HEADLINES & NEWS
There are fresh developments in the Afghan crisis, with Afghanistan's ruling Taliban responding to the third straight night of American air raids by lifting all restrictions on the world's most wanted man, Osama bin Laden. They say he is now free to wage a holy war against the United States, which will have to face the unpleasant consequences of its attacks.
Today's blitz again saw bombs and missiles hit Kabul and other Afghan cities - one cruise missile struck the Kabul office of a UN mine clearance group, killing four workers. The raids are designed to pressure Afghanistan to hand over Osama bin Laden, who is widely blamed for the terror attacks on Washington and New York. But as the bombs fell, a spokesman for bin Laden and his al Qaeda [illegible] warned of more hijacked plane attacks on the US and calling on Muslims [illegible] wage a holy war against America. The warning was broadcast on the Arab TV station El Jazeera - the statement is translated here. CUT
The last air raids on Afghanistan finished a little over an hour ago - the Pentagon says round the clock operations are now possible beacuse it now has air superiority. Our Washington correspondent Steve Mort has the latest. PKGE
Caroline Wyatt is the BBC'S correspondent based in Hud-ja-bau-ho-deen in Northern Alliance territory in Northern Afghanistan. She says the anti-Taliban Northern Alliance forces appear to be making headway against Taliban fighters, partly because many are defecting. PREREC
Social workers at Child, Youth and Family are to receive some of the largest pay rises seen in the state sector for years. The big increases of between 7.7 and 16 percent are part of an ongoing drive to attract new and experienced staff and to slow down the high turnover rate. The new salary range is between 30-thousand and 50-thousand dollars. Our social issues correspondent Shona Geary reports. PKGE
BUSINESS NEWS WITH JOHN DRAPER
The Minister of Corrections has ordered an investigation into a row which has flared between the Department of Corrections and the Chief District Court Judge David Carruthers over inmate disciplinary hearings. The hearings, which occur at the prison, are heard by visiting justices of the peace, or judges. They give inmates the opportunity to appeal disciplinary decisions made by the prison superintendent. But as Fiona Wilde reports, an incident at Rimutaka Prison, near Wellington, has raised questions about the process. PKGE
Air New Zealand's newly appointed executive director Roger France has just signalled that the redundancies expected for airline staff will begin by the end of the year. His comments came at a media conference in Auckland a short time ago - our business reporter Todd Niall was there and joins me now. LIVE
Meanwhile, union leaders are meeting with Qantas in Wellington to discuss their concern over the airline's use of foreign planes and crews. Qantas has begun flying leased 737s and crew, while some of its own planes return to Australia, to meet demand created by the collapse of Ansett.
The Engineering Union represents about one third of Air New Zealand workers - its national secretary Andrew Little says they are annoyed that Qantas is using the so-called wet-leased aircraft on New Zealand domestic and Trans-Tasman routes. PREREC
5.30 NEWS HEADLINES
SPORT with STEPHEN HEWSON
Secondary schools are facing nationwide disruption tomorrow as up to 14 thousand teachers go on strike, forcing parents and school administrators to make alternative arrangements for children's care. The teachers' union, the Post Primary Teachers Association, says they want more money and less time in front of the class. The PPTA says teachers are overworked and their morale is low. The PPTA's president Jen McCutcheon says teachers have negotiated in good faith for the last six months without success - they want a flat pay increase of two and a half thousand dollars and guaranteed time outside the classroom. CUT
[illegible] are making arrangements to cope with the strike - Auckland's largest school, Rangitoto College, will remain open and classes will run as normal for third formers. Its principal, Alan Peachey, says older pupils are being asked to study at home. CUT
Alan Peachey says he supports the teachers' action. Ray Newport is the general manager of the School Trustees Association. I asked him if school boards also support the teachers. PREREC
The race for the Auckland mayoralty is getting dirty, with personal attacks flying at public meetings and in the media.
The incumbent, Christine Fletcher, this morning published a newspaper ad questioning John Banks' suitibility to be mayor.
He's labelled the attack a desparate eleventh-hour attempt to inject life into her struggling campaign. Julian Robins takes a look at the mud slinging. PKGE
The Australian government is talking with Kiribati and other countries about processing the latest group of asylum seekers now being held onboard the [illegible] warship the Adelaide.
The group of 187 mainly Iraqi asylum seekers were rescued from a sinking boat near Christmas Island over the weekend.
Australia's Foreign Minister Alexander Downer is admant the group will not be taken to mainland Australia - an announcement where they will be taken is expected soon. I asked the spokesperson for the Union of Christmas Island Workers, Gordon Thompson whether the island's making any preparations to take the refugees. PREREC
The Government has announced a mandatory safety standard for baby walkers. From March next year, retailers and second-hand dealers who sell baby-walkers which don't meet the standard could cop a fine of up to 1-hundred thousand dollars for companies and 30-thousand dollars for individuals. But not everyone believes the move goes far enough. Here's our consumer reporter, Michele Hollis. PKGE
MANA NEWS
CLOSE & THEME