Waitara Shooting – Fishing Quota – Sierra Leone – Russia – Lovebug – New Healthline – Fines – Avalanche Bodies – Bill Gates Americas Cup – Super 12 - Golf
WAITARA SHOOTING: The lawyer for the police officer in the Waitara shooting is calling on the media to exercise restraint. Susan Hughes is urging the media to take a moral stand. The Police Association say the policeman is keen to appeal.
FISHING QUOTA: National says the government’s decision to reject all overseas bids for Sealord’s fishing quota will erode international confidence in bidding in the NZ economy.
SIERRA LEONE: Britain says it is sending troops and warships to West Africa to protect its nationals in Sierra Leone. A rebel commander says he has halted his advance on Freetown. UN peace-keepers say that several hundred peace-keepers are being held.
RUSSIA: Russia’s new leader Vladimir Putin has been sworn in. He has already appointed a 42-yrear-old economic expert as Prime Minister. The Russian Parliament is expected
LOVEBUG: An internet security consultant says NZ can expect numerous mutations of the Lovebug over the next few days.
NEW HEALTHLINE: A new free phone line for health advice will be launched shortly as a pilot. Trained nurses will staff the health line. The service will be run by a consortium including St John’s Ambulance service and Australian and American partners.
FINES: The Department of Courts says it has organised the repayment of over $1 million of fines over the weekend.
AVALANCHE BODIES: Police in Japan will today attempt to search snow-fields near Nagano looking for two NZers who disappeared in an avalanche in February.
BILL GATES AMERICAS CUP: Bill Gates is thought to be bank-rolling a $35 million bid to secure NZ’s top sailors to work in the US for an Americas Cup challenger.
SUPER 12: Hurricanes lose 43 points to 23 in South Africa and may now miss out on a semifinal spot in the Super 12 Rugby Union competition.
GOLF: Colin Montgomery wins French open.
Michael Campbell was expected to do well, but didn’t.