ASSASSINATION: There is public support in Samoa for the death penalty to be carried out against the man who plead guilty to . The family of the accused has been smuggled out of the country. There is widespread speculation in Samoa that the PM was also on the list of assassination victims but that his would be assassin is now working with the police.

CHECHNYA: Russian troops have launched an offensive against militants who are holding several villages in Chechnya. The latest incidents are on a large scale the largest since the Chech

ISRAEL: Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat has accepted a suggestion of a three week delay in implementation of the Wye Accord. There appears to be some disagreement over just what has been agreed however.

GISBORNE CONCERT: The agents for Split Enz, Kiri Te Kanawa and the NZSO have said they may have to pull out of the Gisborne concert if they cannot be given more certainty by Wednesday.

SCHOOL ADVERTS: Teacher groups are concerned at a growing trend for primary schools to advertise for students. The NZEI is concerned about the practice.

MOBILE SURGERY: A mobile operating theatre is being proposed by a Christchurch surgeon to perform low risk surgery in rural areas.

CRICKET: England faces a battle for survival in the third and final test against New Zealand. England need 179 to make New Zealand bat again they are presently on 118 for 2 after rain stopped play.

© 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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