Scott Watson - Campaign 1999 - Enrolment - Maori TV - Bendon - Councillor Committed On Rape Charge - Sexual Health - Petrol Prices - Inflation - Tatooist Killing - Nigeria - Metal - Flood Coordinator - Chechnya - Turkey - Hunger Strikers - Ellerslie Flower Jam

SCOTT WATSON: Scott Watson will spend at least 17 years behind bars. Justice Heron accepted that the usual life period of imprisonment being. Judge says, "This killing had all the hallmarks of a lone psychopath." Watson's parents and family members shout abuse at judge. Lawyer says that Watson maintains his innocence. Rebecca Smart - Ben Smart's sister - says she is pleased

CAMPAIGN 1999: ACT Leader Richard Prebble holding a lunch-time rally. Winston Peters is in Tauranga. Labour and National leaders are campaigning in Auckland. The PM is heading back to Ashburton tonight after weeks on the campaign trail. "Campaign a focussed period when you just get on with it", the PM says. Clark says she has been having fun on the trail. Jim Anderton in Christchurch and Green Co-Leader in Coromandel.

ENROLMENT: 270,000 Voters still not on the roll this morning. Lots of activity today says the Electoral Enrolment Commission.

MAORI TV: A New Maori television channel has been approved by the government. ATN was the source of a scandal. Today the Maori Television Trust was given a 10 year mandate to run the new channel.

BENDON: Matamata Mayor Hugh Vercoe says that he believes the sacked workers from Bendon will stay in the district. He says up to half the workers have new jobs already. Others he expects to get jobs.

COUNCILLOR COMMITTED ON RAPE CHARGE: A Christchurch City Councillor Dr Morgan Fahey has been committed to trial on sex charges including one of rape. All evidence has been suppressed.

SEXUAL HEALTH: A visiting overseas health expert says that greater coordination is needed to prevent the transmission of STDs. She says several STDs are of considerable concern.

PETROL PRICES: NZ's smallest oil company Challenge has now joined the other petrol companies and has raised the petrol price by 2 cents. Challenge spokesman says the price is unlikely to fall as demand for heating oil in the Northern Hemisphere is expected to keep pressure on.

INFLATION: 1.4% rise in production costs and prices. Livestock price increases are also adding to inflationary presures.

TATTOOIST KILLING: Killing of a well-known Pacific Island tatooist in South Auckland is being investigated in South Auckland. Police say he was bashed to death with blunt instruments. Police want witnesses to come forward.

NIGERIA: Groups clash in Nigeria killing each other. Police given orders to shoot rioters. Media warned to stay away. Trouble began over who should control Lagos's food market.

METAL: Metal detectors are being installed in prisons to improve safety. 28 detectors are going to be installed.

FLOOD COORDINATOR: Government is expected today to announce the appointment of a flood recovery coordinator for Central Otago.

CHECHNYA: Russian forces have blasted Grozny in what is described as the fiercest shelling of the campaign. Meanwhile Chechen and Russian presidents have offered amnesties to troops from each others side.

TURKEY: The European Union has warned Turkey that it will be almost impossible for Turkey to join the EU if it proceeds to kill guerilla leader Abdullah Ocalan.

HUNGER STRIKERS: The Auckland Mayor and 12 councillors have called for the release of the Auckland prison hunger strikers.

ELLERSLIE FLOWER JAM: Traffic jams in Otara and Manakau caused by Ellerslie flower show.

© 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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