0700 NEWS/WEATHER MISSING COUPLE Olivia Hope and Benjamin Smart still not sighted. Regional reporter Helen Shea talks to local Marlborough boaties - i/ved live. ISRAEL - RESIGNATION - govt survives first hurdle since resignation of Foreign minister David Levy, passes budget by 59 votes to 52. I/v with David Horowitz, "Jerusalem Report". TIMBER INDUSTRY - SAWMILL CLOSED - tougher times predicted following closure of sawmilling operations at Winstone Pulp International at Tangiwai. Comment from Tangiwai manager Kerry Ellern, James Griffiths of Forest Industry Council, unionist Jim Jones, and Wayne Coffey, Timber industry. (Bronwen Evans); live i/v with councillor John Compton re impact of closure on Raetihi and Ohakune. illegible - new $2 coins introduced before Christmas being rejected by some gaming machines and parking meters. Reserve Bank at loss to understand problem. Live i/v with currency manager Brian Lang. BALLOONIST - Steve Fossett abandons latest attempt to circumnavigate globe after mechanical problems. I/v with Diane Duke from Fossett's mission control.
0730 NEWS/WEATHER/SPORTS NZ PAPERS FINANCE UPDATE BRITAIN - STORMS. High winds ease but torrential downpours cause rivers to rise to dangerous levels. Live i/v with Ray Kemp, Southern England's environment agency. PACIFIC - CYCLONE warnings in force for Samoa, Tonga, and Vanuatu. Cyclones Ron and Susan have winds of 200 kms an hour and gusting up to 250mph. Live i/v with Nadi meteorologist Mark Kefsermakers. SPORTS DRUGS - NZ rowing to investigate calls for former East Germans to be stripped of Loympic medals for alleged drug cheating, says NZ rowers may have been denied medals as result of it. (Stephen Hewson) BOUGAINVILLE - NZ-led truce monitoring group may be asked to extend tour of duty. Live i/v with Foreign Affairs minister Don McKinnon. MUSIC - orchestras in Britain say increasing poverty having effect on music education and NZ Symphony Orchetra worries same thing could occur in NZ. (Cushla Managh)
0800 NEWS/WEATHER TIMBER INDUSTRY - SAWMILL CLOSURE - Timber Industry Fedn says collapse of Korean economy is major reason. Chief exec of Fedn, Wayne Coffey, says Asian financial problems have hit industry hard but it was a market downturn that was bound to happen. He's i/ved live; live i/v with Wood Industries Union secretary Jim Jones. MISSING COUPLE - Picton marina manager Les Rockcliff says disappearance of Olivia Hope and Benjamin Smart has unnerved local boaties, many believe there may have been foul play. He's i/ved live. INTERNATIONAL PAPERS KENYA - ELECTION - President Daniel Arap Moi sworn in after 5th straight victory but govt beset by allegations of corruption and vote rigging. I/v with correspondent Cathy Jenkins. (Mng Rpt) KIDSPLAY - CH City Council putting on series of free outdoor games and live theatre for children in suburban parks. (Tania Oolders)
0830 NEWS/SPORTS TENNIS - SB WOMEN'S CLASSIC under way in AK, defending champion Marion Maruska knocked out in 1st round. Live i/v with commentator Matt Brown. VICTORIA - FIRE AUTHORITIES hoping for cooler weather in fight against massive bushfire which has engulfed about 30,000 ha of public land since it bagn on New Year's Eve in Alpine National Par. Live i/v with correspondent, ABC's Donna Demaio. PRINCESS DIANA - Spenser family decides to open grave to public, by ticket only, later in year. (Keith Chalkley) MEXICO - ZAPATISTA REBELS in southern state of Chiapas react with extreme suspicion to appointment of new Interior minister. Live i/v with correspondent James Blears.