TV1 6pm News Headlines (First Segment)

Electricity Report Released - Electricity Price Regulation - Korean Reunification Summit - Syrian President’s Funeral - Shipley In Hospital - Icy Weather - Snow Means Skiing

ELECTRICITY REPORT RELEASED: Electricity consumers should have more power soon if the report into the industry is acted on. The report, part of a government inquiry into the electricity industry, recommends the introduction of an ombudsman to fine companies and compensate consumers. The report also recommends government control of electricity prices.

ELECTRICITY PRICE REGULATION: The report says the problems in electricity pricing result from a lack of competition in the industry. Business watchdog
the Consumers' Institute says the Government should move now to institute regulation of electricity prices. The Government says it will make a decision on the report by the end of next month.

KOREAN REUNIFICATION SUMMIT: The South Korean President Kim Jong II has arrived in North Korea as part of an historic reconciliation summit between the two countries. The meeting is a rare move in a area with a history of distrust and war.

SYRIAN PRESIDENT’S FUNERAL: Syria is now burying it’s former President Assad with tens of thousands of people on the streets to pay their respects. While the former president’s son Dr. Bashar Hafez Al-Assad prepares to take on the reins of power, from Spain the exiled president’s brother has criticised the hand-over calling it unconstitutional.

SHIPLEY IN HOSPITAL: Former prime minister Jenny Shipley is recovering in hospital for chest pains and will not be back in her role as opposition leader until after the budget next week.

ICY WEATHER: Roads in the South Island have been reopened after heavy snow caused closures and long traffic delays last night. Farmers are confident their stock will stay in good shape over the winter which is predicted to be cold.

SNOW MEANS SKIING: The cold snap is also good news for the ski industry with the ski season getting officially underway by next week. The weather especially good news for North Island ski operators who businesses have suffered from recent warm seasons in the past five years.

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