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1700 to 1707 NEWS
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A judge has handed down the maximum possible sentence to a father who, he said, had callously and slowly drowned his baby daughter in the bath.Kevin Joseph Little will serve a minimum non-parole period of 17 years in jail for the murder of baby Alyssa.Our reporter Geoff Moffett was in the High Court in Nelson for today's sentencing and joins us now. LIVE
They're calling it a middle-of-the-night miracle in Horowhenua, when a car crashed into a house in Otaki - and into a bedroom missing two sleeping children by just the length of a shoe. Nine year old Roi (roy) Hoskins was in bed when the car hit. CUT
The car stopped just short of 10 year old Tian (tee-ann) Hoskins' feet. CUT The boys' father Tipene (tee-peh-nay) says he rushed to the boys' room when he heard his sons screaming. CUT One of the first on the scene was the boys' great uncle - Jan Ruru. PREREC
While workers are racking up longer hours than ever at the coalface, new figures out suggest they're not necessarily becoming a lot more productive. The data shows labour productivity's at its lowest levels for 20 years.That's ringing alarm bells among businesses and some economists, who say increasing productivity is essential to lift incomes and keep pace with the likes of Australia. Here's Our Economics Correspondent Corin Dann. PKG
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1720 BUSINESS NEWS with Patrick O'Meara.
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The police are stacking the deck against drug dealers in South Auckland.As part of operation 'House of Cards" pictures and profiles of thirty of the most prolific offenders in the area will be produced on playing cards to be used by officers in Otara. Hannah Ockelford reports. PKG
A woman has been rescued after spending last night trapped in her car which went off the Rimutaka Hill Road north of Wellington.Police say the accident happened at nine o'clock last night, but the woman could not get to her cellphone to call for help until early this afternoon.Joining me now is Kevin Basher from the Featherston Police LIVE
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1730 HEADLINES
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SPORTS NEWS WITH David Reid
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In Vanuatu, foreign ministers from the Pacific Forum say they'll try to convince Fiji's military government to hold elections in 18 months.Fiji's leader Commodore Frank Bainimarama is not at the meeting but has already said elections following December's coup are still some time away.Our Pacific Issues correspondent Richard Pamatatau is in Vanuatu. LIVE
A Massey University Librarian has admitted in court to stealing six rare books worth more than 20 thousands dollars from the libaray where she worked.Karen Churton was part of a nationwide network that is believed to have stolen more than a-million dollars worth of rare books. The theft was uncovered as part Operation Pukapuka, a police investigation that has uncovered the theft of valuable books from libraries throughout New Zealand over a ten-year period.John Redmayne is the head librarian at Massey University PREREC
Global music's coming alive at New Zealand's third Womad festival in New Plymouth - despite the site being hit by Wednesday's storm.Organisers expect the 400 performers from 21 countries will attract more than 40-thousand through the gates over the weekend.In a moment we'll cross live to our man at the venue, Craig Ashworth.But first he reports that the local version of the globe-trotting festival is gaining a reputation as "the friendly Womad". PKG
And Craig Ashworth joins us now from Brooklands Park LIVE
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17.45 TRAILS
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WAATEA
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Go Hang - that's the message Zimbabwe's leader Robert Mugabe has given to Western countries who criticise his regime. It follows international condemnation of the recent arrests and beatings of the opposition leader Morgan Tsvangarei and other opposition activists.' Fiona Werge reports. PKG
Now, what about this for a horse race! 40 horses and their competitors were up before the sun at the A and P showgrounds in Hastings for a 100 kilometre endurance race over farmland and public roads - a first for this country. it's part of the Horse of the Year show which has attracted entries from all over New Zealand as well as South Africa and Europe.Our reporter Heugh Chappell joined the riders saddled up. PKG
As the cricket world cup in the West Indies begins to get fully underway, organisers say there is no doubt that the likes of Scotland, the Netherlands and Canada bring added interest to the competition.There's no doubt either about the dedication needed for these teams to even appear.CNN's Pethero Pinto has been watching the minor teams and speaking to some of those involved in the competition: PKG
Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has described the UN Security Council as lacking any international legitimacy following a proposal of further sanctions. Iran has so far refused to comply with its demand to suspend the enrichment of uranium, which Tehran says is for electricity generation, not nuclear weapons. Since sanctions were first imposed in December, a growing number of Iranians have been openly critical of the President's confrontational approach to the issue. Pam O'Toole reports: PKG
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