■NEW ZEALAND
Knights, dames back in
The government will restore the titles of knights and dames to its honors system, Prime Minister John Key said yesterday. The titles, linked to the British honors system, were dropped in 2000 by the former Labour government. The move brought criticism then that it was part of a move to turn the country, a member of the British Commonwealth, into a republic. Key said restoring the titles would recognize service given to the nation, and had the approval of Queen Elizabeth II. “This is about celebrating success,” he said. “The changes will be finalized and come into effect in time for the Queen’s Birthday Honors list in June.” A total of 85 New Zealanders who were appointed Principal and Distinguished Companions of the New Zealand Order of Merit between 2000 and last year will now be given the opportunity to accept a title.
■HONG KONG
Drugmaker suspended
Health authorities have ordered a local drugmaker to suspend production after its medicine that treats gout was found tainted with fungus, officials said on Saturday. The contamination was discovered following an investigation into the deaths of five people from a rare fungal infection, the government said. A spokesman for the Hospital Authority said officials were running tests to determine whether the contamination was to blame for the deaths. All five victims had been treated with Allopurinol, produced by Manufacturer Europharm Laboratories. The drug had been contaminated by a fungus known as Rhizopus microsporus. Microbiologist Yuen Kwok-yung was quoted by local media as saying that samples showed the drug contained about 10,000 fungus spores, which is 100 times the allowed standard. Manufacturer Europharm Laboratories could not be reached for comment.
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