Morning Report

Tapes purported to be of the Italian Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi and an escort have been released by an Italian newspaper. Audio

News from the Waatea team. Audio

Japan's Prime Minister pummelled by recession woes has dissolved parliament, paving the way for what's expected to be a watershed election. Audio

Senior members of Fiji's largest church have been taken into police custody as the interim regime continues to clamp down on voices of dissent. Audio

An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

A quick update of movements in the financial sector. Audio

The Tertiary Education Union says jobs are at risk following Canterbury University 's decision to get tough on academics not producing enough research to meet government funding criteria. Audio

Don Brash is defending his being chosen to head up a taskforce aimed at helping close the growing transtasman income gap. Audio

Treasury is one of very few departments to have received a budget increase. Audio

The former Treasury secretary Graham Scott, was one of six purchasing advisers hired by Bill English to find savings in public sector agencies. Audio

Finance Minister Bill English says the cap on public service jobs is still in place and PSA and Labour Party claims to the contrary are just politicking. Audio

An amatuer astronomer in Australia has discovered a hole punched into the atmosphere of Jupiter the size of the Pacific Ocean. Audio