**** CKPT FOR WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 1 *******
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1700 to 1707 NEWS
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FIJI MILITARY: Political events are developing fast tonight in Fiji as the country's leaders work to avoid another coup. High level meetings have been taking place throughout the day as New Zealand, Australia and the US urge the military to fully respect the country's constitution and rule of law. Fiji's Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase is due to hold a media conference shortly, following renewed threats by the country's military chief to force his resignation. The Australian government has upgraded its travel advice and is warning Australians in Fiji to stay away from any public demonstrations. The foreign minister Alexander Downer is fearful another coup is imminent. CUT
The head of the Australian defence force air chief marshall Angus Hewston says two warships have been placed on standby to evacuate Australian citizens. CUT Earlier today Fiji troops defied the country's police commissioner and collected the shipment of ammunition from Suva's wharves. The police commissioner Andrew Hughes says he had an agreement that the military wouldn't move until they had first assured the public that the bullets would not be used against the Fiji government. But he says they broke that agreement. CUT
Fiji Times reporter Sophie Foster says there have been ongoing rumours of a coup. Q AND A
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters joins us now. LIVE
RESTAURANT RULES: More rigorous controls are on the way for our restaurants, to try to reduce the rate of foodborne illnesses. New Zealand has one of the highest rates of campylobacter in the developed world. New laws around the sale of food will be rolled out over five years, starting in 2008. Instead of just being subject to inspections, the local food industry will have to keep detailed records. Joy McArthur reports...PKG
AIRLINE DIABETES: Qantas has apologised to a diabetic man who fell ill after he wasn't allowed to take his insulin on board a flight. Peter Russel was travelling from Auckland to Christchurch and was told to pack his medication into his baggage at check in. A Qantas spokesperson says the company has apologised to Mr Russell for the distress and inconvenience and say they've taken steps to avoid the incident happening again. That includes talking to Air New Zealand which does the check in. The spokesperson says Qantas is in talks with Mr Russell about the the possiblity of some form of compensation. Qantas declined to be come on the programme, but the National President of Diabetes New Zealand, Murray Dear, joins us now. PKG
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1720 BUSINESS NEWS WITH SEAN KENNEDY
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1730 HEADLINES
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SPORTS NEWS WITH STEPHEN HEWSON
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SYDNEY MUSLIM: The controversial Sydney Muslim cleric who compared women to uncovered meat has been discharged from hospital and is vowing that he won't resign. The sheik fainted at Lakemba Mosque and was taken to hospital by ambulance just prior to meeting with the Lebanese Muslim Society to discuss his future. A rally is being organised in support of of the Sheikh in Sydney, with text messages circulating around the muslim community. The New South Wales police minister John Watkins says police are well prepared for the rally. CUT
The President of the Lebanese Muslim Association, Tom Zreika says he doesn't think the rally will turn violent. Joining us now is Derek Petersen from 2UE in Sydney. LIVE
NELSON PLANE: There has been an emergency landing of a plane at Nelson airport. Our reporter Geoff Moffett is at the airport and joins us now. LIVE
RATING INQUIRY: The public outcry over rates increases has prompted a sweeping review of the way local body rates are set. Terms of reference have been announced for a government-commissioned inquiry into the rating system. It's taken more than two months for the government to announce the details of the inquiry, which will cost around one-and-a-half million dollars. Here's our parliamentary chief reporter Clare Pasley. PKG
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WAATEA NEWS WITH ERU REREKURA
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RAPE NORTHLAND: A witness has told how a woman who claims she was raped by a police officer nearly two decades ago was shaking, crying and fearful for her life just hours later. The 63 year old complainant alleges a former Far North constable handcuffed, then raped her several times in a police station in 1988. The accused, who faces 8 charges including rape, says the sex was consensual. Sarah Bristow has been at the Auckland District Court trial. LIVE
CHRISTCHURCH REVAMP: 700 people have scrambled to have their say on a plan to open up pedestrian-only areas to traffic in parts of Christchurch's inner city. The idea's part of a 10-million dollar attempt to revitalise the ailing area. The current 25-year-old design is considered by many to be tired and has been rapidly losing shoppers to the suburban malls that ring Christchurch. Nadine Chalmers-Ross has been talking to some of the submitters to the plan. PKG
WATER QUALITY: We're told to drink at least eight cups a day, and most people don't think twice about filling up drink bottles out of the tap. But in order to bring New Zealand into line with almost every other developed nation, Parliament is considering a bill that will ensure the safety and quality of drinking water. Parliament's health select committee has today been hearing submissions on the bill and as Emily Gibbs reports, the road ahead looks both expensive and time consuming. PKG
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