Briefs

Press, 27 June 1989, Page 10

Briefs

L.D.P. loss A big defeat in a Japanese Parliamentary byelection has heightened fears in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party that it is losing its 34 year grip on ’! power, party insiders in Tokyo said. Kinuko Ofuchi, a first time candidate, scored her Upper House victory in Niigata prefecture, north of Tokyo and the heartland of L.D.P. support.—NZPA-Reuter. Papandreou battles The ailing Greek Prime Minister, Andreas Papandreou, fought the biggest battle of his political life to meet a noon deadline on Monday to forge a coalition Government, but political commentators said his efforts to make a deal with the communists from his hospital bed appeared doomed and members of his Panhellenic Socialist Movement were starting to look for a new leader to carry them into a fresh election battle. Mr Papandreou, aged 70, taken to hospital with pneumonia after his defeat in the recent inconclusive general election, has developed heart and kidney problems. —NZPA-Reuter. Burning question Two out of three Americans disagree with a Supreme Court ruling that burning The United States flag is protected under the Constitutional right to free speech, a poll showed. Seventy-one per cent favour Constitutional amendment to make flag burning illegal, according to the poll, which will be published in “Newsweek” magazine. —NZPA-Reuter. Hawaiian ’quake An earthquake measuring 6.5 on the Richter scale shook the island of Hawaii, causing slight structural damage but no injuries, the Hilo police said. —NZPA-Reuter.