TV3 News

Friday, 14 July 2000, 6:18 pm
Article: Alastair Thompson

TV3 News

Fiji Coup – Toughening Stance Against Fiji – Yacht Found – Shark Attack – Charlie Dempsey – Golden Handshake – Drives Have A Years Grace – Car Chase – Noisy Toys

FIJI COUP: Hostages released In Fiji. Guns handed over. Amnesty in place for rebels. Amnesty does not name names. We have gone under the broad definition of political offences, says Speight. A tour of the room in which the hostages were kept shows booths they slept in. Deputy PM not spared by the Speight supporters he was also manhandled. Fiji’s coup has wrapped up quickly after going on for so long. The death toll is low. One policeman and one rebel supporter who would be alive today but for the actions of George Speight.

TOUGHENING STANCE AGAINST FIJI: NZ and Australia warned today it might be time to start playing hard ball with Fiji. In India relatives of Mahendra Chaudhry are dancing in the streets. Aid, military ties, and smart sanctions are being considered for action by Foreign Affairs Minister Phil Goff. Australia says that sanctions could be in place by this weekend. A democracy group in NZ wants trade sanctions

YACHT FOUND: An Orion has located a yacht which activated its emergency distress beacon north of NZ.

SHARK ATTACK: A shark attack victim is being treated by satellite phone from Wellington. The man has a life threatening problem at the Minerva reef, near Tonga. Doctors say it is very hard to treat people by phone.

CHARLIE DEMPSEY: NZ Fifa delegate Charlie Dempsey’s final days have been dogged by controversy. Now he is relieved the game is finally over. Just last week Dempsey said he would retire in 2.5 months. He now says he and his family are being harassed over his actions.

GOLDEN HANDSHAKE: Former Fire Service boss Jean Martin received a payout of $160,000 to $180,000. The size of the payout was revealed as a result of a ruling by the Ombudsman.

DRIVERS HAVE A YEARS GRACE: Drivers have a years grace during which time they can use their old licenses before being forbidden to drive for not carrying a new photo drivers license. The new rule comes as a result of a case against Sandra Lee’s Press Secretary Moana Sinclair.

CAR CHASE: Caught on film.

NOISY TOYS: Noisy toy warning given by an Environmental Health expert. Massey University expert says that kids have more easily damaged ears. Retailers say it is a case of buyer beware and don’t buy if your toy doesn’t have a standard.

© 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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