1700 to 1707 NEWS
Eight people have been arrested in Wellington after a police raid on an illegal casino - which Internal Affairs believes may be linked to an Asian organised crime group. The department began investigating the casino after a tip off. With us now is the director of gaming and censorship regulation, Keith Manch. LIVE
The Attorney General Margaret Wilson says crown investigations into claims of physical and sexual abuse at pyschatric hospitals in the 1960s and 70s are still months away from completion. More than a hundred former mental health patients claim they were abused and 53 of those claims have been filed with the High Court. There've been calls for a government inquiry into the allegations. Former staff have denied abuse took place - Margaret Wilson says the crown investigations started in about August last year. PRE-REC
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade has upgraded its travel advisory to Papua New Guinea to "high risk" and is warning New Zealanders there to exercise extreme caution because of deteriorating law and order. It says in Mount Hagen and the Highlands provinces and the cities of Port Moresby and Lae, the law and order situation remains very poor, with outbreaks of tribal fighting. Travel to the area around the old Panguna mine should be avoided in any circumstances because of the enforcement of a "no-go zone" by armed elements of the Meka 'mui Defence force. There are about two thousand New Zealanders living in PNG and anyone intending to visit Bougainville should discuss their plans with the New Zealand High Commision. High Commissioner Laurie Markes says the cities have a reputation for violence. PRE-REC
A visit to a local playground turned into a nightmare for a nine year old girl when she was stabbed at leat seven times in what police say was a sudden unprovoked attack. A 16 year old girl has appeared in the Palmerston North Youth Court this afternoon, charged with greivous bodily harm. Detective [illegible] David Clifford says the victim and and her eleven year old sister were playing in a park when they were approached by the older girl. PRE-REC
TV3 has been ordred to pay the Prime Minister and her chief press secretary 11 thousand dollars over its coverage of "corngate" Today the Broadcasting Standards Authority confirmed its ruling the station's coverage was unbalanced. TV3 must also pay another 14-thousand dollars to the Crown for its costs in relation to the Prime Minister and three other complainants. The TV Channel had appealed the BSA's original finding of bias in a special news programme and subsequent bulletins, which alleged the Government covered-up an accidental release of GE corn seed. But the authority says new information from TV3 has not altered its view that the coverage lacked balance. Joining us now is the Director of news/current affairs - Mark Jennings. LIVE
1720 BUSINESS NEWS WITH TODD NIALL
A High Court jury in Invercargill has been told that a hang gliding pilots failure to hook his passenger onto the glider directly led to the womans death. The claims were made by the Crown Prosecutor Alistair Garland as he opened the case against 53 year old Stephen Richard Parson, the pilot of that flight, who is now charged with manslaughter. 23 year old Greek university graduate Eleni (pron elainee ) Zeri fell up to 200 metres to her death and Alistair Garland told the court that it became obvious almost immediately after take off that something was seriously wrong. The Crown says Miss Zeri wasn't supported by her harness and was hanging on with her bare hands. CUT
The Crown contends that all the equipment used was functioning correctly and say they will call witnesses supporting that claim. But defence lawyer Kevin Phillips says that is not the case, with a metal clip called a carabena being called into question. CUT
Joining us now is our reporter from Invercargill Nathan Mills. Q + A
1730 HEADLINES
SPORTS NEWS WITH STEPHEN HEWSON
Warnings that Islamic terrorists behind the deadly kidnappings in Saudi Arabia are likely to be planning further attacks, are raising questions about how vulnerable the world's biggest oil reserves are. Twenty-two people were killed in the Saudi terrorist operation by gunmen who slit the throats of several foreigners, before commandos stormed a housing complex to rescue dozens of hostages. Information minister for the Saudi embassy in Washington Nail al-Jubeir (Nile al-ju-bear) defended the rescue mission. CUT
Several analysts have questioned how three of the gunmen could escape when the building was surrounded. Terrorism expert, Walid Phares from Florida Atlantic University says its possible the terrorist were allowed to escape. CUT
It's now being reported that intelligence agencies fear a "spectacular" attack on the world's biggest oil producer and that key oil installations are among possible targets. Top Saudi officals have met with oil executives to reassure them that secuirty is a top priority. But US energy analyst Philip Verleger. (vair-leg-er) says there are concerns about how good the security is, in Saudi Arabia. PRE-REC
Environmental groups say the prison penalty handed down to a South Auckland scrap metal dealer sends a message that so-called cowboys have to be accountable to the environment and the law. William Conway has been sentenced to three months in jail, and his firm, Cash for Scrap, fined 25 thousand dollars after pleading guilty to nine charges relating to allowing contaminants to flow into the Tamaki estuary. It's believed to be the first time anyone's been imprisoned for pollution offences. Sarah North has the details. PKG
The Sports Minister Trevor Mallard is predicting a new round of government-funded grants for the country's top athletes, will turn into medal winning performances at the next Olympics.
Details have been released today of a Performance Enhancement Grants scheme that will cost nearly 12 million dollars over the next four years. Here's our parliamentary chief reporter Clare Pasley. PKG
The Gisborne District Council is waiting for a decision by the Māori Land Court, before taking any action against a group responsible for a controversial aquaculture venture on the East Coast. Yesterday a fish hatchery on the Potaka Marae near Cape Runaway officially opened, despite not having permits from the Council or the Ministry of Fisheries. Heugh Chappell reports. PKG
New Zealanders duped by an internet pyramid scam selling website software, may be able to apply to a 40 million dollar (subs: figure is in NZ$) compensation fund set-up in the United States. The American Federal Trade Commission ordered SkyBiz-dot-Com to establish the fund after threatening legal action against the company. It's alleged the company failed to inform people involved that they were likely to lose money, and the New Zealander promoter of the scheme Gregory Dawson, has been prosecuted here and fined four-and-a-half thousand dollars. Deborah Battell from the Commerce Commission says 4 to five thousand New Zealanders put up anywhere between 250 and 15-hundred dollars. PRE-REC
The United States is to allow the lawyers of the Australian terrorist suspect David Hicks to discuss torture claims with Australian authorities. US officials had previously forbidden his lawyers from discussing allegations of torture at the hands of his American captors at Guantanamo Bay. Mr Hicks along with fellow Australian Mamdouh Habib have been detained without charge at the US military base in Cuba for more than two years. Mr Hick's lawyer, Stephen Kenny says the lifting of the ban does not go far enough. PRE-REC
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