Fiji Coup: Speight Arrested – Private Manning – Concorde Crash – Toddler Death – GE Food Labeling – Science Education – Industrial Hemp – World Cup 2006
FIJI COUP – SPEIGHT ARRESTED: Gunfire has been exchanged outside Suva this morning following the arrest last night of George Speight by the army. A truck carrying men with their hands tied has headed out of a village outside Suva where Speight was located towards the Suva Hospital. One soldier is also thought to be injured. The Military last night arrested Speight, Joe Nata and two others. An army spokesman says that the army had good reason to do so because not all guns had been returned – Speight had been seen with an armed escort and that was illegal. One of Speight’s supporters says that the army’s actions are tantamount to a declaration of war. They also claim that the arresting soldier was the son of Ratu Mara the former President, and that the arrest was in revenge. NZ Foreign Minister Phil Goff says he is monitoring the situation in East Timor closely.
PRIVATE MANNING: The commanding officer of the NZ Battalion in East Timor says the army will continue to look for those responsible for Private Manning’s death.
CONCORDE CRASH: British Airways has resumed its trans-Atlantic Concorde service. Meanwhile the pilot of the plane reported that one of his engines had failed seconds before the crash.
TODDLER DEATH: Police investigating the death of a Wairarapa Toddler say they expect to have a complete list of all those in contact with the toddler in her last few days alive. The police will also continue scene examinations today.
GE FOOD LABELING: The Government is signaling it may relax its stand on labeling food with GE content. The government is indicating it will follow a similar line to that of the EU where highly refined sugars, oils and starches are not labeled.
SCIENCE EDUCATION: A new report on Primary School Science standards shows improvement over the last four years. Science is one of three areas explored into a report into years 4 and 8. The report will be sent to schools this week.
INDUSTRIAL HEMP: Trials for growing industrial hemp could be underway by as soon as October. Industrial hemp cannot be used a drug. Phillida Bunkle says more work is to be done, but hopes to have crops in the ground this growing season.
WORLD CUP 2006: South Africa is formally appealing the decision to award hosting of the World Cup 2006 to Germany. The South African association has asked FIFA to hold arbitration into the decision.