1700 to 1707 NEWS
The detained Algerian refugee Ahmed Zaoui has won an important victory in his battle to avoid deportation, with a court ruling which the government appears ready to accept. The Court of Appeal has ruled that New Zealand authorities must consider this country's obligations under the international Refugee Convention before deciding whether Mr Zaoui should be deported. The Crown has been fighting a High Court ruling that said Mr Zaoui's human rights have to to be taken into account when the Inspector General of Intelligence and Security reviews whether or not the detainee is a danger to national security. The Court of Appeal has rejected the Crown's case and in delivering the judgement Justice Anderson said the Immigration Act refers to New Zealand's obligations under the refugee convention. CUT
The Attorney General Margaret Wilson has welcomed the ruling. PRE-REC
One of the lawyers for Ahmed Zaoui, Debra Manning joins us now. LIVE
US Democratic presidential challenger John Kerry has accused President George Bush of a "colossal error of judgment" on Iraq during their first televised presidential debate today. In an often heated confrontation, Mr Bush and Mr Kerry repeatedly clashed over who could best protect America, the need for the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq and how to lead the country in an age of terrorism. Senator Kerry had strong words on the invasion of Iraq. CUT
President Bush accused Mr Kerry of changing his mind too often and said he was sending the wrong message to US troops and the nation's enemies. The 90-minute, televised session on the University of Miami campus gave voters their first chance to directly compare the candidates. Our correspondent in the US, Malcolm Brown watched the debate and joins us now PRE-REC
More legal action and heated allegations are flying in the race for the Auckland Mayoralty. The latest developments come after a week which saw incumbent John Banks' campaign manager resign and rival candidates Dick Hubbard [illegible] Christine Fletcher vying for top-billing. Anna Louise Taylor has more. PKG
1720 BUSINESS NEWS WITH TODD NIALL
The Ministry of Health is today defending its decision four years ago to approve the use of Vioxx, despite the drug now being shown to be unsafe. The drug belongs to a relatively new class of anti-infammatory medicines called Cox 2 inhibitors used to treat patients who can't take other pain relief because of the risk of bleeding in the stomach. Dr Sharon Sime is from the Ministry of Health's medicines safety authority Medsafe. PRE-REC
1730 HEADLINES
SPORTS NEWS WITH STEPHEN HEWSON
The second defendent in the Pitcairn Island sex abuse trials appeared today charged with 15 offences including sexually abusing a five-year-old girl. Dave Brown, 49 denies that he abused five girls on the island at various times over a 21-year period. Our reporter Sue Ingram is at the trial. Q + A
The President of Nauru Ludwig Scotty has declared a state of emergency in the country after MPs failed to pass the budget. The President has dissolved Parliament and fresh national elections will be held on October 23rd. It follows a stalemate yesterday when MPs could not agree on the financially stricken country's new Budget. Mark Sawyer from Radio New Zealand International reports on developments. PKG
Back now to today's Court of Appeal ruling which on the detained Algerian refugee Ahmed Zaoui. It says New Zealand authorities must consider this country's obligations under the international Refugee Convention before deciding whether Mr Zaoui should be deported. Mr Zaoui lawyers says its an important victory in his battle to avoid deportation, and the government appears ready to accept the ruling. Amnesty International in New Zealand has been campaigning on Ahmed Zaoui's behalf. Executive Director Ced Simpson was in court today to hear the ruling and he joins us now. LIVE
The Kyoto agreement on climate change looks set to come into force worldwide, now that it has secured the vital support of the Russian government. The treaty [illegible] binding once it is signed by countries which account for 55 percent of the world's greenhouse gas emmissions. Despite renewed pressure to yield the United States is today standing firm in rejecting the Protocol. As is the Australian government which is standing its ground. The Australian labor party has a pro-Kyoto stance in its manifesto and has drawn new attention to it following the Russian agreement. Eric Frykberg reports from Australia. PKG
After nearly two days of deliberations the jury in a Christchurch Mongrel Mob trial have returned guilty verdicts on 47 out of 62 counts. 17 mob members and associates faced a range of firearms, ammunition and drug charges in what is believed to be one of the country's biggest ever trials. Two women were acquitted of the charges and the other 15 were remanded for sentence after being convicted of a variety of charges. Detective Sergeant Ross Tarawhiti is in charge of the case. PRE-REC
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