News and Current Affairs.
Main Stories:
Cabinet is to have its policy committee decide whether to cancel the current Air New Zealand sale process and start again, this time offering a larger amount of the airline for sale. Until today 25% was for sale and Qantas was the preferred purchaser. However, a new bid has been received from some politically powerful Wellington based financial institutions, including the Development Finance Corporation. Speaker: David Lange (Prime Minister).
The Minister of Police is to visit Wairoa tomorrow to meet with community leaders and discuss gang violence and shootings in the town. A heavy police presence since two people were murdered there has so far brought calm, but there is a growing concern about a retaliation attack. Speakers: Lena Manuel (Maori Elder), Denys Cave (Local Headmaster & District Councillor).
A report on recent developments in Fiji and an interview with the deposed Fijian Prime Minister. Speakers: Ratu Meli Vesikula (Taukei Movement), Harish Sharma (Deputy Coalition Leader), Dr Timoci Bavadra (Coalition Leader & Deposed Prime Minister).
Japan’s Emperor Hirohito is critically ill with stomach cancer. A report on his legacy. Speakers: Hideaki Kase (Conservative Historian),
Other Stories:
28 people are dead and several more injured after a crash at Fiumicino Airport, Rome.
The beach town of Woodend, near Christchurch, is being evacuated tonight as the fire service battles a plantation fire.
Titwehai Harawira, the suspended head of Auckland Hospital’s Whare Paia Maori mental health unit, says she’s stunned by the news the unit will be closed. Harawira was suspended for assaulting and threatening to kill a patient. Speakers: Dr Frank Rutter (Hospital Board Chairman), Eddie McLeod (Whare Paia Supporter).
Opposition leader Jim Bolger has called for the resignations of Maori Affairs Minister Koro Wetere and his department head, following findings of serious shortcomings within the Maori Affairs department. Speakers: Tamati Reedy (Maori Affairs Chief Executive).
An earthquake has caused widespread damage to parts of the Peloponnesian Coast in Greece.
Sydney’s recent bush fires have claimed their first fatality.
A Pakistan investigation has confirmed a plane crash which killed General Zia was an act of sabotage.
A meeting between the ANC and the Head of the South African Rugby Union, Danie Craven, has reached agreement to end the Springboks isolation in world rugby with the sport to be controlled by a non racial body. Speaker: Thabo Mbeki (ANC Spokesman).
A Chinese tree that became an object of worship has turned into an object of embarrassment for thousands of pilgrims. Its supposed healing liquid turned out to be the urine of millions of insects that had infested it.
The interim Fiji Cabinet is split tonight over a proposal by General Rabuka to close all Australian banks in the country.
On the share market the Barclays Index finished up 6 points.