Travel advisory of the day

Japanese nationals living in New Zealand have been advised by the New Zealand Japanese Society to be extra cautious around Queen Street due to the presence of drunk and possibly violent individuals.

Society President Masa Sekikawa said that the point of the advisory was not to get people to avoid Queen Street, but rather the measures they could take to keep themselves safe.

Measures included avoiding unnecessary visits to the CBD, keeping to well-let areas, and avoid being intoxicated in the area.

Auckland Mayor Len Brown did not support the advisory, and has recently convened a taskforce aimed at reducing instances of anti-social behaviour in the CBD.

[nzh]

Breaking news of the day

Under 20's rugby player Nathan Harris has been named as the person at the centre of a rape allegation in South Africa.

Harris stated that he was doing so to prevent the finger of suspicion being cast on other players.

He has reiterated his claim of innocence, and apologised to his team for his lack of judgement in letting a woman into his room.

South African police are waiting for forensic results before deciding whether to press charges.

[stuff]

Breaking news of the day

Egypt's former president Hosni Mubarak has been declared 'clinically dead' after suffering a stroke in a prison hospital, according to state-run news agencies.


Earlier reports indicated that resuscitation attempts had been effective, but reports now claim that he had not responded to the defibrillator.


Mubarak had been transferred to a hospital after suffering cancer and heart problems. He had been sentenced to life in prison for the killing of pro-democracy demonstrators during the "Spring uprising" last year.


[source: usatoday]

Rodney King found dead, at 47

Rodney King, the motorist who became famous after his beating by Los Angeles Police was videotaped, was found dead at the bottom of his pool today. He was 47.

King's tape sparked a three day riot in 1992 that left 55 dead and thousands injured.

The police were called to King's house following a call to emergency services from his fiancee. CPR was performed and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Authorities are investigating but have found no evidence of foul play.

[source: CBS]

Tea time

Part 2 of the best news fails of 2012.

Best news fails of 2012 so far.