The Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones says parts of drought hit Northland are in a crisis situation; and the National Party leader Simon Bridges says the Serious Fraud Office investigation into the New Zealand First Foundation adds weight to calls for Winston Peters to be stood down.
1.The Ministry of Health says people returning home from the infected cruise ship Diamond Princess pose a higher risk than those who were evacuated from Wuhan. Eight New Zealanders who were on the ship which is being detained in Japan for two weeks have opted to take up the offer for a seat on an Australian evacuation flight.
2.Authorities in China have announced new incentives to get medical staff to work in Hubei province, the centre of the outbreak.
3.The National Party leader Simon Bridges says the Serious Fraud Office investigation into the New Zealand First Foundation adds weight to calls for Winston Peters to be stood down. Questions have been raised about the way the foundation handled donations.
4.The Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones says parts of drought hit Northland are in a crisis situation. Thousands of people have been told they can only use water for drinking, cooking and washing.
5.Wellington’s water authorities are holding an emergency meeting today to seek a solution to the problems with the city’s waterways. The Mayor Andy Foster and the City Council’s Chief Executive Barbara McKerrow are demanding answers from Wellington Water, as contamination levels render many waterways unswimmable.
6.Two Navy sailors have escaped jail terms for dealing in drugs. The men 23-year-old, Ordinary Electronic Technician Ryan Carroll and 20-year-old, Ordinary Weapon Technician Cadell Heney pleaded guilty to supplying the class-B drug, MDMA.
7.A body has been found on rail tracks in South Auckland, police say. Southern line train services have been suspended between Papakura and Papatoetoe after the discovery shortly before 6am.
8.Three Kenyan street vendors have been arrested for using plastic bags. They were caught with about 500 of them while selling fruits in Nairobi. The country’s Environment Agency says the three each face a fine of upto $40,000 or a prison sentence for up to four-years.
