**** CKPT FOR THUR 27 MAR 2008
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1700 to 1707 NEWS
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PALMERSTON NORTH AIR: A takeover bid looks to have ended Palmerston North's new trans-Tasman air service before it even begins. The Palmerston North Airport company says Ozjet, which was to take over the international service out of the city on Sunday, will pull out of the deal if it's bought by Air Nauru. Bryan Gibson reports. PKG
UNIVERSITY BUCHANAN: Auckland University has been ordered by the Employment Relations Authority to pay more than 65-thousand dollars to a high profile academic who was sacked last year. But it says the University does not have to reinstate him. The politics lecturer Paul Buchanan was dismissed after sending what's been described as an offensive email to an international student. Our education correspondent, Gael Woods, has the story. PKG
Marty Braithwaite is a spokesperson for the Association of University Staff.He's been in contact with Dr Buchanan about the decision. PRE REC
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BUSINESS NEWS
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US-CHINA: The United States President George Bush has phoned his Chinese counterpart, Hu Jintao to raise concerns about unrest in Tibet and to encourage the Chinese government to talk with the Dalai Lama. But our correspondent in Washington, Daniel Ryntjes, says the conversation was also an attempt to be seen to be taking action on Tibet. PREREC
Foreign journalists have been allowed into Lhasa, for the first time in a week to inspect the aftermath of the riots in the Tibetan capital ten days ago. The trip's being strictly controlled by the Chinese governmentBut an Associated Press correspondent who is on the trip, Charles Hutzler, describes what he has seen: PRE REC
TOURIST ATTACK: An English tourist has been sexually attacked while walking a popular track in the Bay of Islands.The police in Paihia say the 27-year-old was dragged into the bush between the Waitangi treaty grounds and the Haruru falls carpark yesterday afternoon. Joining us now is the Northland Police communications officer Sarah Kennett. LIVE
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17.30 HEADLINES
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CABLE THEFTS: Former power company employees are thought to be behind the recent theft of cables throughout the Waikato. Several hundred metres of live cable has been stolen from rural areas around Te Aroha and Morrinsville.Senior sergeant Peter Van der Wettring says the thefts are the work of at least three or four people who know what they're doing.PRE REC
TIMOR GOFF: The Defence Minister has revealed more about the assassination attempts on East Timor's President and Prime Minister last month. Phil Goff is back from visiting East Timor and he also dropped in on President Jose Ramos-Horta, who's recovering in Darwin after the February shooting attack. PRE REC
WELLINGTON BAN: The Wellington City Council has accepted a proposal to prohibit the consumption and possession of liquor at all times in the city central area, Oriental Parade, Mount Victoria and Aro Valley.Reporter David Reid finds out more. PKG
HOUSING POOR: Community leaders in South Auckland are calling the current housing situation a crisis, with families forced to live in hostels, garages and cars as rents skyrocket.They say people on low incomes can't possibly pay the average rent of 3 hundred dollars a week. Bridget Gourlay reports. PKG
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WAATEA NEWS
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RUGBY: At least one change is on the cards for New Zealand rugby following a 2-day forum of more than 80 rugby people in Wellington.The Air New Zealand Cup for first division teams looks set for a revamp.Joining us is our rugby reporter Barry Guy... LIVE
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