<O:P>This will appeal to the Aussies among you!</O:P>
A major earthquake, measuring 9.1 on <ST1:PERSONNAME w:st="on">the</ST1:PERSONNAME> Richter scale has hit <ST1:PLACE w:st="on"><ST1:COUNTRY-REGION w:st="on">New Zealand</ST1:COUNTRY-REGION></ST1:PLACE> this morning. The country is devastated with 350,000 New Zealanders missing, and over 100,000 injured.<O:P></O:P>
<O:P> </O:P>
The country is totally ruined and <ST1:PERSONNAME w:st="on">the</ST1:PERSONNAME> government is so overwhelmed that it has issued a worldwide appeal for assistance. O<ST1:PERSONNAME w:st="on">the</ST1:PERSONNAME>r nations have been quick to respond to <ST1:PERSONNAME w:st="on">the</ST1:PERSONNAME> disaster. <O:P></O:P>
<O:P> </O:P>
<ST1:PLACE w:st="on"><ST1:COUNTRY-REGION w:st="on">Britain</ST1:COUNTRY-REGION></ST1:PLACE> is flying in rescue workers and sniffer dogs to help locate trapped victims. <O:P></O:P>
<O:P> </O:P>
The <ST1:PLACE w:st="on"><ST1:COUNTRY-REGION w:st="on">USA</ST1:COUNTRY-REGION></ST1:PLACE> is flying in food supplies and aid money.<O:P></O:P>
<O:P> </O:P>
<ST1:PLACE w:st="on"><ST1:COUNTRY-REGION w:st="on">France</ST1:COUNTRY-REGION></ST1:PLACE> is flying in doctors, nurses and first aid units.<O:P></O:P>
<O:P> </O:P>
<ST1:PLACE w:st="on"><ST1:COUNTRY-REGION w:st="on">Japan</ST1:COUNTRY-REGION></ST1:PLACE> is flying in high tech communications equipment. <O:P></O:P>
<O:P> </O:P>
<ST1:PLACE w:st="on"><ST1:COUNTRY-REGION w:st="on">Germany</ST1:COUNTRY-REGION></ST1:PLACE> is flying in special trained police squads to help restore order.<O:P></O:P>
<O:P> </O:P>
<ST1:PLACE w:st="on"><ST1:COUNTRY-REGION w:st="on">Russia</ST1:COUNTRY-REGION></ST1:PLACE> is flying in tents and warm clothing.<O:P></O:P>
<O:P> </O:P>
<ST1:PLACE w:st="on"><ST1:COUNTRY-REGION w:st="on">Australia</ST1:COUNTRY-REGION></ST1:PLACE> is flying in 350,000 replacement Kiwis.<O:P></O:P>
