TV1 News

New Power Rules – Petrol Price Drop – Middle East Violence – Foster Parent Jailed – Palmerston North Double Murder – High River – Ozone Hole

- NEW POWER RULES: New rules were announced by the Government, that should give electricity consumers more control over how they pay their power bill. Fixed charges will have to be reduced. Now companies charge between 20 and 40 dollars in fixed charges a month, new rules should cut that to around $9. Companies say people who take up the option will pay more for the actual electricity used. The Consumers Institute says it is not yet clear whether there will be benefits to consumers.

- PETROL PRICE DROP: Another two cent petrol price came into effect today. 91 has fallen to $1.15 a litre, while premium unleaded is down to $1.21. But there has been no reduction in diesel prices.

- MIDDLE EAST VIOLENCE: It has been another day of near warfare on West Bank and Gaza strip in the Middle East, with over 50 people dying in fighting between Israelis and Palestinians. The vast majority of casualties are Palestinians. The 12-year-old boy killed in the weekend has become a symbol for Palestinians. Recriminations are flying between authorities on both sides, each blaming the other. A report tonight says Israel and the Palestinians have agreed to a cease-fire.

- FOSTER PARENT JAILED: A foster parent is in jail tonight after dousing her foster child’s shirt in petrol and setting it alight. She was sentenced to 4 months in prison. The judge acknowledged the woman was under stress at the time, and agreed she didn’t really mean to light the shirt – she was trying to scare him into obedience. The child is expected to make a full recovery.

- PALMERSTON NORTH DOUBLE MURDER: Five months on, Palmerston North police say they are closing in on the killer of the mother and child who were found murdered in their home.

- HIGH RIVER: The Whanganui river rose within millimetres of overflowing today after days of heavy rain. This morning Civil Defence wardens visited houses at risk of flooding, and told people to be on the alert in case evacuation was necessary.

- OZONE HOLE: Satellite pictures show the biggest ozone hole ever over Antarctica, three times the size of the United States. The news has prompted warnings to be especially vigilant about skin cancer this summer.

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