HEADLINES & NEWS
In Christchurch today five men have been arrested and charged with the murder of a city gang leader Max Shannon, killed in a drive by shooting in August. The 26-year-old, who was a patched member of the Black Power gang, was shot in the head and chest at close range after a training session at the Woolston Rugby League Club. Our reporter John McDonald has been at the Police press conference in Christchurch which finished a short time ago and he joins me now. LIVE
In Fiji - the military has revealed that rebel troops carried out execution style killings during their mutiny to overthrow the commander last week. Three soldiers loyal to the army were killed and five rebel soldiers died as a result of the uprising staged by members of the Counter-Revolutionary Warfare Unit. [illegible] spokesman Major Howard Politini says two unarmed and defenceless soldiers were shot in the head - one was lying asleep in his bed and another was working at his computer. A third soldier was killed while defending the operations centre.
Major Politini says there were witnesses to the shootings - I asked him if the two unarmed soldiers had been deliberately targeted. PREREC
I asked the editor of the Fiji Times, Netani Rika what the public reaction had been to today's revelatons. PREREC
BUSINESS NEWS with GYLES BECKFORD
A ten per cent increase in hospital demands for blood have prompted the New Zealand Blood Service to call for urgently-needed blood donations. Over the last week surgical and emergency services have put pressure on blood stock levels monitored by the service. Hospitals around the country are reporting that there have been no significant events to explain the increase. Liz Banas (Banaash) has this report PKGE
The Associate Minister of Māori Affairs, Sandra Lee, has NOT apologised in Parliament for using the word 'holocaust' in a speech to a hui at the weekend. The Alliance Minister immersed herself in controversy after using the word in relation to the massive drop in the size of the Māori population in the 19th century. Two months ago, her fellow associate Māori Affairs Minister, Tariana Turia, was forced to apologise in Parliament for using holocaust to describe the impact of colonisation on Māori - but Ms Lee did not follow suit today. Our political reporter Kathryn Ryan has been following today's events. PKGE
American voters will go to the polls in just a few hours time to elect their new president. Republican George W Bush and Democrat Al Gore have been involved in a frantic last ditch effort to attract undecided voters in key battleground states. It comes as new opinion polls show the closest race for the White House in forty years is getting even tighter. Our Washington correspondent Steve Mort reports. PKGE
WORLD WATCH HEADLINES
5.30 NEWS HEADLINES
SPORT with STEPHEN HEWSON
As you just heard in the sports news Brew has won this year's Melbourne Cup. After a week of wind and showers Melbourne turned on near perfect conditions for the city's biggest sporting event. A record crowd of more than 100 thousand attended the Melbourne Cup. Joining us now from Flemington is ABC reporter Rob Clancy. LIVE
Joining us now is the TAB's communications manager, John King. LIVE
Medical authorities in Christchurch are investigating whether there's an outbreak of the potentially fatal legionaires disease in the city, after two cases which has left one elderly man dead and another seriously ill. Both cases were notified in the past week. Normally there are a handful a year and Canterbury's medical officer of health Mel Breiseman says he wants to find out if the two men were infected from the same source. Dr Breisman says if they are linked, other people are possibly at risk from the disease which has been found in hot water and air conditioning systems. So far the two latest cases appear unconnected. PREREC
Tens of thousands of New Zealanders have become caught up in the new scooter fad but warnings are now being sounded over the dangers the newly trndy vehicle may present. Faster and lighter than their earlier ancestors, the latest scooters can be seen zipping in and out of traffic and pedestrians throughout the country. But in Australia, there've been two scooter related deaths this year, and thousands of injuries. Karlum Lattimore has details. PKGE
A spate of dog thefts in Waikato has sparked fears they are being used for illegal dog fighting. The police say they have had 15 reports of Jack Russell and fox terriers being stolen from rural properties in recent months. Andrew McRae compiled this report. PKGE
Melbourne Cup day - is a day for drinking champage, and by happy coincidence a member of the Krug champagne dynasty is visiting New Zealand promoting the French company's latest bubbly. Henri Krug is the chairman of Krug champagne and is the fifth generation of Krug's to work in the company which was established in 1843. He joins us now. LIVE
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