Health officials have issued fresh warnings to doctors on the use of anti-depressants to treat children and young people under the age of 18. But the Government's medicines safety agency, has stopped short of changing official prescribing information. The agency has been reviewing the use of the anti-depressants in the light of international concerns about possible links with suicidal thoughts in young people. Our Health Correspondent, Rae Lamb has obtained a copy of a letter sent to doctors and she joins us now. LIVE
The Corrections Department has been told by the government that its spending on iwi consultation for a new prison in North Waikato, has been excessive. A total of one-point-three million dollars has gone towards iwi consultation over the past four years in the development of the Spring Hill Corrections Facility near Meremere. The figure was highlighted by the Act MP Rodney Hide, who describes it as outrageous. The Corrections Minister Paul Swain has asked for a report from his officials on the matter, and told them that they must run future spending on iwi consultation by him. Here's our political reporter, Clare Pasley. PKG
Israel's targeted killing of the Hamas leader Sheikh Ahmed Yassin has been condemned by leaders around the world. But while the UN secretary general Kofi Annan said it contravened international law and did nothing to help the search for peace the US's reaction fell short of an outright condemnation. The White House says it is "deeply troubled" by the killing and that "Israel has the right to defend herself" against the "terrorist" group. Professor Anthony Quartisant from Georgetown University Centre for Strategic and International Studies in Washington says the assassination of Sheikh Yassin has increased the threat of terrorism. PRE-REC
The officer in charge of the investigation into the death of Joy Martin has told the High Court in Wanganui that Lesley Martin told him she had killed her mother. Lesley Martin is facing charges of attempting to murder her mother, Joy, who was dying of cancer, in 1999. David Venables has been in court and he [illegible] us now Q + A
Contractors who dug through a gas pipe in the capital this morning may face bills for thousands of dollars from the gas company, the Fire Service and the Wellington City Council. treets around Manners Mall and Wakefield Street were cordoned off for more than two hours during peak morning traffic, with traffic disrupted and the main bus route through the city blocked. Craig Ashworth has more. PKG
The High Court in Auckland has reserved its decision into whether information comparing New Zealand Universities with British ones can be released. The University of Auckland and Victoria University are seeking to stop the release of the commission's Performance Based Research Fund results containing the material. Anna-Louise Taylor has been at court. Q + A
1720 BUSINESS NEWS WITH PATRICK O'MEARA
The number of people suffering from Tuberculosis in Auckland has reached a ten year high, with 243 cases reported last year, including the first child fatality in a decade. That's an increase of about 20 percent, compared with the national increase of just over 11 percent for the same period. And doctors say there were more than 40 cases of children with the disease, more than twice the number they would normally expect. Dr Lesley Voss, a children's infectious diseases specialist at the Starship hospital in Auckland says its too early to tell whether the figures indicate a trend. PRE-REC
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SPORTS NEWS WITH STEPHEN HEWSON
The government says the solution to a child obesity problem has to come from communities rather than by banning or taxing foods. A new study of children in the Hawkes Bay has found that that child obesity has more than tripled in just over a decade. Jane O'Loughlin checked out the lunchboxes of children at Te Aro school in Wellington today and found the kids knew a lot about what kinds of foods are good for them and which are not - even if they didn't always make the right choices. PKG
There's been a firey debate in parliament between the Prime Minister Helen [illegible] and National MP's over her decision NOT to participate in a television debate with the National Party Leader, Don Brash. Miss Clark was invited onto the Holmes show to debate with Dr Brash but he is now appearing on the programme alone. In parliament this afternoon, Miss Clark criticised the National Leader for failing to turn up to the house during a debate on the financial reviews of all government departments. Our political reporter, Mark Torley joins me now. Q + A
The government is seeking urgent advice over claims Māori customary fishing rights are being widely abused. Regulations allow Māori to gather fish for hui or tangi, provided they have written permission from an authorised member of a marae committee, runanga or trust board. The rules were tightened last year in an attempt to stop the practice from being used as a cover for illegal fishing. But the Fisheries Minister, David Benson-Pope acknowledges there are still problems. He joins us now. LIVE
The police in Dunedin are investigating one of their own officers after he allegedly assaulted a man, while off-duty. The incident happened outside a bar [illegible] last Thursday morning. The victim suffered wounds to his face, and he's now lodged a complaint with the police. Nathan Mills has more. PKG
The government looks set to drop the phrase customary title from its seabed and foreshore legislation. The term was to be used to recognise ancestral connection Māori have to an area, and their right to consultation over its management. But in Parliament this afternoon the Associate Justice Minister Margaret Wilson gave a strong hint it is about to be scapped.
Joining us now is political reporter Corin Dann. Q + A
A legal opinion could open the way for local authorities to set up GE free zones. Northland councils have been under pressure from ratepayers wanting local bylaws to keep GE crops out of their communities. Leading environmental lawyer, Dr Royden Somerville QC says the national regulation of GE through the HSNO Act, need not prevent local or regional councils making their own regulations using the Resource Management, and their district plans. The GE moratorium expired in October last year.
Whangarei mayor Craig Brown welcomes Dr Somerville's findings. PRE-REC
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