TIMBERLANDS: Timberlands says it can’t guarantee a specific number of jobs on the West Coast as a result of the beech logging scheme approved by the government yesterday.

TURKISH QUAKE: Turkish authorities want assistance for 200,000 earthquake refugees. At least 18,000 people are now confirmed dead.

SOUTH AFRICAN PAY: Massive protests in South Africa over public service pay rises. Schools closed, prison and police operations disrupted. The government’s 6.3% offer is not enough say protestors, officially they want the inflation rate of 7.3% but are shouting for 10%.

WHAKATANE HOSPITAL: Specialists at Whakatane hospital are meeting today to decide whether they will strike.

FLASH FLOOD: The negligent homicide investigation into the Switzerland canyoning disaster has been widened in scope and now includes directors of the canyoning company as well as guides.

AVONDALE COLLEGE: Education group claims Avondale college is creaming off top students to make its examination results look better than they are. Principle denies allegations.

FISHING PROTEST: Protest by commercial fishing boats this morning in Wellington Harbour are not expected to cause problems for the Cook Strait Ferry. Thirty boats are protesting changes in the fishing industry.

© 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