Japan – US Stocks – Ethiopian Warning – Fiji – Tongan Overstayer – Lisa Blakie – Internet Libel – Energy Efficiency –
Solo Rower
JAPAN: Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party is moving to replace PM Keizo Obuchi who is in a comma in hospital.
Cabinet has resigned to allow the party to appoint a new Prime Minister.
US STOCKS: US equity markets have continued their roller-coaster ride today. The Nasdaq has fallen 271 points overnight
so far. The Dow Jones is also down now and at one stage was down hugely. Richard Quest says there is still speculative
buying of the blue chips.
ETHIOPIAN WARNING: Ethiopia has accused rich countries of waiting to see skeletons on screens before it will act to
provide aid in the horn of Africa. While some help has been promised none has yet been delivered.
FLU: Doctors are warning about an outbreak of flu this year with lots of visitors from the Northern Hemisphere.
TONGAN OVERSTAYERS: The Immigration Minister says the Privacy Act prevents her from discussing the circumstances behind
her granting of residency to a family of Tongan overstayers.
LISA BLAKIE: Police working on the Lisa Blakie inquiry have nearly completed forensic inquiries in a Darfield House.
Police have been going door to door asking people to identify six people. Police say the investigation will take a few
more weeks.
INTERNET LIBEL: IT Minister Paul Swain says it makes little sense for ISP’s to be held responsible for the actions of
their clients. The comments follow a decision by an ISP to compensate a man who claimed to be libelled in a discussion
group.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY: NZers will pay more for appliances and houses and less for power under a new energy efficiency
legislation due to return to Parliament today.
SOLO ROWER: Keepitblue rower Joe Le Guen is reported to be making a good recovery aboard the Palliser Bay cargo ship.
Nurses say the risk of gangrene has now disappeared.