling with the crowd outside Clarence House. Members of the public say they love her.

© 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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