HEADLINES & NEWS
CONCORDE TRAGEDY DEVASTATES TWO COUNTRIES
Investigators are puzzling over what brought down the world's fastest airliner, the Concord, in a ball of flames near Paris, killing 113 people. The plane crashed and exploded shortly after takeoff, hitting a small hotel in the town of Gonesse near Charles de Gaulle airport. The death toll includes 109 passengers and crew and four people who were on the ground. Hundreds of people watched as Concorde caught fire and crashed. AUDIO. Another witness was an American pilot Sid Hare. AUDIO
[illegible] of the passengers on the ill-fated flight were German tourists heading for a cruise of a lifetime that was to take them through the Caribbean and across the Pacific to the Sydney Olympics. Germany's top cruise liner was berthed in New York awaiting the passengers' arrival from Paris. There was some initial confusion as to how many Germans had been killed - our reporter in Germany Cameron Morrell explains. PREREC
Investigators have found the "black box" flight recorders that could hold the key to what caused the tragedy. In an early analysis, experts say that a simple engine fire should not have caused the supersonic jet undue problems and that the cause of the crash is probably more complex. Sabotage is being ruled out. Our correspondent in Paris, Mike Donkin, describes the Concorde crash site.
PREREC
The Concord has been carrying jet-setting travellers at twice the speed of sound for nearly 30 years - this is the first time one of the luxury planes has crashed. The high-speed airliner is operated by British Airways and Air France - both have cancelled Concord flights for at least the next few days.
[illegible] SOLDIER RETURNS HOME TO FAMILY
The body of the New Zealand soldier killed in action in East Timor on Monday, arrrived a short time ago at Hamilton Airport. Private Leonard Manning, who was 24, was the first New Zealand soldier to die in combat in 29 years, after being shot by suspected Indonesian militiamen during an ambush near the border with West Timor.
Members of Private Manning's family were there to meet the plane - later his father Charles and the mother Linda made a statement. AUDIO
Our reporter Andrew McRae is at Hamilton airport - he joins us now. LIVE
BUSINESS NEWS with CATHERINE WALLBRIDGE
CANCER SOCIETY CRITICISES SCREENING PROGRAM
At the Cervical Cancer Inquiry in Gisborne, the Cancer Society has sharply criticised the way the national cervical screening programme has been run, identifying problems going back ten years. The society says there's been a delay of over three and a half years in getting the programme properly evaluated. Our health correspondent Rae Lamb is at the inquiry and joino [illegible] now. LIVE
TRENT BRAY GETS HOPE FROM STUDY
A new study in Britain clearing athletes who tested positive to the steroid nandrolone, is providing fresh hope for New Zealand swimmer Trent Bray. Bray was banned from swimming after testing positive to the drug last year but maintains that his levels of nandrolone were created naturally. That's supported by the British study released by UK Athletics - it concludes that a combination of dietary supplements and exercise could cause excessive levels of nandrolone. Corin Dann reports. PKG
5.30 NEWS HEADLINES
SPORT with CHRIS REID
AUTOPSY REVEALS MORE DETAILS OF INFANT DEATH
The police say an autopsy on the 23-month old Carterton girl killed over the weekend shows she had been recently sexually violated. They've also revealed she had a very bad burn on her face and head and severe injuries to her head [illegible]. Hinewaoriki Karaitiana-Matiaha was taken to Masterton hospital by relatives late on Sunday with serious injuries. She was dead on arrival. Inspector Rod Drew is heading the homicide inquiry into Hine's death - I asked him how clear a picture he has of what happened to her. PREREC
NEGOTIATIONS CONTINUE IN FIJI
In Fiji, negotiations have continued today over the makeup of the country's new interim government. Talks began last week after George Speight's rebels thwarted the first effort to swear in a new administration. Our reporter Todd Niall is in Suva and joins me now. LIVE
CONFERENCE DELIVER SERIOUS SUPER MESSAGE
While the Finance Minister, Michael Cullen, grapples with securing support for his dedicated superannuation fund, there was a clear message today that making the right decision on the issue is crucial for the future. The message came from a conference on the aging population organised by Statistics New Zealand. Ten percent of New Zealanders are 65 or older - in 50 years, that number is expected to rise to 25 percent. Claire Silvester went to today's conference to find out what that might mean:
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COURT MARTIAL HEARS DESERTION CHARGE
At the Trentham army base near Wellington, a court martial has begun of an officer charged with desertion. Major Pedro van der Ent was arrested and charged after he left the army for a new job with Telecom. Our court reporter Merle Nowland attended the court martial and joins me now. LIVE
BOARD MUST UNDERSTAND ITS ROLE
One of the country's top health consultants is warning the Government that the people it appoints to its new District Health Boards must have a strong understanding of community health. Keynote speakers at the Public Health Association's three day conference in Palmerston North have said health decisions can no longer be imposed from the top down, but must be a partnership with communities. Jill Galloway has been at the final day of the conference.
PKG
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