HEADLINES & NEWS
Trustees of a troubled Northland Māori health provider say the government isnt doing enough to get to the bottom of the problems besetting the organisation. Child Youth and Family has cancelled two multi-million dollar contracts it had with the provider Te Hauora o Te Tai Tokerau, citing concerns about management and governance issues. After opposition calls for government action, a chartered accountant has been appointed to examine the provider. But the organisation's trustees say that isnt enough - our reporter Lois Williams is following developments and joins me now. LIVE IV w DROPINS
Child Youth and Family has again declined requests to be interviewed by Checkpoint about its funding of Te Hauora o Te Tai Tokerau. Joining me now is Northland's regional PSA organiser Mark Furey who represents some of the former workers emplopyed by the provider. LIVE IV
The police have paid 20 thousand dollars compensation to former West Coast farmer Brian Terry who had his ribs broken during his 1999 arrest. It's the second big compensation payout by the region's police - two years ago another farmer was paid 50 thousand dollars after an investigation found his arrest was flawed. Brian Terry was arrested after an armed offenders callout to Reefton farmland he'd once owned. He was upset about a motorbike gang riding over the property but ended up being arrested for trespassing and threatening police. The Tasman Area Commander Inspector Grant O'Fee says while the compensation is not an admission of liablity, he is reopening the investigation into the case. LIVE IV
BUSINESS NEWS WITH JOHN DRAPER
To the Middle East - and fresh fighting has flared after the military sent large numbers of tanks and troops into the West Bank city of Nablus and the Gaza strip. Eyewitness reports say that the in Nablus, troops opened fire with [illegible] guns as around one hundred and fifty armoured vehicles rolled into the city. At least four Palestinians are reported to have been killed. The action came after Israel vowed to respond to the attack on the Hebrew University in which seven people - including five Americans - were killed. The BBC's Jerusalem correspondent Barbara Plett has the latest on the situation in Nablus. AUDIO
Meanwhile, in Washington, US President George Bush has met two of the major players in the Middle East - Jordan's King Abdullah and Israeli foreign minister Shimon Peres.
Our Washington correspondent Judith Smelser reports. PKGE
Gold continues to elude New Zealanders at the Manchester Commonwealth Games. New Zealand athletes notched up another three medals - shooter Nadine Stanton won silver to go with her gold from earlier this week, while boxers Daniel Codling and Shane Cameron both scored bronzes. Chris Reid reports that hope of further gold medals was bouyed by cyclist Sarah Ulmer setting a new games record qualifying for the individual pursuit. PKGE
5.30 NEWS HEADLINES
SPORT with ELMA MAUA
The Justice Minister has hit back at judges criticising the new sentencing laws accusing them of not reading or understanding what the legislation says. The Sentencing Act is designed to make sure the worst offenders serve longer terms, and those who don't pose a threat may get out of prison earlier. Phil Goff is upset over reports that a district court judge in Greymouth said the new law only allows reparation to be ordered for a victim, and not the victim's family if the victim is killed. The Minister's also angry over claims from a District Court judge in Christchurch that the new law now prevents him from imposing penalties on a 15 year old offender. Phil Goff joins us now. LIVE IV
To New York now, where two former executives from the bankrupt telecoms giant WorldCom have surrendered to the FBI. Former chief financial officer Scott Sullivan and former company controller David Myers will face seven charges including securities fraud and conspiracy. Our New York correspondent Nathan King reports. PKGE
An elderly Thames man has pleaded guilty to murdering his wife in what is being described as a mercy killing. 76-year old Rex Law admitted killing 74-year old Olga Emily Law at their home in March this year. Mrs Law suffered from alzheimers disease. Andrew McRae was in court and joins me now. LIVE IV
The number of people being struck down by the food poisoning disease camplyobacter is heading towards record numbers. Camplyobacter is a stomach bug which can linger for weeks, but public health workers says it's preventable through proper hygeine and cooking meat properly. Sally Wenley reports PKGE
To the Pacific now - and Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister Sir Mekere Morauta has warned the country it is living dangerously after its disasterous national election, which has cost at least 30 people their lives. His warning comes after the electoral commissioner declared that fresh elections would have to be conducted in six strife-torn highlands seats because of the violence and the destruction of thousands of ballot papers.
I asked the AAP's Port Moresby correspondent Jim Baynes whether the Prime Minister's warning is accurate. IV
Dunedin sports goods retailers are banding together for an all-out attack on shoplifters, who are targetting name brand sports clothes and shoes. The shop owners say they're sick of losing their profits to thieves and eight stores have joined forces to catch those responsible - this from Maureen Lloyd. PKGE
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