An explosion at an electrical sub-station in the Hutt Valley has left six workers in hospital. Two of them have serious burns to most of their bodies. The six workers are employed by the company Alstom, which is contracted by Transpower to operate the Haywards sub-station. Joining us now is the Managing Director of Alstom, Geoff Hunt. LIVE
Our reporter Eric Frykberg has been out at the site and he joins me now. LIVE
The Government is moving to toughen the penalties for child pornography offences. It plans to introduce legislation by the middle of the year which will see people who produce and trade in child pornography face a maximum of 10 years jail, up from the present one year. And those who possess child pornography will now face up to two years in prison - up from a current maximum penalty of a 2-thousand dollar fine. The Justice Minister, Phil Goff, says advances in internet technology mean existing laws are clearly inadequate, and the changes will bring New Zealand into line with the U.K. and Canada. CUT The [illegible] pornography group ECPAT is lobbying for tougher sentences - its spokesperson Denise Ritchie joins us now. LIVE
The Bush administration says it is gaining support in the United Nations Security Council for a fresh resolution against Iraq and has ordered 60 thousand more troops to the Gulf. The US Secretary of State Colin Powell says he's increasingly optimistic of being able to persuade most members of the Security Council to vote in favour of the resolution, which specifically authorises force. But Russia has not ruled out using its Security Council veto to prevent a war in Iraq. READER
Meanwhile, the United States Defence Secretary, Donald Rumsfeld says he believes that Saddam Hussein is capable of building weapons of mass destruction even with arms inspectors in Iraq. Mr Rumsfeld says the Iraqi leader continued with such programmes last time weapons inspectors were in the country and has learned to live with an inspections environment. CUT And Donald Rumsfeld says there has been a long process in trying to contain Iraq's weapons of mass destruction. CUT
As the United States moves closer towards war with Iraq the rising tension over North Korea's nuclear weapons ambitions has seen the Bush administration order long range bombers to the Pacific island of Guam. 24 B1 and B52 bombers are being moved there immediately in what US officials are describing as a prudent measure to maintain peace on the Korean peninsula. They're denying it's in response to an incident earlier this week when 4 North Korean fighter planes shadowed a US surveillance plane, coming within 15 metres of it. The BBC's correspondent in South Korea Caroline Gluck says the Bush administration will not rule out military action against North Korea. PREREC
The chief executive of TVNZ, Ian Fraser says parents, not broadcasters must take responsibility for the childhood obesity epidemic. Mr Fraser was speaking at a controversial symposium on the issue, hosted by the Advertising Standards Authority at the Beehive. Our Social Issues Correspondent Leigh-Anne Wiig reports. PKGE
The jury has just returned with a verdict at the High Court in Rotorua in the case of an Iranian born man who is accused of drugging and sexually violating a number of Asian women. Pourshad Marco Arvand faces 26 charges of sexual violation, indecent assault, kidnapping and stupefying eight women between October 2001 and April last year. Our reporter, Andrew McRae is at the court and joins me now. live
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The Abu Sayyaf group linked to the al-Qaeda terror network is reported to have claimed responsibility for the bombing of an airport in the southern Philippines. The blast at Davao killed 21 people and wounded more than 150 others. I'm joined now by our correspondent in Manila, Girlie Linao. LIVE
Parliament is now debating legislation which would guarantee all workers at least four weeks annual leave. The bill, which is being promoted by the Progressive MP, Matt Robson, does not represent Government policy, but Labour has indicated it will support it going to a select committee for public submissions. Its future beyond that looks shakey, however, with the Prime Minister on the record saying that four weeks annual leave "is not a priority" for this term of Government. To discuss the issue, our political reporter, Julian Robins joins us now... LIVE WITH DROPIN
Parliamentarians are being urged to use a new piece of patient safety legislation to reduce the long delays that have dogged the medical complaints process. In the final day of public submissions on the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Bill the select committee has heard advice from many of the key players in the complaints system. Our Health Correspondent Rae Lamb was there. PKGE
Five New Zealanders will receive up to 100 thousand dollars to trek, mountain bike and kayak the entire length of the Mekong River in Asia. The group which beat 70 other applicants to win the first Sport and Recreation New Zealand Hillary Award will map their trip on a website and provide school students with education resources. The expedition which is planned for June this year will cover four and a half thousand kilometres in 80 days. One of the lucky five is Rosalind Wood who believes what they're proposing is a first. PREREC
Auckland is looking to market itself as a major arts centre, coming into competition with other arts hubs around the country. Artists and arts groups in the region are supportive of intitial research which recommends setting up a [illegible] body to promote Auckland's arts.
Anna-Louise Taylor takes a look at whether the City of Sails has what it takes to fit into an already crowded arts arena. PKGE
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