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1700 to 1707 NEWS
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14 and 15 year olds and possibly even older teenagers are likely to be banned from buying fireworks by next Guy Fawkes. The Government warned the public that any repeat this November of last year's mayhem would result in some kind of restrictions, although the Environment MInister David Benson Pope doesn't support Fire Service calls for an outright ban on all fireworks. Preliminary figures show there were 784 fires over the weekend and while the number started by fireworks won't be known for several days it's expected to top last year's record of 700 for the whole ten day sale period. The Enviroment Minister David Benson Pope says there will be changes. PREREC The Environment MInister David Benson Pope. He says a decision on age restrictions will be made before the end of the year and any change will only change to regulations rather than new legislation.
Keep it 18.That's the message from the youth wings of four political parties on changing the drinking age back to 20. MPs will get a conscience vote on the members bill on the issue - possibly as soon as Wednesday.
Political reporter Liz Banas filed this. PKG
Back now to the suggestion that 14 and 15 year olds won't be allowed to purchase fireworks from now on. The Environment Minister David Benson-Pope doesn't support calls for an outright ban on all fireworks. But he says the 'stupid' behaviour of some people this Guy Fawkes shows that tighter controls on the sale of fireworks are needed, including the age of purchase. Over the 10-day Guy Fawkes period,the Fire Service reported a record number of fires around New Zealand.
The Chief Executive of the Fire Service, Mike Hall, joins is now. LIVE
European countries are urging Iraq not to use the death penalty against Saddam Hussein, who's been sentenced to hang, over a massacre of civilians in 1982. His former intelligence chief and chief judge were also sentenced to death. France, Spain and Italy have welcomed the court process that convicted and sentenced the former Iraqi president - but have stated their opposition to the use of the death penalty. The human rights group Amnesty International says the trial was flawed and marred by political interference, made worse by the death sentence. When the sentence was handed down in the Baghdad court, the scene quickly degenerated into a shouting match. CUT Britain has welcomed the sentence, and US president George Bush has called the trial a great achievement for the Iraqi democracy. CUT That's US president, George Bush.
The Iraqi community in New Zealand says the former dictator's death would not end the culture of fear his regime inflicted on people there. And as Helen Vaughan reports, the memories of what Saddam Hussein's regime did are still very much alive. PKG
An unidentified flying object captured in a photograph, more than forty years ago, has left its owners baffled. The official picture was taken on-board the HMNZS Royalist during Waitangi Day celebrations in 1965. The object appears as a spec in the photo and was found recently by Navy Museum archivist Paul Restall who was sifting through old negatives. All was revealed when he enlarged what looks rather like an elongated rugby ball. PREREC
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1720 BUSINESS NEWS WITH PATRICK O'MEARA
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Auckland athlete Nina Rillstone has taken a stunning seventh place in the New York Marathon this morning. The 31 year old finished the race in two hours, 31 minutes and 19 seconds - six minutes behind the defending champion Jelena Prokopcuka from Latvia. It's Rillstone's second major marathon performance this year. The head coach of the New Zealand Athletics team at this year's Commonwealth Games, Graeme Tattersall, joins us now.
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1730 HEADLINES
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SPORTS NEWS WITH STEPHEN HEWSON
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A new scheme to police text bullies is now in place - and the worst offenders will be cut off and banned from their mobile phone network. The Police and internet protection group Netsafe have worked with Telecom and Vodafone to make a standard process for dealing with abusive text messages. But a mobile phone safety campaigner says more needs to be done to stamp out the problem entirely. Amanda Strong reports. PKG
The Fiji military has backed off accusations there were sinister motives behind New Zealand's decision to send four police officers to beef up security at the HIgh Commission in Suva. But Colonel Pita Driti still insists Australia has breached his country's sovereignty by sending in defence force personnel who did not go through Customs and who may have brought in several boxes of weapons. Australia's Foreign Minister Alexander Downer won't say how many staff were sent to Suva or if they are soldiers, but has confirmed they are there as extra security in case there is a coup. Colonel Driti says while he's happy with assuances he's had from New Zealand diplomatic staff - he wants to know what the Australians are up to and what is in the silver coloured boxes they brought in, which he says are big enough to carry weapons. PREREC
Our reporter Linda Skates has been at media conference with the Police Commissioner Andrew Hughes. LIVE Q&A
A new group has been set up to lobby for a law change to promote more flexible working hours. The Coalition for Quality Flexible Work is made up of more than 20 different organisations, including unions and parent groups. The coalition's launch today was timed to co-incide with the release of a Department of Labour discussion paper on flexible working arrangements. Here's our parliamentary chief reporter Clare Pasley. PKG
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WAATEA NEWS WITH ERU REREKURA
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It's the race that brings, not one, but two nations to a standstill and if you can't tell the favourites from the rank outsiders - we're here to help. It' s less than 24 hours until the 5-point-8 million dollar Melbourne Cup, and the late entry of the New Zealand-bred Efficient is upping the ante for racing fans on this side of the Tasman. Efficient won the Victoria Derby at Melbourne's Flemington Raceway on Saturday, and if he wins tomorrow, he'll be the first to take out the derby - cup double since 1941. Well, joining us now from Melbourne for tips on the best bets - as well as the latest in Flemngton fashion - is Ellerslie Racecourse ambassador, Bridgette O'Sullivan.. LIVE
Just how will Greater Christchurch cope with a projected population increase over the next 35-years? A proposal released today says principally, growth would be catered for gradually by intensifying the city and major towns. The Greater Christchurch Urban Development Strategy has been developed over several years and has now been released for public consultation. Nadine Chalmers-Ross reports. PKG
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