Britons drinking less alcohol
LONDON – Alcohol consumption in Britain had its sharpest decline in more than 60 years in 2009 in contrast to the perception that the country has a growing drink problem, the British Beer Pub Association has said.
The association, which represents the brewing and pub sector, said total alcohol consumption last year dropped 6 per cent, the largest decline since 1948 and the fourth annual drop in five years. The figures mean Britons are now drinking 13 per cent less alcohol than in 2004. – (Reuters)
New Zealand’s South Island hit by major earthquake
WELLINGTON – A major earthquake of 7.4 magnitude hit New Zealand, 30 km (20 miles) west of Christchurch early today, causing no immediate reports of casualties but widespread damage, authorities said. The quake was felt throughout much of the South Island and southern parts of the North Island, but did not trigger a tsunami. Police in Christchurch, New Zealand’s second-largest city with a population of about 350,000 people, closed the central business district, with building facades falling into streets, crushing cars and blocking roads. Police said there were reports of houses being affected with broken windows, items thrown off shelves, toppled chimneys, with power and water services disrupted. The city’s airport was shut as a precaution as the runway and facilities were checked. – (Reuters)
‘Crocodile Dundee’ actor in tax deal
SYDNEY – Actor Paul Hogan, star of the Crocodile Dundee films, has struck a deal with Australia’s tax office which will allow him to return home to his family in Los Angeles, his lawyer has said.
Hogan (70) has been barred from leaving Australia for nearly two weeks after being served with a departure-prohibition order while he was in the country to attend his 101-year-old mother’s funeral.
The tax office had claimed Hogan put tens of millions of dollars in offshore tax havens, a claim that he denied. – (Reuters)
Rioting flares again in Mozambique
MAPUTO – Mozambique police fired rubber bullets and tear gas at demonstrators yesterday as rioting flared in the capital following two days of protests over high bread prices that saw seven people killed and hundreds injured. After initial calm in the capital Maputo, police said protesters began looting in the city’s outskirts and officers used rubber bullets to disperse the crowds. There were no immediate reports of injuries.
The deaths on Wednesday included two children who were killed when police opened fire on protesters. – (Reuters)