HEADLINES & NEWS
The chartered jet carrying the crew of an American spy plane, held in southern China for close to two weeks, has just arrived in the Pacific Island of Guam. It's the first stretch of the journey home for the 24 service men and women who were detained for twelve days after being forced to land when their plane collided with a Chinese aircraft over international waters. We'll hear from our Washington correspondent shortly, but first Gracie Cayanan from K.U.A.M. news was at Guam Airport when the crew arrived. I asked her what happened. PREREC
Meanwhile a White House spokeperson says that President George Bush is pleased that this accident did not turn into a crisis. Our Washington correspondent [illegible] Mort filed this report. PKGE
In South Africa, at least 40 people were killed during a stampede at a soccer match in Johannesburg, but there are fears that the death toll could rise. The stampede happened at a game between two of the country's top teams, the Orlando Pirates and the Kaizer Chiefs. The president of South Africa Thabo Mbeki watched the horror unfold on television and he's said he will launch a Commission of Inquiry to ensure this never happens again in South Africa. In the aftermath the chairman of the Keizer Chiefs team, Kaiza Moutain, addressed the crowd. CUT
Johannesburg correspondent Audrey Brown went down to the stadium after the tragedy and I asked her what she saw. PREREC
BUSINESS NEWS WITH JOHN DRAPER
A cabinet paper shows the government has approved the search for a chief executive for the new ministry being created from the merger of two social agencies. The decision's included in cabinet papers released today which also show that the decision was made by Cabinet before any concrete papers on how [illegible] process will be managed had been prepared. The government announced yesterday it is to merge the Department for Work and Income and the Ministry of Social Policy to create a new department called the Ministry of Social Development. Here's our political reporter Mark Torley. PKGE
There've have been protests this afternoon about changes to maternity services in Auckland with claims that the demolition of the old National Women's Hospital is not going to mean better care.
The Women's Health Action Trust doesn't mind the loss of the outdated building, but told the Auckland District Health Board today plans to relocate maternity care at Auckland Hospital aren't good enough. Sally wenley was at the meeting and joins us now. LIVE
A quick look at the traffic now as Easter holiday weekend begins. we're joined by Auckland Traffic Controller Richard Waters. LIVE
Meanwhile, traffic heading north out of Wellington tonight is heavy and slow-moving. The Wellington region is expected to feel the brunt of adverse weather tomorrow. In the South Island an accident on the West Coast at the Inangahua Junction has closed the road and Police advise motorists to take the route through Springs Junction and Reefton.
Police say road and traffic conditions throughout the rest of the South Island remain good. READER
5.30 NEWS HEADLINES
SPORT with STEPHEN HEWSON
Pharmacists are being warned to look-out for fake prescriptions for medicines that can be used to make the drug methamphetamine, or speed. The Police say chemists are dealing with an increasing number of forged prescriptions for cold medicines containing pseudo-ephadrine which is then used to make the party drug speed. The medicines can be bought over the counter anyway, and I asked Pharmacy Guild President Gray Maingay why someone would bother with a fake prescription. PREREC
The Ministry of Fisheries is to place a blanket ban on set netting in the coastal waters around Canterbury, after a spate of deaths of Hector Dolphins. [illegible] dead dolphins have been found since last October and all appear to have been caught in the nets of recreational fishers. Jane Patterson has more. PKGE
India has this month (April) removed trade restrictions on more than 700 products in line with World Trade Organisation recommendations. Several goods, including agricultural products and processed foods can now be freely imported. The Commerce Minister says he expects exports to grow by 20 percent as a result of the new trade measures. I asked our correspondent in India, Ranjan Gupta, about the strategy. PREREC
The government's launched a positive ageing strategy aimed at encouraging all New Zealanders to enjoy older people and to celebrate ageing. It's a blueprint within which all policy with implications for older people can be understood and developed. Our social issues correspondent Shona Geary has this report. PKGE
A row is brewing in Palmerston North over whether the central city's clocktower should have a cross on top. The neon cross has been on the tower in the square for more than 30 years and the debate over whether it should remain has been [illegible] by the city council's decision to give the area a six million dollar makeover. Jill Galloway filed this report. PKGE
MANA NEWS
CLOSE & THEME