HEADLINES & NEWS
SOLOMON ISLANDS SHOOTOUT LEADS TO WAR DECLARATION
The crisis in Solomon Islands continues, with fresh violence around the capital Honiara, and a declaration of war from the rebel Malaita Eagle Force. The Malaitans sparked the crisis on Monday when they seized the prime minister hostage. Today has seen more fighting between the Malaita Eagles and the Guadacanal militants, the Isatapu Freedom Movement around the airport ten kilometres from Honiara. A village has also been bombarded by a navy gunboat commandeered by the Malaitans. Amnesty International says a church school was hit by 50mm cannon fire during the battle - the Malaitans claim they killed between 50 and a hundred Isatapu Freedom Movement guerillas in the attack. The commander of the multi-national police action force, Savenaca Tuivaga, cant confirm the reported casualties, but says the Guadalcanal militants are advancing and reclaiming customary land. He says the Malaita Eagle Force has better weapons but fewer numbers while the Isatabu Freedom Fighters appear to be more familiar with the territory. Mr Tuivaga says the Eagles have been forced to retreat after today's skirmishes. AUDIO
And in other developments a joint statement from the Malaita Eagles and the government says Prime Minister Bartholomew Ulufa'alu is no longer being held hostage and the rebels have dropped demands for him to resign. Instead a special session of parliament will be called for next week where the Prime Minister is expected either to resign or to face a no-confidence motion. Reporter Simon Papage in the Solomon Islands, says rebel leader Andrew Nori was convinced not to use force to make the Prime MInister go, but in an alarming development, he's made it clear weapons seized from a police armoury will not be returned. PREREC
Fiji's Sitiveni Rabuka was involved in a failed attempt to broker some kind of peace accord with the two warring factions in the Solomon Islands. He says the [illegible] of the last few days was predicted some time ago but New Zealand and Australia did not heed those warnings. PREREC
The Foreign minister, Phil Goff will represent New Zealand as part of the Commonwealth Delegation set to visit Solomon Islands and Fiji on Friday and Saturday, and he joins us now. LIVE
FIJI SUSPENSION DISAPPOINTS RABUKA
In Fiji, the Chairman of the Great Council of Chiefs, Sitiveni Rabuka says he's disappointed at the decision to partially suspend his country from the Commonwealth, but is hoping it will be revoked. General Rabuka says he's hoping the commonwealth fact finding mission due to arrive in Fiji later this week will be convinced the suspension is un-necessary if the hostages are released and the country quickly returned to civilian government. Coup leader George Speight continues to refuse to hand over the 31 parliamentary hostages in the face of a tougher line from the military. Sitiveni Rabuka says althought the situation is at a stalemate, George Speight is becoming increasingly isolated with fewer people turning up to support him at Parliament grounds. PREREC
A few hours ago George Speight made his first response to the announcement that a Commonwealth delegation is coming to Fiji. Our reporter in Suva, John McDonald joins us now. LIVE
BUSINESS NEWS WITH CATHERINE WALBRIDGE
5.30 NEWS HEADLINES
SPORT with STEVEN HEWSON
WOMAN CATCH GAMBLING MEN
A survey of gambling habits in this country indicates that problem gambling has dropped since the last study in 1991. The Department of Internal Affairs commissioned a survey of nearly six-and-a-half thousand adults in 1999, following up a similar study in 1991. The report estimates that New Zealanders gamble one point two billion dollars a year - 20 percent of that spending is by around one percent of adults who have a gambling problem. But the report says the prevalence of problem gambling appears to have decreased, despite the expansion of gambling since 1991. I asked one of the report authors, Professor Max Abbott, if infact New Zealand has a gambling problem?
STAFF WANT VICE CHANCELLOR REPOSITIONED
Angry Massey University staff have called on their Vice Chancellor to resign over plans to cut 116 jobs from the University's Palmerston North campus. 230 academic staff union members met to discuss the University management's proposal to restructure Massey's city campus - our reporter Jill Galloway was there.
RED CROSS SEND AID INTO EARTHQUAKE REGION
In Indonesia, the extent of the devastation caused by Sunday's earthquake is still unclear, with aid workers trying to confirm reports that the tremor may have actually destroyed one island. The earthquake measured 7.9 on the Richter scale, killing at least a hundred people, toppling buildings and cutting water supplies in Bengkulu (PRON Beng koo loo) province. Bad weather, blocked roads and the closure of Bengkulu airport are hampering rescue efforts. I asked Red Cross worker Jessica Barry in Jakata about reports that the island of Eggano has actually been destroyed.
AUTHOR ADMITS ERRORS
At the defamation trial against Joe Karam at the High Court in Auckland, the author of "David and Goliath" has admitted there are some mistakes in the book.
The book deals with the case of David Bain, who was convicted of murdering five members of his family. Two former police officers are sueing Joe Karam and Read Publishing over the book's allegations of police deficiencies in the case. Our reporter Melita Tull was at the court today - she joins us now.
SUPPORT NEW BABIES
The Principals Federation is urging the government to restore full, in-home support for parents with new babies. Our education correspondent, Gael Woods, has more.
CLOSE & THEME