In Australia, bushfires continue to rage. The threat in the capital, Canberra has eased as firefighters get the upper hand in the battle against fires which have killed four people and destroyed more than four hundred homes. But in Victoria, more than 80 thousand hectares is still burning - much of it native bush in state parks and national forests.
Meanwhile in Canberra, firefighters have gained control of the bush fires that killed four people and destroyed more than four hundred homes. As the immediate threat eases, questions are being asked as to how well the city was prepared for the emergency. The Australian Capital Territory's chief minister John Stanhope is promising a full inquiry into the four deaths and says other, broader issues will also be investigated. CUT But Canberra resident and volunteer firefighter Greg Johannsen rejects the criticism that not enough resources were used to fight the fires. CUT
One of the worst hit Canberra suburbs is Duffey, where residents were today [illegible] to briefly return to their homes - the ABC's Ross Solley was there and filed this report. PKGE
Anti-war protestors have staged a second day of demonstrations in Europe and Washington, sparking scores of arrests. Police arrested 50 protesters outside British military headquarters in London, while in Washington 16 were arrested.
Thousands of other protestors in Belgium, Spain and Turkey also rallied against a looming war in Iraq. Meanwhile, the chief of the UN's nuclear agency Mohamed El Baradei and chief UN inspector Hans Blix are talking with Iraqi officials in Baghdad, trying to convince Saddam Hussein's government to increase its cooperation to help avert war. Our Washington correspondent Steve Mort reports. PKGE
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Protestors occupying Northland's controversial Ngawha prison site are vowing to resist any effort to evict them. The Corrections Department has served trespass notices on the group, which has now blocked the main access road to the site with old car bodies, preventing contractors from bringing in building [illegible]. Corrections says it's up to the police to decide when to act against the protesters, but the police aren't commenting on when they'll make a move. I asked the veteran protestor Titewhai Harawira, who is supporting the group, whether they are prepared to be arrested. PREREC
Beneficiary advocates from throughout the North Island have targetted Work and Income offices in Napier and Hastings today, to help people get the benefits they're entitled to. Official figures show that around 80 thousand beneficiares arent getting what they are entitled to - and the percentage of Hawkes Bay families missing out is one of the country's worst. Heugh Chappell reports. PKGE
Returning now to our earlier story and the total cost of the bushfires which swept through Canberra could climb to more than 100 million dollars. More than 400 homes were destroyed during the weekend fires and firefighters have now brought the fires under control. Today they've been assessing the damage - joining me now is Australian Federal Police Commander Mandy Newton. LIVE
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To the Golden Globe awards in Los Angeles now - where Martin Scorsese has just won the best director prize for his latest film, Gangs of New York.
New Zealand director Peter Jackson was also a front runner for the award for part two of the Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers. The Golden Globes are seen as a key indicator of success at the Oscars in March. Joining me now is our Los Angeles correspondent Peter Bowes. LIVE
Returning to our lead story - and the Australian bushfires continue to burn. The threat in the capital, Canberra has eased as firefighters get the upper hand in the battle against fires which have killed four people and destroyed more than four hundred homes. But in Victoria, more than 80 thousand hectares is still burning - much of it native bush in state parks and national forests. Thirteen New Zealand firefighters with specialist forest fire knowledge have arrived to help Australian fire crews there.. The Department of Sustainability and Environment is organising the firefighting operation. Its spokesperson Kevin Monk joins us now. LIVE
Meanwhile, in Canberra, residents fear that hot weather will reignite some blazes. Joining me now is our correspondent - and Canberra resident - Kerry [illegible] Walsh. LIVE
The Fiji government has sent ten truckloads of relief supplies to Vanua Levu for victims of Cyclone Ami seven days after thousands of people were left without food and shelter by the storm. The victims have been complaining to the local media that the state has done nothing to help them. But New Zealander Nicky Wrighton who manages NZAid in Suva says the process of assessing what relief is needed always takes longer than people expect.
PREREC The Fiji Cabinet is expected to meet tomorrow to determine what foreign aid is needed in the wake of cyclone Ami.
A controversial roading project aimed at easing traffic congestion in central Wellington appears to be in danger of being put on the back-burner. The proposed inner city bypass would cut through the Te Aro area connecting the Basin Reserve and the Terrace Tunnel. The plan's backers were expecting work might start this year - but as Patric Lane reports, those hopes may have been dashed by money being diverted to Auckland's traffic woes. PKGE
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