Solomons Fighting - Fiji Coup Stalemate - Life In Suva - Varroa Mite - Aussie Olympic Torch
SOLOMONS FIGHTING: Fighting breaks out in the Solomon Islands with at least three people being hurt after violence
started in yesterdays coup. Pro-militant groups have been fighting on the eastern side of the airport. The dispute is
caused by ethnic tensions between the residents of Malaita and Guadalcanal. The Solomon’s Cabinet is holding an
emergency meeting currently.
FIJI COUP STALEMATE: There has been another day of stalemate in Fiji after the army negotiators refused to continue
talking with George Speight saying it won’t allow the rebel supporters any part in the new interim government. Neither
Speight nor the military is expected to move with Commodore Frank Bainimarama refusing to bring out the hostages by
force. A New Zealand military advisor seconded to the Fijian military has also identified as an army colonel behind the
coup.
LIFE IN SUVA: Meanwhile life is slowly returning to normal in Suva with shops operating under normal hours. Meanwhile
the Fijian immigration offices are overrun with Indians wanting to travel to Australia and New Zealand. The Courts are
also under stress with some having to release prisoners because there are not places for them.
VARROA MITE: There is a spiraling cost to eradicating the Varroa Bee mite – a draft report estimates that if the bee
mite isn’t eradicated it will cost the economy between $750 milllion and $2 billion in the next few years. MAF estimates
the mite would cost $50 million to exterminate but is not sure if the mite
AUSSIE OLYMPIC TORCH: The Olympic torch came to Wellington this morning with a tour around the greater Wellington
region. The PM accidentally extinguished the flame on her run and filmmaker Peter Jackson also had a run (accompanied by
Rings star Liv Tyler).