Checkpoint FOR FRIDAY 4 FEBRUARY 2011
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1700 to 1707 NEWS
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After days of bloody clashes, anti-government protesters in Cairo's Tahrir Square are hoping to be joined by thousands more today for a huge demonstration they're calling the "Friday of Departure".At least eight people have been killed and about 900 injured in the two days of fighting between supporters of Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak and those who want him gone now. President Mubarak has ruled out resigning immediately to end the violent confrontation over his 30-year-rule - saying this would bring chaos.He's sticking to a September departure but the United States is putting increasing pressure on him to start the transition of power right away.The US secretary of state, Hilary Clinton urged the new vice president Omar Suleiman, to make good on his promise of a real move towards democracy: TP And the United States is leading a chorus of world outrage, as more stories emerge of international journalists being beaten and detained in what is being described as a "systematic" attack by Egyptian regime loyalists.
Olaf Wiig, a New Zealand cameraman working for Fox News, has been injured by a pro-Mubarak group while covering the protests in Cairo.Mr Wiig's family say he has suffered a head injury and broken cheekbone.He and a colleague - who was also hurt - have been evacuated out of Cairo but are still in Egypt.
Our correspondent, Natalie Carney, is one of the dozens of journalists who've been targeted in Cairo. She says earlier in the week they'd been hearing stories about reporters being roughed up - some being imprisoned, and even dropped off in the desert after being questioned. She says they had to flee their office last night. TP
One of Natalie Carney's colleagues, Nathan King, is also in Cairo - and joins us now:LIVE
The cyclone may be over in North Queensland but the storm rages on dumping heavy rain and hampering clean up efforts.Today it's been confirmed that one person is dead and another two are missing in the wake of Cyclone Yasi.Australia's Prime Minister Julia Gillard and the Queensland Premier Anna Bligh are touring the devastated communities The ABC's David Mark reportsPKG
The police are not charging an Auckland pharmacist over the death of an intruder who died after the two struggled during a burglary.47-year-old Bruce Jones died after a confrontation with the pharmacy owner Grant Gillard who discovered him hiding in his store.The police won't say why they're not charging Mr Gillard but a spokesperson says they weigh up a number of factors including whether there is enough evidence.Mr Gillard, who is back working at the pharmacy, joins us now.LIVE
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1720 TRAILS AND BUSINESS WITH Naomi Mitchell
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An outrageously dressed, and very enthusiastic crowd, has packed Wellington's Westpac Stadium where the New Zealand leg of the IRB Sevens World Series is underway. 16 teams - including sides from the Cook Islands, Argentina, and Scotland - will take to the field today and tomorrow. Fans dressed indecently, in costumes too big for their seats, or holding props that could be used as weapons, are not allowed in.And under a new policy introduced this year, anyone caught trying to smuggle in alcohol will have their tickets confiscated. These fans are promising to be on their best behaviour.TP Radio New Zealand's Joe Porter is amongst the madness....
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17.30 HEADLINES
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There is obvious support for Te Tai Tokerau MP, Hone Harawira as preparations begin at Waitangi for the 171st commemoration of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi.The embattled MP is currently facing a party disciplinary hearing. Today, the Governor General and other dignitaries were welcomed on to the Te Tii Marae.Andrew McRae reports from Waitangi.PKG
Hundreds of emergency crews and volunteers in Northern Queensland are out battling the elements as they try to repair the damage wreaked by Cyclone Yasi.Wayne Couttes is a regional director for Queensland's Emergency Management service. His region includes the worst hit towns of Tully, Cardwell, Innisfail, Mission Beach and Silkwood.He was in Tully earlier today where the first job is get tarpaulins onto houses that have lost roofs.PRE REC
Tourism Industry bodies says many operators are still finding business extremely tough despite new figures showing overseas visitor numbers grew last year.The latest Statistics New Zealand data shows arrivals were up one per cent in December 2010 on the same month a year earlier, and up three per cent for the year.But, as Georgina Ball reports, a drop in visitors from traditionally high spending markets is putting a dampener on the result.PKG
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17.45 WAATEA
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Analysts are warning that President Mubarak appears to be gearing up for what could be a Tiananmen moment.But Mr Mubarak has denied the government has instigated the violence.Timothy MacDonald reports for the ABCPKG
A man who admitted injecting another man with a fatal dose of heroin is tonight beginning a sentence of more than two years in jail, despite his victim's mother asking that he not be put behind bars.Philip Caswell, who is 45, had earlier pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Michael Louis [pron: loo-ee] and was sentenced in the High Court in Wellington.Our Court reporter, Ann Marie May was at the hearing .Q AND A
A New Zealand movie, the Film Commission here decided not to fund, has been given a glowing four star review in one of the U.K's biggest film magazines "Empire"."Insatiable Moon" is about a psychiatric patient who thinks he is the son of God and who is busy trying to woo a social worker and save a Ponsonby boarding house.Produced by Mike Riddell and directed by wife Rosemary on a tiny budget, Empire calls it "A One Flew Over the Kiwi's Nest - and a movie that deserves to be seen."Mike Riddell is delighted.PRE REC
In its quest for hard currency North Korea is inviting golf enthusiasts from around the world to tee up at a tournament.The event will be held at a course near the capital Pyongyang where leader Kim Jong Il apparently shot a world record.Now for about a thousand dollars, foreigners can enter the North Korean Amateur Golf Open as the ABC's Mark Willacy reports.PKG